Legal Document

481 U.S. 851 107 S.Ct. 2161 95 L.Ed.2d 791 INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, AFL-CIO, et al., Petitionersv.Sally HECHLER. No. 85-1360. Argued Jan. 20, 1987. Decided May 26, Syllabus Respondent, an electrical apprentice employed by Florida Power and Light Company (Florida Power), was injured while assigned to a job that required her perform tasks allegedly beyond the scope of training experience. She brought suit in court against petitioner unions (collectively referred as Union), alleging "pursuant contracts agreements" between Union Power, "to which . [she] third-party beneficiary," relationship between" her, had duty care ensure safe workplace, it breached allowing be work dangerous location. The removed action federal on grounds its alleged arose solely from collective-bargaining agreement, therefore any breach actionable under § 301 Labor Management Relations Act, 1947. then moved dismiss complaint untimely applicable statute limitations. Respondent argued basic nature state common-law "suit tort," prayed case remanded court. District Court granted Union's motion dismiss, holding flowed respondent's claim thus pre-empted law. Appeals reversed. Held: 1. Respondent's is not sufficiently independent agreement withstand 301's pre-emptive force. Pp. 855-862. (a) interests interpretive uniformity predictability require labor-contract disputes resolved reference common law also meaning given contract phrase or term subject uniform interpretation, whether question arises context for liability tort. Thus, employee's state-law tort necessarily rests interpretation terms 301. Allis-Chalmers Corp. v. Lueck, 471 202, 105 1904, 85 206. 855-859. (b) Under law, employer, labor union, owes employees furnish reasonably workplace. A union may assume responsibility accepting through contractual arrangement, and, if party breaches duty, aggrieved bring either injury suffered result breach. However, threshold inquiry determining cause exists examination ascertain what duties were accepted each parties those duties. alleges precisely this type tortious breach-of-contract claim, allegations negligence are significant only Union, assumed breached. questions underlie finding liability, respondent precluded evading force casting action. 859-862. 2. If treated must determined time barred limitations Because erroneously concluded pre-empted, appropriate consider, first instance, period adopted claim. 863-865. 772 F.2d 788 (CA 11 1985) vacated remanded. BLACKMUN, J., delivered opinion Court, REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, WHITE, MARSHALL, POWELL, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. STEVENS, filed concurring part dissenting part, post, p. 865. Laurence Gold, Washington, D.C., petitioners. Joel S. Perwin, Miami, Fla., respondent. Justice BLACKMUN Court. 1 In 206 (1985), held "when resolution substantially dependent upon analysis made contract," plaintiff's 1947 (LMRA), 61 Stat. 156, 29 U.S.C. 185. U.S., at 220, S.Ct., 1916. presented has provide member with workplace 2 * At all times relevant case, plaintiff-respondent Sally Hechler Power) apprentice. Petitioners, International Brotherhood Electrical Workers Local 759 exclusive bargaining representatives unit employed. On January 11, 1982, substation she Shortly after commencing new assignment, when came into contact highly energized components substation. 3 Two years later, sued Broward County, Fla. complaint, agreements entered respondent, "was provided safety place place," "would allowed take undue risks performance commensurate experience." App. 4. pursuant 28 1441, lawsuit United States Southern "alleged collective [the Union] Power," Record 3. raised no objection removal. 4 court, complaint. It Id., 66-70. conceded: "The owed [her] agreement." 98. argued, however, tort" failing 100-102. 5 dismiss. observed gravamen "Significantly, [Hechler] flows imposes [Union] monitor members." Pet. Cert. 3a. because failed demonstrate [Union's] negligent activity unrelated employee-union fiduciary relationship," 4a. Having found governed 6-month DelCostello Teamsters, 462 151, 103 2281, 76 476 (1983), applied Hechler's dismissed untimely. 6 Eleventh Circuit (1985). ruled "on face states cognizable preempted laws." 790-791. concluded: "Though [collective-bargaining] use defining owed, will turn principles developed law." 794. Finding "federal invoked complaint," id., 799, directed remand adjudication merits. 7 Circuit's decision appeared conflict Sixth Michigan Mutual Ins. Co. Steelworkers, 774 104 we certiorari. 1113, 106 1967, 90 652 (1986). II A. 8 reviewed 301.1 We think useful, outset, repeat briefly background outlined Allis-Chalmers. Textile Lincoln Mills, 353 448, 77 912, 972 (1957), does more than simply confer jurisdiction courts hear suits charging violations agreements. 450-451, 914-915. Congress, 301, authorized create body enforcement agreements—law "which fashion policy our national 456, 918. explained Allis-Chalmers, 209, 1910, Mills "understood congressional mandate used address arising out contracts." 9 Not long decided, have concurrent over claims. Charles Dowd Box Courtney, 368 502, 82 519, 483 (1962). Although proceeded hypothesis would apply they exercised claims,2 another same Term, Teamsters Lucas Flour Co., 369 95, 571, 593 (1962), expressly adjudicating There observed: dimensions conclusion substantive paramount area covered statute." 103, 576. need clearly explained: 10 possibility individual might different meanings inevitably exert disruptive influence both negotiation administration neither could certain rights obtained conceded, process negotiating immeasurably difficult necessity trying formulate provisions such way contain two systems someday enforcing contract. Once bargain made, conflicting competing legal tend stimulate prolong interpretation." 103-104, 577. "in enacting Congress intended doctrines uniformly prevail inconsistent local rules." 104, 12 While "the by" 576, defined range claims should considered coming within coverage. ordinary asserts provision been violated. See, e.g., Flour, 577 (claim employer strike violated agreement). his bad-faith handling disability-benefit payments due supporting equally set forth principle: 13 interpretation. relating agreed, consequences flow arise Any other elevate form substance allow evade requirements relabeling their contract." 211, 1911. 14 pointed action, determine particular phrases "all evils addressed recur"; "parties uncertain binding themselves to" result, "it reach proliferate." Ibid. 15 rule "inextricably intertwined consideration contract" 213, 1912, fell category. allegation there insurance company intentionally make disability plan negotiated that, so doing, act good faith" paying benefits. 206, 1908. attempt assess involve underlying First, itself included implied requirement faith conduct. "[I]t obligation timely manner, so, Allis-Chalmers' conduct provision." 215, 1913. Second, "good plaintiff relied "intrinsically relate[d] existence 216, 1914. concept meant " 'being faithful one's obligation,' ibid.,quoting Hilker Western Automobile 204 Wis. 1, 13, 235 N.W. 413, 414 (1931), primarily analyzing responsibilities agreed insurer written reasoned: "Because right asserted derives contract, but faith, here 218, Inasmuch control 218-219, 1914-1915.3 B 16 principle based assignments skills exercise reasonable providing W. Keeton, D. Dobbs, R. & Owen, Prosser Keeton Law Torts 569 (5th ed. 1984); White Consolidated Freight Lines, 192 Wash. 146, 148, 73 P.2d 358, 359 (1937). general "owes work, diligence keep safe." Fla.Jur.2d, Agency Employment 154, 343 (1977) (footnote omitted); see, Putnam Lumber Berry, 146 595, 604-607, So.2d 133, 137-138 (1941). See Fla.Stat. 440.56(1) (1981) ("Every shall employment therein, devices safeguards do every thing necessary protect life, health, employees"). 17 Another party, course, towards arrangement. settled injuries Banfield Addington, 661, 669-670, 140 So. 893, 897 (1932); Parrish Clark, 598, 603, 145 848, 850 (1933) ("[A]n positive committed violation assumption relation"); Safeco Title Reynolds, 452 45, 48 (Fla.App.1984) (it "long-established caused redressed action"). 38 Negligence 17, (1982); Vorndran Wright, 367 1070 (Fla.App.1979) (architect's did include compliance regulations employee architect); Schauer Blair Construction 374 1160, 1161 (summary judgment favor architect improperly genuine issue material fact existed regarding architect's supervise construction). 18 Plaintiff working environment. Union—according complaint—was "by location environment ascertaining training, experience, background, education environment," further "provid[e] and/or enforc[e] rules, preclude persons inadequate insufficient education, Plaintiff, being placed inherently environment." 5. 19 significance if—the fact, ancillary parties, apprentices try base argument care.4 order ascertain, first, second, is, whether, extent, extended clear "questions liability." 1915. mandates here, action.5 III 20 argues can characterized "duty fair representation" properly represent before prescribed (1983).6 argues, basis status beneficiary agreement.7 21 review Court's governs suit, believe 22 vacated, proceedings consistent opinion. 23 ordered. 24 part. 25 nothing representation. specific promise augmented representational plainly suggestion "third-party beneficiary" executed behalf I understand. Whatever represented negotiation. Since duty-of-fair-representation (1983).* Remanding unnecessary. reverse reinstate dismissing Section (LMRA) states: "Suits organization representing industry affecting commerce chapter, organizations, district having without respect amount controversy regard citizenship parties." 185(a). 102, discussing Dowd, impliedly "as evolves field management relations spoke." 514, 526. took define precise limits holding. LMRA emphasized, however: "In extending effect intent section pre-empt rules proscribe conduct, establish obligations, 212, 1912. "Safety" reads: matter importance, receive consideration, risk he Foreman Supervisor consider unsafe himself fellow workers. Supervisors strictly responsible 13-14. establishes labor-management "Joint Safety Committee" "responsible developing recommending effective program Agreement, including changes additions present conducting investigations accidents deemed necessary." 14. second provision, side entitled Manner An Apprentice Will Work" "It recognized Journeymen become qualified Journeyman. progresses apprenticeship, becomes productive expected Journeyman do. intention experience training. regard, on, climb above conductors carrying 500 volts during year apprenticeship." 17. brief time, virtue members, rather agreement. Brief 15-19. points "and Hechler. (emphasis added). Even assuming pleadings construed liberally stating various, unenumerated laws effectively abandoned theory lower decline here. below beneficiary. opposing alternative "nature scope" operating independently repeated statement [sic] agreement," ibid., never suggested "relationship" gave rise distinct created surprisingly, relying formulation appeal Appeals, continued characterize grounded described "whether worker's breaching duty—created union's employer—to insure trained assignment." Appellant 84-5799 (CA11), ii n. 47. Again, mention source duty. proposition "[t]hough owed," essentially remained negligence. 788, 794 opposition certiorari petition Opposition 4, 8-9. merits possibly care, unconnected members. obligation, directly regulate survive power conclude too late day newfound theory. impact hypothetical relevance passed below, nor us response DelCostello, hybrid consisting similar unfair practices charge, borrow established 10(b) National 160(b), charges. represents grievance arbitration procedure acts "discriminatory, dishonest, arbitrary, perfunctory" fashion. 164, 2290. Vaca Sipes, 386 171, 87 903, 842 (1967); Hines Anchor Motor Freight, Inc., 424 554, 96 1048, 47 231 (1976). distinguished 301/duty-of-fair-representation "a straightforward 301." 165, 2291. employer. Smith Evening News Assn., 371 195, 83 267, 246 usually claims, supra, beneficiaries ordinarily contested although attempted recast "over sustained injury." 5a.

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