FUSE Negotiates Settlement to Suspend Parking Fines Illegally Imposed by Navy

Nov. 8, 2017 - Newport, RI 

FUSE / NAGE Local R1-144 successfully completed months of negotiations with the assistance of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to force the Navy to suspend fines imposed for minor parking and traffic violations.  The Navy imposed the fines and other penalties without negotiating the impact on FUSE bargaining unit employees with the union, in violation of the Federal Labor-Management Relations Statute.  

Beginning in May 2017, Naval Station Newport (NAVSTA) and NUWC Newport changed the parking & traffic policy at NUWC, which imposed monetary fines, mandatory appearances in U.S. District Court in Providence, RI, and towing/impounding vehicles for minor infractions, as well as other policies.  This resulted in a major change from the previous policy that only assigned points for parking & traffic violations, which could result in suspension of driving privileges after accumulating a set number of points. 

The union attempted to negotiate these changes but the Navy refused, resulting in the union filing Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against NAVSTA and NUWC.  After the FLRA investigated the charges and found that the Navy had violated the statute, the FLRA filed a complaint against NAVSTA and NUWC.  The FLRA set a hearing date and proceeded with their case against the Navy, while attempting to reach a voluntary settlement with the parties. 

In the end, the Navy agreed to suspend the changes pending negotiations with FUSE.  This will give us time to find better solutions to the over-crowded parking situation at NUWC, which has caused many problems for employees and was made worse by the fines, court appearances and other penalties. 

We are happy that our efforts paid off and we could negotiate a reasonable compromise for the benefit of our 2,000 bargaining unit members.