Four labor unions seeking to gain collective bargaining rights for members of the Connecticut National Guard have filed a lawsuit to overturn a federal statute that prevents military personnel from organizing and participating in union activities.
Under the statute, it is a felony for members of the armed forces to support labor-organizing in their ranks.
According to a report in The Hill, the unions filed their lawsuit against U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and the U.S. Department of Justice, arguing that the lawsuit statute does not apply to Connecticut National Guard members when they are on state activity duty.
“While serving under the command of the Governor and pursuant to state law, Guard members work alongside other state and local employees,” the complaint said. “Yet unlike firefighters, health care workers, law enforcement, emergency medical technicians, and other state and local employees, members of the Connecticut National Guard have no labor organization that can represent them or advocate for their interests when in state status.”
The unions involved in the case are the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 4; the Connecticut Police and Fire Union; the National Association of Government Employees; and the Civil Service Employees International Union Local 2001.
The Veterans Legal Services Clinic at Yale Law School and the West Hartford law firm of Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn & Kelly PC are representing the unions in their lawsuit.
