District No.9, Local Lodge 660 member LaShawn Buford was returned to work recently and made whole at Olin Corporation located in East Alton, Illinois. The total awarded to LaShawn for his wrongful termination grievance totaled $70,932.51. When asked by his co-workers how he got his job back, LaShawn proudly says, "The Union did it all for me."
(From left to right)
Michelle Windmiller - Committee Chairperson for Production Workers at Olin Corporation,
LaShawn Buford (Grievant), and DL 9 BR / Organizer Jason Tetidrick
Buford was suspended pending discharge on June 13, 2012 for impeding production and ultimately discharged on June 25, 2012. District No. 9 filed a grievance on behalf of Mr. Buford. The grievance, which was denied by the Employer, was then referred to arbitration by District 9 Business Representative/Organizer Jason Tetidrick.
The Arbitrator ruled in favor of the Union affirming that the Employer did not have just cause to discharge the Grievant, and awarded that he be reinstated and made whole for all losses sustained as a result of his discharge. When the Union met with the Company in order to calculate back pay and all other benefits to which the Grievant was entitled, the Company attempted to reinstate the Grievant in a lower-paying classification. The Union had requested the Arbitrator retain jurisdiction in this matter for ninety (90) days. During this time, the Union further requested clarification from the Arbitrator on his decision.
Once again, the Arbitrator ruled in favor of the Union and ordered the Grievant be returned to the same job classification from which he was terminated. Mr. Buford was awarded all lost wages, including any overtime that the department had been scheduled to work. In addition to the lost wages, the Company was also responsible for the following to the Grievant: Reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs to cover medical and dental insurance, the Company's 401-k match, as well as the Company's contribution to the defined benefit Pension Plan, vacation and safety bonus.