Why Are "Progressive" Democrats Taking Money From This Union-Busting Law Firm?

Around 1994, workers at a battery factory in South Carolina started talking about forming a union. The International Union of Electrical Workers began to build support at the factory, which manufactured giant batteries to power forklifts and lend back-up power to cellphone towers. A year later, the workers voted to successfully unionize.

EnerSys, the battery manufacturer, was livid. They eventually called a powerful New York law firm, Jackson Lewis, for help.

With Jackson Lewis’ assistance, EnerSys launched a decade-long war against the union, firing labor leaders and moving production to nonunion plants. In 2001, EnerSys shuttered the factory, giving no notice. The National Labor Relations Board accused EnerSys of breaking the law; the company eventually agreed to pay $7.75 million to settle the board’s complaints and the union’s lawsuits over failure to pay bonuses or give notice of the layoffs.

Afterwards, EnerSys turned around and sued Jackson Lewis, blaming the firm for malpractice and advising them to engage in illegal behavior. Jackson Lewis said the company ignored its proper advice and wanted to avoid a bill. They eventually settled.

Read more: http://www.villagevoice.com/news/why-are-progressive-democrats-taking-money-from-this-union-busting-law-firm-9833510