First Amendment Does Not Protect Employee Who Is “Just Doing His Job”

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Oct 28, 2016 | In Our Opinion..., Labor In The News

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today reaffirmed that an employee does not have First Amendment protection for statements made as part of his job. New Worcester County Sheriff Louis Evangelidis fired Jude Cristo, who had been the Director of Payroll and Human...

BOSTON POLICE PATROLMEN’S ASSOCIATION WINS BIG IN APPEALS COURT – SIX TERMINATED POLICE OFFICERS REINSTATED

by John Becker | Oct 7, 2016 | Labor In The News, Sandulli Grace In The News

COURT AFFIRMS CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION FINDING THAT PSYCHEMEDICS’ HAIR DRUG TESTING USES BAD SCIENCE The Massachusetts Appeals Court issued a decision on October 7, 2016 regarding the civil service appeals of 10 Boston police officers who were terminated solely...

Masscop Members In Rockport Win Back National Guard Pay Benefit – Arbitrator Rejects Town’s Argument That Payments Are Unlawful.

by John Becker | Aug 8, 2016 | Labor In The News, Sandulli Grace In The News

Arbitrator Richard Boulanger handed a significant victory to Local 154 (Rockport) of the Massachusetts Coalition of Police, AFL-CIO (“Union”) on August 3, 2016 when he sustained a grievance over pay cuts by the Town of Rockport (“Town”) for officers attending National...

Appeals Court Upholds Power of Arbitrators to Decide Whether a Teacher has Professional Teacher Status

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Jun 30, 2016 | In Our Opinion..., Labor In The News

Today, the Appeals Court issued a decision holding that arbitrators, acting pursuant to their authority under G.L. c. 71, § 42, have the authority to determine if a dismissed teacher held professional teacher status at the time of his/her dismissal. Under G.L. c. 71,...

Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Reverses District Court’s “Deflategate” Decision, Reinstates Brady’s Suspension

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Apr 26, 2016 | In Our Opinion..., Labor In The News

By a 2-1 decision, a panel of three judges of the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit overturned District Court Judge Richard Berman’s decision that overturned the NFL’s suspension of New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady. In its decision, the majority held...

SJC Determines That State Pension Forfeiture Statute Is A Fine, Subject To The Eighth Amendment

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Apr 6, 2016 | Labor In The News

The Supreme Judicial Court has ruled that G.L. c. 32, § 15(4) is a fine and therefore subject to the restrictions of the Eighth Amendment of the United States’ Constitution. Section 15(4) provides for the forfeiture of a public employee’s pension and health insurance...