Right to Strike!

The Supreme Court is currently hearing oral arguments on Glacier Northwest, Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters.  After months of failed negotiations Teamsters Local 174 was forced to go on strike for a fair and equitable contract.

Glacier Northwest claims that when the Teamsters walked off the job in August, 2017 their actions ruined concrete that had been loaded on trucks and scheduled for delivery and the lost a contract worth $100,000.00.  In court documents filed by the union they claim that when the strike began at 7:00 am, 16 drivers returned their loaded trucks and left them running to allow management to deliver the loads.

Strikes are always a last resort but sometimes necessary to get stalled negotiations moving again.  Glacier Northwest had ample time to settle the contract had they bargained in good faith.  Their actions and failure to negotiate with the Teamsters led to the week long strike.

Depending on how the SCOTUS rules could have major ramifications on a union’s ability to strike for a fair and equitable contract.

This is a perfect example of what happens when union workers vote for anti worker politicians.