Opinion ID: 760462
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Assigning, Discharging, Disciplining, and Adjusting Grievances

Text: 16 VIP argues that the evidence presented at the hearing on the appropriateness of the bargaining unit demonstrates that field nurses assign HHAs work through the reclustering process, that field nurses effectively recommend discharge and discipline of HHAs by directing staff at VIP's office to take such actions, and that field nurses adjust HHAs' grievances. VIP is correct that there is much evidence to support these claims, but much directly contradicts them. The Regional Director, whose opinion we are functionally reviewing, resolved these contradictions in favor of the union, i.e., finding that the field nurses do not have the authority to assign, discharge, or discipline HHAs, or to adjust their grievances. 17 These factual findings need only be supported by substantial evidence. See 29 U.S.C. § 160(e); Allegheny Ludlum Corp. v. NLRB, 104 F.3d 1354, 1358 (D.C.Cir.1997). They are. Several of the nurses offered extensive and consistent testimony to the effect that they do not possess any authority in these areas. With respect to relaying problems with HHAs to the VIP office, which the nurses acknowledged they sometimes do, mere reporting is insufficient to establish that the nurses effectively recommend discharge or discipline. 8 See NLRB v. Dickerson-Chapman, Inc., 964 F.2d 493, 500 (5th Cir.1992). 18 VIP's citation to Passavant Retirement & Health Center v. NLRB, 149 F.3d 243 (3d Cir.1998), does not rescue its case. In Passavant, the court found that the authority of nurses to send aides home for flagrant violations, such as abusing a patient, constituted authority to discipline involving the use of independent judgment. See id. at 249. Evidence that VIP's field nurses can unilaterally discipline HHAs is contradicted by the nurses' testimony. Because the finding that field nurses do not discipline HHAs is supported by substantial evidence, we do not reach the question considered in Passavant, for which VIP evidently cites the case, of whether such authority involves independent judgment.