Harvard University and Securitas agreed not to interfere with or retaliate against employees' protected bargaining activities.
Harvard University and Securitas Security Services have reached a settlement with a former security guard who claims the school and contract security company retaliated against him for protesting during the company's 2022 union contract negotiations.
The Harvard Crimson reported in September that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) determined that Walter J. Terzano was unfairly suspended and fired.
Terzano, who has worked at Securitas since 2009, created picket signs and encouraged fellow officers to rally outside the chancellor's house in January and February 2022. Less than a month later, Harvard's director of facilities and maintenance filed a complaint about him, according to his complaint. Securitas. The company subsequently suspended Mr. Terzano and transferred him from Harvard Square off campus.
The NLRB argued that Terzano's firing was in response to his protests and constituted an unfair labor practice in an attempt to deter other officers from protesting.
In the agreement, Mr. Securitas offered to reinstate Mr. Terzano to his former position, issue a written apology and compensate him for his losses, including legal fees, according to the Harvard Crimson.
A hearing on the matter was scheduled for January 9, but was adjourned due to the settlement.
Terzano was not directly hired by Harvard. But if the case had proceeded and the ruling had been in Terzano's favor, Harvard might have been forced to become a co-employer of the security guard.
In the settlement notice, Securitas agreed not to interfere with employees' right to engage in protected bargaining activities. Harvard also pledged not to interfere with employees' bargaining efforts or retaliate against them.
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