To read the judgement summaries use links here:
AFSCME Statement
Time line of of Dispute Events & Summary of Ruling
From the Ruling Summary: "There is no way to sugar-coat the facts: Ms. Bourne was treated horribly by the Board of Education.
And when push came to shove, the City punished the victim."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2013
Arbitrators
Rules in Favor of Middletown AFSCME Union
New Britain, CT
— The union representing Middletown
public service workers today applauded an arbitrator’s ruling that the
City acted illegally when it transferred an employee from the Board of
Education to the Parks and Recreation Department after she had raised concerns
about the Board’s financial practices.
In a decision issued July 29, Arbitrator Roberta Golick found the City
acted without just cause by removing the grievant, AFSCME Local 466 member
Christine Bourne, from her position as Payroll Supervisor at the Board of
Education and moving her to the position of Program/Budget Analyst in the Parks
and Recreation Department.
The involuntary transfer took place in 2010 amid litigation between the
City and the Board of Education.
Golick wrote, “There is no way to sugar-coat the facts: Ms.
Bourne was treated horribly by the Board of Education. And when push came to
shove, the City punished the victim.”
In the award, Golick directed the City to immediately reinstate Bourne
to her prior position at the Board of Education and to make her whole for any
losses, if any, in wages and benefits for the period December 8, 2010 to date
of reinstatement. She also directed the City and the Union
to jointly attempt to calculate damages.
“Arbitrator Golick’s ruling is a victory for workers’
rights in the City of Middletown,”
said Bourne, who was elected President of her bargaining unit in 2012.
“Our union was caught in a political turf war, so I hope the arbitration
award sends a strong message about the importance of respecting the collective
bargaining agreement. You can’t discipline employees without just cause,
and you can’t retaliate against them when they speak their mind.
I’m glad this ordeal is over.”
Council 4 Staff Representative Ed Thibodeau advocated for Local 466
during the arbitration. Council 4 is the parent union of Local 466, which represents
nearly 400 City and Board of Education employees in Middletown.
A copy of Arbitrator Golick’s ruling is attached to this press
release.
#
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Larry
Dorman
Council
4 Public Affairs
(860)
612-3855 (Direct)
(860)
989-9127 (Cell)
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