W.S.B. & Associates, Inc. v. Service Employees International Union, Local 1877

**Union Contract Dispute: W.S.B. & Associates v. SEIU Local 1877** This case involved a dispute between W.S.B. & Associates, a company, and Service Employees International Union Local 1877 over a collective bargaining agreement. The company apparently had issues with a "liquidated damages clause" in their union contract—a provision that sets predetermined penalty amounts if either side breaks the agreement. The court ruled against the company and in favor of the union. The appeals court upheld a lower court's decision, finding that W.S.B. & Associates had "waived" (given up) its right to object to the liquidated damages clause. This happened because the company waited too long to raise its concerns—they only brought up their objection when filing a summary judgment motion rather than presenting it earlier in the legal process. **Why this matters for workers:** This ruling reinforces that employers cannot easily escape contract terms they previously agreed to. When companies sign collective bargaining agreements with unions, they must honor those commitments and cannot wait until later to challenge provisions they don't like. This helps protect the integrity of union contracts and ensures that negotiated terms—including penalty clauses that protect workers—remain enforceable.