43rd Annual Workshop for Public Sector Labor Relations Specialists

by Amy Laura Davidson | Apr 1, 2016 | Labor In The News, Sandulli Grace In The News

On Saturday May 7th, the Boston Bar Association will be holding its 43rd Annual Workshop for Public Sector Labor Relations Specialists at Langdell Hall, Harvard Law School. The program is designed to familiarize lay people and attorneys who specialize in labor...

The Supreme Court Hands Down An Unexpected Public Sector Union Victory

by Amy Laura Davidson | Mar 29, 2016 | In Our Opinion..., Labor In The News

An evenly divided Supreme Court upheld a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling supporting the right of public sector unions to collect fair share fees from employees they represent who are not members of the union. Friedrichs v. California Teachers...

Appeals Court Upholds Arbitrator’s Award Reinstating Employee, Even Where Arbitrator Found He Sexually Harassed A Co-Worker

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Mar 25, 2016 | Labor In The News

The Massachusetts Appeals Court today upheld an arbitrator’s reinstatement of a City of Springfield employee who was found to have sexually harassed a co-worker. The case is City of Springfield v. United Public Service Employees Unions, No. 15-P-742. The three judge...

Termination Upheld When Safety Violation Was Intentional And There Were Prior Disciplines

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Mar 8, 2016 | In Our Opinion..., Labor In The News

The Labor Arbitration Institute have arbitrators discuss hypothetical employment arbitration scenarios and state how he/she would have ruled. These “decisions” by arbitrators can be helpful in assessing how an arbitrator would rule in real world cases. In this...

Workers’ Compensation Recipients Not Required To Reimburse Employer From Settlement Proceeds Allocated To Pain And Suffering

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Feb 15, 2016 | In Our Opinion..., Labor In The News

Employees who receive workers’ compensation benefits may not sue their employers in tort.  G.L. c. 152 Sec. 24.  Employees may, however, file claims against third parties.  G.L. c. 152 Sec. 15.  If the employee recovers damages from the third party, the employer is...

Department Cannot Refuse To Reinstate Officer After Arbitrator Determines Shooting Was Justified

by Sandulli Grace Staff | Feb 8, 2016 | In Our Opinion..., Labor In The News

Late last year the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the reinstatement of a Portland Police Officer, rejecting the city’s attempt to negate an arbitrator’s order under the guise of “public policy.” The case Portland Police Ass’n v. City of Portland arose out of the 2010...