Worker Wins Job Back

SEIU 521 Palo Alto theater worker wins job back

After being unfairly terminated, SEIU 521 member Richard Curtis has won his job back at the Palo Alto Children's Theatre. He returned to his job as program assistant on August 29, under an agreement secured by Local 521 with the City of Palo Alto.

The city had terminated Curtis, a 26-year veteran employee at the community theater, for accessing documents on his office computer while he was on paid administrative leave.

But Curtis was only trying to print out read-only files to prove he was innocent of allegations of mishandling city funds. And in the settlement reached, the city acknowledges that Curtis did NOT commit a criminal act and did NOT violate city policy concerning cash handling.

"I am happy we were able to settle the dispute and am thankful for the opportunity to return to doing something I love," Curtis said.