November 1, 2013
By Mitchel Wilson
In Bridgeforth v. Jewell, the court granted the United States Park Service, summary judgment because police officer Wayne Bridgeforth’s claims of retaliation were too speculative for trial. The DC Circuit Court of Appeals found insufficient evidence linking the denial of Bridgeforth’s time off award with his “protected activity” of having filed a discrimination claim.
Filed Under: Disability Discrimination, Discrimination, Legal Rights
October 30, 2013
By David Worley
When the Ashtabula County Youth Detention Center declared that it was no longer providing “transitional” positions, which were specifically detailed in the CBA, the employer was found by an arbitrator to have improperly read these provisions out of the CBA.
Filed Under: Contract Interpretation
October 28, 2013
By Anthony Rice
This article demonstrates how arbitrators might view similar free speech claims differently. In Elko County, a sergeant's discussion about the sheriff's proposed staff reorganization was allowed to circumvent the chain of command since the speech was protected by the First Amendment. However, in City of Wapakoneta, a fire captain’s speech was required to go up the chain of command because the speech was not protected.
Filed Under: Constitutional Rights, Free Speech Rights, Legal Rights
October 24, 2013
By Mitchel Wilson
In Primas v. District of Columbia, the D.C. Court of Appeals overruled the lower trial court for dismissing a female, African-American Police Commander claims of sex and race discrimination, and remanded them for trial. The Court ruled that the Plaintiff’s complex theories on a manipulated retirement had sufficient merit to survive a summary judgment motion
Filed Under: Discrimination, Legal Rights, Race Discrimination
October 24, 2013
By Anthony Rice
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In Minnick v. County of Currituck, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a firefighter’s First Amendment claim because there was no link between his speech and the “adverse employment action.” Although Firefighter Minnick had attempted to organize a union and had engaged in arguably protected speech by complaining about equipment and safety issues, the court found no proof that his speech was a “substantial factor” in his forced transfer and later discharge.
Filed Under: Constitutional Rights, Free Speech Rights, Legal Rights
October 24, 2013
By Mitchel Wilson
In Orange County, Florida, 131 LA 1367 (Smith 2013) Arbitrator Harold Smith concluded that the decision to transfer a firefighter was not a disciplinary decision and therefore was permissible according to the provisions of the CBA even though an employee conflict prompted the transfer.
Filed Under: Contract Interpretation
October 17, 2013
By Mitchel Wilson
In City of Inkster, 131 LA 1179 (Brodsky, 2013), Arbitrator Deborah Brodsky concluded that the Michigan City violated the CBA when it deducted the pro rata remainder of equipment allowances paid to officers in a lump sum at the start of the year. The deduction was improper because the CBA only allows for the deduction when an officer is “terminated” but in this case, the officers were laid off and subject to return.
Filed Under: Arbitration Rulings, Discipline
October 17, 2013
By Anthony Rice
In City of Chicago, the arbitrator found that a police officer was misled into believing her medical insurance covered her therapy. The arbitrator held that it is fundamentally unfair to put the onus on the employee to understand an incorrectly labeled doctor’s referral slip, and then reach the conclusion her treatment is not cover without a pre-certification.
Filed Under: Arbitration Rulings, Discipline
October 17, 2013
By Anthony Rice
In Parrott v. Krasicky, the court denied a female police chief’s motion to dismiss a female police officer’s gender discrimination claim based on a hostile work environment.
Filed Under: Discrimination, Gender/Pregnancy Discrimination, Legal Rights
October 17, 2013
By Anthony Rice
In Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, the arbitrator relied on a correctional sergeant’s positive work history and the lack of conclusive evidence to determine termination was without just cause. But the arbitrator imposed a 5 day suspension concluding that the Sergeant’s use of force report, while not “intentionally dishonest,” reflected a failure of “cooperation” because it lacked “detail.”
