LV contractor sues union over strike

Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000 | 11:09 a.m.

A Las Vegas contractor sued the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local Union 631, alleging it incurred substantial costs when construction of the Red Rock Channel and western segment of the Las Vegas Beltway was delayed because of a strike it says the union incited.

Frehner Construction Co. filed a federal lawsuit against the Teamsters, alleging they incited the contractor's workers to picket Feb. 8-10 because Frehner refused to stop doing business with one of its subcontractors, Casino Ready Mix, with whom the union has a dispute.

"The union had a dispute with Casino Ready Mix, a materials supply company and elected to try to induce Frehner to stop doing business with the company they had dispute with. This is an illegal secondary boybott," said Gary Branton, Frehner's attorney. "The Teamsters were trying to organize Ready Mix."

Kyle Goerlitz, Ready Mix's general manager, said the company refused to recognize the union because it didn't agree with many of the Teamsters' beliefs.

"We're a non-union company doing this job, so the Teamsters thought they could get us to join the union. But we think the package we offer our employees is better because we are a family-oriented company," he said, estimating up to 50 workers were on strike.

Branton said the Teamsters put up a picket line and allegedly coerced Frehner's laborers, carpenters, engineers and cement masons to engage in "illegal mass picketing."

The Teamsters declined comment.