CHARLESTON (W.Va.) The Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition broke federal labor law last year, causing tensions with workers who formed a Union, a judge ruled.
The National Labor Relations Board Administrative Law Judge Paul Bogas ruled this month that the Huntington, West Virginia-based nonprofit had violated the National Labor Relations Act by firing 2 employees and disallowing protected union activity.
The union and nonprofit reached a deal earlier this month that will allow the organization to return pay to two employees who were dismissed during the contentious collective bargaining negotiations.
Workers voted in July for the union to be certified. Their demands included a uniform pay scale, an equitable discipline strategy, and the right to union representation at meetings where pay, hours, advancement, layoffs, or other matters were discussed. Union members claimed that management had agreed to start collective bargaining negotiations Oct. 27, but pulled out when they couldn’t reach an agreement with union members who wanted a virtual meeting. The organization voted to dissolve in November.
Retired officials of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition didn’t respond to requests for comment.
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Environmental groups said they lost a key partner, but praised the non-profit for its efforts to raise awareness about petrochemicals development and educate those affected by surface mining.
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