Opinion ID: 484903
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: lmra sec. 301

Text: 21 Jurado claimed breach of the collective bargaining agreement (Agreement) then in effect between Jurado's union, the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and KIIS, under section 301(a) of the LMRA, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 185(a). He alleged KIIS retaliated against him in breach of the Agreement for his work for AFTRA in collective bargaining negotiations and for his demanding translation fees. The district court found that these retaliation claims were within the NLRB's exclusive jurisdiction and granted KIIS summary judgment. Jurado argues that the district court had concurrent jurisdiction. 22 Jurado's engaging in union negotiations and voicing rights under a collective bargaining agreement (the right to translation fees) are concerted activities protected under section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), 29 U.S.C. Sec. 157. KIIS' alleged retaliation against Jurado for engaging in these concerted activities would be an unfair labor practice under section 8(a)(1) of the NLRA, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 158(a)(1). Violations of an employee's right to engage in concerted activities are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the NLRB, except when the activity is also arguably a breach of a collective bargaining agreement, in which case the federal district court has concurrent jurisdiction under LMRA Sec. 301. Hotel & Restaurant Employees, & Bartenders Union Local 703 v. Williams, 752 F.2d 1476, 1478 (9th Cir.1985). 23 The district court properly dismissed both of Jurado's claims for lack of jurisdiction. First, no provision of the Agreement is breached by retaliation for engaging in collective bargaining negotiations. Jurado's claim of breach of the Agreement for such retaliation is thus within the NLRB's exclusive competence. Likewise, the Agreement is not breached by retaliation for demanding translation fees. Jurado cites language in the Agreement providing that a disc jockey be paid for translation work. That provision supports a breach of contract claim under LMRA Sec. 301 for failure to pay for translation work, not one of retaliation for asserting that contract right. The claim of retaliation for demanding translation fees is also in the NLRB's exclusive jurisdiction.