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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, March 6, 2003

Teamster ruling to prevail

By Sean Hao
Advertiser Staff Writer

The U.S. Supreme Court this week declined to hear the case involving the owner of Young Laundry and Dry Cleaning and the Hawai'i Teamsters Union.

Michael Drace, president and owner of Young Laundry, petitioned the Supreme Court after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco overturned a nearly $1 million award against Teamsters Local 996 of Honolulu.

The dispute arose after a Teamsters representative allegedly made defamatory statements concerning Young Laundry during labor negotiations, said Teamsters leader Mel Kahele.

Kahele said the decision by the Supreme Court not to review Drace's appeal supports the position that unions should be able to negotiate for better wages and working conditions without fear of reprisal.

"It's a big win, not only for the Teamsters, but for all organized labor out there," he said.

Drace, who said he had not received official notice of the decision, declined to comment.