Reams v. Local 18, International Union of Operating Engineers

**Reams v. Local 18, International Union of Operating Engineers** **What Happened:** A worker named Reams filed a discrimination lawsuit against Local 18, International Union of Operating Engineers, which represents heavy equipment operators and other construction workers. The case involved claims that the union discriminated against Reams, though the specific details about the type of discrimination or circumstances are not available in the court records. **What the Court Decided:** The outcome of this case is not specified in the available court documents. The case was filed in federal court in Ohio in November 2021, but the final resolution, whether through settlement, dismissal, or trial verdict, is not reported. **Why This Matters for Workers:** This case highlights an important point for union members: workers can file discrimination claims not just against their employers, but also against their own unions. Labor unions have legal obligations to treat all members fairly and cannot discriminate based on protected characteristics like race, gender, age, or disability. Union members who believe they've faced discrimination from their union leadership or in union activities have legal recourse through federal court, just as they would against an employer.