Judge Rules Albany Newspaper Broke Law, Orders Laid-Off Workers Reinstated

New York's Albany Times Union broke the law by dismissing 11 workers last year when the newspaper was supposed to be negotiating lay-off criteria with TNG-CWA, an administrative law judge ruled. His decision also finds the company guilty of unlawfully declaring impasse in contract talks.

Judge Mark Carissimi ordered the company to reinstate the workers within 14 days and make them financially whole. The publisher has said he will appeal to the full NLRB, putting workers' return on hold.

"We won the case and they have an uphill battle now, because the judge's decision is very solidly in our favor," TNG-CWA Local 31034 President Tim O'Brien said.

Carissimi rejected the Times Union's claim that the TNG-CWA local wasn't willing to negotiate layoffs, noting that the union made a proposal the day before impasse was declared that even the company had described as "movement."

O'Brien said the 11 workers have had a tough time financially since the layoffs in July 2009. While some have found jobs, they are making significantly less money. "They deserve better after all they have been through than a long, drawn-out appeal meant only to drag the case out," he said. "Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied."