A New York federal judge has confirmed a $30 million arbitration award benefiting more than 100,000 current and former union members, marking a major legal victory for 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, represented by James Reif of Gladstein, Reif & Meginniss, LLP. The decision establishes a special wage fund to compensate underpaid workers.
The dispute stems from allegations by 1199SEIU that over 40 home care agencies violated collective bargaining agreements by underpaying home care workers. The Arbitrator ruled in favor of the Union and issued an award requiring the companies to contribute $30 million into a special wage fund to compensate underpaid workers. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York found that the Union argued persuasively and confirmed that the Award was “reasonable and well founded,” giving it full legal effect under the Labor Management Relations Act.