Opinion ID: 465035
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Analogous State Statute

Text: 28 Our  ' primary guide ' --though not our exclusive one 5 --is to look for a state law statute of limitations that applies to analogous state law claims. Unlike the hybrid claim in DelCostello, the pure Title I claim does not defy comparison with state law. It is not an amalgam of contract and another sort of claim, such as the duty of fair representation; nor is a free standing Title I claim against a union or union officials inextricably linked with a claim against the employer, as is the DelCostello hybrid claim. The Title I cause of action is a straightforward claim against the union or its officers for deprivation of rights guaranteed by a federal bill of rights. It closely resembles a civil rights claim. Although we typically think of federal law in relation to civil rights violations, see 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1983, Massachusetts also has a civil rights statute, Mass.Gen.Laws Ann. ch. 12, Sec. 11 H-I, allowing suit against private persons. Thus, structurally, there is no reason to depart from the traditional practice of looking to state law for an appropriate limitations period.