LABOR RELATIONS -- The Bonderud Law Firm Prevails at Arbitration on Behalf of Labor Union Against JEA

The Bonderud Law Firm is proud to represent a local labor union whose members are employees of the City of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Electric Authority, and other local governments. The labor union is Laborers International Union of North America, Local 630, and its members are hard-working, blue collar works who perform critical services for the citizens of Jacksonville and northeast Florida. Each “bargaining unit” within the union has a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) with the relevant employer that governs the employer-employee relationship. When a member/employee believes the employer is violating the CBA, the employee and/or the union may file a grievance and seek to have the violation remedied. Ultimately, if the grievance is not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction, the union has the right under the CBA to have an impartial arbitrator convene a quasi-judicial trial, to take evidence, and to resolve the dispute.

Recently, The Bonderud Law Firm was retained to take an employee grievance to arbitration. The grievance concerned JEA’s practice of including supervisors on a scheduled overtime list for the employees who operate certain water treatment plans throughout the First Coast. The union and its “water operator maintainers” asserted that the inclusion of supervisors on the employees’ scheduled overtime list was a clear violation of the CBA. JEA disagreed, asserting that it retained discretion to assign employees to tasks and schedules as it deems appropriate. After a one-day arbitration/trial, the neutral arbitrator delivered a written order, siding with the employees, our clients. The arbitrator directed JEA to cease and desist its practice, which the arbitrator found to be in violation of the union’s collective bargaining agreement with JEA.

At The Bonderud Law Firm, we are battle-tested. In all disputes, whether they be about money, liberty, or relationships, we first seek to resolve matters consensually. However, when conflict cannot be avoided, we have the experience and knowledge to represent our clients’ interests in contested litigation, up to and including jury trial, bench trial, or arbitration.

If you’d like a consultation to discuss how we can help you, please call our office and set up an appointment: 904-438-8082.