Lawmakers push for new laws to punish acts of sabotage by unions

Labor groups are immune from prosecution under the Hobbs Act, a 1946 provision that criminalized extortion and robbery using the threat or fear of force. Sen. Mike Lee (R., Utah) attempted to close that loophole last year with the Freedom from Union Violence Act (FUVA).

The bill never left committee but Lee has pledged to crack down on the sabotage and violence some unions use during labor disputes.

“Union violence and intimidation are serious issues and my legislation is an effort to close the loophole that protects unions from being held accountable for their actions,” Lee said. “Threatening workers and damaging property shouldn’t be defended as ‘legitimate union objectives’ and the law should be clear about that.”