PruittHealth, the management company for Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Maryland, has agreed to voluntarily recognize IAM District 4 as the official bargaining representative for about 80 registered nurses and licensed practical nurses at the facility. The recognition was granted on July 9, 2025, just before a scheduled union election.
IAM District 4 Organizer Kevin Gallegher had been preparing for an election when discussions between IAM Eastern Territory International Representative Andrew Hounshell and PruittHealth’s legal counsel led to an agreement to bypass the vote. Instead, the company accepted majority support for the union shown through signed authorization cards.
The newly recognized bargaining unit covers all full-time and regular part-time RNs and LPNs at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, excluding managerial and certain supervisory roles. IAM District 4 already represents other groups of workers at the home, including non-professional and service-related staff. Their representation at Charlotte Hall began with maintenance staff and expanded over time due to a positive relationship with management.
“I’m very excited to see my home shop become completely unionized,” said IAM District 4 Business Representative Bonna McCarthy, who previously won voluntary recognition of drivers and the laundry and housekeeping staff with the company. “I’ve always believed we’re stronger together than divided like we have been for the past eight years. I look forward to preparing for negotiations and getting a fair contract so that the nurses’ voices can be heard.”
In recent years, IAM has contributed to improvements at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. In 2022, it installed a new entry sign after renovating communal spaces using funds raised by an annual golf tournament organized by its international president. The union also organizes collections of comfort items during holidays and hosts lunches for veterans from the home through its Winpisinger Center staff.
“The recognition demonstrates a cooperative approach by PruittHealth to respect workers’ choices and avoid prolonged labor disputes,” said IAM District 4 Directing Business Representative Jay Wadleigh. “We’re proud to represent the staff at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. We’re proud of the work they do, and we’re proud of the mutually beneficial relationship we have with management that ultimately leads to happy staff and well-cared-for veterans.”
IAM District 4 will now begin negotiations led by McCarthy in hopes of securing a first contract that addresses nurses’ needs.
“IAM District 4 is a strong force for good in Southern Maryland,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Their solidarity and union pride is strong, and we are pleased to welcome the rest of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home staff into our union. These are caregivers of our veterans, and we intend to make all of their lives better through the IAM.”
