Plumbing Company’s Violations Trigger Union Bargaining Order

A Massachusetts plumbing and HVAC business must bargain with a union that lost a representation election because the company committed serious and pervasive unfair labor practices, including multiple violations prior to the vote, a National Labor Relations Board judge ruled.

RCL Mechanical Inc.’s violations included illegal interrogations, threats, disciplines, terminations, and promises of rewards for not supporting an affiliate of the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry, Administrative Law Judge Geoffrey Carter held Wednesday.

Carter said a bargaining order is warranted under the NLRB’s 2023 decision in Cemex Construction Materials Pacific, as ...