Teamsters Reclaim Job for Youth Social Worker

Local 743 Fights to Reinstate Therapist, Recover Lost Wages

An Indiana social worker has been awarded reinstatement to work after Teamsters Local 743 challenged a wrongful disciplinary decision that forced her into unemployment for nearly a year.

Local 743 defended Simone Judon, a case manager at Edgewater Systems for Balanced Living in Gary, Ind., after management unfairly terminated the Teamster in December 2010. Following 10 months of grievance and arbitration proceedings that left the youth counseling service unable to justify its actions, Judon was awarded her reinstatement on November 6, 2011.

“This was a clear-cut case of management making an irresponsible and hasty decision, and then being unable to defend itself,” said Debra Simmons-Peterson, Local 743 Secretary-Treasurer. “The cornerstone of Teamster contracts assures our members this level of defense—the kind of protection ordinary men and women don’t receive by facing management alone.”

Judon was originally hired by Edgewater Systems in January 2010 to assist children ages 6-17. During her first year on the job, the social worker served multiple departments throughout the company, working regular overtime and volunteer opportunities. Her termination followed management’s inaccurate assumption that Judon had failed to supervise several teenage boys, resulting in the theft of medications that were subsequently recovered.

“Local 743 acted quickly to prove that management had no interest in properly investigating this situation and defending one of its most responsible workers,” said Donnie Von Moore, Local 743 President. “Based on her compassion and commitment to those kids, I know the residents and Teamsters at Edgewater will be proud to see Simone Judon return to work.”

In addition to her reinstatement, Judon has been awarded full back pay and benefits, including that from her overtime work, for the entirety of her 11 months off the job. She will also reclaim her seniority.

Teamsters Local 743, an affiliate of Teamsters Joint Council 25, represents more than 150 workers at Edgewater Systems, and hundreds more at nursing homes and health care centers across northwest Indiana.

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