Opinion ID: 3036192
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Hybrid Exception

Text: The hybrid exception applies “where there are good faith allegations and facts supporting those allegations indicating collusion or otherwise tying the [employer] and the union together in allegedly arbitrary, discriminatory or bad faith conduct amounting to a breach of the duty of fair representation.” Raus v. Bhd. Ry. Carmen, 663 F.2d 791, 798 (8th Cir. 1981) (footnote omitted). In such a case, a court has jurisdiction to consider a contract violation claim against an employer. Id. Because we hold that TWU did not breach its duty of fair representation, we also must hold that the hybrid exception to RLA preemption does not apply to Martin’s claim against AA. See Brown, 746 F.2d at 1357 (noting that to prevail on any claim against the employer, plaintiff must first establish unfair representation by the union).