Michigan Crane Company Unlawfully Fired Unionized Workers

A Michigan crane rental company violated federal labor law when it fired six workers during a dispute with their union, the Sixth Circuit said July 10.

Market competition from non-unionized companies set the stage for Erickson Trucking Service’s clash with the local business representative for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Judge Jeffrey Sutton said for the court.

The dust-up began when the union relied on a previous agreement to try to boost worker wages, which Erickson refused to do.Erickson workers then began to seek out the business representative’s help dealing with payroll issues rather than going to Erickson itself, ...