🗞️ Labor Board Rejects Covenant House New York's 'Manager' Defense in Long-Running Union Standoff
The National Labor Relations Board ruled Aug. 5 that Covenant House New York broke federal labor law by refusing to bargain in good faith with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, rejecting the nonprofit's argument that two staffers on the union's bargaining committee were exempt "managers."
The National Labor Relations Board affirmed an administrative law judge's finding that Covenant House New York unlawfully refused to bargain collectively and in good faith with 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the exclusive bargaining representative for employees, including nurse practitioners, social workers and case managers, who voted to unionize in July 2022, according to the Board's decision. The three-member panel, chaired by James R. Murphy, found that Covenant House canceled bargaining sessions, refused to provide information the union requested, and conditioned further negotiations on the removal of two bargaining-committee members it claimed were managerial employees ineligible for the unit.
Administrative Law Judge Lauren Esposito, whose September 2025 decision the Board adopted with minor corrections, found that Covenant House failed to substantiate its claim that Director of Development and Communications John Sentigar and Program Compliance Coordinator Gabrielle Perez exercised the independent judgment required for managerial or supervisory status. Both employees testified, uncontradicted, that Covenant House executives retained final authority over the decisions the company said made them managers, from budgeting to staff discipline. The Board also found that Covenant House CEO Dr. Shakeema North-Albert and Senior Vice President of People and Culture Tony Johnson unlawfully threatened Sentigar and Perez with unpaid suspension in June 2024 if they continued participating in union activity.
The dispute has run for roughly four years. Workers voted to unionize in July 2022, and as of this ruling the union and the nonprofit still do not have a signed contract, according to 1199SEIU. A federal court granted the labor board's request for a preliminary injunction in the case in 2025 ordering Covenant House to meet with the union at least twice monthly, a schedule the Board's Aug. 5 order also directs the company to follow, according to Bloomberg Law. Covenant House has since filed a petition for review of the Board's decision with a federal appeals court, agency case records show.
Covenant House New York describes itself as the city's largest nonprofit serving homeless youth and receives an estimated $22 million a year in government grants, according to Gothamist, which reported that the company has said it remains committed to bargaining in good faith.
Key Points
- The NLRB found Covenant House New York violated Sections 8(a)(5) and 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act by failing to bargain in good faith, refusing to provide requested information, and threatening employees with discipline over union activity.
- The ruling covers a bargaining unit spanning Covenant House facilities in five New York City boroughs, including nurse practitioners, social workers, case managers and facilities staff, who voted to unionize with 1199SEIU in July 2022.
- Covenant House argued two bargaining-committee members, Director of Development and Communications John Sentigar and Program Compliance Coordinator Gabrielle Perez, were "managerial" employees who should be excluded from the union; the Board found neither exercised the independent authority required for that status.
- The Board ordered Covenant House to meet with the union at least twice monthly for at least four hours per session, submit bargaining progress reports every 30 days, and post notices at its facilities.
- Covenant House has filed a petition for review of the decision in federal appeals court, agency case records show.
Sourcing
Primary Source Author: NLRB Chairman James R. Murphy and Members David M. Prouty and Scott A. Mayer
Primary Source: National Labor Relations Board, Decision and Order, Covenant House New York and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Case 02-CA-337831, 375 NLRB No. 21 (Aug. 5, 2026)
Primary Source Link: NLRB Case 02-CA-337831
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