Lowe Excavating Co. v. International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 150

**Union Ordered to Pay $525,000 for False Statements About Company** This case involved a dispute between Lowe Excavating Company and Operating Engineers Local 150 union. The union made false public statements claiming that Lowe Excavating wasn't paying proper wages to its workers. These statements were untrue and damaged the company's reputation in the construction industry. The court ruled in favor of Lowe Excavating, finding that the union had committed "trade libel" by spreading false information that hurt the company's business relationships. The judge awarded $525,000 in punitive damages against the union, determining that their statements were not only false but also made with malicious intent. **What This Means for Workers:** While unions have important rights to advocate for workers and criticize employers, they cannot make false statements about companies. This ruling shows that unions must be careful to stick to truthful facts when publicly criticizing employers' practices. For workers, this case highlights that labor disputes must be fought with accurate information. It also demonstrates that both employers and unions can face serious financial consequences when they make false public statements that damage reputations or business relationships.