NORTH LIBERTY, IA—The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has found sufficient evidence to prosecute South Slope Telecommunications Cooperative with three separate violations of federal labor law.
South Slope employees represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA) filed unfair labor practice charges against South Slope in November, 2013, after management locked employees out for one day and then imposed harsh new contract changes—including 30% wage cuts for new hires and transfers—that employees had unanimously voted to reject on two occasions.
This week the NLRB announced results of its investigation finding merit in CWA’s allegations that South Slope committed the following unfair labor practices:
· Threatening employees with the loss of benefits,
· Unlawfully locking out employees on November 1, 2013, and
· Unlawfully implementing a last, best, and final contract offer prior to reaching impasse in negotiations.
The NLRB will now attempt to negotiate a settlement with South Slope, allowing management the chance to remedy the violations and begin bargaining in good faith. If South Slope refuses to remedy and settle the charges, the NLRB will move forward with scheduling a hearing to prosecute South Slope with violations of the National Labor Relations Act.
“We hope the NLRB’s announcement serves as a wake-up call, and that South Slope management will take this opportunity to revoke their unlawfully imposed contract changes and return to the bargaining table with intent to bargain toward a fair contract,” said Kay Pence, CWA staff representative.
South Slope employee Matt Holub, who has been directly involved in contract negotiations, said he was “relieved but not surprised” by the NLRB’s announcement. “My co-workers and I have already witnessed first-hand our new management’s refusal to seek compromise or even follow standard procedures in this year’s negotiations. We sincerely hope the results of the Labor Board’s investigation will encourage South Slope to work with us to move bargaining forward. All of us are eager to reach a fair contract agreement and keep focusing on the quality customer service that makes South Slope successful.”
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