Recent Developments

9 April, 2014

Attorney Betsy Ehrenberg, on behalf of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, persuaded a neutral arbitrator that Tobey Hospital did not have the right to canceled scheduled regular shifts of a certified nursing assistant (CNA) because she worked overtime.

9 April, 2014

Attorneys Leah Barrault and Jillian Ryan, on behalf of Malden Fire Fighters Local 902, IAFF requested that the City of Malden provide copies of collective bargaining agreements for other City bargaining units and individual contracts for department heads. The information was requested both under Chapter 150E, the collective bargaining law, and Chapter 66, the public records law. This information is clearly necessary for Local 902 to prepare for contract negotiations and an anticipated interest arbitration to wages and benefits for fire fighters.

2 April, 2014

Attorneys Leah Barrault and Ian Russell persuaded an arbitrator that the City of Medford's redistribution of certain Deputy Chief overtime vacancies violated the collective bargaining agreement with Medford Fire Fighters Union, Local 1032, IAFF. The arbitrator agreed that the reassignment of these vacancies to a single captain - rather than based on seniority of captains from the appropriate work group - violated the past practice enshrined in the contract.

4 April, 2014

Today, Plymouth Town Meeting voted overwhelmingly to fund a new contract that will help fire fighters get closer to average wages. Attorney Leah Barrault represents Plymouth Fire Fighters Local 1768, IAFF.

31 March, 2014

Attorney Patrick Bryant worked with the National Labor Relations Board's Boston office to investigate allegations of statements made by Chelsea's Signature Breads during an organizing drive by UFCW Local 1445. It is unlawful for an employer to threaten to reduce employee wages and benefits if they support a union, or to promise to increase pay and benefits if they oppose a union.

23 March, 2014

Boston Medical Center issued a dress code for employees but deliberately looked the other way when employees did not adhere to it. Instead of enforcing its dress code, BMC decided to order employees to wear a uniform. Attorney David Rome persuaded an independent and neutral Arbitrator that this new policy violated BMC's collective bargaining agreement with 1199SEIU United Health Care Workers East.

26 February, 2014

The National Labor Relations Board has rejected a bid by Lawrence-employer CLASS, Inc to overturn the will of workers who voted last Spring for representation by SEIU Local 509. Attorneys Patrick Bryant and Katherine Shea represent Local 509 in all aspects of litigation involving CLASS, Inc.

13 February, 2014

After the Department of Labor Relations issued a two-count complaint against the Town of Athol for its conduct toward the Ayer Fire Fighters Association Local 1751, IAFF, the Town moved to dismiss. Attorney Patrick Bryant represents the Union.

5 February, 2014

Attorney Patrick Bryant persuaded the Department of Labor Relations to issue a complaint that the Town of Ayer violated its duty to bargain in good faith when the Town withdrew support for items that it proposed during negotiations and when a Town bargaining team member voted against a proposed agreement at a Board meeting.

4 February, 2014

Today, the National Labor Relations Board proposed to reduce the bureaucracy and delay associated with elections by employees about whether can be represented by a union. Such changes are long overdue, as employers frequently use litigation tactics and delay to prevent employees from making free and informed choices about union representation. Naturally, the management bar will object to changes that benefit workers and workplace rights.

The NLRB's announcement can be found by clicking on the link below or downloading the document below.