Unions: Employer Not Entitled To Injunction To Block Picketers

Gigante USA Inc., a Los Angeles supermarket operator, went to court to get an injunction prohibiting union members from picketing in front of its stores. Gigante argued that the restriction was necessary to protect the safety of store employees and customers following an incident in which union members disrupted a new store’s opening day to protest the grocer’s alleged failure to pay union wages. But the California Court of Appeal denied Gigante’s request. The court said that under a new state law that took effect this year, employers can’t get an injunction to stop picketing in a labor dispute unless they can meet six criteria, including showing that police officers are unable or unwilling to furnish adequate protection. The court said the evidence established that sheriff’s deputies were able to keep the picketers under control, prevent injury and property damage, and maintain access to the store.