Opinion ID: 779052
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Threat of Defamation Suit

Text: 61 Konop argues that Nobles engaged in unlawful coercion and intimidation by threatening to file a defamation suit against Konop based on statements on Konop's website. An employer's filing or threatened filing of a lawsuit against an employee concerning union organizing activities may, under certain circumstances, violate the RLA. See, e.g., Diamond Walnut Growers, Inc. v. NLRB, 53 F.3d 1085, 1089-90 (9th Cir.1995) (finding employer's defamation lawsuit against union violated NLRA); GHR Energy Corp., 294 N.L.R.B. 1011, 1014 (1989) (analyzing whether employer's threat to sue employee for defamation violated NLRA), aff'd, 924 F.2d 1055 (5th Cir.1991). 62 Hawaiian does not argue that Nobles would be justified in threatening to sue Konop for defamation. Instead, Hawaiian contends that Konop failed to present sufficient evidence that Nobles ever made such a threat. Nobles stated in his declaration that he did mention to Morella that the gross inaccuracies and lies in the newsletter made by Konop amounted to defamation, but that he never said that [he] intended to file a lawsuit against Konop. 63 Morella, however, indicates otherwise. Morella states in his declaration, Nobles advised me that Konop should be cautioned, or informed, of the possibility of a defamation lawsuit by Nobles. Morella also testified, [I]t was my impression and conclusion that Nobles intended for me to contact Konop, or take other action, for the purpose of opposing Konop's efforts to seek alternative union representation. Morella then informed Konop of Mr. Nobles' statements ... regarding caution with respect to a possible lawsuit against Konop for defamation. Konop confirms the same in his declaration. This evidence is sufficient to raise a triable issue of fact whether Nobles threatened to sue Konop for defamation. 64 Accordingly, we find that Konop has raised a triable issue of fact whether Nobles engaged in coercion and intimidation in violation of the RLA by threatening to sue Konop for defamation.