Document: 495 U.S. 362 110 S.Ct. 1904 109 L.Ed.2d UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO-CLC, Petitionerv.Tharon RAWSON, etc., et al. No. 89-322. Argued March 26, 1990. Decided May 14, George H. Cohen, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Kenneth B. Howard, Coeur D'Alene, Idaho, respondents. Syllabus 1 Respondents, deceased miners' survivors, filed a state-law wrongful-death action in Idaho state court against petitioner United Steelworkers of America (Union), the exclusive bargaining agent, alleging that deaths an underground fire were proximately caused by Union's fraudulent and negligent acts connection with mine safety inspections conducted its representatives pursuant to collective-bargaining agreement mine's operator. On remand from State Supreme Court decision claims not pre-empted federal labor law, trial granted summary judgment Union. It found record was devoid evidence supporting fraud claim urged reconsider negligence pre-empted. The upheld court's on claim, but again concluded respondents' Distinguishing this Court's Allis-Chalmers Corp. v. Lueck, 471 202, 105 1904, 85 206—which held tort employer may be § 301 Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, if duty employee violated is created without existence independent agreement—the instant agreement's provisions did "not require interpretation, . rather determine[d] only nature scope duty." This vacated remanded case further consideration light Electrical Workers Hechler, 481 851, 107 2161, 95 791, which extended suit her union. remand, distinguished Hechler ground that, there, alleged care arose agreement, whereas, here, perform inspection reasonably fact itself than provision participation contained contract. Since it conceded Union undertook inspect, noted, sole issue whether under law. Held: 2 1. Respondents' 301. cannot described as since participating process provisions. Thus, failed inspection, arising out signed reasonable owed every person society. Pre-emption law avoided characterizing tort. Pp. 368-372. 3 2. Respondents maintain 372-376. 4 (a) Mere negligence, even enforcement does breach fair representation, purposely limited check arbitrary exercise union power. While assume responsibility toward employees accepting through supra, at 860, 2167, owes him more far-reaching duty, he must able point language specifically indicating intent create obligations enforceable individual employees. Nothing suggests creates such obligations, pertinent part consists agreements between them. 372-375. 5 (b) Moreover, traditional principles contract respondents have no for, third-party beneficiaries, they greater rights promisee, employer. Here, has right promisee. rely are promises made Rather, surrender employer's authority over concession P. 375. 6 (c) Although had committed membership violation might implicate cross-petition review holding properly entered claim. 376. 7 115 785, 770 P.2d 794, reversed. 8 WHITE, J., delivered opinion Court, BRENNAN, MARSHALL, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, JJ., joined. KENNEDY, dissenting opinion, REHNQUIST, C.J., SCALIA, joined, post, p. 9 Justice WHITE Court. 10 We certiorari because decisions liable where decedents worked, raised important questions about operation defining duties acting agent. 11 * dispute arises occurred 2, 1972, Sunshine Mine Kellogg, 91 miners. survivors four miners, court. Their complaint representative miners working Mine. As "undertook act accident prevention enforcer negotiated [sic ] [the Union] behalf miners," App. 53-54, provide whoin spected Mine] pretended enforce contractual clauses," id., 54. answers interrogatories subsequently clear their based contentions had, operator Mine, established joint management-labor committee intended exert influence management measures; members designated been inadequately trained issues; Union, committee, negligently performed promised conduct, failing uncover obvious discoverable deficiencies. Id., 82-83. 12 argument "federal preempted field representation obligation membership," Pet. Cert. 164a, "[n]egligent performance [a union's] representation," 163a. Dunbar America, 100 523, 602 21 (1979). In view although unquestionably imposed necessarily members." 526, P.2d, 24. Three five justices concurred specially emphasize "the precise legal issues [respondents'] wrongful death entirely present procedural posture case," "a final therefore await full factual development." 547, 25 (Bakes, concurring). denied petition certiorari. Dunbar, 446 983, 2963, 64 839 (1980). 13 After extensive discovery, 89a-106a. misrepresentations fact, defraud or relied representations. 96a. count, first noted view, centered especially Article IX committee. 90a-91a. conclusion reasoning "[respondents] complaining manner carried collective essentially saying advisory should done more," "are attempting hold [Union] basis representational duties." 103a-104a. 14 originally affirmed grant appeal. 49a-88a. rehearing, however, withdrew prior stated valid Rawson 111 630, 726 742 (1986). 206 (1985), resolution treated when substantially dependent construction terms "in case, do determine 640, 752. continued: "Our narrow today having inspected, assumed use due inspecting and, advise any problems revealed." Ibid. also proper 633, 745. 15 petitioned pending, we decided 791 (1987), employee's union's safe workplace allegedly Six days later, petition, Hechler. Rawson, 482 901, 2475, 96 368 (1987). 16 "adhere[d] [its] written." 788, 797 (1988). stressing there considered situation whereas activity concededly undertaken standard reference agreement." 786, 795. faced looking Collective Bargaining Agreement imposes some new upon union—rather inspect thus, solely law." 787, 796. 17 certiorari, 493 1017, 714, 734 (1990), now reverse. II 18 Section 1947 (LMRA), 61 Stat. 156, 29 U.S.C. 185(a), states: 19 "Suits contracts organization representing industry affecting commerce defined organizations, brought district States jurisdiction parties, respect amount controversy regard citizenship parties." 20 Over 30 years ago, provides courts controversies involving authorizes fashion body these agreements." Textile Lincoln Mills Alabama, 353 448, 451, 77 912, 915, 972 (1957). then, potent source though concurrent agreements, Charles Dowd Box Co. Courtney, 502, 82 519, 483 (1962), apply deciding those claims, Teamsters Lucas Flour Co., 369 95, 571, 593 indeed cause displaced 301, see Avco Machinists, 390 557, 88 1235, 126 (1968). thus "pre-empted" fashioned governs interpretation application agreements. recent cases, recognized pre-emptive force extends beyond actions. agreement. Any other result, reasoned, would "allow parties evade requirements relabeling tortious contract." 211, S.Ct., 1911. rule pre-emption supra. There virtue relationship ensure she provided workplace, duty. Allis-Chalmers, one (unions not, common Florida, being charged providing U.S., 859-860, 2167), claimed beneficiary, 861, 2168. Because "ascertain, first, placed implied ., second, duty," 862, 2168, sufficiently withstand 22 At glance appear difficult case. role "enforcer plain gave substance allegation stating "by language" establishment purported issues, deficiencies program. possible pleadings, believe, Prior our evidently well. then could contracted "pursuant 638, 750. believed acknowledged determined 23 complicated, after remand. adhered written, 797, rejected suggestion need look discern did, actively mine, inspection. According 24 it, delegates accused way violate allegation, example, damage structure unreasonable irrespective who foreseeably injury possibly vicinity. Nor understand casual visitor violating report defects appropriate authorities. Indeed, disavow previous If agent Clearly, remedies matters governed "[Q]uestions relating what agreed, consequences flow breaches resolved uniform arise context liability tort." unit Accordingly, suit, go forward all, proceed controlled federal, state, III 26 insists argues functions contract, member sue Second, submits sued contains promise mine. Third, asserts stands, insufficient prove representation. 27 "It well employees, statutory fairly represent all both resulting Vaca Sipes, 386 171, 177, 87 903, 909-10, 842 (1967). "Under doctrine, agent's includes serve interests hostility discrimination any, discretion complete good faith honesty, avoid conduct." major importance, occurs "only conduct arbitrary, discriminatory, bad faith." 190, 916. general mere endorse today. 28 National Act itself. See Breininger Sheet Metal Workers, 67, 86-87, 424, 436, 388 (1989); DelCostello Teamsters, 462 151, 164, 103 2281, 2290, 76 476 (1983); Parcel Service, Inc. Mitchell, 451 56, 66, 101 1559, 1565-66, 67 732 (1981) (Stewart, concurring judgment). matter status never held, prohibited voluntarily assuming additional time appeared most unlikely unions called duties, Humphrey Moore, 375 335, 356-357, 84 363, 375-376, 370 (1964) (Goldberg, result), nonetheless "it utmost importance reflect realities industrial life process," 358, 376, begin traditionally viewed prerogatives management, cf. Breininger, 87-88, 436-437; will demand strictly account carrying duties. know prohibition, "when neither nor end product violates command Congress, modify substantive Health Retirement Funds Robinson, 455 562, 576, 102 1226, 1234, 71 419 (1982); H.K. Porter NLRB, 397 99, 106-108 (1970). Our relevant here. presented breached workplace. plainly employer; argued beneficiary 864-865, 2169-2170. carefully 864, 2170, so we, distinction significant effect: statutes limitations two different. 863-865, accepted, accept, towards agreement," signatories. But said much, think necessary caution, lest precipitate efforts find contractually bound doctrine power, purposefully check, "wide range reasonableness allowed serving represents." Ford Motor Huffman, 345 330, 338, 73 681, 686, 97 L.Ed. 1048 (1953). Cf. Republic Steel Maddox, 379 650, 653, 614, 616-17, 580 (1965). 31 Applying principle hand, quite sure directly IX, 20-22. consisting (2) supervisory personnel reliable approved shall inspect" complains shift boss forced work unusually unsafe conditions receives redress, 20, section interpreted obliging circumstances, to, by, anything complaints states accompany team designate Safety Engineer "shall make tour mine" once each month, 22, gives indication are, enforced employee. 32 exceptions Lewis Benedict Coal Corp., 361 459, 468-471, 80 489, 494-496, 442 (1960), beneficiaries generally For very least 104-106, 577-578. They rather, concessions safety. A allowing form employer, IV 33 performing concedes, owe already Supra, 372-373. improperly discriminated among acted capricious 909-10. course, allege demonstrate specific facts showing genuine trial. challenge aspect judgment, position question it. 34 follows 35 Reversed. 36 whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE SCALIA join, dissenting. 37 improper Tharon (Union) theory. yet govern bar suit. To support position, relies implicit 9(a) (NLRA), 49 453, amended, 159(a). accepts reach With respect, I dissent. Neither arguments displacing merits validity. 38 bases Lingle Norge Division Magic Chef, Inc., 486 399, 405-406, 108 1877, 1881-1882, 410 (1988); 854, 2164, (1987); 1911, (1985). These cases pre-empts causes my whose determination supersedes court, declared rests allegations active voluntary undertaking, obligations. 39 Adopting verbatim Restatement (Second) Torts 323 (1965), expressed governing follows: 40 " 'One undertakes, gratuitously consideration, render services another recognize protection other's things, subject physical harm his failure 41 '(a) increases risk harm, [or] 42 '(b) suffered reliance undertaking.' 637, 742, 749 43 second can elements relying 44 "In 796 (1989). 45 Placing analysis precedents, explains: 46 "[T]he clearly distinguishable here abandoned, pursued consistently appellate levels exists 787-788, 796-797. further: 47 "[As supra], required various omissions note self-rescuers stored boxes padlocks activating valves oxygen-breathing-apparatuses corroded shut. measured 797. 48 statements reveal understood standards disputing supreme Clemons Mississippi, 494 738, 747, 1441, 1447, 725 submit stage proceedings, conclude claims. reaches different doubts means seems said. large extent, intention "adhere [its first] says: "Because union, inspected (minimal) reporting findings inspection." construes remark negate unequivocal quoted above. accept labored interpretation. 50 adherence refer eliminate possibility, identified three times Even concedes: 51 "After matters, plaintiffs locate [in non-negligent manner] accompanying company inspectors inspect." Brief Petitioner 27-28. 52 reads too much into last sentence opinion. 53 reason allow simple mandate: press long rest extent misunderstanding exist, approach preserve interests. merits, uphold verdict resting reverse decision. take given us. 54 rules surmises applicability. assumes recover anyone else comparable negligence. ante, 370-371. agree circumvent Lingle, "relabeling" process. ultimate depends purposes theory pressed presumed 55 invent, underlying Cardozo put it: ancient learning act, gratuitously, thereby become carefully, all." Glanzer Shepard, 233 N.Y. 236, 239, 135 N.E. 275, 276 (1922). 323, relies, embodies guided See, e.g., Steiner American District Telegraph, 106 683 435, 439 (1984) (fire alarm failure); S.H. Kress & Godman, 616, 515 561, 563 (1973) (boiler explosion); Fagundes State, 116 173, 176, 774 343, 346 (App.1989) (helicopter crash); Carroll 717, 723, 692 361, 367 (Bistline, dissenting) (machinery accident). assumption narrower indicate. supposition runs members. 56 immunizes 323. Allowing impose contends, upset balance struck disagree nothing NLRA supports position. 57 NLRA, 159(a), grants duly elected unit. reasoned: 58 "The chosen craft members, majority minority, represents. power others involves them interest behalf, deemed dispense exercised unless expressed." Steele Louisville Nashville R. 192, 65 226, 231-32, 89 173 (1944) (footnote omitted) (interpretation 2(a) Railway 152 (1982 ed.), adopted 337, 685-86, (1953)). 59 read establish requiring "to 910, 60 inferred Congress 9(a), justification desired immunity exempt injuring others. therefore, silence indicate[d] purpose let regulation imposed." Retail Clerks Schermerhorn, 96, 104, 219, 223, 179 (1963). Farmer Carpenters, 430 290, 1056, 338 (1977), confirms view. pre-empt member's intentional infliction emotional distress. 305, 1066. complained ridiculed public refused jobs accordance hiring hall rules. 293, 1059. analyzing ruled NLRA's factors: regulating potential interference regulatory scheme." 297, 1062. Both factors militated Farmer. Noting "our historic 'such local order,' 299, 1063 (quoting Allen-Bradley Local Wisconsin Employment Bd., 315 740, 749, 62 820, 825-26, 86 1154 (1942)), addressed concern. observed distress interfere prohibition "potential counterbalance legitimate substantial protecting citizens." 304, 1065. reveals strength legitimacy State's stand question; care, according allegations, contributed trial, moreover, pose little threat scheme. personal injuries DiLuzio Electrical, Radio, Machine Mass. 314, 318, 435 N.E.2d 1027, 1030 (1982) (assault workplace); Brawner Sanders, 244 Ore. 302, 307, 417 1009, 1012 (1966) (in banc) (personal injuries); Marshall International Longshoremen's Warehousemen's Cal.2d 781, Cal.Rptr. 215, 371 987, 991 (1962) (stumble parking lot); Inglis Operating Engineers 12, 269, 270, 373 467, 468 meeting); Hulahan Sheehan, 522 S.W.2d 134, 139-141 (Mo.App.1975) (slip fall stairs). presents longstanding practice interfered regulation. holds, scheme addresses redress produced. 373-375. 63 deviates well-established Courts Appeals. situations. First, depend Richardson 864 F.2d 1162, 1165-1167 (CA5 1989); Condon 2944, 590, 595 (CA1 1982). above, stem supplant equivalent Jones Truck Drivers 838 856, 861 (CA6 1988) (sex discrimination); Maynard Revere Copper Products, 773 733, 735 1985) (handicapped Peterson Air Line Pilots Assn., International, 759 1161, 1170 (CA4 (blacklisting). differs address question. shown contention reasons,

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