In the wake of the indictment of 10 members of Ironworkers 401, most of the attention, rightfully, has focused on the potential criminal liability of the Ironworkers Union and its indicted members.  What has not occurred, at least not yet, is the filing a civil lawsuits by the contractors against the Local 401 for the activities alleged in the indictment.

As I have written about, Section 303 of the Labor Management Relations Act states that anyone harmed by an unfair labor practice can file a civil suit for damages in federal court.  I have advocated that filing an action under Section 303 against a union for illegal secondary is preferable because the right to a trial by jury and the ability to take discovery.   Contractors who suffered acts of violence or extortion at the hands of the Ironworkers would appear to have a strong case under Section 303, especially in light of the federal criminal indictment.

A search of the federal dockets shows that apparently no contractor has yet to file such a claim against Local 401.  One has to wonder if that will last.

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