|
WILL, alongside the Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) filed a federal lawsuit against the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA), Ocean County and Evesham Township on behalf of Earle Asphalt Company, New Jersey’s leading highway contracting firm.
For nearly six decades, Earle has built New Jersey’s statewide infrastructure on merit and free choice. That model is now under attack.
The lawsuit challenges New Jersey law which requires contractors to comply with “targeted goals” across 18 trades, forcing Earle to track and report employees by race and sex, subjecting them to fines, penalties, and lower contract ratings for noncompliance. The law also requires “open shop” firms like Earle to accept exclusive union representation, stripping workers of the right to choose their own representation and forcing Earle to associate with unions.
WILL Deputy Counsel, Lucas Vebber, stated, “New Jersey is telling Earle Asphalt, a family company that’s been in business for over 60 years, how to do what they do best – build. Forcing a family business to hire union and then use racial quotas isn’t just unconstitutional; it’s an example of government intervention contributing to rising costs. We hope our lawsuit marks a new milestone in the fight for true merit and equality under the law.”
|