Opinion ID: 751757
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: State Law Harassment

Text: 18 Mr. Witt argues the district court erred in determining that his co-workers were not acting as representatives or agents of the union when they harassed him. We review de novo a district court's dismissal for failure to state a claim. See Grossman, 120 F.3d at 1118. A Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal will be upheld  'only when it appears that the plaintiff can prove no set of facts in support of the claims that would entitle the plaintiff to relief.'  Id. (quoting Roman v. Cessna Aircraft Co., 55 F.3d 542, 543 (10th Cir.1995)). We accept as true all well-pleaded facts, as distinguished from conclusory allegations, and construe them in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. See Swanson v. Bixler, 750 F.2d 810, 813 (10th Cir.1984). 19 According to the general rule, Local 41 is not liable for the acts of co-workers who are not agents or representatives of the union, and we see no reason for exception in this case. See Kux Mfg. Co. v. NLRB, 890 F.2d 804, 809 (6th Cir.1989); Anspach v. Tomkins Indus., Inc., 817 F.Supp. 1499, 1514 (D.Kan.1993). The only allegation Mr. Witt has made of harassment by a union representative is the following statement in his affidavit: The harassment began with, and was condoned by, the Union Representative, Warren Stevens, and was perpetuated by my co-workers. I R. doc. 31, exh. A, p 7. Even if this affidavit could be considered in deciding the Rule 12 motion, it is too conclusory to state a claim of harassment by union representatives. See Jojola v. Chavez, 55 F.3d 488, 494 & nn. 7-8 (10th Cir.1995). It states no fact at all. Without an allegation of some factual occurrence that could constitute harassment by a union representative, the claim must be dismissed.