Case Study: Happy Trails, LLC is a medium-sized independent living home, a for-profit facility located in a suburban environment. Due to traffic and road congestion, this eldercare facility is the most convenient independent living home near the city. Independent living homes in the city offer many of the same services as Happy Trails, but are more expensive. The elderly may go to several hospitals for acute health care issues.

In a response to the changing economy and patient access from the suburban areas to the city, Happy Trails has taken some measures to compete, become more attractive, and build on its long-term care for patients in the surrounding areas. It has reduced overtime allotments of its seasoned patient care staff, and has terminated several registered nurses. As the registered nurses leave Happy Trails, they are replaced by Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), who receive lower compensation and fewer benefits.

The health care facilities in the city are unionized and are well represented by an experienced union business agent. The union has recently negotiated superior wages and benefits at the independent living homes in the city.

In terms of the health care professionals employed there, Happy Trails is not so happy now because the union representing the other facilities has received the attention of the Happy Trails LPNs.

Write a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper that responds to the following questions:

As a Learning Team, you are a group of individuals who are members of a consulting firm. You are responsible for representing these LPNs and advising them regarding the following questions:

• The LPNs have asked for your advice:
  • What would you advise the LPNs to do? Should they unionize? What are the advantages and disadvantages of unionizing at Happy Trials?
  • What issues might the union raise during the organizing effort?
  • What steps must the LPNs follow to unionize?
  • What unfair labor practices need to be avoided by LPNs?
• The independent living home management team has asked for your advice:
  • What would you advise the independent living home management to do? Should they oppose unionization?
  • What arguments or defenses might the hospital raise to the union’s organizing issues?
  • If the company elects to resist unionization, what steps must the company follow?
  • What unfair labor practices need to be avoided by management?
• Happy Trails’ management team may engage in any number of activities during the unionization. Which of the following would you advise? Explain why or why not.
  • Actively promote LPNs, offer bonuses, and place some into leadership and management roles.
  • Tell employees salary increases must cease to finance the collective bargaining agreement.
  • Explain current employee benefits to the LPNs, comparing them to the union promises.
  • Threaten to close the facility due to the union campaign.
  • Assist in the circulation of antiunion petitions.
  • Counter union exaggerated claims on flyers.
  • Tell employees they do not need to talk to union organizers, that they may vote against the union, and that the independent living home does not welcome the union.
  • Solicit employees to request the return of their authorization cards.
  • Tell employees they may be replaced if they vote for the union.
  • Appeal to the employees to defeat the union.

Include a description of the specific labor laws that you included and why.

Discuss your responses to each of the previous questions and include applicable references.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines

Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment.