HealthBridge: Stay granted in Conn. labor dispute

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A New Jersey nursing home company says an appeals court has temporarily stayed an order that it to reinstate striking Connecticut workers.

HealthBridge Management said Monday the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted its request for a delay pending its appeal.

Hartford federal Judge Robert Chatigny (SHOT'-nee) issued the injunction last week on behalf of the National Labor Relations Board, acting for the New England Health Care Employees Union.

Chatigny declined Friday to stay his injunction ordering the reinstatements by Monday. He said HealthBridge wasn't bargaining in good faith when it imposed a new contract in June. It hired replacements when 600 workers went on strike.

HealthBridge says it acted legally because negotiations were at an impasse. It also says it doesn't want to reinstate some unidentified workers it alleges sabotaged its nursing homes.