PITTSBURGH — Wheatland Tube Company is suing a branch of the United Steelworkers for a pending grievance challenging the discharge of one of their members of Local 1660-01.
John Maneely Company, doing business as Wheatland Tube Company, filed a lawsuit on March 28 in the U.S District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania against United Steelworkers, Local 1660-01, citing violations of the Labor Management Relations Act.
Wheatland Tube Company is a manufacturer of tubular steel for the commercial and industrial production of fire sprinkler systems, electrical raceways, fence framework, energy construction, and solar-related applications. The plaintiff employees members of the United Steelworkers, Local 1660-01.
According to the complaint, a member of United Steelworkers and employee of the plaintiff violated the company’s code of conduct when he allegedly pressed an emergency stop on Nov. 16, 2015. The plaintiff claims the action shut down approximately half of the production equipment in the mill, causing a 45 minute delay in production and a loss to the company in excess of $27,000.
The plaintiff avers that the individual admitted to his actions and was discharged from employment on Nov. 22, 2015. The defendant allegedly issued an opinion and award on Feb. 26, 2016, defending the individual’s actions.
Wheatland seeks that the court vacate the arbitrator’s award, with prejudice, and any other additional relief. It is represented by Maria Greco Danaher and Joseph J. Brennan of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart PC, in Pittsburgh, PA, and Cleveland, OH, respectively.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania Case number 2:16-cv-00356-MRH