Photo courtesy of Boston 3N

Boston 3N Pres. Martin Callaghan (in suit) pauses with former Graphic Services Inc. employees with checks for back-pay as the result of a National Labor Relations Board suit filed by Local 3N.

Six former employees of Graphic Services in Rockland, Mass., were awarded more than $160,000 in back pay after the company fired them for attending a Boston 3N union organizing meeting.

The National Labor Relations Board told Graphic Services to give the employees backpay and offer them their jobs back. The company also agreed to comply with the NLRB's order to post a workplace notice stating that the company will not interfere with, coerce or restrain their employees in the exercise of their rights to form, join or assist a union.

Pres. Martin A. Callaghan of Local 3N, which filed charges with the NLRB on behalf of the workers, said the "settlement is a victory for all workers who have the courage to improve their living standards by seeking union representation. I hope this sends a clear message to any company that decides to punish its workers for union activity."

The workers, who were part of an organizing campaign at Graphic Services among pressroom and bindery employees, were laid off within days of attending a pro-union committee meeting. The group had reached out to the union to seek improvements in wages, health care, vacation time and seniority rights.

Robert Frizell, a pressman who was laid off in March 2004, said "it seems like as soon as we started meeting with the union, Graphic Services got rid of us" despite the fact that "this is a very busy and productive shop."

Union organizer Steve Sullivan said the Graphic Services employees "were exercising their American civil rights when they attended our informational meeting. Every employer should be on notice that attempts to intimidate and/or retaliate against employees seeking union representation is illegal and will not be tolerated."