Addiction Treatment Workers Call for HPAE Union Election

HPAE Press Release: Those on the front lines of treating individuals with substance abuse and alcohol addiction see the devastating impact the current drug epidemic has on the lives of people impacted and on our society. Workers at Sunrise House Treatment Center in Lafayette, NJ struggle everyday to treat their clients in a safe manner. Safety concerns for both clients and caregivers at Sunrise led workers to file with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) seeking a union election in which addiction treatment workers will vote whether to join the Health Professionals and Allied Employees (HPAE), AFT/AFL-CIO.

“Workers at Sunrise are advocates for their clients, caring for them and helping them recover from their addiction. It is crucial workers’ voices are heard and resources are provided to make sure safe, quality treatment is the first priority, not the profits of the for-profit company and its shareholders interests,” said Ann Twomey, HPAE President.

Sunrise House is affiliated with the American Addiction Centers (AAC), a for-profit chain of addiction treatment facilities throughout the United States. AAC is a publicly traded company with corporate headquarters located in Brentwood, Tennessee.

According to HPAE, the union has filed charges with the NLRB on behalf of 125 workers claiming Sunrise House executives are coercing and intimidating workers who support efforts to unionize their workplace.

“Letting workers have an election free of intimidation is not just their right, but necessary to protect the voices of workers who speak up for their clients during difficult and challenging times in their life,” added Twomey.

AAC purchased the 110 bed substance abuse treatment center in 2015 for a total purchase price of $6.6 million. Sunrise House was founded in 1983 as a non-profit substance abuse treatment center.

For immediate release

For more information contact: Bridget Devane at (732)996-5493