Opinion ID: 608804
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Potential Theories of Recovery in This Case

Text: 20 This case presents a number of potential theories of recovery. Despite the many arguments before us, however, we conclude that only one theory warrants serious consideration. Accordingly, as discussed below, we hold that, under the Fagerland settlement and Consent Decree, ALPA held the disputed SAP funds in trust for the benefit of appellants, and that it violated its fiduciary duty to appellants when it offset their alleged debts to ALPA against those funds. We also hold that the District Court had jurisdiction to enforce the Consent Decree. 21 We begin by noting the theories in this case that we need not reach. 2 First, this action could have been filed in the District Court on the theory that ALPA breached its duty of fair representation to the non-union pilots under the RLA. See Karahalios v. National Fed'n of Fed. Employees, Local 1263, 489 U.S. 527, 534, 109 S.Ct. 1282, 1287, 103 L.Ed.2d 539 (1989) (noting that Supreme Court has implied a duty of fair representation under the RLA; citing Steele v. Louisville & Nashville R.R. Co., 323 U.S. 192, 65 S.Ct. 226, 89 L.Ed. 173 (1944)). However, both sides agree that appellants failed to pursue this theory of the case, and, therefore, we have no occasion to address it. 22 Second, appellants seem to contend that section 2, Eleventh (a) of the RLA requires ALPA to exhaust the agency shop procedures set out in the collective bargaining agreement--specifically, to seek discharge of delinquent pilots--before resorting to self-help to collect monies due. See 45 U.S.C. § 152, Eleventh (a) (1988). However, appellants' counsel conceded at oral argument that no court has ever interpreted section 2, Eleventh (a) to impose such an exhaustion requirement. We intimate no position on this issue. 23 Third, appellants contend that the RLA prohibits ALPA from requiring non-union pilots to help pay for a union strike in another bargaining unit. This theory of the case poses two complex issues. First, we would have to decide whether appellants must arbitrate this issue before filing suit. There is a split in the circuits on this question. Compare Hudson v. Chicago Teachers Union, Local No. 1, 922 F.2d 1306, 1314 (7th Cir.) (holding that non-union members must arbitrate disputes over calculation of agency shop fee), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 111 S.Ct. 2852, 115 L.Ed.2d 1020 (1991), with Tierney v. City of Toledo, 917 F.2d 927, 940 (6th Cir.1990) (requiring union to remove exhaustion requirement from its arbitration procedures for contesting calculation of agency shop fee). Second, even if this claim is properly before us, we would have to decide whether the Supreme Court's decision in Lehnert v. Ferris Faculty Ass'n, supra, permits the assessments ALPA charged to appellants. As with the section 2, Eleventh (a) claim, we need not reach these issues. 24 Fourth, it is possible that the fiduciary duty claim arising from the trust purportedly created by the Fagerland Consent Decree could be entertained as a state law claim pendent to appellants' RLA claims. See United Mine Workers of America v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715, 725, 86 S.Ct. 1130, 1138, 16 L.Ed.2d 218 (1966). But this theory of the case also has its difficulties. As an initial matter, appellants failed to preserve this claim on appeal because they waited until their reply brief to challenge the District Court's ruling that it did not have pendent jurisdiction over the fiduciary duty claim. This Court, of course, generally refuses to entertain arguments raised for the first time in an appellant's reply brief. Herbert v. National Academy of Sciences, 974 F.2d 192, 196 (D.C.Cir.1992). More important, however, it is unnecessary to consider this theory of the case, because the District Court had jurisdiction over appellants' trust claim pursuant to the well-established principle, discussed below, that a district court retains jurisdiction under federal law to enforce its consent decree.