Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that government workers who choose not to join a union cannot be charged for the cost of collective bargaining and related activities. In a 5-to-4 decision, a majority of the Court noted in Janus v. AFSCME, Council 31, that...
Public Sector Unions Dodge A Bullet With Friedrich’s Decision
A much anticipated decision was released last week in which the U.S. Supreme Court was deadlocked (4 to 4) on a challenge to so called “service fees” charged to employees who opt out of union membership. The lawsuit was based upon a lawsuit brought by a number of...
Trumbull Cops Agree To Defined Contribution Plan
While significant inroads have been made in implementing defined contribution plans for new hires in Connecticut municipal negotiations, police and fire unions have continued to resist such changes, citing, among other things, the greater likelihood a cop or...
DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing – Don’t Go it Alone!
Employers of persons who operate a commercial motor vehicle that requires a commercial driver’s license (“CDL”) should know that they are subject to the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”), Federal Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”)...
$168 Million Sexual Harassment/Retaliation Verdict
According to a recent Los Angeles Times article, a California jury recently awarded a hospital employee $168 million, including $125 million in punitive damages, to a female physician assistant who endured two years of sexually inappropriate behavior and then was...
Arbitration Panel Awards New Haven the Right to Privatize a Substantial Portion of School Custodians
In what will no doubt be viewed as a landmark decision, an interest arbitration panel has issued an award which will allow the New Haven Public Schools to privatize 86 of the 186 positions in its custodial and maintenance union, and in the process save nearly $4...
Drug & Alcohol Testing Seminar
Attorney Jeffrey Mogan will be presenting a seminar for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) on “Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations for Supervisors” on November 16, 2011 in New London. Attorney Mogan will discuss the DOT testing regulations, including...
Drug & Alcohol Testing Seminar
Attorney Jeffrey Mogan will be presenting a seminar for the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) on “Drug and Alcohol Testing Regulations for Supervisors” on November 16, 2011 in New London. Attorney Mogan will discuss the DOT testing regulations, including...
Proceedings Remain Suspended for Second Week at Office of Public Hearing
Effective July 1, 2011, all cases before the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Office of Public Hearing were suspended, see pdf, as the Governor failed to appoint new referees for the term beginning July 1, 2011. To date, new referees have yet...
Connecticut Arbitration Reform Proposal Denied by General Assembly
Apparently Connecticut Is No Wisconsin. Despite ground breaking legislation in Wisconsin, Michigan and other locales aimed at providing relief for cash strapped municipalities, none of the initiatives proposed in Connecticut have found any traction in Committee. Among...
