NLRB upholds unfair labor ruling at Chicago bus company

Source: Chicago Tribune

By Alejandra Cancino Tribune reporter

A Southwest Side school bus company violated federal labor law by firing two drivers and committing other unfair labor practices during an union organizing campaign, according to a ruling by the National Labor Relations Board.

The ruling, issued this week, affirmed one by an administrative judge that found that Latino Express Inc. had fired the workers illegally, ordered employees to refrain from discussing wages and working conditions and promised benefits to discourage union organizing.

The company has not complied with an order to reinstate the workers. Latino Express, a subcontractor for Chicago Public Schools, was found in contempt July 2. The two workers have been unemployed for nearly a year, said James Glimco, president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 777, which represents the employees. The company employs about 100 bus drivers who make about $12 per hour without benefits, Glimco said.

Separately, the union filed a new complaint Tuesday alleging that Latino Express bargained in bad faith for a first contract with the local. That hearing is scheduled for September.

FULL story at link.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-nlrb-upholds-unfair-labor-ruling-at-chicago-bus-company-20120803,0,1644177.story

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