Members of Teamsters Local 701 have filed a lawsuit in the New Jersey Supreme Court against Airgas, alleging that the company released hazardous chemical agents on striking workers during pickets in Oakland, New Jersey, and Peoria, Illinois. The legal action accuses Airgas of battery, negligence, intentional tort, and strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities. The union is seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“Our members were exercising their lawful right to picket when Airgas released toxic chemicals on them,” said Ron Lake, President of Local 701. “This was not an accident. The fact that this took place at two separate facilities within a two-day period suggests to me that it was an intentional attack meant to intimidate and harm. Airgas crossed the line of moral decency, and our members will hold them accountable.”
According to union representatives, incidents occurred on July 8 in Oakland and July 10 in Peoria when Teamsters were exposed to dense white plumes of unidentified hazardous gas from company facilities. Workers reported direct contact with the substance on their skin, inhalation and ingestion of the gas, and several sought medical attention for exposure.
Airgas has previously faced regulatory scrutiny. Records show the company has accumulated over $8 million in penalties from agencies such as OSHA, EPA, and NLRB for safety, environmental, and labor law violations. In one instance in 2016, a U.S. District Court ordered Airgas to pay $7 million related to hazardous waste management violations.
“Airgas is in the business of handling dangerous materials and knows exactly how harmful these chemicals can be,” said Juan Campos, Director of the Teamsters Tankhaul Division and Teamsters International Vice President At-Large. “To weaponize that against workers is beyond reckless and inhumane. This case is about more than a labor dispute. It’s about stopping a corporation from physically assaulting people for standing up for their rights.”
Teamsters employees at Airgas have been on strike since June over claims of unfair labor practices. Their picket lines have expanded from primary locations in Hawaii, New Jersey, and Ohio to cover more than 15 sites across 11 states as negotiations continue between union representatives and Airgas.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents approximately 1.3 million workers across the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
