United States: services union SEIU ordered to pay a company for damage to its reputation as a result of its unionization campaign

In September, a civil court jury ordered the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) to pay $7.8 million to the Professional Janitorial Service of Houston (PJS), ruling the union was too aggressive in its interference with the corporation’s business relations. The SEIU has stated it will appeal the decision on what appears to be the first such ruling against a union for defamation. 
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On September 6th 2016, Houston county jury awarded a local commercial cleaning firm, Professional Janitorial Services (PJS), $5.3 million in damages for the union’s aggressive campaigning practices. An additional $2.5 million was awarded in prejudgement interest on September 26th, totaling a hefty $7.8 million payout order for the union. The SEIU has roundly criticised what it sees as an attack on its freedom of speech and said it would appeal the verdict. In a statement, the SEIU called the ou

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