Neither would Suburban. This petite professional, this compassionate nurse was crushed by the brutality of the treatment. That she was able to hold her head up and fight back pays tribute to the gentle, hidden strength within her. Joanne took a stand, and NPO helped her to survive and fight back. Since NPO did not have recognition and a contract, there was no way to make a grievance effective.
Contracts normally provide for a grievance procedure ending in binding arbitration.
If a neutral arbitrator rules for the nurse under a contract, that is legally binding on the employer. There was no NPO contract to help Joanne. NPO assisted Joanne in fighting the case under federal labor law. Joanne had participated openly in collective action so this was possible. It was a long and difficult struggle.