A nearly decade-long wage dispute between 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and two healthcare companies has culminated in a major legal victory for the union, with a federal judge confirming an arbitration award worth close to $800,000 in back pay, interest, and paid time off for underpaid workers. The union was represented by Katherine Hansen of Gladstein, Reif & Meginniss LLP, who helped guide the case through multiple rounds of arbitration and court proceedings since 2013.
The Arbitrator issued decisions in favor of the union, finding that the employers had not been adequately paying workers the minimum wage by failing to classify and compensate certain roles — including housekeeping, dietary, and maintenance staff — in accordance with the requirements under the CBA. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed the Award, and approved the union’s request for attorney fees, litigation costs, and both pre- and post-judgment interest.