Dario Rocha, a Mechanic with Santa Cruz Metro Transit District, is back on the job after facing wrongful accusations by his employer. Supported by his union stewards and several witnesses who came to Dario’s defense, SEIU 521’s CED (Contract Enforcement Department) took Dario’s case to arbitration and won reinstatement.
At the hearing, management claimed Dario had no leave time on the books to attend the funeral of his young cousin, who had passed away, tragically. Payroll records proved otherwise. Management also refused to admit any fault in giving Dario an incorrect form to secure time off for the funeral. The arbitrator found management’s testimony “convoluted,” when considered with the credible testimony offered by our witnesses.
Unions defend members from wrongful terminations; just one of the many reasons why we must keep fighting for strong contracts with job protections. Thanks to his union contract, Dario can continue serving his community and supporting his family.
