Case: Labor Arbitration/Discharge (Arb.)

Arbitrator John T. Nicholas ruled that Medstar Washington Hospital Center did not have justifiable cause to terminate a medical office assistant for allegedly brandishing a small knife and making threats to co-workers, sustaining the grievance filed by Service Employees International Union Local 722. The arbitrator found that the hospital’s investigation of the incident was flawed as it failed to interview all witnesses and did not secure the blade as evidence. Arbitrator Nicholas ordered the grievant reinstated with full benefits, seniority, and six months of back pay. Despite the employer’s asserted zero-tolerance policy regarding weapons on hospital premises, Arbitrator Nicholas determined ...