LOS ANGELES – Labor group funds allege a Castaic employer did not pay contributions in violation of a bargaining agreement between the parties.
Trustees of the Operating Engineers Pension Trust, trustees of the Operating Engineers Health and Welfare Fund, trustees of the Operating Engineers Vacation - Holiday Savings Trust and trustees of the Operating Engineers Training Trust filed a complaint on July 29 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Robert Thornhill, an individual doing business as Thornhill Equipment Rental, alleging breach of collective bargaining agreement and violation of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that they suffered damages as the result of unpaid contributions. The plaintiffs hold Thornhill responsible because the defendant allegedly failed to pay monthly contributions to the labor funds on behalf of his employees.
The plaintiffs seek unpaid benefit contributions, damages, liquidated damages, interest, cost of audit, all legal fees and any other relief as the court deems just. They are represented by Matthew T. Bechtel of Laquer Urban Clifford & Hodge LLP in Pasadena.
U.S. District Court for the Central District of California Case number 2:16-cv-05671-FMO-SK