FEATURED CASES
Our firm has filed a wide variety of lawsuits for individuals who are both union and non-union members and for organizations seeking to push back on injuries caused by the actions of public-sector union officials. Our clients have exposed and ended union official corruption, held union officials accountable for unfair representation, defended themselves from forced membership and dues payments, pushed back on sexism, harassment, and retaliation, and much more. The following cases illustrate the types of problems we have solved for our clients. Select a case category below for more representative cases.
Professors trapped in ‘anti-semitic’ union fight for independence
Goldstein v. PSC/CUNY
Hartford Teacher Fights DEI Discipline; holds union accountable
Grande v. HFT; Hartford Board of Ed.
Avraham Goldstein and five other City University of New York professors were outraged when their union issued a resolution they viewed as “anti-Israel” and “anti-Semitic.” Though these professors are no longer union members, New York law forces them to still accept the union’s representation.
John Grande won a huge victory at the state labor board when he filed charges against his union for refusing to represent him in a workplace grievance, securing rights for all Connecticut public employees. Now he is looking to hold school administrators accountable for the retaliatory investigation that began when he simply voiced his opinion.
Edward Seabron, an NYPD tow truck operator, was dissatisfied with his union’s representation and began exploring alternatives. That got the attention of his union’s first vice president, who unleashed a torrent of online abuse to intimidate Ed, including a fake picture of Ed shaking hands with someone in KKK robes on a union Facebook group.
Philly Firefighters File Class-Action Lawsuit Over Pension Concealment
Farrell & Viola v. IAFF, Local 22
Philadelphia firefighters Joe Farrell and Pat Viola allege that union officials intentionally deprived firefighters of their full pension benefits. They suspect that union officials did this to preserve for themselves the opportunity to maximize pension benefits. Their lawsuit seeks to expose the truth. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Isaac Newman won his federal civil rights lawsuit against his teachers’ union after it barred him from a leadership position because of the color of his skin. Within months of filing his lawsuit, the union folded and ended the segregated board seat. The union also committed to not discriminating based on race in other union positions.
Ashley Kjarbo wanted to resign her union membership, but union officials and the IRS teamed up against her in an unfair fight. Ashley’s unfair labor practice charge forced the IRS to apologize and commit to not interfere with employees’ rights.
Sage Collins and local ICE officers alleged union officials spent dues on tickets, strippers, and jewelry. The union “disclaimed” Sage’s bargaining unit, but he and other officers were still charged dues, which Sage seeks to recover. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Chris Taylor and Cory Yedlosky were concerned about how corrections union officials were spending members’ dues. After conducting an audit, they discovered that thousands of dollars had been mishandled. Later, six union officials were arrested on felony theft charges.
Mindy McFetridge uses her PTO to care for her sick daughter, but during the pandemic, a group of male union officials ignored seniority rules and kept themselves working, ultimately forcing her to exhaust her PTO. She seeks restitution.
City employees win judgment after union hides contract details
Kiddo v. AFSCME, Local 2206
For decades, Pa. school districts allowed teachers to leave the classroom to work full-time for teachers’ unions at taxpayer expense. Our clients’ lawsuits in Philadelphia, Allentown, and Reading exposed this practice and sparked statewide reform. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Jane Ladley and Chris Meier objected to paying union fees on religious grounds. After eight years of litigation—and more than 40 media appearances—Jane and Chris won a unique judgment applying Janus to state law.
Mark Kiddo and seven other Erie employees discovered that their union officials had concealed retirement options from them during contract negotiations. They sued to enforce their union’s duty to represent them fairly; and won.
Professors trapped in ‘anti-semitic’ union fight for independence
Goldstein v. PSC/CUNY
Avraham Goldstein and five other City University of New York professors were outraged when their union issued a resolution they viewed as “anti-Israel” and “anti-Semitic.” Though these professors are no longer union members, New York law forces them to still accept the union’s representation.
Hartford Teacher Fights DEI Discipline; holds union accountable
Grande v. HFT; Hartford Board of Ed.
John Grande won a huge victory at the state labor board when he filed charges against his union for refusing to represent him in a workplace grievance, securing rights for all Connecticut public employees. Now he is looking to hold school administrators accountable for the retaliatory investigation that began when he simply voiced his opinion.
Edward Seabron, an NYPD tow truck operator, was dissatisfied with his union’s representation and began exploring alternatives. That got the attention of his union’s first vice president, who unleashed a torrent of online abuse to intimidate Ed, including a fake picture of Ed shaking hands with someone in KKK robes on a union Facebook group.
Philly Firefighters File Class-Action Lawsuit Over Pension Concealment
Farrell & Viola v. IAFF, Local 22
Philadelphia firefighters Joe Farrell and Pat Viola allege that union officials intentionally deprived firefighters of their full pension benefits. They suspect that union officials did this to preserve for themselves the opportunity to maximize pension benefits. Their lawsuit seeks to expose the truth. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Isaac Newman won his federal civil rights lawsuit against his teachers’ union after it barred him from a leadership position because of his skin color. Within months of filing his lawsuit, the union folded and ended the segregated board seat. The union also committed to not discriminating based on race in other union positions.
Ashley Kjarbo wanted to resign her union membership, but union officials and the IRS teamed up against her in an unfair fight. Ashley’s unfair labor practice charge forced the IRS to apologize and commit to not interfere with employees’ rights.
Sage Collins and local ICE officers alleged union officials spent dues on tickets, strippers, and jewelry. The union “disclaimed” Sage’s bargaining unit, but he and other officers were still charged dues, which Sage seeks to recover. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Chris Taylor and Cory Yedlosky were concerned about how corrections union officials were spending members’ dues. After conducting an audit, they discovered that thousands of dollars had been mishandled. Later, six union officials were arrested on felony theft charges.
Mindy McFetridge uses her PTO to care for her sick daughter, but during the pandemic, a group of male union officials ignored seniority rules and kept themselves working, forcing her to exhaust her PTO. She seeks restitution.
For decades, Pa. school districts allowed teachers to leave the classroom to work full-time for teachers’ unions at taxpayer expense. Our clients’ lawsuits in Philadelphia, Allentown, and Reading exposed this practice and sparked statewide reform. (Note: Photo dramatized)
Jane Ladley and Chris Meier objected to paying union fees on religious grounds. After eight years of litigation—and more than 40 media appearances—Jane and Chris won a unique judgment applying Janus to state law.
City employees win judgment after union hides contract details
Kiddo v. AFSCME, Local 2206
Mark Kiddo and seven other Erie employees discovered that their union officials had concealed retirement options from them during contract negotiations. They sued to enforce their union’s duty to represent them fairly–and won.