Union files dispute against Allied Mechanical

Allied Mechanical failed to make payments to four union funds as stipulated in the bargaining agreement, according to a legal complaint filed July 31 by Kansas City attorney Bill Jolley.

The union entered into the agreement with Allied Mechanical — a member of the Springfield Contractors Association since November 2005 — in December, according to the suit.

By doing so, the plumbing subcontractor agreed to pay a set amount into four funds for each hour worked by covered employees.

Jolley, who declined to comment on the litigation, stated in the suit that Allied failed to make $7,437 in contributions to the funds for three union employees who performed residential work on the company’s behalf between December 2005 and July 2006.

Allied also owes $643 in monthly dues to the union as required by the agreement, Jolley alleged.

The union is seeking the unpaid amount plus interest, liquidated damages and attorney fees. Jolley also requested a court order to ensure Allied abides by the terms of the bargaining agreement in the future.

Attempts to reach Allied President John Dodson, who was recently served with the suit, were unsuccessful, but Mark McCarty, the union’s business manager, said he thought a settlement would be reached within 30 days.

Allied is still on good terms with the union, McCarty added.

Under the agreement, the union is authorized to collect 12 percent interest on unpaid contributions and liquidated damages at 10 percent of unpaid contributions, court records show.

For each hour worked, Allied agreed to pay 75 cents to an annuity pension fund; $4.60 to a health and welfare fund; 10 cents to a training fund; and $1 to a national pension fund — an amount that jumped to $1.25 this year, according to the suit.

Established in 1905, Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 178 is the Springfield area’s seventh largest union with 300 members, according to Springfield Business Journal’s 2006 Book of Lists.