A Chicago, Ill.-based United States Court of Appeals has shot down a petition filed by the United Steelworkers of America (USWA) regarding a lower court's refusal to dismiss a racketeering suit filed against the union by Titan International Inc. three years ago.
"This ruling marks the third time the USWA has tried and failed to get the federal courts to dismiss this suit," says Titan President and CEO Morry Taylor. A recent appeal had been turned down in August.
The case "should go to trial," he adds.
Titan is accusing the USWA of "interfering with (the company's) ability to conduct business" during the union's 40-month-long strike that ended in late 2001 "by employing such tactics as bomb threats, harassment, falsified workers' compensation claims, extortion and interference aimed at destroying the company."
Titan is seeking $240 million in damages.
Steelworkers picketed Titan's Des Moines, Iowa, plant as well as its Natchez, Miss., facility.
