Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – Innercare is facing a federal complaint from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
The NLRB alleges Innercare management interfered with employees who were trying to form a union and took actions against workers involved in organizing efforts.
Workers began raising concerns about wages and benefits in 2023 and later connected with Service Employees International Union – United Healthcare Workers West.
A former employee we spoke to says management opposed the organizing effort and questioned their job performance after union discussions began.
A federal hearing is scheduled for March. A judge will review testimony and evidence before issuing a decision, a process that could take several months.
The outcome could affect terminated workers and determine whether Innercare is required to recognize the union and enter negotiations.
Innercare responded by sharing two statements addressing the complaint, one of which they shared with press last week:
“Innercare is deeply committed to our employees and being an employer of choice. We support the rights of our employees to decide for themselves whether they want to join a union. In a July 2024 secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), Innercare employees overwhelmingly rejected representation by SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West, with more than 60% of the employees voting against the union. The union lodged dozens of frivolous challenges before and after the election, most of which the NLRB has since rejected or the union withdrew. The remaining allegations will proceed to a hearing before an administrative law judge starting on March 17, 2026.
Despite the union’s rhetoric, it is important to note that the administrative process is ongoing. While the union may characterize the pending complaint as a conclusion that Innercare engaged in unfair labor practices, this is simply not true.
Innercare denies that it engaged in unlawful conduct or violated employees’ rights under federal labor law in any way. Innercare is committed to fostering a respectful, lawful, and supportive workplace for all employees.
Innercare has consistently sought to act in good faith and in compliance with all applicable labor laws, even in the face of an extremely aggressive union organizing campaign. Because this matter is ongoing, Innercare looks forward to addressing the few remaining issues through the proper adjudication channels.
Innercare remains focused on its mission of delivering high-quality care to the communities it serves and supporting the dedicated employees who make that work possible. Our patient-led board ensures our services align with our mission of high quality and community based care.”
An in response to an interview request:
“We connected with our lawyers, who have advised us not to speak on this matter since it’s an active proceeding before the National Labor Relations Board. As you likely know, we’ve got a hearing set in mid-March on the union’s complaint, and we’re looking forward to presenting our case at that time. What I can say is that Innercare is confident we’ve done nothing wrong, and we stand behind the statement we gave to the press last week.”
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