Ellison v. ROCK HILL PRINTING AND FINISHING COMPANY

347 F. Supp. 436, 5 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 7950, 1972 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12299, 5 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 99
CourtDistrict Court, D. South Carolina
DecidedAugust 17, 1972
DocketCiv. A. 72-405
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 347 F. Supp. 436 (Ellison v. ROCK HILL PRINTING AND FINISHING COMPANY) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. South Carolina primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Ellison v. ROCK HILL PRINTING AND FINISHING COMPANY, 347 F. Supp. 436, 5 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 7950, 1972 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12299, 5 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 99 (D.S.C. 1972).

Opinion

ORDER

HEMPHILL, District Judge.

This matter cable to be heard by way of defendant International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers’ (hereinafter “IAM”) motion to dismiss for want of venue and for want of sufficient service. This is a suit in equity instituted on March 31, 1972, pursuant to Title VII of an Act of Congress known as “The Civil Rights Act of 1964.” 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq. and for a declaratory judgment 1 as to the rights established under such legislation. Jurisdiction is also invoked pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343(4) and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. The plaintiffs have alleged that the defendants follow a policy and practice of discrimination in employment against blacks on account of their race and discrimination according to sex.

A hearing was held in Greenville (the court was conducting a two-week criminal term) on August 10, 1972, for the purpose of considering a number of motions pending in the case. Some of the motions were disposed of that day and other rulings were deferred until further discovery could be had. This order is directed only to IAM’s motion to dismiss for lack of venue and for lack of sufficient service.

IAM is an unincorporated labor organization having its principal office and place of doing business at 1300 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D. C. IAM contends that this court lacks venue and jurisdiction with respect to plaintiffs’ claims against IAM. Plaintiffs, in response, contend that IAM by means of its contacts with Local 1779, an affiliate of IAM, and through the actions of Mr. George Wells, IAM’s representative who services Local 1779 as well as other Machinists’ local unions, transacts sufficient business within South Carolina and maintains sufficient contacts in South Carolina to be subject to suit in South Carolina.

George Wells 2 , International Representative of IAM, and whose salary is paid by IAM regularly assists South Carolina locals, including Local 1779, in *438 contract negotiations and in the processing of grievances.

Mr. Wells stated in his deposition:

Q. How long have you been employed by that organization ?
A. Since April 1, 1967.
Q. In what capacity?
A. As Grand Lodge Representative.
Q. What are your responsibilities as Grand Lodge Representative?
A. My responsibilities are to see that the local lodges comply with the constitution of the organization and to assist the local lodges in grievance matters and contract negotiations.
•» * * * *
Q. Do you work with local lodge 1779 out of Rock Hill, South Carolina?
A. Yes sir.
Q. What do you do with that local lodge?
A. I assist the local lodge in the handling of grievances and contract negotiations.
Q. How many contract negotiations have you participated in since 1967 ?
A. Three, I believe.
Q. To that local?
A. Three I believe for that local.
Q. Where did the negotiations take place?
A. The conference room of the company — the offices.
Q. At Rock Hill?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you have any appreciation, Mr. Wells, of how many grievances you have handled for that local since 1967 ?
A. Quite a number, but I wouldn’t even hazard a guess.
Q. Would it be more than fifty ?
A. I don’t know.
Q. Would it be more than twenty-five?
A. I would imagine so.
Q. Now, when you are handling the grievances for Local 1779, where do you do your work? Is it done in South Carolina, or is it done in North Carolina ?
A. Well, it depends on what work I am doing on them. If I am attending a meeting with the company and the committee, I meet in South Carolina. If I am preparing for arbitration, I do it in North Carolina.
Q. Can you think of any other things that you do, Mr. Wells, for 1779, other than assist them with the grievances and assist them with the contract negotiations ?
A. No, sir.
Q. Could you give me an estimate of the percentage of time that you spend in South Carolina for IAM?
A. I would imagine that until recently a fourth maybe of my working time would have been spent in South Carolina.
Q. Do you know whether or not Local Lodge 1779 has the authority to enter into a contract with Rock Hill without your authority or the authority of the International?
A. Yes, they do have that authority.
Q. Where does that authority flow from?
A. From the Constitution of the International Organization.
* -x- * * -X- *•
Q. Do you know what dues are paid by members of Local 1779 ?
A. No, I don’t.
Q. The amount that is ?
A. No.
Q. Do you know whether the International received a portion of the dues paid by the members of Local 1779 ?
A. Yes, they do.

From Wells’ deposition it is evident he spends substantial time and efforts conducting business for IAM in South Caro *439 lina. He has participated in various contract talks between Local 1779 and the defendant Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Company and has signed various supplemental agreements and contracts on behalf and as a representative of IAM in South Carolina. Local 1779 cannot change its by-laws without the consent of IAM and it is uncontested that a portion of the dues collected by Local 1779 is forwarded to IAM.

The Constitution of the IAM contains detailed provisions wherein the IAM exercises control over Machinists’ locals including Local 1779. For example, IAM’s International President maintains the power to suspend local lodges.

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Bluebook (online)
347 F. Supp. 436, 5 Empl. Prac. Dec. (CCH) 7950, 1972 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12299, 5 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. (BNA) 99, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/ellison-v-rock-hill-printing-and-finishing-company-scd-1972.