Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-00404/USCOURTS-cand-3_09-cv-00404-65/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 720
Nature of Suit: Labor Management Relations Act
Cause of Action: 29:185 Labor/Mgt. Relations (Contracts)

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UNITED 

STATES 

DISTRICT 

COURT

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED 

STATES 

DISTRICT 

COURT

For the Northern District of California

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

Northern District of California

SERVICE EMPLOYEES,

Plaintiff(s),

v.

SEIU UNITED HEALTHCARE WORKERS,

Defendant(s).

_____________________________________/

No. C 09-00404 WHA (MEJ)

ORDER RE: FUDR DISCOVERY

The Court is in receipt of the parties’ letters regarding Plaintiff UHW’s request for discovery

related to the Fund for Union Democracy and Reform (“FUDR”), filed January 13 and 20, 2010. 

(Dkt. ## 456, 459.) In its request, Plaintiff seeks the following documents from FUDR:

1) documents pertaining to FUDR’s structure and governance;

2) documents related to communications with the State of California; and

3) documents concerning FUDR’s communications with UHW.

UHW argues that the first two requests are simple background documents that seek information on

FUDR’s history and status. As to the third, UHW argues that the purpose of this request is to

explore the extent to which Defendants were involved in setting up FUDR and the extent to which

the two entities were interrelated. Although Defendants originally raised objections on grounds of

privilege, privacy, etc., UHW argues that these objections cannot withstand scrutiny as by definition

UHW was a party to all communications, and it waives any such objections.

In response, Defendants appear to make two contradictory arguments. Defendants first argue

that FUDR is an independent organization with its own leadership and counsel. But they then argue

that they have produced all FUDR documents in their possession. As UHW seeks a court order

Case 3:09-cv-00404-WHA Document 460 Filed 01/22/10 Page 1 of 2
UNITED 

STATES 

DISTRICT 

COURT

For the Northern District of California

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UNITED 

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DISTRICT 

COURT

For the Northern District of California

compelling FUDR to produce responsive documents, and Defendants state that FUDR is an

independent organization, it is unclear why Defendants are limiting the dispute to documents in their

possession rather than FUDR’s. Further, the Court agrees that FUDR cannot object to disclosure of

communications that it has shared with an entity that waives the objection. Accordingly, the Court

hereby ORDERS FUDR to search for and produce documents responsive to document supoena’s

Requests Numbers 1, 2, and 9, as limited by UHW’s January 13, 2010 letter.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: January 13, 2010 _______________________________

Maria-Elena James 

Chief United States Magistrate Judge 

Case 3:09-cv-00404-WHA Document 460 Filed 01/22/10 Page 2 of 2