BENTON – Demolition contractor Petroff claims it lost a St. Clair County contract to a higher bidder due to threat or coercion from operating engineers Local 250.
Petroff sued Local 250 in U.S. district court on Sept. 16, alleging that its activity and conduct constituted an unfair labor practice.
Petroff counsel John Gazzoli of Clayton, Mo. claims Local 250 acted with the object of forcing or requiring the county to cease doing business with Petroff.
Gazzoli claims the county had awarded contracts to Petroff on several occasions.
He claims the county issued a bid on Aug. 11, due on Aug. 25.
He claims Petroff submitted the low bid and was to be awarded the contract in the ordinary course of business and based upon past practice.
On and after Sept. 1, “Local 250 threatened, coerced, or restrained St. Clair County with job interference if the contract were awarded to Petroff,” he wrote.
He claims that as a direct and proximate result, the county rejected the low bid and awarded the contract to S. Shafer Excavating.
He claims damages in the approximate amount of $95,000.
Theresa Phelps of Clayton also represents Petroff.
The court clerk assigned District Judge Staci Yandle.