ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Cayuga Medical Center faces labor charges.

The Communications Workers of America filed charges Monday, Dec. 8 with the National Labor Relations Board, accusing CMC of violating federal labor law and the rights of nurses who’ve formed a union.

Cayuga United-CWA was created by nurses over alleged poor working conditions and staffing issues. Union officials say CMC managers broke federal law Friday by holding a captive audience meeting where an anti-union message was allegedly read.

“By holding captive audience, anti-union meetings, Cayuga Medical Center has not respected the right of its nurses to freely organize,” CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor said. “CMC nurses are the heart of the Ithaca community and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect when they speak out to improve working conditions.”

The new union group, which includes over 250 registered nurses, is asking for recognition from the Cayuga Medical Center.