December 20, 2005 - Some hereditary traits are known to skip a generation or weaken over time, but loyalty and tenacity just keep getting stronger at one IAM family in the Eastern Territory.
The legendary Paul Kelly (right) served the IAM and its members in Connecticut, New York and Rhode Island as a local officer, district official and Grand Lodge Representative before his untimely death in 2001.
His presence was a guaranteed inspiration at negotiating tables, picket lines or in any of the battles he fought during his many years of service. One hotel in Maine went so far as to mount a plaque to commemorate the time Paul spent there during a particularly lengthy and difficult negotiation.
His daughter, Mary Kelly, grew up accompanying her father to union events around the Northeast, and apparently picked up more than a few of her father’s interests along the way.
Now a highly respected labor lawyer at Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn & Kelly in Connecticut, Mary Kelly recently won an important victory on behalf of IAM members at Local 743 in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.
The case involved plans by Hamilton Sunstrand Corp. to relocate bargaining unit work away from the facility, a move that would result in the loss of 78 members’ jobs.
The surprise announcement came despite contract language requiring the company to share plans regarding “manufacturing costs, productivity, scheduling, business and staffing plans affecting the bargaining unit.”
The issue took on greater importance when the company challenged the contract’s arbitration clause, arguing its right to transfer work was beyond the scope of the contract and beyond the authority of any arbitrator.
On November 30, 2005, a Connecticut District Court Judge soundly rejected the Company's claims and agreed with the IAM’s position presented by Mary Kelly. The decision marked a major victory for IAM members seeking to protect their contract, their jobs and their rights under the law.
