Region 16-Fort Worth Obtains Settlement Agreement of $220,000 in Backpay and Benefit Contributions for 176 Government Contractor Workers

On April 29th, Region 16-Fort Worth Regional Director Timothy L. Watson approved a settlement with ISS Action Security that includes $220,000 in backpay and benefit contributions for 176 employees who provide contracted security services to United States Customs and Border Protection. The employer must also email and post a notice of employees’ rights under the National Labor Relations Act.

The settlement resolves a dispute that began when the union representing the employees, United Government Security Officers of America Local 211, alleged in an unfair labor practice charge that upon taking over the relevant federal contract, ISS Action Security had made changes to health and welfare benefits and eliminated a pay category without bargaining with the union. Regional Director Watson found merit to the charge allegations and issued a complaint.  ISS Action Security agreed to settle the case before going to trial on the allegations.

“Employers must bargain in good faith with a union over essential terms and conditions of employment, such as pay, hours, and benefits. Good faith bargaining is especially important when you have a situation involving one employer taking over operations from another and workers are particularly vulnerable,” said Region 16 Regional Director Watson. “In this case, I am glad Region 16 was able to obtain a settlement agreement that makes the employees whole for compensation they lost as a result of the employer’s failure to bargain.”

Established in 1935, the National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency that protects employees, employers, and unions from unfair labor practices and protects the right of private sector employees to join together, with or without a union, to improve wages, benefits and working conditions. The NLRB conducts hundreds of workplace elections and investigates thousands of unfair labor practice charges each year. Region 16 serves areas in Arkansas and Texas from its Regional Office in Fort Worth and its Resident Offices in San Antonio and Houston.