NAGE Wins Huge Case for Member after City of Bridgeport Fails to Comply with Arbitration Award
December 17, 2007
On July 14, 2003, a NAGE member (Local R1-200) employed by the City of Bridgeport was issued a significant award in an arbitration that resulted from a grievance the union filed when the City bumped the employee out of an acting position as a Custodian IV. The bumping was found to be in violation of the contract. The City was ordered to make the employee whole and to put him in the same or nearly the same position he would have been but for the City's wrongful bump back.
When the City complied with the award only in part, NAGE filed a complaint with the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations alleging that the City of Bridgeport had violated the Municipal Employee Relations Act (MERA). NAGE attorney John Owen co-represented the union in the matter.
The case went to hearing, with both parties filing briefs and the City filing a reply brief. After the hearing, the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations ordered that:
- The City must immediately reinstate the grievant to a Custodian IV position;
- The grievant must be made whole for any losses he has suffered, including but not limited to back pay with benefits and interest at the rate of 8% per annum within 45 days of the notice;
- The City must pay to the Union its costs and expenses incurred in the investigation, preparation, presentation and conduct of this case and reasonable counsel fees to be determined at a compliance hearing on damages before this board in the event that the parties do not reach an agreement within 45 days;
- Post this decision where all bargaining unit members assemble.