Without acknowledging wrong-doing, the town promises not to do it again
By Will Collette
Since last February, the town and Teamster Local 251, the union that represents town hall workers, have been in an on-going dispute over alleged unfair labor practices.
The Teamsters filed charges against the town last February based on a clash between Town Administrator William DiLibero, the Teamsters staff rep Dan Manocchio and the union steward for town hall workers, Liz Travis.
See this recent article for the details.
The RI Labor Board would probably have ruled against the town if they issued a ruling. The one thing that prevented a formal ruling is this negotiated settlement.
On December 8, the town signed the agreement with Local 251 acknowledging that it will recognize and honor all the rights that the union’s complaint charged the town had violated. However, the town does not acknowledge actual blame.
In my experience, that’s how these types of disputes are normally handled and resolved. Even though the union had a solid case that could have convinced the Board to rule against the town, there was a chance it might not have turned out that way.
The wild card that may have led the union to accept a blameless settlement is this: the Labor Board could have taken Liz Jarvis’s admission that she had an unexcused absence to rule the charges and counter-charges a wash.
The wild card that may have led the union to accept a blameless settlement is this: the Labor Board could have taken Liz Jarvis’s admission that she had an unexcused absence to rule the charges and counter-charges a wash.
Though it seems unlikely the Labor Board would have called it a draw, Liz Jarvis no longer works for the town, so there wasn't much point to continuing the dispute. Especially since, despite the precise wording of the settlement, this is a pretty clear win for the union.
Here is what the settlement looks like:
