Just over one year ago, with millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet, International Association of Machinists District Lodge 851 union bosses ordered hundreds of Joliet Caterpillar workers in Illinois on strike.
More than a hundred workers dared to defy the union bosses' demands and continued working to provide for their families.
That didn't sit well with the union brass, who levied retaliatory -- and illegal -- fines against the workers for refusing to toe their militant line.
Add it all up, and the union bosses have demanded as much as a million dollars from workers who had the audacity to do their jobs.
But under federal law, workers who are not voluntary union members are exempt from the union hierarchy's constitution and bylaws and thus cannot be disciplined for continuing to work during a union boss-ordered strike.
One worker alleges that union militants threatened him with violence if he returned to work.
Two others say that union bosses illegally charged them union dues while they were laid off.
Others were never informed by union officials, as required by law, of their right to refrain from union membership.
Now 41 of the workers are fighting back with free legal aid from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys.
Two workers filed federal unfair labor practices charges against the IAM union bosses late last year and have already won a settlement. Last month, 24 more filed similar charges. And 15 more joined the fight last week.
Over the years, Foundation attorneys have won settlements for workers illegally threatened by union bosses with fines up to $40,000 simply for returning to work to provide for their families.
If the union bosses get away with it, homes could be lost, lives destroyed.
We wouldn't be able to fight -- and win -- cases like these without support from concerned citizens like you. Thanks again for making this work possible.
Sincerely,
Mark Mix
P.S. The Foundation relies completely on voluntary contributions from its supporters to provide free legal aid.
Please chip in with a tax-deductible contribution of $10 or more today to support the Foundation's programs.
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