(The Center Square) â A metal worker in Colorado Springs filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday alleging that the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART) Local 9 union officials was trying to fine him for more $20,000 in lost union dues.
Russell Chacon, a former employee of Colorado Sheet Metal, a Colorado Springs-based contractor, alleges the SMART union bosses are attempting to make him pay $21,252 in a âloss of fundsâ fee after he worked for another contractor outside of the unionâs bargaining power.
In the lawsuit, Chacon contends that the fines levied against him include work that he has not yet performed. He had also resigned as a union member prior to working for the other contractor.