Legg v. Chauffeurs, Teamsters & Helpers Local Union 364

714 F. Supp. 385, 130 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2777, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16371
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Indiana
DecidedJune 1, 1988
DocketNo. S85-445
StatusPublished

This text of 714 F. Supp. 385 (Legg v. Chauffeurs, Teamsters & Helpers Local Union 364) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Indiana primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Legg v. Chauffeurs, Teamsters & Helpers Local Union 364, 714 F. Supp. 385, 130 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2777, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16371 (N.D. Ind. 1988).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

MILLER, District Judge.

Plaintiff William J. Legg brings this action against the Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Local Union 364 (the “Union”) and his former employer, Murphy Motor Freight Lines, Inc. (the “Company”), alleging that the Company breached its collective bargaining agreement with the Union by discharging him, and that the Union breached its duty of fair representation in processing his grievance over his discharge. Jurisdiction is vested in this court pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § 185. The cause is before the court on the Union’s summary judgment motion. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56. For the reasons that follow, the court finds that no genuine issues of material fact exist and the defendant Union is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.

I. Introduction

An action such as this is known as a hybrid breach of contract/duty of fair representation suit under Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S. C. § 185. DelCostello v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 462 U.S. 151, 103 S.Ct. 2281, 76 L.Ed.2d 476 (1983).

Mr. Legg alleges that the Union unfairly represented him at the grievance hearing because his Union representative was unprepared.1 In his deposition, Mr. Legg also asserted that the Union represented him improperly because it did not tell him the procedure he should have followed for his grievance. Specifically, he learned only after the Local Grievance Committee meeting that his grievance should have gone to Indianapolis rather than South Bend.2 For this breach of duty, Mr. Legg seeks damages from the Union.

Mr. Legg alleges that the Company discharged him unfairly because he was given no warning notice before his discharge as required by Article 46 of Central States Over-the-Road Supplemental Agreement. He seeks relief from the Company in the form of reinstatement, back pay with prejudgment interest, attorney fees and costs. On April 13,1987, the Company filed notice of its filing of a Voluntary Petition under Chapter 7 of Title 11 of the United States Code; the automatic stay of Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code is in effect.

II. Standard of Review of Summary Judgment Motions

A party seeking summary judgment must demonstrate that no genuine issue of fact exists for trial and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(e); Wilson v. Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific R.R. Co., 841 F.2d 1347 (7th Cir.1988); Munson v. Friske, 754 F.2d 683 (7th Cir.1985). If that showing is made and the motion’s opponent would bear the burden at trial on the matter that forms the basis of the motion, the opponent must come forth with evidence to show what facts are in actual dispute. Cel-otex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Donald v. Polk County, 836 F.2d 376 (7th Cir. 1988). Summary judgment should be granted if no reasonable jury could return a verdict for the motion’s opponent. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986); Anderson v. University of Wisconsin, 841 F.2d 737 (7th Cir.1988).

The parties cannot rest on mere allegations in the pleadings, Boruski v. United States, 803 F.2d 1421 (7th Cir.1986), or upon conclusory allegations in affidavits. First Commodity Traders v. Heinold Commodities, 766 F.2d 1007 (7th Cir.1983). The court must draw any permissible inferences from the materials before it in favor of the non-moving party, Matsushita Electronics Co., Ltd. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 106 S.Ct. 1348, 89 L.Ed.2d 538 (1986); Vachet v. Central Newspapers, Inc., 816 F.2d 313 (7th Cir.1987), as long as [387]*387the inferences are reasonable. Davis v. City of Chicago, 841 F.2d 186 (7th Cir. 1988). The non-moving party must show that the disputed fact is material, or outcome-determinative, under applicable law. Wainwright Bank & Trust Co. v. Rail-roadmen’s Federal Sav. & Loan Ass’n, 806 F.2d 146 (7th Cir.1986).

The Union’s summary judgment motion must be addressed with these standards in mind.

III. Duty of Fair Representation

A. Material Facts

The Union asserts that the following facts are undisputed: Mr. Legg worked as a truck driver for the Company from May, 1983 until his discharge on December 14, 1984. While employed, Mr. Legg was in a bargaining unit represented by the Union. On December 13, 1984, after driving from South Bend, Indiana to Buffalo, New York on a Company dispatch, Mr. Legg consumed ten to twelve beers with Ron Gouker in a bar.3 Later that day, New York police arrested Mr. Legg on 1-90 (the New York thruway) for driving his truck in the wrong direction. A breathalyzer test showed that Mr. Legg had a blood alcohol content of .17, and he was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving.4 Mr. Legg was found guilty, although he could not remember whether it was for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence, fined $500.00,5 and his driver’s license was suspended for ninety days.6

In a letter dated December 14, 1984, the Company informed Mr. Legg that he was discharged for drunkenness due to the New York incident. Wayne Nellis, a business agent of the Union, assisted Mr. Legg in filing a grievance three days later. Mr. Legg met with Robert Warnock, the Union president, and Mr. Nellis to discuss different ways of obtaining reinstatement.7

On January 28, 1985, the Union presented Mr. Legg’s grievance before the Local Joint Grievance Committee. Before the hearing, Mr. Nellis suggested to Mr. Legg that he wait until after the resolution of the New York charges to pursue his grievance.

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Walter W. Donald v. Polk County
836 F.2d 376 (Seventh Circuit, 1988)
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841 F.2d 737 (Seventh Circuit, 1988)
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714 F. Supp. 385, 130 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2777, 1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16371, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/legg-v-chauffeurs-teamsters-helpers-local-union-364-innd-1988.