Young Laundry files
suit against union

Star-Bulletin staff

Young Laundry & Dry Cleaning has filed a lawsuit against the union representing its striking workers.

The lawsuit, filed yesterday against Hawaii Teamsters and Allied Workers, Local 996, and its president, Mel Kahele, asks a Circuit Court judge to put limits on the size and location of picket lines set up at the company's Kalihi Kai plant at 1930 Auiki St.

The lawsuit alleges that the picketing has obstructed traffic entering and leaving the property, causing delays of up to 40 minutes. The union has also been "harassing" nonstriking employees and job applicants leaving the plant, the lawsuit alleges. The company said it will lose about $15,000 a day unless the court intervenes.

Kahele could not be reached for comment yesterday.

About 130 employees went on strike Thursday. The union said that management had refused a contract extension and instituted pay and benefit cuts during negotiations.