Document: 451 U.S. 56 101 S.Ct. 1559 67 L.Ed.2d 732 UNITED PARCEL SERVICE, INC., Petitioner,v.William MITCHELL. No. 80-169. Argued Feb. 24, 1981. Decided April 20, Syllabus After respondent employee had been discharged by petitioner employer for alleged dishonest acts, requested his union to file a grievance contesting the discharge. The collective-bargaining agreement provided and arbitration procedure resolution of covered disputes. Respondent was represented at an hearing which resulted in decision upholding Seventeen months later, filed suit Federal District Court against under § 301(a) Labor Management Relations Act, alleging that breached its duty fair representation him not stated reasons, it knew be false, but replace full-time employees with part-time employees. court granted summary judgment defendants on ground action barred New York's 90-day statute limitations actions vacate awards. Appeals >>reversed, holding should have applied 6-year period breach-of-contract actions. Held : Given choices present here, undesirability results arbitral process being suspended limbo long periods, properly chose bringing award. Cf. Hines v. Anchor Motor Freight, Inc., 424 554, 96 1048, 47 231. Pp. 60-64. (a) timeliness 301 is determined, as matter federal law, reference appropriate state limitations, determination most depends upon nature claim policies involved. Auto Workers Hoosier Cardinal Corp., 383 696, 86 1107, 16 192. 60-61. (b) Although styled one award, respondent's suit, if successful, would direct effect. He raised same before arbitrators—that he violation agreement. sought relief reinstatement full backpay. While underlying based collectivebargaining agreement, indispensable predicate showing traditional contract law discharge breach instead representation. Since arbitrators' conclusion was, "binding all parties," required show union's represent fairly entitled reach merits claim. Thus, more analogous award than straight action. 61-62. (c) An employee's unfair union, even though may ultimately called respond damages creature "labor law" has developed since enactment general law. And leading this area relatively rapid disposition labor system industrial self-government, heavy emphasis grievance, arbitration, "law shop," could easily become unworkable given "meaning content" terms affected subsequent modifications suddenly into question much six years later. 63-64 624 F.2d 394, reversed. Bernard G. Segal, Philadelphia, Pa., petitioner. David Jaroslawicz, York City, respondent. JUSTICE REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 We are case determine borrowed 1947, 61 Stat. 156, 29 U.S.C. 185(a), 231 (1976). 2 * Petitioner United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), employed Mitchell (respondent) car washer facility Staten Island, N. Y. On January 13, 1977, including falsifying timecards claiming payment hours did work. denied charges Department Store Wholesale Drivers, Warehousemen Helpers, Local Union 177 (the Union), behalf UPS were parties disputes App. 57-67. Pursuant submitted panel Atlantic Area Grievance Committee, composed three company representatives Joint Panel). supra, 557, n.2, S.Ct., 1053 n.2. Panel conducted hearing, Union, February 16, announced upheld. 103-104. Under parties." Id., 66; see id., 103. 3 July 1978, complaint States Eastern 185(a). See supra. achieve savings replacing 7-13. Both moved Section 7511(a) N.Y. Civ. Prac. Law (McKinney 1963) provides "[a]n application or modify [arbitration] made party within ninety days after delivery him." 4 favor ruling characterized entered him. reasoned; "The expressly issued result full-scale, proceeding. effect any grant . arbitrators." 129. appealed Second Circuit 394 (1980). That held contract, N.Y.Civ.Prac.Law 213(2) 1972). It reasoned because issues whether contributed failure further "provides without undermining ability vindicate rights through actions." F.2d, 397-398. 5 UPS' petition certiorari. 449 898, 265, 66 127 (1980).1 II 6 Congress enacted governing brought pursuant LMRA. As pointed out 704-705, 1112-13, 192 (1966), "the limitations."2 Our task law." Johnson Railway Express Agency 421 454, 462, 95 1716, 1721, 44 295 (1975). This examination Cardinal, 706-707, 1113-14. 7 style Panel, successful will raises Panel—that seeks In sum, "it clear [he] dissatisfied simply upset arbitrator's Company wrongfully Liotta National Forge Co., 629 903, 905-906 (CA3 1980), cert. pending, 80-890.3 8 purported rely Court's strongly supports borrowing makes clear, go behind final binding seek only when demonstrates "seriously undermine[d] integrity process." U.S., 567, 1057. rejected suggestion "erroneous decisions must stand" face duty, 571, 1059, suggesting suits sanctioned aptly ones such decisions. Indeed writer, dissent Hines, "vacate award." 575, 1061. also Humphrey Moore, 375 335, 336, 84 363, 11 370 (1964) (issue enjoin implementation joint panel). 9 true contract. enough, however, prove "To prevail either petitioners their contrary carry burden demonstrating Union. processes cannot expected error-free." 570-571, 1059-60. Thus characterization "breach contract" ignores significance fact LMRA demonstration some way Union's This, our view, action.4 10 think said "relatively disputes." 707, 1114. 160(b) (6-month NLRA). policy reasons generally shorter oral rather written 1114, similar analysis adoption case.5 important bear mind observations Steelworkers Trilogy machinery collective bargaining very heart self-government. processing actually vehicle meaning content agreement." Warrior & Gulf Navigation 363 574, 581, 80 1347, 1352, 1409 (1960). involves mundane discrete wrongful-discharge complaint, often involving interpretation critical affecting entire relationship between union. See, e. g., supra (seniority employees). system, 12 Obviously, adopted specific challenges awards body, we bound apply reasoning Cardinal. But cases this, where periods prior necessarily committed decisional choosing among statutes none fit hand glove correct imposed 13 Accordingly, 14 Reversed. 15 Justice BLACKMUN, concurring. I join am persuaded choice two state-law alternatives presented parties. observes, applicability 10(b) 160(b), never pressed party, considered Appeals. find persuasive STEWART'S analysis, await development adversarial record. 17 STEWART, concurring judgment. 18 believes itself obligated 192, applicable "as limitations."1 do believe, so constrained Hoosier. Instead deciding almost equally relevant applies claims, impose Act (NLRA), 160(b). 19 involved straightforward (LMRA). suits, concluded apply. careful note time limits 301: 20 essentially caused employer's obligation embodied Such closely resembles cognizable common Whether other different from might call rules timeliness, decide, indicate no view whatsoever question." 705, n. 7, 1113. 21 observed, response reliance varying national interest uniformity relations, kind dispute implicate "those consensual chiefly designed promote—the formation private settlement it." 702, 1111. (emphasis added). 22 us quite unlike hybrid "§ sui[t]," Vaca Sipes, 386 171, 197, 18, 87 920, 842 both order set aside "final binding" arrived collectively bargained method resolving grievance. is, therefore, challenge [the agreement]." 23 Moreover, Hoosier, rooted solely LMRA, here each own jurisdictional base. 301, derived NLRA.2 Yet claims inextricably interdependent [employee-plaintiffs] Union." 1059-60, plaintiff litigate employer. 24 case, likened "an 1113, 7. Instead, amalgam period, NLRA. And, course, latter contains provision. NLRA limit initiation practice claims3 safeguard stability agreements, equal force context. B 25 protect continuing systems delayed attack. 6-month bar 10(b)4 strengthen defend "stability relationships." Machinists NLRB, 362 411, 425, 822, 831, 832. limitation reflects balance drawn Congress, expositor interest," 429, 833, redressing grievances "vindicati[ng] [their] statutory rights," ibid., "interest 'industrial peace overall purpose secure.' " 428, 832 (quoting NLRB Childs 195 617, 621-622 (CA2) (L. Hand, concurring)).5 26 Of aspect predicated LMRA; can establish representation, then pursue action, like breach-of-duty claim, reached contractual system. promoting well. 27 event, elements disentangled: "part parcel [the] [claim]." 186, 914. When passed, longer able union,6 precondition maintaining either. 28 Finally, founded obliged limitations. already noted, contemplated "other timeliness." indicated, context, employment inconsistent policy: "[T]he mechanically absent statute. State legislatures devise interests mind, courts assure importation frustrate interfere policies. statute." Occidental Life Ins. Co. EEOC, 432 355, 367, 97 2247, 2454, 53 502. 30 NLRA, established attuned what viewed proper stable relationships finality settlements, setting views unjust precisely issue case. unquestionably implicates "[t]he need uniformity" procedures followed ibid.,7 well congressional indication stake, counsels lawsuits this. C 31 Because commenced beyond agree 32 STEVENS, part dissenting part. 33 plaintiff-employee judicial remedy former wrongful discharge, reversed remanded proceedings. alone review Therefore, stage litigation, consideration govern discharge.1 question, fear narrow suggest today's resolves governs interpretation, although understandable light broad language opinion, procedural posture and, addition, conceptually unsound. 34 concur appropriate, purposes characterize proceeding took place prevailed precise proceeding—that violated If now necessary resulting undo ante, 61. position, emphasizes importance certainty treats adverse substantial obstacle pursuit 35 far character. related employer, nonetheless distinct.2 not, my judgment, indeed, not,3 resolve acted representative; address respect threatened prospect arbitrator decided primary undone, prevails.4 36 characterized, malpractice There conceptual reason why survive conclusive obligations agreement.5 analogy, lawyer who negligently allows run client's valid liable client original defendant exposure. Smart Ellis Trucking 580 215, 218-219 (CA6 1978), denied, 440 958, 99 1497, 59 770. 37 York.6 surely does follow, representation.7 Appeals, decide it. noteworthy Stewart's proposal strain conclude intended 160(b),8 causes yet divined enacted,9 cf. Watt Alaska, 259, 276, 1673, 1683, 68 (Stewart, J., dissenting), rests rationale wholly inapplicable accused practice. 38 insofar pertains A conflict Circuits Third Circuit, confronted 3-month contained Pennsylvania's statute, reversing State's 903 (1980), 80-890. Amicus American Federation Industrial Organizations brief arguing that, present, found AFL-CIO distinguishes above-quoted while (1967), (1976), actions, implied decline consider argument below. Bell Wolfish, 441 520, 532, n.13, 1861, 1870, n.3, 60 447 (1979); Knetsch States, 364 361, 370, 81 132, 137, 128 certiorari borrowed, appropriate. Pet. Cert. i. limited borrow. Brief 8; 11. obtain adopt AFL-CIO's position. declined borrow institute re Soto, N.Y.2d 397, 198 N.Y.S.2d 282, 165 N.E.2d 855 398 bring mean "closely analogous" Agency, 464, 1722, suggests personal injury governed 3-year York, §§ 214(2), 214(5), 214(6) All these characterizations suffer flaw effort contract: they overlook stands awarded company. typical providing short 42 90 days, longer, term court. A18-A19. Arbitration 12, months. particular contracts 20-year contracts, overturn 60, 2. recognized numerous occasions implicit Act." Electrical Foust, 442 42, 46, 8, 2121, 2125, 698. first Steele Louisville Nashville R. 323 65 226, 89 L.Ed. 173, arising series beginning Ford Huffman, 345 330, 73 681, explained derivation principle 563-564, 1055-56. "Necessarily '[a] wide range reasonableness allowed representative serving unit represents .' 338, [73 686, 1048] (1953). authority negotiating administering effective agreements 'undoubted,' 342, [84 370] (1964), limits. '[t]he encouraged administered necessity subordinates individual unit,' 182, [87 912, 842] controlling interpreted imposing agent responsibility scope authority, 'the representation.' 342 367]. 'subject always complete good faith honesty exercise discretion.' 338," 686.] judicially enforced 842]. breaches constitute practices 8(b)(1)(A) (b)(2) Miranda Fuel 140 N.L.R.B. 181, Board ruled violations 8(b)(2) 8(b)(1)(A). unnecessary correctly decided, "assume[d] purposes" correct. Justices "a charge practice." 198, 921. majority Courts Newport News Shipbuilding 631 263 (CA4); Abiline Sheet Metal, 619 332, 347 (CA5); Postal 618 1249, 1254-1255 (CA8); Kesner 532 1169, 1173-1174 (CA7); Kling 503 1044 (CA9); Truck Drivers 126 U.S.App.D.C. 360, 379 137; Denver Stereotypers 623 134, 136 (CA10). 326 172, 175-178 (Judge Medina position incorrectly practice; Judge Lumbard, concurring, question; Friendly dissented). Even there source determining raised. For Congress' identical character brought. Concededly, directed administrative practices. provide enforceable later comparable creates 2447, reasonably assumed silence intent traceable Here agreement's administration. 8(d) defines include process. Acme 385 432, 436, 565, 568, 495; 158(d). 422, 829, 832, finding inescapably grounded events predating directly odds [time limit]." speedy disputes, preferably recourse courts—identified today support preference possible 63, 64—also 10(b). Appeals' decision, taken Indeed, vigorously case: Mitchell's UPS. (3d Cir. 1980). affect 905." Reply 3, 4. 5-6. because, agreement; similarly, wishes recover loss-of-employment responsible, 4, infra. Czosek O'Mara, 397 25, 28-29, 770, 772-73, 21. However, despite close relationship, inseparable. sue so; free sole defendant. 186-187, 914-15, 842. By nature, resolved arises conduct itself. favorable example, agreement—would dispositive. highly amount threshold all. if, racial bias, bad faith, 173. absolve liability breach, size recovery considering evaluate validity conduct, evaluation central duty-of-fair-representation 80-890, Pennsylvania suggested apply: alleges invalid due change 905-906. 1963), quoted 59. concerning tolling arguably 1972), nonmedical malpractice. express definite point. note, dismisses observation "overlook[s] company." Ante, supplied). provides: "Whenever charged person engaged engaging practice, [National Relations] Board, agency designated purposes, shall power cause served stating respect, containing notice member thereof, agency, therein fixed, less five complaint: Provided, occurring filing service copy thereof whom made, unless aggrieved thereby prevented armed forces, event six-month computed day Any amended member, agent, conducting discretion issuance thereon. complained right answer appear otherwise give testimony fixed complaint. intervene testimony. shall, practicable, accordance evidence district civil Supreme section 2072 title 28." plain indicates under, processed with, Act. Nothing 1935. 49 449. time, form contain 453-454. Stewart relies added 1947. 146. Six recognizing imposes unions. 1048. 1967, 842, clearly enforced. 563-567, 1055-1057,

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