Dorfman v. Pennsylvania Social Services Union-Local 668 of the Service Employees International Union

**Dorfman v. Pennsylvania Social Services Union: Court Dismisses Worker's Claims Against Union and State** This case involved a Pennsylvania state social services worker who sued both his union (Local 668 of the Service Employees International Union) and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare for breach of contract. The worker claimed the union acted in bad faith when handling his workplace issues. The court dismissed the entire case before it could proceed to trial. The judge ruled that the worker failed to provide specific facts showing the union acted in bad faith – general complaints weren't enough. Additionally, the court found that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania couldn't be sued due to "sovereign immunity," a legal protection that shields state governments from certain lawsuits. **What This Means for Workers:** This ruling highlights two important limitations workers face when challenging their union or state employer. First, if you believe your union isn't properly representing you, you must provide detailed, specific examples of bad faith conduct – vague accusations won't survive in court. Second, suing state government employers is often difficult or impossible due to sovereign immunity protections. Workers considering similar legal action should ensure they have concrete evidence and understand these legal barriers before proceeding.