The Arizona Coyotes have been the subject of two investigations by the National Labor Relations Board over the past 13 months based on filed complaints that the “team spied on staff, engaged in union busting, and fired two employees who raised concerns about pay,” reports The Arizona Republic’s Craig Harris.
Arizona Coyotes under investigation for alleged labor law violations
Two former employees filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board in the past 13 months.
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Both employees reached undisclosed settlements with the team in their labor cases. One of the cases is still being investigated by the NLRB, which has set a hearing for Jan. 9.
The Coyotes have denied any wrongdoing.
“We have worked hard to create an excellent workplace culture for more than 100 employees,” Ahron Cohen, the team’s general counsel and chief operating officer, said. “We are proud of that culture, which is based on respect and fair treatment for all employees. Any allegations to the contrary are not true.”
The first investigation was initiated after a former employee alleged in 2016 that the team “created an impression that employees were under surveillance, threatened staff if they engaged in union organizing, caused employees to sign overly broad and discriminatory severance agreements and fired the employee after she complained the Coyotes failed to properly pay staff,” according to NLRB records uncovered by The Arizona Republic.
That complaint was withdrawn after the two sides agreed to an undisclosed settlement in which the Coyotes admitted no fault.
The second investigation began after another former employee filed a case with the NLRB in addition to a lawsuit in U.S. District Court. The person claimed the Coyotes failed to compensate for overtime hours as directed by federal law. Both sides agreed to an undisclosed settlement in that case in September.
The labor investigations are the latest issues for a Coyotes team that’s off to a rough start on the ice with a league-worst 2-15-3 record. Their future in Arizona also remains uncertain as their current lease with the city of Glendale for Gila River Arena expires at the conclusion of the season.
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