NEW YORK–A labor union that represents close to 400 employees with Municipal Credit Union has filed several unfair labor practices against the CU.
Office and Professional Employees International Local 153, which represents MCU tellers, loan officers and collectors, has filed unfair labor practice charges with the National Labor Relations Board alleging regressive bargaining, retaliation, direct dealing and the failure to provide information, according to The Chief.
Local 153’s difficulty with the MCU’s current management was on the agenda of a Feb. 3 meeting of the Municipal Labor Committee, the public-union umbrella group, the Chief added.
‘Mistreatment’ of Employees
“The issue of the mistreatment of the employees at the Municipal Credit Union by the group taking over was raised,” Robert J. Croghan, president of the Organization of Staff Analysts, was quoted as saying. “The assembled union presidents were very distressed that individuals who were hired by MCU to serve our members were about to have their new manager seek to decrease their salary when there was no financial problem in the first place.”
The union alleges the credit union has sought to reduce compensation and other costs as the result of financial losses stemming from embezzlements by its former CEO and alleged thefts by two members of its board.
As CUToday.info has reported extensively, former CEO Kam Wong is currently serving time for embezzling, and two former members of the board have been charged with crimes unrelated to those of Wong. Joseph Guagliardo, a former NYPD officer and MCU Supervisory Committee member, pleaded guilty to embezzling $450,000 from the credit union over nine years.
Two Board Members Charged
Separately, State Supreme Court Justice Sylvia G. Ash, a former chairman of MCU, was arrested and pleaded not guilty to charges that she obstructed the probe into Mr. Wong’s crimes and pocketed tens of thousands of dollars from the MCU.
As CUToday.info has also reported, Municipal Credit Union—which is being operated by NCUA under conservatorship—has closed five branches as part of a “streamlining” effort.
The Chief reportedLocal 153 members were advised at the timing of the closings they had until Dec. 19 to opt into a buyout plan tied to their years of service.
“The notice from the MCU’s Human Resources Department stated that in order to receive the buyout, at least 30% of the eligible members had to sign up,” the Chief reported. “They were to receive from 16 to 20 weeks of base salary, depending on years of service.”
The Chief said the union could not confirm how many MCU employees took the buyout.
‘Union-Busting’ Firm
In addition, The Chief reported Local 153 told its members the credit union’s management had been turned over to Jackson Lewis, which the union described as “the country’s most infamous union-busting law firm” to handle contract negotiations.
The union told the publication that with the arrival of Jackson Lewis a 3% annual wage increase over three years that had been offered has been rescinded.