Ex-dispatchers: Meetings illegal; Fitchburg councilor denies duplicity.
Byline: M. Elizabeth Roman FITCHBURG - It's like an untimely death, said Terri Fuhs, a recently laid-off civilian dispatcher. "First we were in shock, then depression, then denial; the whole bit," she said as two of her displaced colleagues listened and nodded. "They dealt us...

Getting organized.
IMAGINE BEING a single parent who works as a nursing assistant at a hospital. You love your job, though your wages are only $9.50 per hour. The hospital gives you health insurance for yourself, but not your two children. Health insurance for your children would cost $200 more per...

Mayor, challenger clash over her record during debate.
Byline: Aaron Nicodemus MARLBORO - First-term Mayor Nancy Stevens defended her first two years in office against scathing criticism from challenger and police union head Patrick Hogan at a debate last night. Mr. Hogan, a veteran Marlboro police officer and lifelong city resident, called Mayor...

St. Vincent technicians, LPNs set for union vote.
Byline: Shaun Sutner WORCESTER - Licensed practical nurses and medical technicians at St. Vincent Hospital are set to vote next week on whether to form a union, amid allegations by union leaders and workers that management is pressuring employees to vote against the union. About...

Teacher ballot approves contract; Benefits change still an issue.
Byline: Linda Bock NORTHBRIDGE - For years, town employees contributed 10 percent and the town contributed 90 percent toward health insurance premiums, but the School Committee and the Northbridge Teachers Association reached an agreement in May that would change that; yesterday, the teachers association overwhelmingly ratified that...

FedEx denies claims; Union alleges unfair practices.
Byline: Martin Luttrell NORTHBORO - FedEx Home Delivery has denied allegations by the Teamsters union that it harassed and fired drivers at its Lyman Street terminal for taking part in union organizing activity. In a nine-page response to complaints brought March 30 by the National...

Fired policeman wins court ruling.
Byline: Elaine Thompson HUDSON - The Massachusetts Appeals Court has ruled that the town violated the rights of a local police officer who was fired eight years ago. The ruling was issued Thursday in favor of Jose Chaves and the local police union, and upholds...

Bill would allow unions to form without a secret ballot.
Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINTS By Bret Jacobson For The Register-Guard Thanks to Gov. Ted Kulongoski, Oregon has become less democratic. His payback to a private special interest that got him re-elected is making the state a leader in the worst possible way: taking away workers' rights. ...

Board changes town counsel.
Byline: Linda Bock UXBRIDGE - The Board of Selectmen has voted unanimously to appoint Merrick, Louison & Costello LLP as town counsel for one year. The move replaces the longtime town counsel law firm of Kopelman & Paige, which has served the town for 13...

NLRC to resolve 1,000 labor cases in just one week.
Byline: E. T. SUAREZ A task force of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) will dispose of more than 1,000 labor disputes in only a week of non-stop sessions in Tagaytay City to help promote industrial peace, dispense social justice, and improve the administraton of labor justice....