2023 - Seekonk Fire Fighters Local 1931 vs. Town of Seekonk

In 2023, Attorney Barrault and the team at Barrault and Associates, on behalf of a member of IAFF Local 1931, were able to obtain a favorable award at arbitration regarding the reimbursement of costs associated with obtaining a paramedic certification. The arbitrator found that the Town violated the parties’ collective bargaining agreement when it refused reimbursement on the grounds that the firefighter did not obtain his certification within three years from the date of hire as the reason for this delay in certification was an unforeseen circumstance beyond the members control – namely, the COVID-19 pandemic. The Town was ordered to pay over $10,000 to the member to cover the full cost of the certification.