Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons' International Ass'n of the United States & Canada v. Jordan Interiors, Inc.

**Union vs. Construction Company: Court Upholds Some Worker Rights** This case involved a dispute between construction unions and Jordan Interiors, Inc., a construction company. The unions had won two separate arbitration awards against the company - one from Arbitrator Greenberg and another from Arbitrator Kelly. When Jordan Interiors refused to follow these arbitration decisions, the unions went to court to force the company to comply. The court made a split decision. It ruled that Jordan Interiors must follow Arbitrator Greenberg's award and ordered the company to pay the union's attorney fees and court costs for enforcing that decision. However, the court threw out Arbitrator Kelly's award, meaning the company didn't have to follow that one. **What This Means for Workers:** This ruling shows that courts will generally enforce arbitration awards that favor workers and unions, but not always. When employers refuse to follow valid arbitration decisions, workers can successfully take them to court. The fact that the union received attorney fees sends a strong message that employers who ignore arbitration awards may face additional financial penalties. However, the mixed outcome also demonstrates that not all arbitration awards will survive court review.