NYU Langone takes on state’s largest healthcare union

NYU Langone Medical Center has pitted itself against the state’s largest healthcare union, 1199 SEIU, four of its chief hospital competitors and a collective-bargaining unit representing 109 notfor-profit hospitals and nursing homes.

In a recently filed federal lawsuit, NYU Langone alleges that 1199 SEIU and the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York have forced it to make about $25 million in additional payments to the 1199 Benefit Fund for Health and Human Service Employees since it withdrew from the league in March. The payments cover medical, dental and disability benefits.

Other defendants in the lawsuit are Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

NYU Langone said in the lawsuit that the league’s actions violated federal antitrust law. After the withdrawal, the league no longer represented NYU Langone in negotiations with the union, but the health system was still bound by a 2014 agreement concerning wages and benefits and required to pay dues, according to the complaint.