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NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD FINDS FOR UAW LOCAL 2322 IN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE DECISION AGAINST THE YWCA OF WESTERN MASS.

The NLRB has ordered the YWCA of Western Mass to “Cease and Desis” its violations of the National Labor Relations Act in response to Unfair Labor Practice charges filed by UAW Local 2322. The charges were filed over the YWCA’s illegal withdrawal of recognition and over their failure and refusal to sign and execute a collective bargaining agreement previously reached with the Union.

In his decision Administrative Law Judge David I. Goldman orders YWCA management to “sign the collective-bargaining agreement reached with the Union and ratified by employees on April 20, 2005.” It also orders the YWCA to stop “interfering with, restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of rights guaranteed them by Section 7 of the Act (National Labor Relations Act). The decision also included 8 additional provisions including an order to post a “Notice to Employees” at all YWCA worksites acknowledging that the YWCA violated Federal Labor Law and agreeing to stop engaging in those violations.

Former YWCA employee and Licensed Social Worker Kim Milberg said, “It’s great that the YWCA workers who elected to join the Union are finally getting justice.” Another current YWCA employee who asked that their name not be used said, “I voted for the Union and I’m glad the YWCA will now have to honor our contract.”

UAW Local 2322 President Ron Patenaude stated he felt this was “a great victory for workers who increasingly face work environments hostile to workers’ rights; specifically the right to form, join or assist union as guaranteed under the NLRA.” Patenaude also voiced concern over the growing number of “nonprofits” such as the YWCA who would rather hire expensive antiunion lawyers to avoid or violate workers’ rights to join union, spending 10s or even 100s of thousands of dollars on those activities rather than improving workers salaries and working conditions.

For More information contact Ron Patenaude 413-427-3785