CompFox Logo
AboutWorkflowFeaturesPricingCase LawInsights

Updated Daily

Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Organized Maintenance, Inc. v. Brock (In Re Organized Maintenance, Inc.)

Organized Maintenance, Inc. (OMI), a Chapter 11 debtor, initially secured a Bankruptcy Court order in April 1985 that stayed the U.S. Department of Labor from pursuing debarment proceedings against OMI under the Service Contract Act, related to pre-bankruptcy wage and fringe benefit violations. The Bankruptcy Court's order also nullified a prior debarment decision and denied the defendants' motion to dismiss. The defendants, including the Secretary of Labor, appealed this decision to the District Court. During the appeal, OMI expressed its desire to withdraw the adversary proceeding and consented to the continuation of debarment processes. Consequently, the District Court vacated the Bankruptcy Court's order as moot, dismissed the adversary proceeding, and permitted the defendants to resume debarment proceedings against OMI, with each party bearing its own costs.

BankruptcyService Contract ActDebarmentWage ViolationsMootnessAdversary ProceedingFederal Government ContractsChapter 11Federal Rules of Civil ProcedureAppellate Review
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Farrand Optical Co. v. Local 475, International Union of Electrical, Radio & MacHine Workers

The plaintiff, a New York corporation engaged in manufacturing optical goods for the U.S. Air Force, sought a preliminary injunction against an unincorporated labor organization representing its employees. The dispute stemmed from a strike in May 1956, despite a no-strike clause in an existing collective bargaining agreement. A subsequent agreement on July 6, 1956, aimed to resolve the issues, but the defendant union argued it was conditional on employee ratification and compliance with a return-to-work clause, neither of which occurred. The court determined the July 6th agreement was binding and that the ongoing situation did not constitute a 'labor dispute' under the Norris-LaGuardia Act, thus granting the plaintiff's motion for a preliminary injunction. This injunction prohibits the defendant from misrepresenting a strike or labor dispute, picketing under such pretext, and violating the July 6th agreement, but does not compel employees to return to work.

Labor LawInjunctionCollective BargainingStrikeNorris-LaGuardia ActTaft-Hartley ActContract DisputeFederal Court JurisdictionPreliminary InjunctionRatification
References
21
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Danielson ex rel. National Labor Relations Board v. Dressmakers Joint Council, International Ladies Garment Workers Union

This case involves a petition for a temporary injunction filed by the acting Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against the Dressmakers Joint Council, International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU). The NLRB sought to enjoin the union from picketing Newport Miss, Inc. (Newport) following a complaint that the union was engaging in an unfair labor practice in violation of Section 8(b)(7)(C) of the National Labor Relations Act. The union argued that its picketing had lawful objectives, including protesting an employee discharge and informing the public about Newport's substandard wages, and denied any current organizing interest. The court found that the Regional Director had reasonable grounds to believe the union's picketing had an unlawful objective of compelling recognition or employee union membership, causing irreparable injury to Newport and its contractors. Consequently, the court granted the temporary injunction against the union's picketing for 60 days or until the NLRB determines the merits of the pending charge.

Labor LawUnfair Labor PracticeTemporary InjunctionPicketingNational Labor Relations ActUnion OrganizingSecondary BoycottNLRB EnforcementEmployer RightsLabor Dispute
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Santo v. Laborers' International Union

This case addresses a dispute between union members and their labor organizations concerning a dues increase implemented during a trusteeship. Plaintiffs challenged the unilateral dues increase by a trustee under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and the union's constitution. The court found that the trustee's action violated the LMRDA's provision requiring member participation in dues decisions, even under a trusteeship. However, the claim based on the union constitution was dismissed due to the plaintiffs' failure to exhaust internal union remedies. The court granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs on the LMRDA claim and to the defendants on the union constitution claim, leaving the issue of damages unresolved.

LMRDAUnion DuesTrusteeshipLabor Management Reporting and Disclosure ActSummary JudgmentExhaustion of RemediesUnion ConstitutionVoting RightsDemocratic GovernanceLabor Unions
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Smith v. Sipe

The dissenting opinion argues for the dismissal of a complaint alleging a breach of the duty of fair representation by a labor organization. The judge contends that merely providing incorrect advice, as alleged against the union representative, does not constitute the type of egregious conduct—arbitrary, discriminatory, or bad faith actions—that the duty of fair representation was established to prevent. While acknowledging a developing area of law where some courts have extended this duty to include negligence, the majority of jurisdictions maintain a stricter interpretation. The dissent emphasizes that the duty was created to prevent invidious treatment, not to address simple negligence. Therefore, the complaint's allegations are deemed insufficient to establish a cause of action for breach of this duty.

Duty of Fair RepresentationLabor LawUnion ConductGrievance ProcedureNegligenceArbitrary ConductBad FaithDiscriminatory ConductDissenting OpinionJudicial Interpretation
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Seybert v. International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots

Plaintiff John R. Seybert, a member of the International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots (IOMM & P) union, filed a lawsuit alleging violations of the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) and a breach of the duty of fair representation. Seybert contested his reclassification from Group A to Group B under a new union by-law, arguing it was a retroactive and punitive measure for his political activities. The union contended the rule was a reasonable method to allocate jobs to active seafarers. The court granted summary judgment to the defendant, determining that the reclassification was not an unlawful disciplinary action under the LMRDA and did not constitute a breach of the duty of fair representation. Additionally, the court granted summary judgment on the retroactivity claim, as the plaintiff offered no opposition.

Union DisputesLabor Management Reporting and Disclosure ActDuty of Fair RepresentationSummary JudgmentUnion By-lawsJob ClassificationHiring Hall RulesInternal Union PoliticsRetroactive ApplicationMember Reclassification
References
13
Case No. CA 16-00663
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 10, 2017

INTERNATIONAL UNION (DISTRICT) v. NEW YORK STATE DEPT. OF LABOR

This case involves an appeal concerning the interpretation of Labor Law § 220 (3-e) in New York, specifically regarding the prevailing wage for glazier apprentices on public works projects. Plaintiffs, a consortium of unions, individuals, and businesses, challenged the New York State Department of Labor's (DOL) interpretation that glazier apprentices performing work classified for another trade (like ironworkers) must be paid at the journeyman rate for that other trade. The Supreme Court initially dismissed the plaintiffs' complaint, upholding the DOL's position. However, the Appellate Division reversed this decision, ruling that Labor Law § 220 (3-e) permits glazier apprentices registered in a bona fide program to be paid apprentice rates, irrespective of whether the work performed falls under a different trade classification. The court concluded that the DOL's interpretation was contrary to the plain meaning of the statute and thus not entitled to deference.

Apprenticeship ProgramsLabor LawPublic Works ProjectsGlaziersIronworkersPrevailing WageStatutory InterpretationNew York State Department of LaborDeclaratory JudgmentAppellate Review
References
33
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Local 1545, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America v. Vincent

Local 1545, a labor union, initiated this action against Merle D. Vincent, Jr., Regional Director of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), seeking to enjoin a representation election for employees of Pilgrim Furniture Company, Inc. The NLRB had directed the election due to a 'hot-cargo' clause present in Local 1545's collective bargaining agreement, a clause subsequently rendered unenforcible by Congress. The court first established jurisdiction over the regional director, dismissing arguments regarding indispensable parties. The core legal question was whether the NLRB's policy to direct an election based on the hot-cargo clause was so unfounded as to warrant judicial intervention. The court ultimately found a reasonable basis for the NLRB's policy and concluded that the board's action neither violated an explicit statutory command nor raised a significant constitutional question. Consequently, the complaint was dismissed, and the motion for a temporary injunction was also dismissed as moot.

Labor LawNational Labor Relations Board (NLRB)Representation ElectionInjunctionCollective Bargaining AgreementHot-Cargo ClauseJurisdictionStatutory InterpretationJudicial ReviewUnfair Labor Practice
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Greenblatt v. New York State Labor Relations Board

This declaratory judgment action addresses whether the New York State Labor Relations Board (SLRB) has jurisdiction over a skilled nursing and health-related facility operated by the New York State Commissioner of Health as a receiver. The plaintiff, Robert M. Greenblatt, as the Commissioner's designee, contended that the receivership performed governmental functions, exempting it from SLRB jurisdiction under Labor Law § 715(2). The court examined prior cases involving state agency heads acting as receivers and found the plaintiff's arguments for differentiation unpersuasive. The court ruled that the employees of these facilities are not state employees and that denying SLRB jurisdiction would leave them unable to select union representation, especially given the receivership's prolonged duration. Consequently, the court declared that the SLRB does have jurisdiction over the employees for representational hearings and unfair labor practice matters.

JurisdictionState Labor Relations BoardReceiverPublic Health LawLabor LawSkilled Nursing FacilityHealth-Related FacilityCollective BargainingDeclaratory JudgmentStatutory Interpretation
References
11
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 03, 2000

RLI Insurance v. New York State Department of Labor

This appeal concerns a dispute between a surety and the Department of Labor over funds held by a school district. The surety, after posting performance and payment bonds for a public improvement project, expended over $176,000 to complete the project and pay laborers following the contractor's default. The Department of Labor sought to withhold funds from the school district for the contractor's underpaid wages on both the subject project and an unrelated one, invoking Labor Law § 220-b (2) (a) (1). The Supreme Court dismissed the surety's application, ruling that the Department of Labor's claim for underpaid wages, even from unrelated projects, was superior. The Appellate Division affirmed this judgment, establishing that Labor Law § 220-b (2) creates a statutory trust for underpaid wages that takes precedence over a surety's subrogation claims.

Surety bondsPerformance bondPayment bondPublic improvement projectSubrogation rightsUnderpaid wagesPrevailing wageStatutory trustLien LawLabor Law
References
3
Showing 1-10 of 9,313 results

Ready to streamline your practice?

Apply these legal strategies instantly. CompFox helps you find decisions, analyze reports, and draft pleadings in minutes.

CompFox Logo

The AI standard for workers' compensation professionals. Faster research, deeper analysis, better outcomes.

Product

  • Platform
  • Workflow
  • Features
  • Pricing

Solutions

  • Defense Firms
  • Applicants' Attorneys
  • Insurance carriers
  • Medical Providers

Company

  • About
  • Insights
  • Case Law

Legal

  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Trust
  • Cookies
  • Subscription

© 2026 CompFox Inc. All rights reserved.

Systems Operational