Labor judge rules in flu-shot case

Virginia Mason Medical Center did not have to bargain with the nurses union before imposing a requirement to wear face masks if nurses declined to get a flu shot, an administrative law judge has ruled.

But the National Labor Relations Board judge also found that the medical center violated federal labor law by failing to bargain in good faith, including providing false and misleading information about its intentions regarding the flu-control policy. The judge also found the medical center failed to provide information to the union in a timely manner.

As a remedy, the medical center now must post notices assuring union members that it will respect their rights and refrain from such violations.

The ruling is the latest chapter in a long dispute between the hospital, its 600-plus nurses and their union, the Washington State Nurses Association, over flu-control measures. A 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals case is still pending.

Fort Lewis

11th Fort Lewis soldier dies in Iraq

A 21-year-old Arizona soldier is the 11th from Fort Lewis to die in Iraq this year.

Cpl. Casey L. Mellen of Huachuca City, Ariz., died Monday in Balad, Iraq, the Department of Defense said Thursday. He was injured when his mounted patrol met enemy forces using small-arms fire during combat operations in Mosul, Iraq.

Seattle

Man flashing women at UW

University of Washington police are looking for a man who has been exposing himself to women on campus.

Police say four incidents were reported this month.

The man is often naked from the waist down and sometimes wears a leather climbing harness. He also has worn a blue baseball cap, blue dress shirt and brown boots.

He's described as white, 6 feet, 180 pounds in his 40s or early 50s with gray, possibly thinning hair.

Seattle

Gunman fires shot at police car

Police spent Thursday night searching for the person who shot out the back window of a police cruiser. The officer wasn't hurt.

The officer reported that he was driving in the 7400 block of Rainier Avenue South around 9:45 p.m. when the shooting occurred.

Federal Way

Boy found in pool in critical condition

A 3-year-old boy is in critical condition at Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center in Seattle after he nearly drowned Thursday in his family's swimming pool.

The boy's mother was inside the home in the 30100 block of 17th Avenue Southwest and his father was working in the backyard when the child somehow got to the pool, said Federal Way police spokeswoman Stacy Flores.

The child's mother found him unconscious in the pool, Flores said, and medics revived him.

Times staff and news services