ABC Calls on Supreme Court to Reverse Intentional Destruction of Employer Property Case

NEWS

ABC Calls on Supreme Court to Reverse Intentional Destruction of Employer Property Case

November 20, 2022

On Nov. 8, ABC joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace and six other employer organizations in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court to request that the court reverse the judgment of the Washington Supreme Court in Glacier Northwest, Inc v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Washington Supreme Court’s decision stated that the National Labor Relations Board preempts state tort suits, allowing unions and their supporters to intentionally destroy an employer’s property while claiming to be engaged in protected concerted activity.

The ABC-led CDW issued the following statement, “There is no federal law that gives unions or their members a free pass for intentionally destroying someone else’s property. Unions, like everyone else, need to settle disputes within the confines of the law. Without property protections, local communities, workers, and businesses will suffer the collateral damage that will inevitably arise as businesses are harmed and potentially crushed by vandalism.”

Background:

In June, ABC joined CDW and other employer organizations in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court to request review of the Washington Supreme Court’s decision in Glacier Northwest.

The brief states that the decision “leaves employers without a remedy for the intentional destruction of their private property” and “encourages the intentional destruction of employer property.” The brief also states that the decision “upsets the balance of power in labor disputes in favor of unions willing to engage in lawless acts and against law-abiding businesses,” and will result in harm to local communities and workers. The CDW and the other organizations argued that the Washington state ruling conflicts with past U.S. Supreme Court precedents and rulings issued by multiple federal circuits and state high courts.

On Oct. 3, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear the Glacier case, which will determine if employers can sue unions over damage to their property.

Learn more about the case proceedings on the U.S. Supreme Court website.

Continue to monitor Newsline for updates on this case.