HealthBridge sues under RICO

Upping the ante in an ongoing labor standoff in Connecticut, HealthBridge Management L.L.C. sued two unions under federal racketeering law, claiming the defendants have engaged in “economic terrorism” in a bid to force HealthBridge to accede to union demands or go out of business.

HealthBridge and CareOne Management L.L.C. filed their lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, where the affiliates are based in Fort Lee. Defendants include United Healthcare Workers East SEIU 1199 and New England Health Care Employees Union District 1199 SEIU. HealthBridge and CareOne filed their lawsuit under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

Workers at HealthBridge facilities went on strike July 3 at facilities in Stamford, Westport, Danbury, Milford and Newington, with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy spending part of a day on the picket line while denouncing the company’s labor stance.

Daniel Straus, an indirect owner of HealthBridge and CareOne, claimed the unions are attempting to intimidate him by invading his privacy, harassing him and impeding business and philanthropic activities of his that are unrelated to the company.