AG Charges Employment Agency for Hiring Out of State Workers During Kaiser Strike

Olympia - August 10, 1999 - A Washington-based employment agency that hired people to replace striking Kaiser Aluminum workers in Spokane violated state law when it hired people outside Washington, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Charges were filed today in Spokane County Superior Court against Labor Ready, Inc., for the crime of bringing in out-of-state workers to replace employees involved in a labor dispute. State law makes its unlawful for any person, firm or corporation that has "not been directly involved in a labor strike or lockout" to recruit or bring in people from outside the state.

Labor Ready was retained by Kaiser Aluminum to locate and hire workers for its Trentwood branch when employees began a labor strike in September of 1998. Workers were recruited through a Labor Ready office in Couer d’Alene, Idaho.

The crime is a gross misdemeanor and has a maximum penalty of one year in jail and/or a $5,000 fine, plus costs, restitution and assessments.

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