A construction company is accused of breach of contract by failing to make contributions to the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 551.
Trustees of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 551 filed the class action complaint on July 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against JLB Construction Enterprise Inc.
According to the complaint, Local 551 is a labor organization for journeymen and apprentices in the plumbing and pipefitting industry. JLB Construction engages in the plumbing and pipefitting business and has a principal place of business in Harrisburg, Ill. The plaintiffs allege Jeff Bryant signed a letter of assent, binding the defendant to the collective bargaining agreement between Egyptian Association of Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors and Local 551.
According to the contract, the plaintiffs allege JLB Construction is obligated to pay monthly contributions. However, from September 2017 through May 2019, the defendant filed contribution reports but failed to pay contributions, working dues and Special Union Assessments, the plaintiffs allege.
“Defendant’s failure to pay these contributions and working dues is a continuing violation of the Labor Agreement and ERISA,” the suit states.
The defendant is accused of failing to pay into the pension plan, health and welfare fund, apprentice and training fund and the compulsory vacation savings fund.
The plaintiffs seek $67,007.07 in damages, plus interest, court costs and attorneys’ fees.
They are represented by Matthew Leppert of Schuchat Cook & Werner in St. Louis.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:20-cv-696