MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) has submitted the following letter to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers regarding its ongoing Unfair Labor Practice strike against R.J. Corman, Inc.
The strike is against various R.J. Corman divisions, including its railroad construction and railroad derailment divisions.
The letter reads as follows:
Notice of Labor Dispute to Managers and Supervisors
As you may be aware, Local 150 (IUOE) is on strike for unfair labor practices against R.J. Corman company, including its Material Services, Railroad Construction, and Railroad Derailment Divisions.
For your information, Administrative Law Judge William G. Kocol recently held that R.J. Corman company refused to consider and refused to hire union applicants because of their unio affiliation, and because of R.J. Corman’s anti-union animus. In addition, the Administrative Law Judge Kocol found company representatives’ testimony does not withstand scrutiny; and that company representatives’ testimony was potentially fabricated and lacked credibility. Furthermore, in a previous Federal District Court opinion, Judge Shadur stated that R.J. Corman’s “history of demonstrated distortion of the situation… reveals that their assertions cannot be trusted.” Additionally, on November 6, 2001, Administrative Law Judge Leonard Wagman found that R.J. Corman unlawfully coerced, interrogated, and threatened — incuding physical threatening — employees who supported the union.
As part of any primary picket against R.J. Corman, Local 150 may establish lawful pickets at various R.J. Corman facilities and any other location where R.J. Corman may be performing work. If Local 150 pickets R.J. Corman at your facility, please be advised that Local 150 has no dispute with your company; rather, Local 150’s dispute is solely with R.J. Corman and any picketing would be directed solely against R.J. Corman.
Under federal law, employees may voluntarily honor Local 150’s picket and engage in protected sympathy activity, which would include the refusal to work behind the primary picket line against R.J. Corman. In addition, employers have the right to refuse to do business with R.J. Corman.
Accordingly, Local 150 requests companies to support it in its dispute with R.J. Corman and voluntarily choose to cease doing business with R.J. Corman or any other employer with whom Local 150 has a primary labor dispute.
Thank you for your cooperation and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the undersigned.
Sincerely,
David A. Fagan
Organizer
International Union of Operating Engineers
Local 150
2193 West 84th Place
Merrillville, IN 46410
Phone: (219) 736-7710