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First Judicial Contract Covers Court Reporters

SEA members who work as court reporters have become the first judicial employees to be covered by a union contract.

"It's a great day for the employees of the judicial branch," said SEA member Patrick Lorenz after a March 25 signing ceremony in a conference room at the N.H. Supreme Court building.

"I hope that other employees will take advantage of the opportunity to sit, as fellow human beings, across the table from the employer and come up with a fair contract, as we've done," he continued.

Shown here after the signing ceremony are Lorri Hayes of the SEA staff, reporters Lori Patria, Patrick Lorenz and Brenda Hancock, and SEA President Gary Smith.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John T. Broderick Jr. and SEA President Gary Smith signed the historic two-year agreement between the SEA and the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).

 Persistence Pays Off

The event came after a year of challenging negotiations and a pending court case. Our members took action after the AOC announced that the reporters would be phased out in favor of monitors who operate recording devices.

Without going into details, Broderick credited the sides for their "persistence in difficult times."

"I'm happy to be here, and I'm happy to sign," he said.

Smith described the contract as the product of "a lot of sweat and tears."

"May this be the start of a partnership that works together to improve public services provided by the judicial branch," he continued.

Court reporters had relied on the assurances of a Superior Court justice in believing that their jobs were secure.

 Contract Protections

In a hearing in Hillsborough County Superior Court in May 2004, Laura Lombardi of the Attorney General's Office argued that individuals in the judicial branch are employed "at will."

The alternative to being considered "at will" employees is to have the protections of a union contract.

Patrick Lorenz testifies during a court hearing in May 2004. A lawyer from the Attorney General's Office argued that court reporters were "employees at will."

Lori Patria, another court reporter and SEA member, said the new contract should lead to improved morale and better court services. She feels employees now have a better way to communicate with management, and they also have a better understanding of their job responsibilities.

"I think it will be much easier for people to concentrate on the job at hand," Lorenz added. "If there is a contract to go back to, and that's a sure thing, the day-to-day buzz around the courthouse can be ignored."

 Right to Organize

Also known as court stenographers, these highly skilled employees were the first to make use of a change in the state's Public Employee Labor Relations Act, RSA 273-A, that allowed court employees to unionize. The change became effective in 2002, with the support of SEA.

It gives court employees the same right to organize already enjoyed by executive branch employees.
 
Patria summed up the feelings of all of the newly unionized stenographers.

"I'm glad the process is over," she said. "I can't imagine going through this by ourselves. The union has been instrumental in helping us get a voice and having some control over our issues and working conditions."