Opinion ID: 2998888
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: District Court Action

Text: In March 2004, CUNA brought an action in the Western District of Wisconsin to vacate the arbitration award in part. CUNA’s lawsuit sought to vacate the portion of the award that held that the Company’s outsourcing violates provisions of the CBA. It also sought to vacate the arbitration award’s remedial provisions which advised the parties to privately resolve the issue of damages for affected employees. CUNA did not challenge the Arbitrator’s ruling that the layoffs implemented by CUNA violated layoff procedures. The parties agreed to have the matter decided in the district court on cross-motions for summary judgment. Both parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment and responses to cross-motions for summary judgment. Local 39 also filed a motion for Rule 11 sanctions against CUNA, and separate briefing was provided on this issue. On November 30, 2004, the district court entered an opinion and order denying CUNA’s motion for summary 6 Nos. 05-1021 & 05-1226 judgment and granting Local 39’s motion for summary judgment and its motion for sanctions against CUNA under Rule 11. The district court awarded Local 39 attorneys’ fees totaling $9,132.50 in a January 10, 2005 order based on the Rule 11 violation. Here, CUNA appeals only the portion of the district court’s award that granted Local 39’s motion for Rule 11 sanctions. CUNA’s appeal of the November 30, 2004 opinion and order (with respect to the award of Rule 11 sanctions) was instituted on December 20, 2004. CUNA’s appeal of the January 14, 2005 entry of judgment (with respect to the award of Rule 11 sanctions) was instituted on January 26, 2005. This Court consolidated these appeals by order on February 2, 2005.