A Metairie labor union is suing a plumbing business and its owners, alleging funds were not deposited in benefit accounts, per the collective bargaining agreement.
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 60 (and four of the union's funds) filed a lawsuit Oct. 28 in U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana against B&V Plumbing and owners Regan Voorhies Jr. of New Orleans and Shaun Bernard of Destrehan.
According to the complaint, B&V Plumbing is signatory to a labor contract with the union, which binds it to pay monthly contributions to the pension, welfare, vacation and education funds, and to pay collected union dues to the union.
On Aug. 28, a payroll audit was performed for the period covering Jan. 1, 2013-Dec. 31, 2014, and the suit says the defendant refused to provide the required documents, and that the defendant continues to owe contributions to the funds.
The plaintiff says it has contacted the defendants about this matter, without response.
Not only are the funds entitled to collect delinquent contributions plus 2 percent interest per delinquent month but the funds should also receive liquidated damages of 20 percent, according to federal law, the suit says.
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 60 seeks the aforementioned payments, plus an accounting of the defendants' books and records at the defendants' expense, attorney fees and court costs. It is represented by attorney Louis L. Robein, of Robein, Urann, Spencer, Picard & Cangemi of Metairie.
U.S. District Courtthe Eastern District of Louisiana case number 2:15-cv-05507-JTM-JCW.