Francisco-Farrell v. Local Union No. 112 of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Union Employee Wins $185,000 After Being Fired for Political Opposition

Francisco-Farrell worked for Local Union No. 112 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. She was fired after opposing certain political positions within her union. She believed the union terminated her employment specifically because she spoke out against union leadership and their decisions, which violated her rights under federal labor law.

Francisco-Farrell sued the union and its business manager, claiming they illegally retaliated against her for her political opposition. A jury agreed with her case, finding that the union violated the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) when they fired her. The jury awarded her $185,000 in damages, plus attorney's fees and interest. When the union appealed the decision, a higher court upheld the original ruling.

What This Means for Workers:

This case reinforces that union employees have legal protection when they express political disagreement within their union. Workers cannot be fired simply for opposing union leadership or criticizing union decisions. The substantial damages awarded ($185,000) demonstrates that courts take these violations seriously and will hold unions accountable when they retaliate against employees for exercising their rights to political expression and dissent.