Federal Charges Filed Against Northern Berkshire Healthcare

09:28AM / Tuesday, July 07, 2009Print Story | Email Story

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — A federal agency has filed a formal complaint against Northern Berkshire Healthcare citing 13 different instances of federal labor-law violation in relation to alleged anti-union activities at Sweet Brook Care Centers.

Sweet Brook is a subsidiary of Northern Berkshire Healthcare, which also operates North Adams Regional Hospital. Many hospital workers are represented by 1199 SEIU; workers at Sweet Brook were to hold a vote on whether to join SEIU.

The complaint from the National Labor Relations Board accuses Sweet Brook management of engaging in surveillance of employees, coercion and intimidation, as well as interfering with and restraining the rights of caregivers at Sweet Brook.

"This has always been about protecting the quality of care we provide for our residents," said Sweet Brook certified nursing assistant Annette Tatro. "We should be allowed do our jobs at Sweet Brook without being harassed or threatened by management. I’m relived that the NLRB is taking steps to stop the outrageous behavior of management at Sweet Brook."

The decision by the NLRB favoring the workers at Sweet Brook directly addresses the aggressive internal campaign of intimidation that union officials say was waged by Sweet Brook and NBH officials in an effort to convince employees to give up their goals of improving resident care and jobs at the home through forming a union.

The complaint issued by the NLRB sets the date for a hearing on the matter to take place on July 14, 2009 in Boston.

Sweet Brook workers estimate that under the direction of Palmisano, NBH has now wasted more than $100,000 in taxpayer and patient care funds on costly out-of-state anti-union consultants, as well as executive junkets and discretionary legal fees.

"The conduct of the management and supervisors at Sweet Brook has been atrocious," said Mike Fadel, executive vice president of 1199SEIU. "But what is even more shocking is inaction on the part of the Board of Northern Berkshire Healthcare. Allowing this conduct to continue is simply irresponsible and in direct conflict with their fiduciary responsibilities as stewards of this health care organization."

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Veteran Spotlight: Marine Corp. Tim Woodward

By Wayne SoaresSpecial to iBerkshires
05:17PM / Sunday, February 15, 2026

FALMOUTH, Mass. — Tim Woodward served his country in the Marine Corps as a corporal from 1983 to 1987.

Having grown up with Tim, you knew he was the type of person who would succeed at whatever he attempted. His drive and discipline set him apart from his peers, even at a young age. He would have four college acceptances after graduating from Falmouth High School, but put them on hold to enlist in the Marines, where he did his basic training at Parris Island, S.C.

"It was definitely an eye opener," he said. "I had some pretty good preparation as my father and uncle were Marines. It was a lot of work, more mental than physical, and a lot of people weren't prepared for that.

"I wasn't fearful. It was about earning the title of U.S Marines. I'm proud of the fact that I was selected for just about every leadership position in my platoon, including Honor Man. I had a great time."

Woodward's first assignment would take him to the former Naval Air Station Memphis in Tennessee for aviation electronics training through a rolling admissions program.

"Made it all the way through — I was pretty good at troubleshooting. I always wanted to fly jets but ended up working on them," he said. "After schooling, I was sent to Whidbey Island, north of Tacoma and Seattle, Wash., where I was attached to Navy Squadron VAQ-129, where I learned to test the electronics on the Grumman EA 6B Prowler.

"I also did five months with VAQ-29. I remember when you drove into the base the sign overhead said, 'EXCUSE OUR NOISE, IT'S THE SOUND OF FREEDOM,'" Woodward said. "I had a chance to climb on the jets, wash them like your car, walk on the wings — lots of good memories."

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