Union

Ninth Circuit Upholds Dismissal of SAG-AFTRA Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit, Reinforcing Union Representation Standards

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Los Angeles, California — The Ninth Circuit Court has recently upheld a lower court’s dismissal of a collective lawsuit brought by members of SAG-AFTRA against their union, citing time constraints and legal preemption of claims. The case stemmed from allegations that SAG-AFTRA breached its fair representation duty by negotiating a return-to-work agreement that permitted studio and producer partners to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations, which some union members opposed for various reasons. The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California had previously dismissed the members’ claims on two significant grounds. First, it ruled that the … Read more

Judge Rules in Favor of Newton Teachers Union, Dismissing Controversial Strike Lawsuit

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NEWTON, Mass. — A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed against the Newton Teachers Association, following a strike that occurred earlier this year. The decision comes after a protracted dispute between the local union and the school district over teacher compensation and classroom conditions. The strike, which lasted several days, aimed to address concerns about wages and resources, highlighting the ongoing tensions between educational staff and administration. Parents and community members gathered in support of the educators, many advocating for improved salaries and better learning environments for students. In making the ruling, the judge found … Read more

Justice for Firefighters: Federal Jury Awards $1 Million to Kentucky Duo Fired for Union Activism

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LEXINGTON, Ky. — A federal grand jury recently awarded $1 million to two former firefighters in Kentucky who claimed they were wrongfully terminated for their efforts to form a union. Jamie Bottom and Derrick Steele, both of the Harrodsburg Fire Department, were fired in March 2023 shortly after being elected to leadership roles in the newly established union. The jury delivered its verdict on July 18, concluding that the firings were illegal. Steele, a captain, and Bottom, a lieutenant, had begun advocating for better working conditions, including complaints about low staffing, inadequate training, and financial … Read more

Oregon Union Faces Ethics Complaint: GOP Lawmakers Accuse SEIU of Manipulating Lobbying Tactics

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Salem, Oregon — A group of eight Republican lawmakers has raised concerns that a powerful union in Oregon may have violated state lobbying laws during the recent legislative session. The accusations center around the Oregon chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which represents over 70,000 workers across the state. Last month, the lawmakers submitted a formal complaint to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, alleging that SEIU provided misleading information in letters sent to legislators in late April. These letters aimed to garner support for a bill that sought to establish a board responsible … Read more