State Labor Agency: City of Waltham Must Defend Its Refusal to Give Info to Fire Fighters

As part of a duty to bargain in good faith, public employers must provide information relevant for unions to negotiate a contract. Attorney Leah Barrault persuaded the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations (DLR) that the City of Waltham must answer for its refusal to disclose raises given to other city employees. The DLR issued a complaint Friday alleging that the City has violated its obligations under Massachusetts law.

Waltham Firefighters, Local 866, IAFF members have been without a contract since July 2013. Local 866 several times requested the pay rates and increases provided to teachers, among other public employees. At the time of the DLR hearing, the City had refused to provide the information without explanation. Local 866 therefore was forced to file an unfair labor practice charge against the City. The City and Local 866 are scheduled to present their collective bargaining dispute to a neutral arbitration panel this Friday.

Arbitrators usually consider as relevant the amount of pay increases provided to other employees.

A hearing on the DLR complaint will occur sometime in March.