Union Workers Accused of Thuggish Behavior

ST. LOUIS (CN) - Members of the Laborers' International Union of North America crashed The Jones Company's meeting and physically assaulted Jones employees, the company claims in Federal Court. Jones, a subsidiary of Pulte Homes, says the assaults and threats, including sexual threats, were part of a continuing attempt to unionize Pulte workers.

Jones says it rented a meeting room at a St. Louis area hotel on Oct. 19 for a company meeting. Moments after the meeting began, 100 people wearing bright orange clothing with the Laborers' International's symbol on it, and one person dressed as a rat, entered the room.

Union members chanted, "Shame on you," and several of them accosted the speaker, making it impossible for the meeting to continue, the complaint states.

Union members allegedly harassed and assaulted Jones employees as they tried to leave the room.

One union member blocked the exit of a visibly pregnant Jones worker, poked her in her stomach and shouted to her about sacrificing the future of her child, Jones claims.

Union members allegedly knocked down another Jones employee and called another female employee "a bitch," "a cunt," told her to "spread your legs. I'll give you what you need," and damaged her car by beating on it with signs.

Union members also stole an Albert Pujols jersey, which was a gift for the guest speaker, Jones claims.

Jones seeks punitive damages for violations of the National Labor Relations Act. It is represented by Clifford Godiner with Thompson Coburn in St. Louis.

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