Union threatens labor charge after US inspector’s report hits fishery enforcement attorneys

Union threatens labor charge in US fishery case

BOSTON — The union for federal attorneys who prosecute fishery law violators is threatening to file an unfair labor practice charge after a report accused attorneys in the Northeast of abusive behavior.

The National Weather Service Employees Organization on Tuesday warned federal regulators to back off changes announced last week by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, including revisiting some judgments against fishermen.

Locke’s announcement followed a report by his agency’s inspector general on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s law enforcement agency.

Union attorney Marguerite Matera says any changes must by law be negotiated. She calls the inspector general’s allegations “spurious.”

The Department of Commerce says the secretary’s “aggressive” action was aimed at restoring trust in the law enforcement agency.