Attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP Announce Major Win for United Steelworkers
PHILADELPHIA (PRWEB) July 02, 2018 -- In an unprecedented win for local unions, Philadelphia arbitrator Thomas McConnell ordered Philadelphia Energy Solutions (“PES”), a subsidiary of the Carlisle Group, to repay more than $5 million in benefits to members of the United Steelworkers employed at the company’s South Philadelphia oil refinery.
In January 2017, PES unilaterally suspended pension benefits of the more than 650 union members and reduced its contributions to the employees’ health insurance premiums. The company’s actions left the workers with no future retirement benefits and heftier insurance costs. A grievance (Grievance: No 01-39-16 – Unilateral Change in Benefits) was filed with the American Arbitration Association on behalf of USW Local 10-1 against Philadelphia Energy Solutions.
On June 22, after a lengthy arbitration (AAA Case No.: 01-16-0005-0581), Arbitrator McConnell issued a 41-page decision ordering repayment of all monies. He ordered PES to reimburse the union members for all the losses they sustained from the company’s unilateral changes to the medical and pension plans.
Galfand Berger attorneys, Debra Jensen and Michael McGurrin, won this important victory for the USW workers at the PES refinery. Ms. Jensen, Managing Partner at Galfand Berger, noted, “PES attempted to shirk its duty to the employees who keep its South Philadelphia refinery operating. This decision makes the workers whole and tells the company it cannot backtrack on an agreement reached in good faith by both parties. This is a victory for labor.”
Galfand Berger has been serving clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 1947. For more information, call the law firm at 800-222-8792 or visit their website at https://www.galfandberger.com/.
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Wayne Hamilton, Galfand Berger, LLP, https://www.galfandberger.com/, +1 (800) 222-8792, [email protected]
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