Connecticut Employees Accuse Union of Prohibited Labor Practices

Gagne v. A&R, Local 4200

Case Summary

  • Erick Gagne and Barry Wallett are Connecticut state employees with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Liquor Control Division. 
  • Erick and Barry filed a lawsuit against the Administrative & Residual Employees Union, Local 4200, the Connecticut Police & Fire Union, and their employer after facing derogatory comments for not joining the union.

A&R, Local 4200 Publicly Calls Nonmembers “Freeloaders”

Since at least December 2018, either Local 4200 or CPFU has posted material on state-provided bulletin boards calling those who have chosen not to join a union “freeloaders,” and discouraging employees from exercising their right not to become or remain a union member. This material suggests that nonmembers are somehow taking advantage of those who did choose to become union members.

Identical material was posted on other union bulletin boards on various floors of the building where Erick and Barry work.

(Image of the material posted by A&R, Local 4200 in Erick and Barry’s workplace. Photo credit: The Yankee Institute.)

Employer Refuses to Help Remove Offensive Material from Union Bulletin Boards

Erick and Barry, nonmembers themselves, were offended by A&R, Local 4200’s rhetoric. They reported the bulletin board material their department, who declined to assist them in having the materials removed.

They felt they had no choice. With the help of the Fairness Center, Erick and Barry filed charges on prohibited practices with the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations.

Case Status & Documents

Gagne v. A&R, Local 4200 is closed.

Media

“Derogatory” union bulletin board message sparks state labor relations complaint

News | The Yankee Institute

November 19, 2019: “Two liquor control agents have filed a complaint with the Connecticut State Labor Relations Board alleging the Administrative & Residual Employee Union 4200 and the Connecticut Police & Fire Union are using the state-provided union bulletin board to harass them. Erik Gagne and Barry Wallett filed the complaint after messages were posted to the bulletin board that said working at a job where there is a union but not joining the union is “freeloading.”