Potential Supreme Court ruling could impact future labor strikes

Darin M. Dalmat, labor attorney and senior partner with the law firm Barnard, Iglitzin and Lavitt LLP joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how his firm is representing Teamsters Local 174 in a lawsuit currently pending in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

The Glacier Northwest Inc. vs. Teamsters Local 174 lawsuit was brought about as a result of a 2018 strike. Prior to going on strike, Teamsters Local 174 received legal advice from Dalmat and his law firm on how to proceed with the strike. Following the process outlined by their legal counsel, members of the Local went on strike. After the strike, Glacier alleged there was leftover concrete in their mixing trucks, which resulted in damage to the trucks. 

Dalmat explained how Glacier’s lawsuit seeks financial compensation for the strike. They are asking for the value of the lost concrete (approximately $11,000), the clean-up cost and for lost profits. He said the amount Glacier seeks, plus the cost of the court fees and legal team, are more than Glacier would have paid to the employees after agreeing to a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

This case has been widely reported in the media and Dalmat deemed it the most important case in the history of private sector unions to come before the courts in decades. At stake is the right for employers to charge union members for the cost of a strike. 

If Glacier wins, employers could charge a union for damages for any expired products, clean-up time and cost, plus any lost profits. A ruling for Glacier would eliminate the power of union members to go on strike. 

At this time, the U.S. Supreme Court has heard arguments, but has not issued a decision. Dalmat believes a ruling will be handed down before the end of June.

Listen to the entire episode to learn more.