Opinion ID: 176919
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Graduation of the Named Apprentices

Text: We next consider whether the fact that the individual apprentices have graduated from their apprenticeship programs renders the ERISA and NLRA preemption claims moot as to them. At the outset, however, we note that whether the apprentices remain in this suit will not affect our analysis of the preemption issues or any relief we grant or deny. The plaintiff apprenticeship committees' claims of ERISA and NLRA preemption are identical to the individual apprentices' claims, and the apprentices' identities and particular circumstances are irrelevant to our analysis. A case is moot when the parties lack a legally cognizable interest in the outcome. U.S. Parole Comm'n v. Geraghty, 445 U.S. 388, 396, 100 S.Ct. 1202, 63 L.Ed.2d 479 (1980) (quoting Powell v. McCormack, 395 U.S. 486, 496, 89 S.Ct. 1944, 23 L.Ed.2d 491 (1969)). The apprentices retain a cognizable interest in the outcome of their NLRA preemption claim because that claim does not depend on their status as apprentices. The plaintiffs contend that sections 7 and 8 of the NLRA preempt the PSA under San Diego Building Trades Council v. Garmon, 359 U.S. 236, 79 S.Ct. 773, 3 L.Ed.2d 775 (1959). Sections 7 and 8 protect all employees, not just apprentices. See 29 U.S.C. §§ 157, 158 (NLRA §§ 7, 8). Because the named apprentices continue to work in the construction industry, they continue to enjoy the NLRA's protections and continue to have a cognizable interest in whether the NLRA preempts the PSA. Their NLRA preemption claim therefore is not moot as to them. The individual apprentices' ERISA preemption claim, by contrast, does depend on their status as apprentices. They therefore lack a cognizable interest in the outcome of that claim, and the claim is accordingly moot as to them, unless their claim falls within the capable of repetition, yet evading review exception to mootness. To establish that their claim falls within that exception, however, the plaintiffs must demonstrate that there is a reasonable expectation that they will be subject to a PSA again in their capacity as apprentices. See Murphy v. Hunt, 455 U.S. 478, 482, 102 S.Ct. 1181, 71 L.Ed.2d 353 (1982) (quoting Weinstein v. Bradford, 423 U.S. 147, 149, 96 S.Ct. 347, 46 L.Ed.2d 350 (1975)). While the defendants have the burden to show they will not engage in the challenged conduct again, the plaintiffs have the burden to show that they will be subject to the complained-of conduct in the future. See Sample v. Johnson, 771 F.2d 1335, 1342 (9th Cir.1985). The plaintiffs have not met that burden. They do not allege that they intend to go through another apprenticeship program for another craft, but only that they may do so. Because this alleged possibility does not demonstrate a reasonable expectation that they will be subject to a PSA as apprentices again, we conclude that the named apprentices' ERISA preemption claim does not fall within the capable of repetition, yet evading review exception to mootness, and we accordingly dismiss that claim as to them.