UE Local 625, whose members build equipment for the electric grid, recently won an important grievance filed on behalf of a deceased member.* Despite the member paying premiums on supplemental life insurance throughout his time on disability, the company, Hitachi Energy, argued that a policy change disqualified his beneficiary from the insurance benefit upon his death.

“We were able to successfully prove that the company never informed us of any eligibility change to the life insurance policy,” said John Shifflett, the local’s chief steward during the grievance dispute. “Moreover, a thorough review of our member’s paystubs revealed that the company knowingly and consistently deducted money from his paychecks earmarked for life insurance.”

The local eventually made the member’s family whole by getting the full $230,000 in a grievance settlement, equivalent to the total coverage amount he had paid.

“I am proud of the work that we did for our union brother and his family,” said Leia Hernley, the local’s recording secretary during the grievance dispute. “I can’t imagine how difficult it was for his loved ones. It is a comforting feeling to know that we not only support each other as union members, but our members’ families as well, through thick and thin.”

The Local 625 bargaining committee at the time of the grievance consisted of President Mark Shaffer, Vice President Chris Pratt, Chief Steward John Shifflett, Recording Secretary Leia Hernley, and Financial Secretary Bob Good. They were assisted by UE Field Organizer Ben Wilson and UE General Counsel Margot Nikitas.

*Out of respect for the privacy of the affected family, the deceased member’s name is not specifically referenced in this article.