Opinion ID: 748840
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Temptation of Arden Reust

Text: 8 On September 21, 1993, Reust returned to VVM's shop after work and was approached by Van Vlerah. According to Reust, Van Vlerah told him that the union was picking on Jacquay again and also remarked that VVM had just given the union another $60,000 in benefit payments. Reust contends that Van Vlerah then asked him if he would work without a union affiliation if VVM paid him $80,000. Reust, who was earning $45,000 at that time, shrugged off Van Vlerah's proposal. Van Vlerah persisted, however, and asked Reust whether the union had ever done anything for him. Reust replied that the union had gotten him a job when he needed one and that, without the union's help, he would not be getting his present compensation or benefits. Undeterred, Van Vlerah persisted in his offer to Reust by noting that, if VVM did not have to make benefit payments to the union, it could pay Reust and a few other good men more money and then hire the bulk of its work force off the street. Van Vlerah Mech., Inc., 1996 WL 41274, at  5. Reust expressed skepticism about this proposed arrangement and started to leave. Van Vlerah called after him: Well, it's going to happen. Not real soon, but I will go nonunion. Id. Van Vlerah, however, denies ever offering Reust an $80,000 salary to abandon his union membership.