Smoot v. United Transportation Union

991 F. Supp. 913, 162 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2798, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 805, 1998 WL 35027
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Ohio
DecidedJanuary 28, 1998
DocketNo. 1:94CV485
StatusPublished

This text of 991 F. Supp. 913 (Smoot v. United Transportation Union) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Ohio primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Smoot v. United Transportation Union, 991 F. Supp. 913, 162 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2798, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 805, 1998 WL 35027 (N.D. Ohio 1998).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

ECONOMUS, District Judge.

This matter is before the Court upon Defendants, Motions for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 31, 40) and Plaintiffs Motion for an Order denying Defendants’ Motion for Sum[914]*914mary Judgment (Dkt.# 34). This Court granted Public Law Board 3882’s (“PLB”) Motion to Dismiss (Dkt.# 14) by marginal entry order on December 12, 1995. For the reasons set forth, below, the Court finds Defendants’ motions to be meritorious.

FACTS

In June 1979, Plaintiff began working for CSXT as a trainman where he was represented by the UTU. In October 1989, the UTU and CSXT negotiated a new “crew consist” agreemént negotiated by UTU General Chairman V.V. Elswick (“Elswick”) providing for reductions in train crew sizes, but granting additional benefits to remaining tram crew members.

One of the additional benefits was the contribution of 30 shares of CSXT common stock into the ESOP/401k plan account of train service employees satisfying the eligibility rules. Eligible employees were those who (1) during the preceding calendar year qualified for a vacation in the year in which the stock is credited, or completed 1000 hours of compensated service, and (2) is in active status (or in reserve pool status) on November 30, of the year in which the stock is contributed who is subject to the, collectively bargained agreement between CSXT and the UTU.

In July 1990, Plaintiff took classes to qualify for engine service. In October 1991, Plaintiff was required to report for duty as an engineer. Plaintiff worked as an engineer on November 30, 1991 and several days thereafter before returning to his- post as a trainman. Plaintiff did not receive his 30 shares of CSXT common stock per the collective bargaining agreement. Plaintiff argues that he was a trainman and a member of the UTU, and, therefore, was entitled to those benefits pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement.

In January 1992, Plaintiff petitioned El-swiek to represent him in a grievance action to recover the 30 shares of stock. Elswiek allegedly informed Plaintiff that he did not qualify for the stock option as he was an engineer at the time the stock was to be distributed. Plaintiff appealed Elswick’s determination to the UTU Board of Appeals, the union’s internal appeals hoard. The Board of Appeals unanimously ruled that Plaintiff was entitled to the 30 shares of stock and that his claim should be pursued before the PLB. Elswick, who was required to represent Plaintiff at the PLB, removed himself and appointed UTU Vice-Chairman Robert Earley (“Earley”)to represent Plaintiff.

Furthermore, Plaintiff contends that the neutral member of the PLB, H.R. Cluster (“Cluster”) erred in admitting extrinsic evidence, namely the testimony of H.S. Emrick of CSXT and Elswick, regarding their intent in negotiating the crew consist agreement.

Plaintiff finally avers that prior to the PLB convening, the neutral member of the board, Cluster, cleared the room for an executive session. It is in this executive session that Plaintiff claims that the UTU and CSXT representative, along with the neutral member, conspired to deprive hen of his benefits.

LAW

Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c) governs summary judgment and provides, in pertinent part:

The judgment sought shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.

The party moving for summary judgment bears the burden of showing the absence of a genuine issue as-to any material fact, and liar these purposes, the evidence submitted must be viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party to determine whether a genuine issue of material fact exists. Adickes v. S.H. Kress & Co., 398 U.S. 144, 90 S.Ct. 1598, 26 L.Ed.2d 142 (1970).

“The burden on the moving party may he discharged if the moving party demonstrates that the non-moving party has failed to establish an essential element of his or her case for which he or she bears the ultimate burden of proof at trial.” Morales v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., 71 F.3d 531, 535 (1995). If the moving party meets this bur[915]*915den, then the non-moving party must present additional evidence beyond the pleadings. Id. The nonmoving party must present more that a scintilla of evidence in support of his or her position. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 252, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202. (1986). Summary judgment must be granted unless there is sufficient evidence favoring the non-moving party for a judge or jury to return a verdict for that party. Id. at 249.

First and Second Causes of Action:

Public Law Boards are treated identically to National Railroad Adjustment Boards (“NRAB”). The Sixth Circuit in Cole v. Erie Lackawanna Ry. Co., 541 F.2d 528 (6th Cir.1976), held that “Congress envisioned special adjustment boards as local extensions of the NRAB. It is clear that special adjustment boards have jurisdiction coextensive with that of the NRAB ... We therefore conclude that Section 153 .first ... applies to proceedings before special adjustment boards.” Id. at 533. Therefore, the Public Law Board at issue in the present case is governed by the same laws as the National Railroad Adjustment Board.

The jurisdiction exercised by federal district courts over Public Law Boards is extremely limited. The Supreme Court in Union Pacific R.R. Co. v. Sheehan, 439 U.S. 89, 99 S.Ct. 399, 58 L.Ed.2d 354 (1978), held

Judicial review of Adjustment Board orders is limited to three specific grounds: (1) failure of the Adjustment Board to comply with the requirements of the Railway Labor Act; (2) failure of the Adjustment Board to conform, or confine itself to matters within the scope of its jurisdiction; and (3) fraud or corruption____Only upon one or more of these bases may a court set aside an order of the Adjustment Board.

Id. at 93. See also Cole, 541 F.2d at 532. The same standard applies to Public Law Boards. Plaintiff claims that Defendants, predeterminations and consideration of matters outside of the record is tantamount to “fraud and corruption” under Union Pacific.

However, this Court lacks jurisdiction over Plaintiffs claim against CSXT and the UTU regarding the finding of the grounds that Plaintiffs dispute with the CSXT is “minor.” The Sixth Circuit in McKinney v. International Ass’n of Machinists, Etc., 624 F.2d 745 (6th Cir.1980), held:

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
991 F. Supp. 913, 162 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2798, 1998 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 805, 1998 WL 35027, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/smoot-v-united-transportation-union-ohnd-1998.