In this case, Glacier Northwest Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a work stoppage by 16 company truck drivers allegedly resulted in the spoilage of 16 partial and full loads of cement.

On Aug. 11, 2017, while the company and Teamsters Local Union, No. 174 were negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement, multiple drivers returned their trucks and abandoned work. The company was able to unload the cement before it hardened in the drums of the trucks but the work stoppage resulted in the loss of the concrete itself. The employer claimed the drivers had coordinated with the union to specifically time this stoppage such that it would lead to the cement spoiling and further hurt the company financially.

Tort Damages Sought

The company brought suit against the union in Washington state court for torts related to property damage it suffered due to the work stoppage.

"A tort is an action to recover damages for injuries caused by the actions of another party," said David Pryzbylski, an attorney with Barnes & Thornburg in Indianapolis. "Depending on the state, the damages related to a tort might be limitless. While a party can typically only recover for the harm they have suffered—that is, obtain compensatory damages—a party may also be awarded punitive and other types of damages, which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction."

A tort action is the main way the noncriminal law has of providing remedies to people who are harmed by others, said David Miller, an...

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