Opinion ID: 756419
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Duty of Fair Representation Claim Against MNA

Text: 48 Finally, Laurin contends that the MNA breached its duty of fair representation by refusing to pursue her grievances against the Hospital. Vaca v. Sipes, 386 U.S. 171, 190, 87 S.Ct. 903, 17 L.Ed.2d 842 (1967); see Williams v. Sea-Land Corp., 844 F.2d 17, 19 (1st Cir.1988). She asserted a so-called hybrid claim, which required that she prove that (1) the Hospital breached the CBA, thereby violating National Labor Relations Act § 301, and (2) the MNA breached its duty of fair representation by not championing her claims against the Hospital for allegedly breaching the CBA. 8 Failure to establish either prong is fatal to her hybrid claim. See DelCostello v. International Bhd. of Teamsters, 462 U.S. 151, 164-65, 103 S.Ct. 2281, 76 L.Ed.2d 476 (1983); Hines v. Anchor Motor Freight, Inc., 424 U.S. 554, 570-71, 96 S.Ct. 1048, 47 L.Ed.2d 231 (1976); DiPinto v. Sperling, 9 F.3d 2, 4 (1st Cir.1993); Kissinger v. United States Postal Serv., 801 F.2d 551, 553 (1st Cir.1986). 49 Laurin did not carry her burden on the first prong. See Celotex Corp., 477 U.S. at 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548. While CBA § 12.01 ordained that the Hospital not discriminate against employees with disabilities, Laurin failed to adduce evidence that the asserted reason for her discharge (i.e., essential function) was pretextual, or that the requested accommodation was denied due to any discriminatory animus. See supra Section II.A. Thus, absent the requisite showing that the grievance against the Hospital was meritorious, the MNA had no corresponding duty to pursue the grievance. The hybrid claim accordingly failed. 50 Affirmed.