BOSTON - Utility Workers Union of America, Local 369 has rerun its 2017 election of officers under the supervision of the Department of Labor as part as a settlement resolving allegations that Local 369 failed to guarantee its members the right to vote.
The allegations of election violations were filed in April 2018, by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on behalf of the Department of Labor. The Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, which regulates labor unions, imposes certain requirements on unions in conducting their officers’ elections, including that every member has the right to vote and requiring that the union employ adequate safeguards to ensure a fair election. The Secretary alleged that Local 369 did not employ adequate safeguards and denied some members the right to vote in its 2017 officers’ election.
Local 369 and the United States Department of Labor reached a settlement agreement in September 2019. As a result of the settlement agreement, Local 369 reran one of the races from the 2017 election under the supervision of the Department of Labor. On Jan. 16, 2020, the Secretary of Labor certified the results of the election to the court as required by the settlement agreement. Last week, the court entered a final judgment in the matter, recognizing the certified results.
“The government takes these violations seriously and will hold unions accountable for ensuring that all members’ voices are heard during elections," said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling.
U.S. Attorney Lelling made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexandra Brazier and Evan Panich of Lelling’s Affirmative Litigation Unit handled the matter.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
