American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees, District Council 20, Local 2087 v. University of the District of Columbia

**Union Wins Right to Attorney's Fees After Wrongful Termination Case** This case involved a dispute between a union (AFSCME Local 2087) and the University of the District of Columbia over attorney's fees. The union had previously won a wrongful termination case for one of its members through arbitration, and the arbitrator awarded the union reasonable attorney's fees to cover the costs of representing the worker. However, the university challenged this fee award in court, arguing the arbitrator didn't have the authority to make such an award. The court sided with the union. The appellate court reversed a lower court's decision and ruled that the arbitrator did have the authority to award attorney's fees. The court found that arbitrators have inherent powers to award reasonable attorney's fees in appropriate cases, and this was supported by federal law (the Back Pay Act). This ruling is important for workers because it helps ensure that unions can recover the costs of fighting wrongful terminations. When unions know they can potentially recover attorney's fees after winning cases, they're more likely to take on difficult employment disputes. This ultimately makes it easier for workers to get legal representation when they face wrongful termination or other workplace violations.