Justices Allow Company to Sue Union for Strike Destruction (2)

Federal labor law doesn’t prevent a ready-mix concrete company from suing a union in state court for alleged intentional destruction of property during a strike, the US Supreme Court ruled.

The justices’ 8-1 decision on Thursday delivers a glancing blow to organized labor by opening the doors to costly lawsuits against striking unions based on the economic consequences of their protests and potentially sparking state legislation to curb strike conduct.

But the opinion turned on the facts of the case and didn’t remake the law on strike protections.

The ruling stems from concrete supplier Glacier Northwest Inc.’s tort claims against ...