M-0592 (Sept. 13, 2019) – Strike by drivers and warehouse workers at two of the employer’s largest plumbing and heating supply distribution facilities caused a stoppage of work within the meaning of G.L. c. 151A, § 25(b).
M-0336 et al. (Aug. 18, 2017) – Telecommunications company established that seven-week strike caused a substantial curtailment of bargaining unit work in its wireline business. [Note: the District Court affirmed the Board of Review’s decision.]
M0064 (Sept. 23, 2014) – Factoring in the production shifted to the employer’s plant in another state during the strike, there was still a substantial curtailment of revenue and of finished wire products manufactured at its struck Massachusetts facility.
M-63772—M-69116 (Apr. 24, 2013) – Board awarded benefits to workers at a telecommunications company during a two week strike, concluding that (1) federal labor law does not pre-empt a determination as to whether the claimants’ strike caused a stoppage of work under G.L. c. 151A, § 25(b); (2) the labor dispute constituted a strike, not a lockout; (3) the employer had the burden to prove that the strike caused a substantial curtailment of its operations; and (4) the employer failed to show that claimants’ unemployment was due to a stoppage of work within the meaning of G.L. c. 151A, § 25(b). [Note: The Appeals Court affirmed the Board of Review’s decision and the Supreme Judicial Court denied further appellate review.]
M-63500 – M-63768 (Aug. 23, 2012) – Board denied benefits to claimants during the first 8 weeks of an 18-week strike at the employer’s refrigerated grocery distribution center based upon the substantial drop in the facility’s production and staffing levels compared to the periods immediately before and after the strike. In rendering its decision, the Board compared strike levels to non-strike levels during the same year rather than to non-strike levels from the prior year, because it was apparent that something other than the labor dispute reduced the demand for the employer’s products during the year of the strike.
M-61684 – M-63251 (Dec. 11, 2008) – Claimants engaged in a 17-day strike against an employer that provided a critical public service function. In light of substantial disruption to the internal business operations, labor dispute held to be a work stoppage.
M-61677 – M-61683 (Mar. 1, 2006) – Two-month strike against regional transit bus company was a work stoppage, as the buses stopped running and no revenue came in. When the prior collective bargaining contract expired, the employer's unilateral change of terms of employment was not a lockout, because employment remained available.