Ally Presskreischer

07/22/2024

Today we, along with the Medford Firefighters Local 1032, filed an injunction in Superior Court to once again put a stop to this anti-union mayor’s antics. This time is she is attempting to change the promotional process, one which has served the Department well for the last 30+ years, to concentrate power in her own hands. The strength of this Union and its membership to keep fighting the good fight is inspiring and I’m proud to partner with them every step of the way.

Barrault and Associates LLC. Hailey Ferguson Nourhene Chtourou Laurel Kennedy

Attorney Leah Marie Barrault along with the Medford Firefighters Local 1032 have filed an injunction in Superior Court today to protect an over thirty-year Civil Service promotional process for the rank of Deputy Chief in the Medford Fire Department that has proven to work in favor of one that Mayor Lungo-Koehn is trying to change it to giving her ultimate power and control over leadership at the Department.

For months now, Mayor Lungo-Koehn has disrespected the Union by withholding its members’ retroactive wages for several months, making false statements to the media about the Union’s involvement in unlawful activity, and even appointing herself as the Fire Chief full well knowing that she lacked the experience essential to protect her firefighters and Fire Department. Enough is enough, and the Union is fighting back in every legal way it can to protect its members and citizens of Medford whom they have been sworn to protect.

Medford Firefighters Local 1032
Leah M Barrault
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)
Boston Globe Opinion
WBZ / CBS News Boston
Boston Herald
MassLive
WCVB Channel 5 Boston
7News - WHDH Boston

12/20/2023

Congratulations to IAFF Local 2892, Professional Firefighters of Salem, and my colleague Hailey Ferguson for this fantastic win! Proud to work with these amazing people!

Another major win from the team at Barrault and Associates this time for the Professional Firefighters of Salem IAFF L-2892!

“Another Arbitrator has agreed with an IAFF New Hampshire Fire Local, the Professional Firefighters of Salem Local 2892, and the Barrault and Associates team that a firefighter retiring from his or her job is entitled to buy back their accrued time even if s/he is not planning to receive their pension monies immediately.

Attorney Hailey Ferguson persuaded the Arbitrator that the Town of Salem had violated the collective bargaining agreement when it refused to accept our client’s retirement notification, changed it to a resignation, and then denied him the benefit of buying back thousands of dollars in accrued benefits that he would otherwise be entitled to get upon retirement. Notably, the Arbitrator states in her final award section that “the Town is the losing party” and must pay our client all the benefits listed under the contract and related to retirement.”

The full decision can be read on our website here:https://barraultlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SNH-AWARD_Redacted.pdf

Leah Marie Barrault
Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire
Hailey Ferguson
Ally Presskreischer Laurel KennedyNourhene ChtourouKathleen Kiely-Becchetti

12/20/2023

Another major win from the team at Barrault and Associates this time for the Professional Firefighters of Salem IAFF L-2892!

“Another Arbitrator has agreed with an IAFF New Hampshire Fire Local, the Professional Firefighters of Salem Local 2892, and the Barrault and Associates team that a firefighter retiring from his or her job is entitled to buy back their accrued time even if s/he is not planning to receive their pension monies immediately.

Attorney Hailey Ferguson persuaded the Arbitrator that the Town of Salem had violated the collective bargaining agreement when it refused to accept our client’s retirement notification, changed it to a resignation, and then denied him the benefit of buying back thousands of dollars in accrued benefits that he would otherwise be entitled to get upon retirement. Notably, the Arbitrator states in her final award section that “the Town is the losing party” and must pay our client all the benefits listed under the contract and related to retirement.”

The full decision can be read on our website here:https://barraultlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SNH-AWARD_Redacted.pdf

Leah Marie Barrault
Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire
Hailey Ferguson
Ally Presskreischer Laurel KennedyNourhene ChtourouKathleen Kiely-Becchetti

12/20/2023

Very proud to have worked with Yarmouth Firefighters L2122 to secure this victory for the membership!

Another major victory this time on behalf of Yarmouth Fire:

“Yarmouth Firefighters Local 122 and Barrault and Associates Attorney Ally Presskreischer obtained a favorable award at arbitration regarding the payment of the Town’s health plan incentive payments. At the heart of this case are high-deductible insurance plans, an alternative to plans like HMOs, PPOs, and POS’s. High deductible plans work by requiring plan members to incur significant deductible expenses before receiving any benefits under their policy. This higher deductible lowers premiums for the Town and the Union members. High deductible plans are only permissible if employers offer employees health savings (“HSA”) accounts, which are funded by either employee or employer contributions. In this case, the Town unilaterally began prorating its annual HSA contribution, as well as members’ one-time incentive payment for joining the plan in cases where employees were not on their high deductible plan for the full health insurance year.

Though the Arbitrator ultimately found that the Union had unknowingly agreed to the Town’s decision to prorate its annual HSA contribution years ago, he went on to agree with Attorney Presskreischer that the one-time incentive payment for employees joining the HSA plan cannot be prorated because doing so would create “even less incentive to make the election [to the HAS plan] desired by the Town. The Town was thus ordered to make the grievants and similarly situated members whole.”

The full award can be read here:https://barraultlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Yarmouth-AWARD_Redacted.pdf

Leah Marie Barrault
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)
Ally Presskreischer
Hailey Ferguson Laurel Kennedy Nourhene Chtourou Kathleen Kiely-Becchetti

12/18/2023

Huge win for Acton Fire Local 1904! Proud to represent this amazing local and proud of my colleague Nourhene Chtourou for her hard work and dedication on this arbitration.

MAJOR WIN for Acton Fire Local 1904:

“The Arbitrator agreed with the Acton Firefighters Union Local 1904 and Barrault and Associate’s Senior Associate, Nourhene Chtourou, that the Town of Acton was not permitted under the contract to add a written questionnaire to the oral board component of its promotional process. The Arbitrator found that the parties’ collective bargaining agreement outlined a specific procedure for the promotional process, and since it did not mention “written questions,” the Arbitrator concluded that the Town could not include such without the Union’s agreement.

This decision is important as more and more municipalities are opting out of the Civil Service system and thus relying upon the promotional process language that it bargains with its public safety unions. This award confirms that in these instances, a municipality will be restricted to what it got at the bargaining table and prevented from adding new and subjective components without the Union’s authorization.”

You can read the full award here:https://barraultlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Acton-2023-12-05-AWARD_Redacted71.pdf

Leah Marie Barrault
Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM)
Nourhene Chtourou Ally Presskreischer Hailey Ferguson Laurel Kennedy Kathleen Kiely-Becchetti

10/04/2023

Standing in solidarity with Medford Firefighters Local 1032 at tonight’s mayoral debate. 826 days without a contract is simply unacceptable!


Barrault and Associates LLC.
Nourhene Chtourou
Hailey Ferguson
Laurel Kennedy

10/04/2023

We stand strong in solidarity with the men and women of Medford Firefighters Local 1032 as they continue to fight for a fair contract.

The Firefighters have been out of contract for over 820 days, which is simply unacceptable. If Mayor Lungo-Kohen truly wants to make this City a “Medford for All,” she should start by ceasing her unprecedented attacks on the working people of this City!

826 days with no contract. Unprecedented attacks on our union. Numerous grievances filed. No new headquarters. No training tower. No respect.

04/24/2023

Huge welcome to Kathleen! We are very excited to add such an accomplished and hardworking attorney to our firm. ⭐️🎉

03/14/2023

03/14/2023

Very excited to announce that I am now admitted to practice in the State of Vermont! Can't wait to hit the ground running with all the amazing Vermont Locals. 🎉

Barrault and Associates LLC. is pleased to announce that Ally Presskreischer has been admitted to practice in the State of Vermont! She is also a member of the Massachusetts Bar, and is working towards her admittance to the Connecticut Bar. Congrats, Ally!

Nourhene Chtourou Hailey Ferguson Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont