After upgrading to pipeline-utility-steps version 1.3.0 java.exe locks the properties file. I'm using a Jenkinsfile to read properties:

stages {    
    stage('Build Projects') {
        steps {
            script {
                def properties = readProperties file: 'MyProject.properties'                
            }
        }
    }
}

After running one build java.exe doesn't release the file lock so another checkout can't finish.