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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Not Good Enough, Labor Secretary Tells Union

PHOENIX (CN) - The Secretary of Labor demands a new election in an Arizona union local, claiming the previous one was conducted under suspicious circumstances.

Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez sued Local 1, Independent Certified Emergency Professionals, on July 31 in Federal Court.

The Secretary of Labor claims that on May 7, a Local 1 union member protested the union's failure to hold an election of officers. That very day, Local 1's president denied the protest, the secretary says.

The union members, Gregory Empey, complained to the Department of Labor on May 14.

So on June 22 or 23, Local 1 "attempted to conduct an election outside of the Department of Labor's supervision," the lawsuit states.

"The only notice provided to Local 1 members was through a post on a Facebook group account approximately two days before the purported election.

"The candidates in the race were announced during the purported election and included only the current officers."

That's not good enough, the Secretary of Labor says. It's not a "lawful election" and "not an adequate remedy for Local 1's failure to hold its election of officers not less often than once every three years as required."

Perez wants a new election, under Department of Labor supervision.

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