Violence Committeed for “Legitimate” Union Goals Isn’t Extortion??
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Federal prosecutors charge that Philadelphia union bosses repeatedly resorted to violence and sabotage, including torching of steel beams at a Quaker meeting house construction site, as “organizing tools”.
It was in it’s controversial 1973 Enmons decision, Mr. Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Committee, explained, that s divided US Supreme Court exempted threats, vandalism and violence perpetuated to secure “legitimate” union goals.
Many ordinary Americans find it difficult to believe a five justice majority on the High Court could ever have foisted such a bizarre interpretation on the Hobbs Act.
But, professional jurists know that as strange as it seems, the legitimate union objectives loophole in the Hobbs Act is established case law.
Thanks to extensive media coverage of the indictment of 10 Ironworkers Local 401 bosses and militants early last year, and union lawyers so-far unsuccessful efforts to use Enmons to get the charges dismissed, this controversial precedent is now facing renewed public scrutiny.
For example, the day after three defendants allegedly inflicted roughly $500,000 in damages by setting a crane of fire and cutting steel beams and bolts supporting the Quaker meeting house then under construction. Ironworkers Union business agent Mr. Ed Sweeney sent the arsonists the text message, “Nice Hit”.
The Freedom From Union Violence Act (S.2535 and HR2021) would close Enmons loopholes.
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