Asset Protection & Security Services v. Service Employees International Union, Local 200 United

**Asset Protection & Security Services v. Service Employees International Union: What Workers Need to Know** This case involved a dispute between Asset Protection & Security Services and a union representing security workers. An employee was fired, and the union claimed the termination was wrongful. The case went to arbitration, where an independent arbitrator initially ruled that the employer didn't have proper justification to fire the worker and ordered the company to rehire them with back pay. However, the employer challenged this decision in court. The appeals court reached a split decision: they agreed with the arbitrator that the firing was unjustified, meaning the employer lacked "just cause" to terminate the employee. But they also ruled that the arbitrator went beyond their authority when ordering reinstatement and back pay, so those remedies were thrown out. **What this means for workers:** This case shows both the benefits and limitations of union arbitration. While workers can successfully challenge wrongful terminations through their union, courts may sometimes limit the remedies available even when the firing is found to be unjustified. The specific terms of your union contract will determine what remedies an arbitrator can order if you win your case.