Private Law

[Union Trial]

I have been charged before a Union Judicial Panel with giving Union property to a member's attorney, and aiding to decertify the Union. I admit I gave personal E-mails, from the company's system and home to help the member show her Union rights were violated, but these are not owned by the Union. I had no role in the decertifying actions of other members accept I was a friend of the person who filed the action. My question is what authority does this Judicial Panel have? Can they subpeona the lawyer, who is not a member, to testify against me? What Civil Rights do I have if I am convicted by this Judicial Panel and lose my job from being expelled from the Union? This is a closed shop in Washington State and the Union has refused me legal representation in this matter.

 

[Attorney_Replogle]

You really should consult a labor lawyer near you immediately. You can find one at attorneypages.com. Make sure you retain an attorney that represents union employees on a regular basis. The laws about union employees are quite different from those of non-union employees. I really don't know enough about the Internet insofar as who owns a private email. But, the general rule is that by your helping another employee to vindicate his/her rights, you can not be legally punished for this. So, don't waste any time, consult an attorney immediately.

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Mark B. Replogle