Nurse’s three year ordeal over in three months
Spano Lonis v. SEIU, District 1199NE
SEIU, District 1199NE officials ignored Ms. Spano Lonis’s resignation for nearly three years, continuing to deduct full union dues from her paycheck during that time, and blocked thousands of dollars in charitable contributions.
Moreover, union officials failed to provide Ms. Spano Lonis with notices that were at that time legally required by the United States Supreme Court, instead leaving her in the dark about her membership status and using her money, in part, for purposes contrary to her religious beliefs.
Prison Nurse Brings Lawsuit after Union Ignores Resignation Attempts
Cheryl Spano Lonis is challenged her union’s failure to honor her resignation and to provide her with constitutionally required notices and procedures. She resigned her union membership after reconnecting with her church and concluding that her religious beliefs precluded her membership in or financial support of the union and its activities.
The union ignored her resignation, however, for nearly three years. The State of Connecticut continued collecting full union dues from her wages during that time. It did so even though the collective bargaining agreement between her union and the State provided that religious objectors could resign union membership and donate an amount of union fees equivalent to union dues to charity. The union also never provided her with constitutionally required notices and procedures, none of which were even provided for in the collective bargaining agreement between the union and state.
Union Folds Within Three Months
Cheryl found the Fairness Center and filed a lawsuit. Within three months, the union backed down and agreed to settle the lawsuit by acknowledging her resignation and refunding her money – with interest – for the full three-year period.
Documents
- Complaint – October 27, 2018
- Settlement News Release – February 11, 2019
SEIU, District 1199NE officials ignored Ms. Spano Lonis’s resignation for nearly three years, continuing to deduct full union dues from her paycheck during that time, and blocked thousands of dollars in charitable contributions.
Moreover, union officials failed to provide Ms. Spano Lonis with notices that were at that time legally required by the United States Supreme Court, instead leaving her in the dark about her membership status and using her money, in part, for purposes contrary to her religious beliefs.
Prison Nurse Brings Lawsuit after Union Ignores Resignation Attempts
Cheryl Spano Lonis is challenged her union’s failure to honor her resignation and to provide her with constitutionally required notices and procedures. She resigned her union membership after reconnecting with her church and concluding that her religious beliefs precluded her membership in or financial support of the union and its activities.
The union ignored her resignation, however, for nearly three years. The State of Connecticut continued collecting full union dues from her wages during that time. It did so even though the collective bargaining agreement between her union and the State provided that religious objectors could resign union membership and donate an amount of union fees equivalent to union dues to charity. The union also never provided her with constitutionally required notices and procedures, none of which were even provided for in the collective bargaining agreement between the union and state.
Union Folds Within Three Months
Cheryl found the Fairness Center and filed a lawsuit. Within three months, the union backed down and agreed to settle the lawsuit by acknowledging her resignation and refunding her money – with interest – for the full three-year period.
Documents
- Complaint – October 27, 2018
- Settlement News Release – February 11, 2019