361 F.3d 177 | 3rd Cir. | 2004
McKEE, Circuit Judge.
of any colorable emergency, in violation These consolidated appeals arise of the LMRDA, 29 U.S.C. § 185. from the imposition of an emergency A few days after the complaint was filed, the temporary trustee appointed by interlocutory appeal pursuant to § Hoffa scheduled hearings as required by 1292(b): “Whether Plaintiffs have the IBT’s Constitution. At the conclusion standing to recover for any damages on of the hearings, an internal union hearing behalf of the Local Union 115 for the time p a n e l i s s u e d a R e p o r t a n d period between the November 15, 1999 Recommendation finding that there was emergency imposition and the General sufficient reason for the imposition and President’s May 31, 2001 decision issued continuation of the trusteeship. Hoffa after the hearing.” adopted the panel’s Report and
For the reasons that follow, we will Recommendation and continued the affirm the district court’s grant of trusteeship on May 31, 2000. On June 13, summary judgment on Count Two in favor 2001, Hoffa dissolved the trusteeship of Hoffa and against the Morris Plaintiffs. when newly-elected officers of the Local However, we will vacate the district were installed. court’s entry of judgment under Rule In the meantime, Hoffa filed a 54(b) on Count One and direct the district motion for summary judgment, which the court to enter summary judgment in favor district court granted in substantial part. of Hoffa and against the Morris Plaintiffs In its summary judgment opinion, the on their challenge to the prehearing district court indicated that its disposition emergency trusteeship. As we will of Hoffa’s summary judgment motion explain, based upon this holding, we need might warrant the entry of final judgment not reach the issue of standing that the under Fed.R.Civ.P. 54(b). Accordingly, district court certified for interlocutory both sides filed Rule 54(b) motions. appeal. Hoffa also filed a motion for interlocutory
I. BACKGROUND
appeal of a number of issues under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b). Thereafter, the district The IBT is an unincorporated court entered Rule 54(b) final judgment association that is a labor organization on Count Two (the free speech claim) in within the meaning of § 2(5) of the favor of Hoffa and against the Morris National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”), plaintiffs; entered Rule 54(b) final 29 U.S.C. § 152(b). Local 115 is a judgment on Count One with respect to Pennsylvania unincorporated association the maintenance of the post-hearing and a labor organization under the NLRA. trusteeship in favor of Hoffa and against It is also a subordinate body of the IBT the Morris plaintiffs, and entered Rule within the meaning of § 304 of the 54(b) final judgment on Count One with LMRDA, 29 U.S.C. § 464. respect to the pre-hearing emergency
John P. Morris was the elected trusteeship in favor of Hoffa but against Secretary-Treasurer and principal officer Morris only. The district court also of Local 115. Elmore Mack and Harold certified the following question of law for Fisher were elected trustees of the local. All three were members of the Executive Over the ensuing months, Smith and Board of Local 115 and constituted the McNamara allegedly met with IBT majority of that Board under the representatives and agitated for a
trusteeship, with Smith complaining to Local’s bylaws. McNamara that the IBT was not moving The IBT Constitution governs the fast enough. Morris claimed that Smith relationship between the IBT and had been given target dates of April 1999 subordinate Local unions such as Local and then July 1999, for creating a 115. James P. Hoffa was installed as trusteeship. General President of the IBT in mid-
Hoffa and the IBT had received March, 1999, following a history of numerous complaints about the abuses that turmoil that culminated in a contentious apparently characterized Local 115's 1998 election that was conducted under leadership, and these allegations prompted government supervision. Morris alleges an investigation of the local. According to that Hoffa initiated a campaign to oust Hoffa, information developed during that Morris, as well as those in Local 115 who investigation revealed a “pretty had been loyal to Morris, as soon as Hoffa frightening portrayal” of Local 115: took over. We had these stories about On February 28, 1999, Brian Kada, beatings. Smith said he was a member of Local 115, had a beaten up in a stairwell, that conversation with Michael T. Breslin, Johnny Morris carries a gun, Frank McGuire and Billy Anderson during the local was buying guns. which Kada told them that Hoffa had They had stun guns, they informed James E. Smith, Jr., a Morris had pepper spray, unusual foe, that Local 115 would be put under purchases for a local union, trusteeship. It is alleged that Kada also and things that are improper said that Morris would be out of office as far as I know, as far as I and that Hoffa wanted Morris’s seats on believe and we got that the Philadelphia Regional Port Authority, information and we acted on the Joint Council 53 and the Pennsylvania it. Conference of Teamsters. Morris claimed that Smith would run Local 115 in return for Smith’s assistance in ousting Morris.
App. at 53. According to Morris, Gerald The investigation lead Hoffa to the McNamara had been communicating with conclusion that it was necessary to impose Hoffa as early as March 15, 1999. an emergency trusteeship over Local 115. McNamara was dissatisfied with Morris Accordingly, on November 14, 1999, and was waiting to hear if Hoffa was Hoffa appointed Edward F. Keyser, Jr., going to place Local 115 in trusteeship. Temporary Trustee over the affairs of the local. On November 22, 1999, Trustee Local 115, effective November 15, 1999. Keyser issued a Notice of Trusteeship That same day (November 14), Hoffa Hearing pursuant to the IBT Constitution, issued a Notice to the Officers and scheduling formal hearings on the need for Members of Local 115, informing them of a trusteeship for Thursday, December 9, the reasons for the trusteeship. 1999, and Saturday, December 11, 1999. [3]
The Notice specified sixteen reasons that included both general and A. The Trusteeship Hearing . specific instances of violence and
According to Hoffa, a large intimidation under Morris’s leadership conference room and a smaller office were dating back to 1955 and increasing in made available to Morris’s counsel and recent years. The intimidation included witnesses throughout the course of the charges that Morris and his business ensuing hearings. Both rooms were agents threatened and assaulted disloyal adjacent to the membership hearing room, members of Local 115, and that Morris and they allowed Morris an opportunity had purchased materials such as stun guns for consultation and preparation. Hoffa to wage war against disloyal union claimed that the hearing panel kept the members. Financial abuses were also record open after the close of testimony so noted, including a charge that Morris that the parties or any member could directed union members to perform submit additional written testimony. "extensive renovations and repairs on [his] house" while still on the time clock for Trustee Keyser presented sixteen their employers; that Morris required witnesses, including an IBT auditor and stewards to collect cash gifts for himself in forensic auditors. Morris and his the form of annual “Christmas gifts,” and supporters presented twenty-five that he retaliated against members whose witnesses. Hoffa claims that Christmas spirit did not embrace approximately sixty members presented extortionate gift giving. The fiscal abuses information during open microphone also included charges that Morris had sessions that provided an opportunity for altered Local 115's Health and Welfare any member who wanted to address the Plan to suit his personal needs, and that he panel to do so. Members also presented used union funds to benefit family written statements, either directly to the members. panel, or through the Trustee, and then
The November 14th notice and accompanying letters of appointment [3] The hearings were postponed at resulted in Keyser being given authority Morris’s request. Ultimately, they were over all of the affairs of Local 115. It also rescheduled for January 5-7, 2000, and resulted in the ouster of Morris, Mack and continued through January 19-21 and Fisher from their elected positions with February 28 through March 3, 2000. turned them over to the panel. The Morris also apparently harassed, proceedings were transcribed and threatened and cursed any witness who videotaped and both sides presented opposed him, and he interrupted and extensive briefs and proposed findings and talked over anyone trying to make a conclusions of law. statement against him. In addition, former
Business Agent Johnson sat next to Morris Morris argues that the IBT caused during the hearings and fulfilled the role more than 100 police officers to be placed of one of the “tough guys” that Morris outside the offices where the hearings reportedly always had with him. While were held. The police included SWAT sitting next to Morris, Johnson also team members in riot gear with face threatened and cursed witnesses and the masks. People entering the offices had to investigating panel. walk a “gauntlet” of masked police officers, be searched, and pass through a The hearing panel’s Report and metal detector. Morris claims that the Recommendation found overwhelming IBT orchestrated this scene even though evidence to support the imposition and there was no indication of potential continuation of the trusteeship. The panel violence from Morris’s supporters. concluded that lifting the trusteeship Morris also claims that he was unable to would result in substantial damage to obtain any evidence to contradict the Local 115 and its members because Morris evidence offered by Hoffa and the IBT had created a climate of fear and because the emergency Trustee had sole intimidation that was irreparably possession and control of the books and destroying the rights of the membership. records of Local 115. Morris alleges that
B. The IBT’s Findings . he did not know in advance whom the Trustee would call as witnesses or what Hoffa accepted the panel’s testimony the witnesses would provide. recommendation and continued the
trusteeship. In doing so he wrote: Ironically, Morris apparently demonstrated his propensity for During the eleven days of intimidation during the hearings. At one hearings, the longest point, he became enraged at Local 115 running hearing ever President Smith. While Smith was conducted by the [IBT], testifying, Morris gestured as if he were n u m e r o u s m e m b e r s loading and firing a shotgun at Smith’s appeared to testify about the head. This caused the hearing to adjourn events in the Local. Much for the day. The following day when the of that testimony revealed a hearing resumed, Morris denied making persistent pattern of abuse the gesture even though his actions had of power and suppression of been captured on videotape. membership rights. Quite
si mp ly, the evidence established that supporters improve real estate, to purchase printing of the John Morris equipment, buses, a snowplow and administration received vehicles that had no benefit to the special benefit s and members. Testimony from IBT auditor attention and those members William Evans and forensic auditors who spoke or acted in a Robert Walker and Joseph Wahl manner viewed as being established that Morris purposefully failed hostile to the administration to maintain required accounting records in were abused, intimidated, order to hide much of his financial retaliated against and even mismanagement. In addition, Morris physically and economically falsified bank documents, commingled endangered. money from various Local 115 Funds and
failed to file necessary tax documents. Morris improperly used his App. at 10. authority to maintain control of Local 115. Hoffa found evidence of several He placed members and their relatives in violent, verbal and physical attacks by jobs and demanded loyalty in return for Morris and other Local 115 officials keeping their jobs. The members so against staff as well as union members. placed were reportedly fired if Morris Morris had conducted abusive inquisitions thought that they were disloyal to him. In and threatened union stewards. For addition, Morris arranged late night example, union member Kada had been meetings where union members were “sucker-punched” in the face by Business abused, threatened and, in one instance, Agent “Jocko” Johnson on union property assaulted. Hoffa concluded that the during a union meeting, in full view of officers of Local 115 did not properly Morris. Morris had then pushed Kada and represent these members. [5] baited Kada to push him back. [4]
The record contained substantial [5] The trustee’s evidence established evidence of financial malpractice by a complete breakdown of democratic rule Morris that Morris neither refuted nor within Local 115, and much of this explained. Morris used millions of dollars evidence was almost entirely unrefuted. of Local 115's money to purchase and Morris did not deny requiring union members to do personal work for him or his relatives while they were “on the imposed. [7] In essence, the plaintiffs
The evidence also demonstrated that Morris had violated the IBT alleged that Hoffa imposed the trusteeship Constitution and federal law by because they opposed him in the 1996 and consistently refusing to provide union 1998 IBT presidential elections. They members with copies of their collective claimed that Hoffa was attempting to bargaining agreements. [6] suppress such opposition in the future. [8] As
summarized above, Count One alleged The evidence confirmed that that the trusteeship violated Title III of the Morris had used the guise of “Christmas LMRDA, 29 U.S.C. §§ 462, 464, and the gifts” to extort money from members at some of the higher paying union shops as Hoffa had previously heard. Documents [7] Originally, Kenneth Woodring, a established that Morris had been
union officer affected by the imposition of embezzling money from the Union since the trusteeship, was a plaintiff. However, 1981 when he awarded himself a raise he moved to dismiss all of his claims without the required Executive Board against Hoffa and the IBT pursuant to approval. At the end of 1989, Morris Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(a)(1). further enriched himself by causing the [8] Morris claimed that Hoffa, an Union to take out an insurance policy on attorney, who until 1993 was never his life under false pretenses. affiliated with the IBT, left the practice of Hoffa concluded that this evidence law in that year to become the demonstrated that a trusteeship was administrative assistant to the President of absolutely necessary. Teamsters Joint Council 43 for the sole purpose of running for the office of the
II. DISTRICT COURT
General President of the IBT. Hoffa
PROCEEDINGS
made his first unsuccessful attempt at the As noted above, the Morris IBT’s Presidency in 1996. Morris Plaintiffs filed a complaint in the district supported a slate opposed to Hoffa during court against Hoffa and the IBT 1996 election. challenging the imposition of the During the 1998 elections, Morris emergency trusteeship days after it was once again supported a slate opposed to Hoffa. Morris alleged that on May 3, 1998, William Walker, Sr., a retired Teamster and a Hoffa supporter, attended
investigating claims of dictatorial control a Hoffa campaign fundraiser in Essington, of Local 115. Pennsylvania. Walker asked Hoffa what [6] Members who attempted to he intended to do about Morris if Hoffa participate in the preparation of proposals was elected. According to Morris, prior to contract negotiations were told to Hoffa’s reply was: “He’s the first f....r to “shut up.” go when I get in.” IBT Constitution; Count Two alleged that interlocutory appeal under 28 U.S.C. § Hoffa violated plaintiffs’ right to free 1292(b). Morris filed a motion for final speech as guaranteed by Title I of the judgment pursuant to Rule 54(b) the same LMRDA, specifically, 29 U.S.C. §§ day. 411(a)(2), and § 29; and Count Three
On December 28, 1999, the district alleged that Hoffa breached the contract court granted Morris’ motion for between the Local and the IBT, i.e., the preliminary injunction, enjoining Hoffa IBT Constitution, by imposing the and the IBT from exercising trusteeship emergency trusteeship over Local 115 in over Local 115 and ordering Hoffa and the absence of any colorable emergency. the IBT to return control over Local 115 Count Three further alleged that this also to its duly elected officers. The district violated the LMRDA, 29 U.S.C. § 185. court concluded that the information The plaintiffs sought various forms of available to Hoffa and the IBT was injunctive relief, compensatory and insufficient to provide Hoffa and the IBT punitive damages, and fees and costs. [9] with a good faith belief that an emergency Hoffa filed an answer and a existed sufficient to warrant the imposition counterclaim. In his counterclaim, he of an emergency trusteeship. Morris v. requested judicial confirmation of the Hoffa , 1999 WL 1285820 (E.D.Pa. Dec. trusteeship under 29 U.S.C. § 464(c). [10] 28, 1999). Hoffa and the IBT appealed Following additional discovery, the and this court stayed the injunction district court granted Hoffa’s motion for pending the appeal. During the pendency summary judgment in substantial part. In of the appeal, the IBT conducted the doing so, the court indicated that entry of internal union hearing regarding the final judgment qualifying for appeal necessity for a trusteeship. As noted pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 54(b) might be above, Hoffa, thereafter continued the warranted. Morris v. Hoffa , 2001 WL t r u s t e e s h i p b a s e d u p o n t h e 1231741 (E.D.Pa. October 12, 2001). recommendation of the hearing panel. On Following the court’s thoughtful lead, June 12, 2000, we dismissed the appeal as Hoffa thereafter filed a motion for final moot because the internal union hearing judgment under Rule 54(b) and for had been conducted and Hoffa had ruled
on the propriety of a trusteeship. Morris v. Hoffa , 2000 WL 33727939 (3d Cir. June 12, 2000). [9] The plaintiffs concede that the dissolution of the trusteeship on June 13, On January 7, 2002, the district 2001 mooted the equitable relief sought in court entered final judgment on Count Counts One and Three. Two (the free speech count) in favor of Hoffa and against all plaintiffs; entered
1 0 Hoffa concedes that the final judgment on Count One with respect dissolution of the trusteeship moots his to the maintenance of the post-hearing counterclaim. trusteeship in favor of Hoffa and against America, AFL-CI0 , 900 F.2d 761, 766 Morris, Mack and Fischer; entered final (4th Cir. 1990). The legislation was an judgment on Count One with respect to attempt to respond to abuses within the the emergency pre-hearing trusteeship in organized labor movement while favor of Hoffa and against Morris only. “minimizing governmental interference As we noted at the outset, the court also with the internal affairs of labor certified the following question of law for organizations.” Id . at 766-767. “Thus, interlocutory appeal pursuant to § while substantive abuses were to be 1292(b): addressed, the McClellan Committee
recommended that any corrective Whether Plaintiffs have legislation insure union democracy.” Id . standing to recover any at 767 (citation and internal quotations damages on behalf of the omitted). [12] Local Union 115 for the time period between the Congress enacted Title III of the N o v e m b er 1 5 , 1 9 9 9 LMRDA to address problems related to emergency imposition and imposition of trusteeships over local the General President’s May unions. Id . [13] In doing so, Congress was 31, 2000 decision issued concerned with past abuses related to after the hearing. imposition of trusteeships, but it was also
aware that “trusteeships are effective devices for maintaining order within labor
Morris v. Hoffa , 2002 WL 15900 at *7 organizations[]”. Id. Thus, “the goals of (E.D.Pa. Jan. 4, 2002). [11] the [LMRDA] were to be accomplished
without emasculating the trusteeship as a Both the Morris Plaintiffs and Hoffa filed timely appeals. III. DISCUSSION [12] The Select Committee on Improper Activities in the Labor A. The LMRDA Management Field that was responsible The LMRDA “was enacted [in for investigating abuses in organized labor 1959] in response to the perceived abuses and recommending remedial legislation is that plagued labor relations and often referred to as the “McClellan undermined public confidence in the labor Committee,” after Senator McClellan, the movement.” Becker v. Industrial Union of Committee’s chair. Marine and Shipbuilding Workers of [13] The legislative history of Title III is recited in detail in our opinion in Ross v. control device.” [14] Id . agreements or other duties o f a b a r g a i n i n g The LMRDA mandates that any representative, restoring trusteeship that is imposed conform to the democratic procedures, or constitution and bylaws of the union, and otherwise carrying out the the purposes for which the trusteeship is legitimate objects of such imposed must be legitimate. Id . More labor organization. particularly, § 302 of Title III of the LMRDA provides:
Trusteeships shall be 29 U.S.C. § 462. Given the countless e s t a b l i s h e d a n d circumstances that might give rise to a administered by a labor trusteeship, “Congress specifically o r g a n i z a ti o n o v e r a declined to attempt to detail all of the subordinate body only in legitimate reasons for which a trusteeship accordance with th e might be imposed, leaving for the courts constitution and bylaws of the development of common law limiting the organization which has principles.” Becker , 900 F.2d at 767-768 assumed trusteeship over (citations omitted). the subordinate body and
Congress also recognized that f or t h e p urpose o f second guessing the judgments correcting corruption or culminating in trusteeships could be both financial malpractice, difficult and impractical. Accordingly, a assuring the performance of presumption of validity attaches to c o l l e ct i v e b a rgainin g trusteeships that are imposed for limited duration and in a manner consistent with the procedural mandates of the LMRDA. [14] It has been noted that “[w]hile Id . at 768 (“Recognizing the delicate trusteeships are normally used by national judgments which international officers are unions to prevent or eliminate called upon to make in imposing a malpractices in subordinate organizations
trusteeship and conscious of the relative and as a tool of efficient union inexpertness of outsiders, the [LMRDA’s] administration, they can be, and have guideline for evaluating a trusteeship been, used as a tool by which national
supplies a presumption of validity, limited officers suppress local autonomy over in duration, when certain procedural union activities.” J.D. Jolly v. Gorman ,
requirements are met.”) (citation omitted). 428 F.2d 960, 966 (5th Cir. 1970) (citing Title III of the LMRDA also provides: Levitan, The Federal Law of Union In any proceeding pursuant Trusteeship, in Symposium, Labor- to this section a trusteeship Management Reporting and Disclosure established by a labor Act of 1959 (Slovekno, 1959)). organization in conformity trusteeship.” Id . (citations omitted). “The w i t h t h e p r o cedural notice should also provide the date, time, r e q u i r e m e n t s o f i t s and location of the hearing and indicate constitution and bylaws and that the local will have the opportunity to authorized or ratified after respond to the charges.” Id . (citation a fair hearing either before omitted). Courts do not, however, require the executive board or any particular form of notice as long as the before such other body as notice, together with any written may be provided in communications supplementing it, inform a c c o r d a n c e w i t h i t s those concerned of the date and time of constitution or bylaws shall the hearing. Id . be presumed valid for a
The international union seeking to period of eighteen months impose the trusteeship must present from the date of its sufficient evidence to justify a trusteeship establishment and shall not at the hearing, and “[t]he local must be be subject to attack during accorded the opportunity to cross-examine such period except upon the international’s witnesses and present clear and convincing proof rebuttal evidence.” Id . at 769 (citations that the trusteeship was omitted). [16] established or maintained in good faith for a purpose B. The Morris/Mack/Fischer Appeal allowable under section 462
(No. 02-1401) of this title. The Morris Plaintiffs argue that the IBT failed to conduct the fair hearing 29 U.S.C. § 464(c) (italics added). required to ratify and continue the trusteeship. They also claim that the A “fair hearing” requires notice and trusteeship is little more than Hoffa’s an opportunity to defend. Becker , 900 illegal retaliation for the exercise of their F.2d at 768. [15] “[T]he notice should set out speech. We will discuss each claim in writing the factual basis for alleged violations of law or the union’s constitution that justify imposition of a [16] Lack of counsel does not make a trusteeship hearing unfair because there is separately. maintenance of trusteeship. (I). Did The IBT Conduct a Fair The court viewed Count One as Hearing asserting two separate claims – a pre- hearing emergency trusteeship claim and to Ratify and Continue the a post-hearing maintenance trusteeship Trusteeship (Count One)? claim. 2002 WL 15900 at *3 n.5. The court denied summary judgment to Hoffa on the pre-hearing emergency trusteeship
The district court concluded that claim because it believed a genuine issue the Morris Plaintiffs failed to establish a of material fact existed as to whether the genuine issue of material fact as to the emergency trusteeship was initially unfairness of the hearing. Accordingly, imposed in accordance with the IBT the district court held that the post-hearing constitution. 2001 WL 1231741 at *4. trusteeship met the requirements of 29 U.S.C. § 464(c) and was therefore entitled However, because Morris was no to a presumption of validity which went longer a member of Local 115 when the unrebutted. 2001 WL 1231741 at *6. district court disposed of Hoffa’s summary
judgment motions, the court found that he The district court considered lacked standing to challenge the pre- allegations that the trusteeship was hearing emergency trusteeship because imposed in bad faith and for an improper any such claim would be limited to purpose in violation of § 462. The court damages suffered by the Local. 2002 WL first concluded as a matter of law that a 15900 at *3 (citing Ross v. Hotel trusteeship is permissible if supported by Employees and Restaurant Employees a single proper purpose even if an International Union , 266 F.3d 236, 249- improper purpose is also alleged. [17] Id. at 50 (3d Cir. 2001)). Accordingly, the *7. The court then considered the district court granted summary judgment numerous justifications the hearing panel to Hoffa only as against Morris on the pre- found that supported Hoffa’s decision to hearing emergency trusteeship claim. continue the trusteeship. Id. Mack and Fischer, although no longer Consequently, the district court granted elected officials of Local 115, are still summary judgment in favor of Hoffa and members of the Local. The district court against The Morris Plaintiffs on Count certified the issue of their standing to One with respect to the post-hearing pursue a damage claim on the Local’s behalf for interlocutory appeal under § 1292(b). (No. 02-2214). [17] As noted, the alleged improper purpose was Hoffa’s alleged vendetta Mack and Fischer do not contest against Morris, Mack and Fischer for their
the district court’s ruling that a single opposition to Hoffa in the 1996 and 1998 proper purpose is sufficient to justify a elections. trusteeship even where improper purposes Local 115, in exchange for are alleged. Similarly, they do not which Smith, as ultimate attempt to refute the hearing panel’s successor to Morris, would factual findings that there were numerous permit Hoffa to control proper purposes for ratifying and Local 115's seats on the continuing the trusteeship. [18] Rather, as Philadelphia Regional Port we distill their argument, they appear to be Authority, the Joint Council claiming that there are genuine issues of and the Pennsylvania material fact as to whether Hoffa and the Conference. ITB conducted a fair hearing to ratify and continue the trusteeship.
Appellants’ Br. (No. 02-1401), at 14-15. Initially, they claim that the hearing They then argue that the district court was unfair because its outcome was held, in its preliminary injunction hearing, predetermined. According to Mack and that Morris was likely to establish at trial Fischer: that the information available to Hoffa It is uncontroverted . . . that when he imposed the emergency as of February 23, 1999, an trusteeship was not sufficient to provide a agreement existed among good faith belief in the existence of an supporters of James E. emergency. See 1999 WL 1285820 at Smith, Jr., and Hoffa. *10. Thus, they claim that an inference Hoffa would use his can be drawn that Hoffa “would control authority as general the process of the hearing to ensure his president of the IBT to desired outcome.” Appellants’ Br. (No. impose a trusteeship upon 02-1401), at 15. Accordingly, they
maintain that the district court’s failure to “submit this dispute to a factfinder constitutes reversible error.” Id. at 16. [18] The reasons for the continuation We disagree. [19] of the trusteeship included: “refusal to provide members of the Local with copies
At the outset, the district court’s of their collective bargaining agreements; grant of preliminary injunctive relief intimidation and physical attacks on enjoining the imposition of the emergency members; financial abuse. . . missing
trusteeship was not a merits disposition. assets; extortion of Christmas cash gifts; compelling members of the Local to do work that benefitted Morris and his [19] We exercise plenary review of the relatives personally; and engineering of district court’s grant of summary the termination of jobs of Local members judgment. Coolspring Stone Supply, Inc. who were perceived as disloyal.” 2001 v. American States Life Ins. Co. , 10 F.3d WL 1231741 at *7. 144, 146 (3d Cir. 1993). “[A] decision on a preliminary injunction further establishes that is, in effect, only a prediction about the Hoffa and the IBT merits of the case.” United States v. Local conspired with James Smith 560, IBT , 974 F.2d 315, 330 (3d Cir. to create an excuse to 1992). Therefore, “a trial court, in institute a trusteeship. In deciding whether to grant permanent exchange for his assistance relief, is not bound by its decision or the in ousting Morris, Smith appellate court’s decision about was promised control over preliminary relief.” Id . Rather, the trial Local 115, and sure enough, court “is free to reconsider the merits of that is exactly what the case.” Id. Consequently, the district happened. court’s grant of preliminary injunctive relief does not suggest a genuine issue of material fact sufficient to preclude the Appellants’ Br. (No. 02-1401), at 23. grant of summary judgment. However, this claim ignores the fact that
Smith was elected by secret ballot of the Moreover, Mack and Fischer do not membership in an open and fair election. contest the district court’s holding that the As noted above, Local 115 conducted existence of a single proper purpose for elections for officers while this litigation the imposition of a trusteeship establishes was pending. A majority of the voting the validity of the trusteeship, even where members, not Hoffa, chose Smith to be improper motives may exist. Thus, even if president of the Local. And, Hoffa alleges we assume arguendo that a Hoffa-Morris without contradiction that he played no vendetta motivated Hoffa’s efforts to oust role in the election. Hoffa’s Br. at 23. Morris, Mack and Fischer from Local 115, Accordingly, we fail to see how an we are still left with the district court’s allegation that Hoffa promised Smith the conclusion that the hearing panel found presidency could defeat Hoffa’s motion numerous proper justifications for for summary judgment. While Mack and imposing the trusteeship. Reasons, by the Fischer assert this “uncontroverted” way, which Mack and Fischer do not even agreement that Hoffa would make Smith begin to dispute. the head of Local 115 in exchange for Moreover, the record does not Smith’s cooperation in ousting Morris, support any connection between the they concede that there is no record alleged Morris-Hoffa vendetta, the evidence that any such deal existed. imposition of a trusteeship and the Rather, their assertion rests on a rather allegation that Hoffa rewarded Smith with ethereal inference. See Appellants’ Br. the presidency of Local 115. In their (02-1401), at 7 n.3 (“Whether or not Hoffa brief, Mack and Fischer argue that: actually promised Smith control over
Local 115, as Brian Kada suggested [in the evidentiary record the Breslin Declaration], is not established on the record below; however it is 02-1401), at 17-18. reasonable to infer that Smith received
However, Mack and Fischer have such a promise ”). (Emphasis added). waived their right to make these two In any event, the Morris Plaintiffs arguments on appeal because they did not appear to retreat from their claim that the raise them in the district court. Rather, as outc o me o f a n y h e a ri n g w as the district court explained, the challenge predetermined and instead now present to the fairness of the hearing was based on two reasons for concluding that the a claim that “(1) heavy police presence hearing was unfair. First, they claim that inhibited members from testifying; [21] and they were unable to present an effective (2) [Morris, Mack and Fischer] were not case and cross-examine witnesses because allowed to have the assistance of counsel they did not have full access to Local during the hearing.” [22] 2001 WL 1231741 115's books and records. They claim that the books and records were in the custody and control of the Trustee after the
face masks. Persons entering the union imposition of the emergency trusteeship. hall had to walk a gauntlet of dozens of Thus, they could not know which masked officers lined up in two columns, witnesses the Trustee would call each day being searched and passing through a at the hearing. Second, they argue that medical detectors.” Id. (citation and the police presence outside the union hall internal quotations omitted). Mack and where the hearing was held was “ per se Fischer argue that the IBT caused this intimidation, even for Teamsters,” that heavy police presence even though there biased the panel members by sending “a was no indication for a potential for very clear message” to the panel that the violence by Morris’s supporters. charges had merit. [20] Appellants’ Br. (No. Appellants’ Br. (N002-1401) at 17-18. at *6 (emphasis added). As a general to express at meetings of the rule, “absent compelling circumstances an labor organization his appellate court will not consider issues views, upon candidates in that are raised for the first time on appeal.” an election of a labor Patterson v. Cuyler , 729 F.2d 925, 929 organization or upon any (3d Cir. 1984), overruled on other business properly before the grounds recognized in Carter v. Rafferty , meeting, subject to the 826 F.2d 1299 (3d Cir. 19987). Here, organization’s established Mack and Fischer do not suggest any such and reasonable rule s compelling circumstances and we can pertaining to the conduct of think of none. meetings: Provided , That
nothing herein shall be (ii). IBT’s Retaliation for Engaging in construed to impair the right Protected Speech. of a labor organization to In Count Two of their complaint, a d o p t a n d e n f o r c e the Morris Plaintiffs alleged that Hoffa reasonable rules as to the violated their rights to free speech under responsibility of every the Title I of the LMRDA, [23] 29 U.S.C. § m e m b e r t o w a r d t h e 411(a)(2), and disciplined them for the o r g a n i z a ti o n a s a n exercise of those rights in violation of 29 institution and to his U.S.C. § 529. refraining from conduct that
would interfere with its Section 101(a)(2) of Title I of the performance of its legal or LMRDA provides: contractual obligations. Every member of any labor organization shall have the right to meet and assemble 29 U.S.C. § 411(a)(2). Section 102 of freely with other members; Title I, 29 U.S.C. § 412, provides that any and to express any views, person whose rights have been infringed arguments, or opinions; and by a violation of § 101 may bring an
action in the district court seeking such relief as may be appropriate. Section 609
counsel who participated in the hearing. of Title VI of the LMRDA prohibits Hoffa’s Appendix, at 103-105. certain kinds of discipline of a union member. It provides: [23] Title I of the LMRDA is referred to as the “Member’s Bill of Rights.” See It shall be unlawful for any Farrell v. International Brotherhood of labor organization, or any Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen &
officer, agent, shop steward, Helpers of America (Airline Division) , 888 or other representative of a F.2d 459, 461 (6th Cir. 1989).
labor organization, or any as a political reprisal against employee thereof to fine, the members of Local 115 suspend, expel or otherwise for their vigorous electoral discipline any of its opposition to Hoffa's members for exercising any candidacy for General right to which he is entitled President and his policies." under the provision of this (Compl. ¶ 58 (emphasis chapter. The provisions of added)). Plaintiffs further section 412 of this title shall allege that "Defendants be applicable in the imposed the trusteeship enforcement of this section. a g a i n s t L o c a l 1 1 5
specifically to suppress the o p p o s i t i o n p o l i c i e s ,
29 U.S.C. § 529. electoral activities and dissent of Plaintiff Morris In their appeal from the grant of and the Plaintiff elected summary judgment on Count Two, the members of the Local 115 Morris Plaintiffs argue that the district Executive Board, to the court erred by holding that “ as a matter of policies and administration law , a determination that a presumption of Defendant Hoffa and the of validity attached to the continuation of IBT" (Compl. ¶ 59 a trusteeship pursuant to 29 U.S.C. § (emphasis added)); that 464(c), precludes the violation of an "Defendants have imposed individual union member’s rights under 29 the trusteeship against U.S.C. §§ 411 and 529.” Appellants’ Br. Local 115 to undermine the (02-1401), at 1 (emphasis in original). credibility of the expected However, that is not what the trial testimony of Plaintiffs district court held. Rather, the district Morris, Woodring and other court held that the Morris Plaintiffs’ members of Local 115 ..." nominal Title I claims were really a (Compl. ¶ 60 (emphasis challenge to the validity of the trusteeship a d d e d ) ) ; a n d t h a t that must therefore be brought under Title "Defendants have imposed III. The district court correctly the trusteeship upon Local characterized the Title I claims as follows: 115 in order to retaliate
against the members of Plaintiffs allege that Local 115 and its elected "Defendants' imposition of a officers, the Plaintiffs, for purported 'emergency' their past and current trusteeship over Local 115 political opposition to the was carried out in bad faith, policies and administration of Defendant Hoffa." Consequently, the district court granted (Compl. ¶ 61 (emphasis summary judgment to Hoffa on the Count added).) Plaintiffs expressly Two claim. cast their Title I claim as
For reasons not apparent to us, the one "challenging th e Morris Plaintiffs do not address the district unlawful imposition of a court’s rationale for granting summary trusteeship, not the job judgment to Hoffa on their Title I claim. terminations of Plaintiffs." In fact, they do not even mention that the (Pls.' Mem. at 44- 45.) district court dismissed their Title I claim as nothing more than a Title III attack on the validity of the trusteeship. Instead,
2001 WL 1231741 at *10 (italics in they argue that their removal as officials original). The district court held that the of Local 115 for engaging in protected claim was, in reality, “just another way of free speech constitutes retaliatory saying that the trusteeship was invalid discipline in violation of 29 U.S.C. § 529. because it was imposed for an improper See Appellants’ Br. (No. 02-1401), at 21 motive.” Id. The court then relied upon (“[R]emoval from union office for the the reasoning in Farrell v. International exercise of protected speech. . .constitutes Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, improper retaliatory discipline in violation Warehousemen & Helpers of America of 29 U.S.C. § 529.”) (emphasis added). (Airline Division) , 888 F.2d 459 (6th Cir. 1989), in finding that challenges to the Even if we assume arguendo that validity of a trusteeship must be raised Morris, Mack and Fischer were all under Title III, not Title I. 2 4 engaging in protected speech and also
assume that they were disciplined for doing so, their claim can still not survive our holding in Sheridan v. United [24] In Farrell , flight attendants Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of claimed that the international union’s imposition of a trusteeship immediately after they created their own local violated their Title I right to vote in local elections. appellants with their appropriate remedy. However, they did not challenge the A determination of the validity vel non of validity of the trusteeship under Title III. the trusteeship must precede any The court of appeals found that the flight determination of the appellants’ rights to attendants could not claim violation of hold local elections. If the trusteeship is a their Title I rights by means of a fraud, the statute provides a mechanism to trusteeship without first addressing the prove it and thereafter recover their Title validity of the trusteeship under in an III rights. But, let them not put the cart action under Title III. The court wrote: before the horse.” 888 F.2d at 462. “Title III, not Title I, provides these America, Local No. 626 , 306 F.2d 152 (3d the majority of appellate courts have held Cir. 1962). There we held that neither that retaliatory removal from union office Title I nor Section 609 of Title VI (29 for exercising Title I free speech rights U.S.C. § 529) provide a remedy to a violates 29 U.S.C. § 529. Appellants’ Br business agent who was removed from (No. 01-1401). at 21 (citing Bradford v. elected office prior to the expiration of his Textile Workers of America, AFL-CIO, term. We stated that “[i]t is the union- Local 1093 , 563 F.2d 1138, 1141-1142 member relationship, not the union-officer (4th Cir. 1977) (collecting cases and or union-employee relationship, that is criticizing Sheridan )). They also argue protected.” Id . at 157. We elaborated that Sheridan “does not represent the upon this in Harrison v. Local 54 of the [current] position of this court.” American Federation of State, County and Appellants’ Br (No. 02-1401). at 22 n.7. Municipal Employees , 518 F.2d 1276 (3d
However, Sheridan has been Cir. 1975): followed in Martire v. Laborers’ Local The union member is free to Union 1058 , 410 F.2d 32, 35 (3d Cir. express views, arguments or 1969), Harrison v. Local 54 , 518 F.2d at opinions on matters of 1281, and, most recently, in Ruocchio v. union business even if the United Transportation Union, Local 60 , expressions are libelous or 181 F.3d 376, 381 n.5 (3d Cir. 1999). malicious without fear of Moreover, because Sheridan is the law of discipline. Conversely, the this circuit it controls our analysis LMRDA does not provide notwithstanding any conflicting authority relief to a union officer for from other Circuit Courts of Appeals. See suspension as an officer, nor Reich v. D.M. Sabia Co ., 90 F.32d 854, for loss of income resulting 855, n.2 (3rd Cir. 1996) (“ It is the tradition therefrom. Nor does the Act of this court that a holding of a panel in a p r o v i d e r e l i ef f r o m reported opinion is binding on subsequent wrongful termination from panels.). employment. What is
Nonetheless, a caveat is in order. protected is the union- In Finnegan v. Leu , 456 U.S. 431 (1982), membership relationship. the Supreme Court concluded that the language of §§ 411(a)(1) and (2) as well as Title I’s legislative history established
518 F.2d at 1281 (3d Cir. 1975). Title I of “that it was rank-and-file union members the LMRDA therefore affords no remedy – not union officers or employees, as such for any damages resulting from plaintiffs’ – whom Congress sought to protect.” Id . removal as officers of Local 115. at 437. In dong so, the Court approvingly The Morris Plaintiffs attempt to cited our decision in Sheridan . Id. at 438. undermine this reasoning by arguing that However, about seven years after Moreover, the district court did not grant Finnegan , the Court held in Sheet Metal summary judgment to Hoffa on Count Workers’ International Association v. Two on the basis of Sheridan . Rather, as Lynn , 488 U.S. 347 (1989), that the noted above, Hoffa was granted summary removal of an elected business agent did judgment because the district court held violate Title I’s free speech provisions. that plaintiffs’ nominal Title I action was The Court distinguished between the really a Title III challenge to the removal of an appointed business agent, as imposition of the trusteeship. The Morris occurred in Finnegan , and the removal of Plaintiffs do not even discuss that issue. an elected business agent. The Court They do not even mention the Court’s noted that when an elected official is decision in Sheet Metal Workers . removed from office, the membership is Therefore, we need not inquire into the deprived of its representative of choice. impact, if any, that Sheet Metal Workers Id . at 355. “[T]he potential chilling effect has on the continued validity of our holding in Sheridan. [25] on Title I free speech rights is more pronounced when elected officials are discharged. Not only is the fired official likely to be chilled in the exercise of his [25] Our decision in Ross v. Hotel own free speech rights, but so are the Employees and Restaurant Employees members who voted for him.” Id . Int’l Union , 266 F.3d 236, 257 (3d Cir. Accordingly, the Court held that the 2001), precludes the recovery of personal retaliatory removal of an elected official damages under Title III of the LMRDA by can be actionable under Title I. The an appointed full-time salaried employee Court also held that the removed official of a union flowing from the termination of was not precluded from bringing a Title I his/her appointed employment. “Relief action because he had been removed under [Title III] must be sought on behalf during a Title III trusteeship. Id . at 356 of the local union organization and the (“[W]e find nothing in the language of the entire union membership must reap the LMRDA or its legislative history to benefits.” Id. As noted in n.15, supra , suggest that Congress intended Title I the district court, on the basis of Ross , rights to fall by the wayside whenever a found that because Morris was no longer trusteeship is imposed.’). a union member, he could not pursue a damages claim on behalf of the Local for
However, for reasons that are not any damages the Local suffered as a result apparent to us, the Morris Plaintiffs (who of the imposition of the pre-hearing were elected officials of Local 115) do not emergency trusteeship. The district court rely upon Sheet Metal Workers to support further held that Ross precluded Mack and their argument that their removal from
Fischer, who unlike Morris, were still elected office was improper retaliation in union members, from asserting a claim for violation of their Title I free speech rights.
personal damages under Title III. 2002 B. The Hoffa § 1292(b) Interlocutory evidence creates a genuine Appeal issue of material fact under
Rule 56 as to whether Hoffa (No. 02-2214) . imposed the emergency trusteeship in accordance with the IBT constitution. If
We have already noted that the Plaintiffs establish at trial district court viewed the Count One that Defendants' imposition challenge to the imposition of the o f t h e e m e r g e n c y trusteeship as two separate claims – a trusteeship suffered from “pre-hearing emergency trusteeship” claim this procedural deficiency, and a “post-hearing maintenance Plaintiffs would then have trusteeship” claim – and granted summary the opportunity to proceed judgment to Hoffa on the post-hearing on the damages claim for claim while denying summary judgment the period between the on the pre-hearing claim. The district defective imposition of the court explained: emergency trusteeship on This Court has previously November 15, 1999, and Hoffa's May 31, 2000 c o n c l u d e d , a t t h e decision, based on the post preliminary injunctio n stage, that the evidence hoc hearing, to continue the trusteeship. Accordingly, demonstrated a reasonable likelihood of proving that the Court denies the motion the information available to for summary judgment as to the emergency trusteeship Hoffa at the time he decided to impose the emergency period from November 15, 1999 to May 31, 2000. trusteeship was insufficient to provide him with a good faith belief in the existence 2001 WL 1231741 at *4. The district of an emergency. This
court then limited any recovery to the damages suffered by Local 115. The court explained:
WL 15900 at *6. However, it also held that Ross did not address the issue of Plaintiffs have not yet Mack’s and Fischer’s standing to recover
specified the nature of the damages on behalf of Local 115 from the compensatory damages imposition of the pre-hearing emergency sought under Title III. trusteeship. Id. Consequently, it certified
Plaintiffs may not, however, that issue for interlocutory appeal. Id. collect any personal damages for lost wages, loss of position, or any other individual damages on this
at 355; “the potential chilling effect of portion of the Title III Title I free speech rights is more claim. The potential damage pronounced when elected officials are recovery on a Title III claim discharged. Not only is the fired official is limited to damages to the likely to be chilled in the exercise of his local union itself. See Ross own free speech rights, but so are the v. Hotel Employees & members who voted for him.” Appellees’ Restaurant Employees Int'l Br. (O2-2214), at 13. As another Union , [266 F.3d 236 (3d example, Mack and Fischer say the Cir. 2001)]. The Court does question of whether the manner in which not reach the question of Hoffa imposed the emergency trusteeship Plaintiffs' entitlement to “resulted in a chilling effect on the such damages on behalf of membership of Local 115, and the extent the local union. [26] of the damages sustained by the membership of Local 115 as a result thereof, is a question that is best left in the continued following a fair hearing.
Id. at*4 n.5. Section 304(c) of Title III of the LMRDA provides, in relevant part: At some point after a status conference and filing of memoranda, In any proceeding pursuant Morris conceded that he was no longer a to this section a trusteeship member of Local 115. Accordingly, as established by a labor we have noted, the district court found that organization in conformity since “[t]he parties agree that because w i t h t h e proced u r a l Plaintiff Morris is no longer a member of r e q u i r e m e n t s o f i t s the Local, he lacks standing to pursue a constitution and bylaws and claim with respect to temporary authorized or ratified after a trusteeship because such damages claim fair hearing either before would be limited to damages on behalf of the executive board or the Local.” 2002 WL 15900 at *3 (citing before such other body as Ross v. Hotel Employees and Restaurant may be provided in Employees International Union , 266 F.3d a c c o r d a n c e w i t h i t s 236, 249-250 (3d Cir. 2001)). constitution or bylaws shall
be presumed valid for a Thereafter, the court certified only period of eighteen months the aforementioned question of Mack’s from the date of its and Fischer’s standing for interlocutory establishment and shall not appeal. However, we need not answer the be subject to attack during certified question because we agree with such period except upon Hoffa that the district court erred by clear and convincing proof splitting the challenge to the imposition of that the trusteeship was not the trusteeship into two separate claims. established or maintained in Under the plain language of § 464(c), the good faith for a purpose district court’s holding on the validity of allowable under section 462 the post-hearing maintenance trusteeship of this title. necessarily established the validity of the pre-hearing emergency trusteeship. Therefore, Local 115 could not have
29 U.S.C. § 464(c) (italics added). suffered any damages from the imposition “Because the Act provides that a of the emergency trusteeship that was trusteeship may be ‘authorized or ratified after a fair hearing,’. . ., a hearing meeting the requirements of the Act need not
Id . at 15 n.8. However, they never made always precede the imposition of a this damages allegation in the district trusteeship.” Becker , 900 F.2d at 769 court, and it has therefore been waived. (citing 29 U.S.C. § 464(c) (italics in original). Accordingly, “[p]ost hoc In opposing Hoffa’s appeal, Mack ratification of a trusteeship is consistent and Fischer ignore the fact that the plain with the Act so long as the union’s language of § 464(c) validates the pre- constitution provides for such a process, hearing emergency trusteeship absent the ratification hearing otherwise meets sufficient evidence to overcome the the requirements of the Act, and the presumption of validity. Instead, they hearing follows the imposition of a argue that we cannot reach the validity of trusteeship with reasonable promptness.” the pre-hearing trusteeship without Id . (citations omitted). improperly expanding the question
certified for interlocutory appeal beyond The district court found that “the the issue of standing. We disagree. post-hearing trusteeship meets the requirements of § 464(c) and is entitled to “Although the scope of review on the statutory presumption of validity.” an interlocutory appeal is generally 2001 WL 1231741 at *6. That constrained to the questions certified for presumption was not rebutted. The plain review by the district court, we may language of § 464(c) therefore compels a consider any grounds justifying reversal .” finding that the emergency trusteeship was Billing v. Ravin, Greenberg & Zackin, valid. Section 464(c) expressly requires P.A. , 22 F.3d 1242, 1245 (3d Cir. 1994) the presumption of validity of the (italics added). Moreover, “appellate trusteeship be effective “for a period of jurisdiction [under § 1292(b)] applies to eighteen months from the date of its the order certified to the court of appeals establishment.” It also provides that the and is not tied to the particular question trusteeship “shall not be subject to attack formulated by the district court.” Yamaha during such period.” Consequently, the Motor Corp. v. Calhoun , 516 U.S. 199, eighteen month period of validity of the 205 (1996). Therefore, while we cannot trusteeship cannot be construed to begin at “reach beyond the certified order to the conclusion of the ratification hearing address other orders made in the case,” we or at any time other than “the date of its can “address any issue fairly included establishment.” within the certified order.” Id . (italics
added). Here, our conclusion that § Here, the eighteen month period 464(c) necessitates a finding that the began on November 15, 1999, when Hoffa emergency trusteeship is valid is fairly imposed the emergency trusteeship, and included within the certified question of under the statute, it was not subject to plaintiffs’ standing to pursue a Title III attack during such time period. Therefore, claim for the period of the emergency Mack and Fischer are barred from trusteeship. [27] bringing any action for damages on behalf of Local Union 115 for violations of Title III for 18 months following that date. [27] We commend the district court on its handling of this complex and hotly
IV. CONCLUSION
For all of the above reasons, we will affirm the district court’s grant of final judgment under Rule 54(b) on Count Two to Hoffa and against the Morris Plaintiffs, However, we will vacate the district court’s Rule 54(b) final judgments on Count One and remand with directions that the district court enter summary judgment on Count One in favor of Hoffa and against the Morris Plaintiffs. We will also remand for disposition of Count Three of the complaint. [28] contested dispute, and on the precision and thoroughness of nearly all of its legal analysis. We disagree only with the court’s decision to split Count One into two separate claims. [28] In Count Three, the Morris Plaintiffs alleged that Hoffa and the IBT violated the IBT Constitution by imposing the emergency trusteeship over Local 115 in the absence of any colorable emergency, in violation of the LMRDA, 29 U.S.C. § 185. In Count One, they challenged the imposition of the emergency trusteeship on the grounds that it violated both Title III of the LMRDA and the IBT Constitution. In discussing Count One in its summary judgment remains of the Count Three claim given opinion, the district court noted that, “[t]he our holding that summary judgment provisions in the IBT constitution should be granted to Hoffa and against the governing trusteeships closely track those Morris Plaintiffs on the Count One claim. in the LMRDA.” 2001 WL 1231741 at However, this is best resolved by the *3. Therefore, it may well be that nothing district court.
NOTES
[4] Morris’s demeanor was often clock.” Rather, he insisted that his position beyond bounds attributable to normal on the Joint Council entitled him to such anger. He allegedly reinforced the services. In fact as noted above, it was intimidation by carrying a gun in the corroborated by Morris’s own conduct office in violation of the IBT Constitution. during the very hearings that were
[11] The district court denied Hoffa’s Hotel Employees and Restaurant motion for § 1292(b) certification as to all Employees International Union , 266 F.3d other issues. Id. 236, 245-249 (3d Cir. 2001).
[15] “Under the common law prior to no right to representation by counsel at the passage of the LMRDA, a trusteeship such a hearing. See, e.g., Transport imposed upon a subordinate body was Workers Union of Phila. Local v. invalid unless the subordinate body was Transport Workers Union of Amer., AFL- granted a fair hearing.” J.D. Jolly v. CIO , 2000 WL 1521507 at *2 (E.D.Pa. Gorman , 428 F.2d at 967. Sept. 29, 2000).
[21] The district court held that the
[20] Plaintiffs claim that the IBT’s presence of police security at the site of website reported: “Outside the hall, more the hearing did not by itself render the than 100 law enforcement officers were on hearing unfair. 2001 WL 1251741 at *6 hand to ensure that the hearing proceeded (citing Chapa v. Local 18 , 737 F.2d 929, without violence instigated by Morris 933 (11th Cir. 1984). supporters.” Appellants’ Br. (No. 02-
[22] The district court held that there is 1401), at 9 (citation omitted). They also say: “The IBT brought in these police no right to counsel at a trusteeship officers, including armed police and hearing. 2001 WL 1231741 at *6, and SWAT team officers assisted by that is not contested on appeal. sharpshooters, canine officers and officers Furthermore, it appears from the mounted on horseback. The police transcripts of the hearing that Morris, officers were clad in black riot gear, with Mack and Fischer were represented by
[26] Mack and Fischer appear to hands of the finder of fact.” Id . at 15. concede that they have yet to identify the Admittedly, Mack and Fischer do nature of the damages they seek on behalf make an allegation of appropriate Title III of Local 115. They argue that because damages in a footnote in their brief. Ross was decided during the pendency of There they state: the summary judgment proceedings, the “nature and quantum of damages is not Title III damages in the case part of the record on the motion for at bar involve, inter alia, summary judgment.” Appellees’ Br. (No. transfer of at least one union 02-2214), at 13. Nonetheless, they assert shop organized by Local that “the court [of appeals] can reasonably 115 to Teamsters Local 500, infer the nature, if not the quantum, of the Local of emergency damages to Local 115 and its membership trustee Edward J. Keyser, generally.” Id . Jr., in exchange for his However, it is not our function to support. The membership “infer the nature” of their damages. fees of the transferred union Moreover, when Mack and Fischer do shop are significant enough refer to their damages, it is clear that they to justify the continued are claiming personal Title I damages, not existence of Local 500, Title III damages to the local. For which was suffering a example, they quote the following from significant decline. Sheet Metal Workers Int’l Assn. , 488 U.S.