The Annuity, Welfare and Apprenticeship Skill Improvement & Safety Funds of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 15, 15A, 15C & 15D, AFL-CIO v. J&A Concrete Corp.

Court Rules Against J&A Concrete Corp. for Unpaid Worker Benefits

What Happened

A union benefits fund sued J&A Concrete Corp. for failing to pay required contributions into retirement and welfare programs for operating engineers. These contributions are mandatory payments employers must make to union benefit funds that provide healthcare, pensions, and other worker protections. J&A Concrete did not respond to the lawsuit or defend itself in court.

What the Court Decided

The court sided with the union fund and ordered J&A Concrete to pay $127,321.54. This amount included the unpaid contributions, interest on late payments, penalties, and attorneys' fees.

Why This Matters for Workers

This case demonstrates that courts will enforce employer obligations to fund worker benefits. When employers skip these required payments, workers lose access to healthcare, retirement savings, and other protections they've earned. The substantial penalty—including interest and attorney fees—sends a message that such violations are costly, potentially discouraging other employers from similar non-compliance.