Petition for Writ of Certiorari — Danica Bulovic, Petitioner v. The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, LLC, et al.
Supreme Court briefFeb 10, 2018
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11
No.
In The
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
DANICA BULOVIC,
Petitioner
VS
THE STOP & SHOP SUPERMARKET CO. LLC
UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL WORKER'S
INTERNATIONAL UNION INDUSTRY PENSION
FUND FUTURE SERVICE PENSION PLAN,
P.O.BOX 6000 FRANKFORT, ILLINOIS 60423- 6000
-
UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL WORKER'S
1500 LOCAL INTERNATIONAL UNION AGENT
FOR SERVICE OF LEGAL PROCESS,425,MERRICK
AVENUE, WESTBURY, N.Y. 11590
Respondents
-
ON PETITION FOR A WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
SECOND CIRCUIT 16-3341 CV
PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTORIARI
DANICA BULOVIC, pro se
325, Palmer Terrace, Apt.2C
Mamaroneck, N. Y. 10543
Phone No. (914) 630-2185
QUESTION PRESENTED
Question is: Whether United Food & Commercial Workers Internatonal Union Industry Pension Fund Future Service Pension Plan
("U.F.C.W. International Union Plan") violate:
Section 411 (d)(6) unti-cutback Rule of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended ("the Code"), 204 (g) of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,("ERISA") as amended, and Section
4022(a) of Title IV of ERISA a Plan Termination Insurance Program
"non- forfeitable" "individual accrued benefits determined under the
plan.Sec. 1.2 of the Plan, (1002(23)(A), 29 U.S.C. 1054(c)(3),
if U.F.C.W. International Union Plan permits U.F.C.W Local 1500
International Union Administrator discretion to provide or not provide particular form or type of protected benefits, under the Pension
Plan, at Normal Plan's retirement date 60, which Petitioner reached
in February 1997 when Private Employer Royal Ahold closed all it's
Supermarkets in Westchester County, N.Y.
Qualified plan is maintained by International Union under Collective Bargaining Agreements and section 1001 as part of Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980, which Plan Petitioner
discovered and filed application for overdue benefit in October 2013.
"The term 'nonforfeitable' means a claim.., to that part of
a... benefit. which arises from participant's service, which is
unconditional. and which is legally enforceable against the plan
29 U.S.C. 1002(19),insured by Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
.
.
The following facts are undisputed: On May 1, 1995 private employer
Royal Ahold, known as Stop & Shop pursuant to a collective bargained Agreements with First National Supermarket merged into multi employer defined plan covering employees represented by U.F.C.WLocal 1500 International Union. Benefits accrued under a merged
participating Plan are subject to the provisions of that Plan immediately before participation in the Plan. Payments of benefits are blocked,
based on previous Judgment for statutory violations for breaches of
fiduciary duty for failure to provide plan documents under sec.502. In
Duffy v, Brannen ,529 A 2d 643,Vt.1987 the court held that her claim
for statutory violation is not within the scope of state court jurisdiction. If Petitioner in the original action for pension plan documents
had not standing to sue under principles governing the federal court
see ASARCO Inc. v. Kadish, 490 U.S. 605 (1989), See also Marriage
of Oddino, 939 P.2d 1266 (Cal. 1997). Supreme Court may grant the
petition on certiorari, because "ERISA preempts any and all State
Laws in so far as they may now or hereafter relate to any employee
benefit plan" 29 U.S.C. 1144.
(i)
LIST OF PARTIES
DANICA BULOVIC, prose
Petitioner
VS
THE STOP & SHOP SUPERMARKET CO. LLC
1385, HANCOCK STREET, QUINCY, MA 02169
(Attorneys for Stop & Shop, Amy L. Ventry- Kagan,
Daniel Gomez-Sanches, Littler Mendelson P.C. 290
Broadhollow Road ,Suite 305, Melville, N.Y. 11747).
UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL WORKER'S
INTERNATIONAL UNION INDUSTRY PENSION
FUND FUTURE SERVICE PENSION PLAN, P.O.
Box 6000 Frankfort, Illinois 60423-6000, pro-se
-
UNITED FOOD & COMMERCIAL WORKER'S
1500 LOCAL INTERNATIONAL UNION
AGENT FOR SERVICE OF LEGAL PROCESS, 425,
Merrick Avenue, Westbury, N.Y. 11590.
-
Respondents
(ii)
CORPORATE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
PURSUANT TO 26.1 OF THE FEDERAL
RULES OF APPELATE PROCEDURE
Appellee
Respondent The Stop & Shop
-
Supermarket Company LLC discloses that
it is a whollyown subsidiary of Ahold U.S.A.
Inc. of which Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize
N. V. is the parent entity. Koninklijke
Ahold Deihaize N. V. is a publicly traded
company (OTC QX: ADRNY; AMS: AD).
No other publicly
-
held corporation owns
10% or more of Appellee—Respondent's stock.
(iii)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
QUESTION
(i)
LIST OF ALL PARTIES
(ii)
CORPORATE DISCLOSURE
(iii)
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
(vi)
1
APPEALS COURT DID NOT REVIEW PLAN
UNDER WHICH PETITIONER WORKED
2
DISTRICT COURT PUBLISHED ONLY A 20
PAGE OPINION DEVELOPING AS BASIS
FOR DISTRICT COURT DECISION
3
STATEMENT'-' Statutory provisions are involved—
4
DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN 29 U.S.C. (35)
5
PENSION BILL OF RIGHTS OF 1994---'-----'--' 6
PETITIONER'S EMPLOYMENT AND HOURS
WORKED FROM 1988 PLAN YEAR TO 2000
7
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING PLANS
8
PENSION PLAN- INTERNATIONAL UNION
CONSTITUCION, ARTICLE 27
---'
9
YEARS OF VESTING SERVICE
10
NORMAL RETIREMENT PENSION
(iv)
--'--'-
11
COMMENCEMENT OF PENSION AFTER
NORMAL RETIREMENT DATE AND
RETROACTIVE PAYMENT
12
BINDING EFFECT OF COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENTS
13
LOCAL 1500 INTERNATIONAL UNION ASSERTS
"THAT SPD 2013 DO NOT GOVERN THEIR FUND" 14
REFORM ACT OF 1986 ("TRA 86" PUBLIC. LAW
99-514 1113 (e)(11) AND INTERNAL REVENUE
MANUAL DATED 05/04/2001
15
SECTION 1144(a) PREEMPTS STATE REGULATION
THAT "REGULATE ERISA PENSION PLAN"
15
PURPOSE OF TITLE III OF LABOR MANAGEMENT
RELATIONS ACT OF 1947, "LMRA" AS AMENDED-- 18
ACCRUED BENEFIT
20
FACTUAL BACKGROUND- MERGER SINGLE
EMPLOYER INTO MULTI EMPLOYER PLAN - 21
STOP & SHOP WAS ACTING AS EMPLOYER AND
IN FIDUCIARY CAPACITY
22
STATUTORY ANTI-ALIENATION PROVISION
ERISA 1056 (d) (1) AND FIDUCIARY VIOLATION
OF SECTION 411, 29 U.S.C.. par. 1109 (a).
23
ERISA 502 (1) (B) BENEFIT CLAIM
24
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES DID NOT MAKE
DECISION ON PETITIONER'S PENSION CLAIM
25
(v)
SMALL BUSINESS JOB PROTECTION ACT SBJPA
IMPOSED 5 YEAR VESTING ON COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING PLANS TERMINATED AND
EXISTING BEFORE AUGUST 20, 1996
26
MULTI EMPLOYER PLANS AFFECTING INTERSTATE COMMERCE,AND FEDERAL TAX POWER,
29 U.S.C. 1001
27
ACCRUALS AND TERMINATION OF INSURANCE
PROGRAM
28
DISTINCTION BETWEEN BENEFIT ACCRUAL
AND VESTING- 204 CENTRAL LABORER'S FUND
30
STANDING UNDER 'ERISA' SEC. 502 (a)
31
RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS RULE UNDER
FUTURE SERVICE PENSION CREDIT EARNED
AFTER 1984
32
PLAN TERMINATION INSURANCE
33
REASON FOR GRANTING THE PETITION FOR
WRIT OF CERTIORARI
34
CONCLUSION
37
-
APPENDICES
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
Cases:
Aetna Health Inc. v, Davila, 542 U.S. 2000 (2004)
ASARCO Inc. v. Kadish, 490 U.S..650
Allessi v,Raybestos-Manhatt,Inc, 451 U.S. 504
(1981)
(vi)
Page
18
'-- (i)
35
Boggs v. Boggs, 520 U.S. 833 (1997)
'--- 18
California Div. of Labor Standards Enforcement v.
Dillingham Constr.,NA, 519 U.S. 316 (1997)'--- 16
Central Laborer's Pension Fund v. Heinz 748,
124 s.c 2230, 159 L Ed. 2d 46 (2004)-'-"-"- 13
Columbia v. Greater Wash.Bd of Trade,506
U.S 125, 128, 129, 133 (1992).
De Buono v, NYSA-ILA Med. & Clinical Servs.
Fund, 520 U.S. 806, 814-815 (1997)
-"- 16
-- 17
16
Egelhoffv. Egeihoff, 532 U.S. 141
Esden v. Bank of Boston, 5 F. Supp.2d 214 (1998)--"-"- 22
Fort Halifax Packing Co. v.Coyne 482 U.S. 1
(1987)
37 17
Hein v. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
889 F. 3d 210 (3rd Cir. 1996, cert.denied
519 U.S. 1056 (1997)
-'---- 5
Hughes Aircraft Co. v. Jacobson
525 U.S. 432 (1999)-
--"-
Ingersoll-Rand Co. v. McClendon, 498 U.S. 133
(1990)
Lindsay v. Thiokol Corp. 112 F.3d 1068
(1997)
Lockheed Corp. v. Spink 517 U.S., 882, 887
(1996)'-"
(vii)
5
5, 16
15
--'-'-- 22
Kaiser Steel Corp. 455 U,S. 76-79
-
19
Mackey v. Lanier Collection Agency & Serv., Inc.,
486 U.S.825 (1988)
-- 16
Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Massachusetts—
'"-"17
Massachusetts Life Ins.Co. VRussell 473 U.S.
134,148 (1985)
- 17.5
Nachman Corp, 446 U.S. 375
---'5
New York State Conference of Blue Cross & Blue
Shield Plans v. Travelers Ins. Co, 514 U.S. 645
(1995)
16
ONEOK, Inc. v. Learjet, Inc, 135 S Ct. 1591 (2015)
17
Register v. PNC Fin Serv. Group Inc. 477 F.3
56,61-62 (2007) -----------------------------------5
Rice v. Santa Fe Elevator Corp., 331 U.S. 218 236
(1947)
17
Shaw v Delta Air Lines, Inc., 463 U.S. 85
(1983)
--- 17
Spacek v. Matitime Assoc.
134 F. 3d, 283 (5th Cir. 1998)
'----- 20
Travelers 514 U.S. at 655, 656
---- 16
United States v. Locke, 529 U.S 89, 109 (2000)-----'----- 17
22,19
Varity Corp. 516U.5.at
(viii)
STATUTES AND REGULATIONS:
Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-16 645 (b)(2),115 Stat 38
EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
OF 1974,Pub. L. No. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829 (29 U.S.C. 1001
et 29 USC 1104(a)(1)(D)
Internal Revenue Code 26 U.S.C. 401
Labor Management Relations Act of 1947,
(LMRA), 61 Stat. 156, 29 U.S.C. 185
29 U.S.C. 185 (301)
Pension Protection Act of 2006, Pub. L. 109-280
Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996 ("SBJPA")
Public Pub.L. 104-188, 110 Stat.1755 (1996)
1994 Amendment, Pub. L. 103-465 no reduction in
accrued benefits
IX
S
INDEX OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
U.S. Court of Appeals For Second Circuit 16 CV3341 : October 5, 2017; and December 14, 2017.
APPENDIX B.
U. S. District Court SDNY 12cv 4758 docket 33 was
electronically filed on April 3, 2014 by SDNY,
as a Proof that the Case was for the Breach of Fiduciary's duty to provide plan documents under Bargaining contracts "which do not exist, under Affidavit
of Administrator of UFCW Local 1500 Union."
APPENDIX C
US District Court SDNY 12cv4758 docket 32 was
filed on March 31,2014and published only 20 page
of opinion developments out of 52 page, enclosed.
-
APPENDIX D
Motion for pension benefit under discovered International Union Pension Summary Plan Description Case
16 cv 4737 , October 7, 2016 and November 17, 2016.
was Dismissed on October 7,2016 without due process
APPENDIX E
Transcripts of SDNY 12ev 4758, January 18, 2013 and
April 17, 2013 are enclosed, as a proof that this Case
was for Statutory violation of ERISA.
APPENDIX F
Summary Pension Plan Description of UFCW International Union-Future Service Pension Plan.
APPENDIX G Pension Application.
APPENDIX H Collective Bargaining Agreements
A&P-Waldbaums Local 338 with Stop & Shop.
APPENDIX I
Constitution of UFCW International Union.
IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI
Petitioner respectfully prays that a writ of certiorari issue to review the
judgment below
OPINIONS BELOW
The opinion of the United States court of appeals is not reported and
Appears at Appendix A to the petition.
The opinion of the United States district court is reported at14 F Supp
3d on March 31, 2014 only 20 page opinion developing,
but ultimately rejected the best argument for her position and it was
base for their Judgment." Appeals Court remarks.
(See 52 pages Appendix C)
JURISDICTION
The date on which the United States Court of Appeals decided case was
October 5, 2017.
A timely petition for rehearing was denied by the United State Court of
Appeals on the following date: December 14, 2017, and the copy of the order
denying rehearing appears at Appendix A
Present: GUIDO CALABRESI,
DEBRA ANN LIVINGSTON, Circuits Judges,
JED S. RAKOFF, DISTRICT Judge, sitting by designation.
The Jurisdiction of this Court is invoked under 28 U.S.C. 1254(1).
1,
APPEALS COURT DID NOT REVIEW
PLAN UNDER WHICH BULOVIC WORKED
In October, 2013 Bulovic discovered and received Pension Plan from
UFCW International Union and applied for Pension benefit which is
processed and blocked payments, based on District Court Order dated
March 31, 2014, for Administrator for refusal of plan documents.
International Union Fund maintains defined pension plan, Sec. 3(2)
of The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended 29 U.S.C. 1002(2), which plan (i) provides retirement income to
employees or (ii) result in a deferral of income by employees for period extending to the termination of covered employment.
Summary Plan Description on page 7. explains: "Under ERISA Fedeera! Law you must have at least five years of vesting service to earn
a "non-forfeitable" right to a pension under Future Service Plan that
cannot be taken from you".
Because Future Service Plan have not began payments of benefit
under the Plan, on June 16, 2016 Bulovic filled Motion under Section
502((a)(1)(B of ERISA,, 29 U.S.C. 1132 (a)(1)(B) and Title III Sec.301
of Labor Management Relation Act, Pension Bill of Rights Act of Oct.
6, 1994 S 2531 (103) for pension benefit, at normal plan's retirement
age, under ERISA defined (35) discovered International Union plan,
which motion District Court dismissed on September 7,2016 without
due process. Bulovic's timely, motion for reconsideration denied on
Nov. 17, 2016. as they wrote "Bulovic was neither "participant" nor
"beneficiary" under ERISA. "Bulovic asserts that Stop & Shop
"operated under the names: 1. The First National Supermarket,
2. Finast, d.b.a.Edwards, 3. Stop & Shop 4. Waldbaum's" They wrote:
"There were breaks in Bulovic employment when she worked for
employers who did not contributed to the pension Fund, thereby making Bulovic ineligible to receive pension benefit.
This is wrong. Bulovic worked without break in Service for 12
plan years for Stop & Shop who is participant in Future Service
Plan. Stop & Shop operated under the above names and bought
Waldbaum's Store and converted it into Stop & Shop Supermarket.
Bulovic worked under Collective Bargaining Agreements effective
June 18, 1988 between Single Employer Royal Ahold, known as The
First National Supermarkets, Inc. as employer and UFCW International Union, which employer merged on May 1, 1995 into multiemployer Future Service Plan, with Reciprocity Agreement effective January 1, 1989. See page 62 of SPD, New England UFCW and Emplo2.
yers Pension Fund. First National Supermarket and Stop & Shop
paid Bulovic's wages to April 1,1998 when Bulovic earned 10 years
of Pension Service at age 61. See: page 7. Social Security Report of
Bulovic's employment. Normal Pension Plan's retirement age Go
was effective after 1988 and advertized in Union News-paper.
On Oct. 5, 2017,Appeals Court wrote: "District Court denied Bulovic's
motion for reconsideration on Nov. 17, 2016, under Sec. 502 of ERISA,
and Pension Plan under which Bulovic worked.
In 2012, Bulovic sued the United Food & Commercial Workers Local
Union, affiliated with International Union, Bruce Both, Agent for Service of Legal Process of UFCW Local 1500 Union for Plan documents.
"Bulovic contends that the present case is distinct from her earlier activity because in that case she was not actually attempting to claim
her pension benefits.Instead, she says, she was only alleging breach of
fiduciary duty of Local Union Administrator for refusal to provide relevant pension plan documents under section 502.
The District Court in Bulovic I construed her Complaint as asserting
her action under section 104(b) of the Employee Security Act of 1974
("ERISA"), and challenging the Administrator's refusal of plan documents under collective bargaining agreements.
District Court concluded that Bulovic lack standing to assert this Claim because she was neither a "participant" nor a "beneficiary" under
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act 1974, 29 U.S.C. 1001,
ERISA and on March 31,2014, after 22 months, District Court under
deposition testimony of Bruce Both,Agent for Service of Legal Process
of Local 1500 Union granted Summary Judgment to Administrator.
"Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(a)4 Motion does not give the Appeals Court jurisdiction to Review that order. District Court filed Notice
of Appeal after entry of Judgment". Appeals Court did not review
New Discovered Pension plan, under which Bulovic worked".
Federal Appeals Court wrote: "Bulovic can prevail only by demonstrating she met one of her pension plan's criteria for vesting in Bulovic I;
She earned her benefits while employed with The First National Supermarket, which in turn was owned by Stop & Shop Supermarket.
Stop & Shop was contributed money to United Food & Commercial
Worker International Union Pension Fund on behalf of The First
National Supermarket Inc. employees, including Bulovic Id. At 367.
"District Court published a twenty Page Opinion developing,
but ultimately rejecting the best argument for her position;"
This 20 pages was basis for the District court's decision in
Bulovic I.
Appeal Court remarks). App. C, 52 pages enclosed.
3.
Pro-se Petitioner Danica Bulovic Brings this Action under
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ERISA 1001(a)b Sec. 502(a), 29 U.S.C. 1132 and Title
III Sec.301of Labor Management Relation Act. Pension Bill of
Rights Act of October 6, 1994, S.2531.
STATUTORY AND REGULATORY PROVISIONS
INVOLVED
STATEMENT
The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ERISA, 29 U.S.C. 1001 et seq., is designed to "protect the interest of participants in employee benefit plan and their beneficiaries by establishing standards of conduct, responsibility,
and obligation for fiduciaries of employee benefit plans, and
by providing for a appropriate remedies, sanctions and ready
access to the Federal courts." 29 U.S. C 1001(b).The statute
governs both pension plans and "employee welfare benefit plans" ERISA requires every plan to be established and maintained pursuant to written instrument and to have named fiduciaries who have authority to control and manage the administration of the plan and its assets 29 U.S.C.1102 (a) (1), 1103(a).
With specified exceptions, ERISA preempts" any and all State
laws insofar as they relate to any employee benefit plan" 29
U.S.C. 1144 (a). The Secretary has authority to investigate plans for ERISA violations by inspecting plan documents, administrative, and claims records. 29 U.S.C. 1134. ERISA also
authorizes the Secretary "to undertake research and surveys
and in connection therewith to collect, compile, analyze and publish date, information relating to employee benefit plans."
29 U.S.C. 1143 (a)(1).
1.Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
(ERISA ) 29 U.S.C.1001 pension plans are classified as either
"defined contributions plans" or "defined benefit Plans" under
Title III of ERISA.A "defined contribution plan" 29 U.S.C. 1002
(34) provides" an individual account for each participant", and
benefits are "based solely upon the amount contributed" to the
account by the participant and his employer. Under such a plan '[t]he employee bears the investment risks and the employer does not guarantee a retirement benefit to the employee".
Register v. PNC Fin. Service Group.Inc. 477 F. 3d 56,
61-62 (3rd Cir. 2007). The Plan Termination Insurance
provisions of ERISA do not apply to such plan 29 U.S.C.
1321 (b) (1).
A "defined benefit plan", is other type of pension pian.29
U.S.C. (35}. Under a defined benefit plan, the Participant is
entitled to benefit upon retirement, and the "employer's
contribution (in this case Stop & Shop contribution), is adjusted to whatever level is necessary to provide those benefits "
Nachman Corp. v. PBGC, 446 U.S.359, 364 n.5 (1980).
Such a Plan "consists of general pool of assets rather than
individual dedicated accounts." Hughes Aircraft Co. v. Jacobson, 525 U.S. 432,439 (1999).Under such a plan "members
have a right to a defined level of benefits, known as 'accrued
benefit." The Plan Termination insurance provisions of
ERISA apply to Defined benefit Plan.
One of ERISA 's primary purposes is to "protect contractually defined benefits" Massachusetts Mut.Life Ins Co. v. Russell,473 U.S. 134,148 (1985) Congress wanted to make sure
that if worker has been promised defined pension benefit upon retirement and if he has fulfilled whatever conditions
are required to obtain a vested benefit he actually. will
receive it. "Nachman Corp". 446 U. S. at 375.
-
ERISA furthers that goal through its non-forfeiture and
Actual equivalence provisions. First, the statute provides
that in define benefit plan an employee's benefits must vest
no later than as provided under the applicable statutory
vesting schedule. 29 U.S.C. 1053 (a) (2000 & Supp.V 2005).
When employee's benefit vest, the "employee's right to his
normal retirement benefit is nonforfeitable", and, if the employee leaves his employment before normal retirement age,
he is entitled to the benefit he has accrued up to that point.
5
Second, ERISA ensures that, if a participant retires after his
pension benefits have vested but before normal retirement
age,he is not penalized for that choice. The statute defines a
participant's" accrued benefit" as his "accrued benefit determined under the plan and except as provided in section
1054 (c) (3) of [Title 291, expressed in form of an annual benefit commencing at normal retirement age," i.e.,an annuity
payable at retirement. 29 U.S.C. 1002 (23)(A), ERISA then
specifies that, if a participant retires early, his "accrued benefit" shall be the actuarial equivalent of annuity commencing at normal retirement age 29 U.S.C.1054 (c) (3).. ERISA's
non-forfeture are mirrored in the Internal Revenue Code 26
U.S.-C. 401 et seq. See 26 U.S.C. 411 (a)(2), 411 (3). The Secretary of the Treasure has rule-making authority concerning ERISA's benefit accrual and vesting provisions. Reorganization Plan No.4 of 1978, 3 C.F.R. 332 101 a) (1979);
See also 29 U.S.C. 1202 (adopting Secretary's regulations
to implement ERISA); 29 C.F.R. 2530.200a-2 (same).
"PENSION BILL OF RIGHTS OF 1994",
103 Congress 2nd Sss. S2531, on October 6, 1994
amended ERISA of 1974 to improve the pension
TITLE III- EFECTIVE DATES
SEC. 301 Effective Dates:
The Amendment made by this Act shall apply to
plan years beginning after December 31, 1994.
Special Rule for Collective Bargained Plans.
In the case of a plan maintained pursuant to one or more
Collective Bargained Agreements ratified on or before date
of the enactment of this Act, the amendments made by
this Act shall apply to the first plan year beginning on
or after the earlier of(1) the later ofJanuary 1, 1995, or
the date on which the last such collective bargaining agreements terminates (determined without regard
to any extension thereof after the date of the enactment of
this Act)
or
(2)
January 1, 1997.
Petitioner's employment and hours worked for First National
Supermarket and Stop & Shop International Union Pension
Fund. Participation began on January 1, 1989. under Collective Bargaining Agreement effective June 18, 1988
PETITIONER'S EMPLOYMENT COVERED FICA
Earnings with First National Supermarket —FINAST
Stop & Shop Company Inc. EIN Employer ID number
-
Year Hours Plan Year E I N No Company
07/1-06/30
-
570 1988/89 041313020 FINAST- First Natio1,055 1989/90 041313020 Supermarket, Inc. a
2,250 1990/91 041313020 Corporation existing
2,023 1991/92 041313020 under the laws of the
2,019 1992/93 041313020 Massachusetts, Empi2,382 1993/94 041313020 oyer and UFCW and
2,065 1994/95 041313020 Local 1500 Internati8
2,031 1995/96 041313020 onal Union under "N
2,190 1996/97 041313020 LR Act"Sec. 9 (c), and
043008884 Stop &Shop-Local 1500
1,692 1997/98 043008884 Stop & Shop-Successor
1,407 1998/99 111448599 Stop & Shop-Local 338
1,508 1999/20 131890974 A&P Co. -Local 338
First National Supermarket 041313020 and Stop & Shop
Co.04300888 EIN Numbers. Lay-off Covered Benefit Plan
extended to April,1 1998. Termination of Single-Employer
Plan, 29 CFR 2530.200b-3).
7.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINED PLANS, 26 U.S. CODE 413
(a) Application of subsection (b) applies to(1)a plan maintained pursuant to an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective- bargaining agreement
between employee representatives and one or more employers,
and (1)each trust which is part of such plan,
(b) General Rule If this subsection applies to the Plan,
notwithstanding any other provision of this
PARTICIPATION Section 410 shall be applied as if all employees of each of employers who are parties of the collective-bargaining agreement and who are subject to the same benefit computation formula under the plan were employed by a single
employer.
DISCRIMINATION, ETC, Section 401(A)(4) and 411(d)(3)
shall be applied as if all participant who are subject to the same
benefit computation formula and who are employed by employers who are parties to the collective bargaining agreement were
employed by a single employer.
EXCLUSIVE BENEFIT For purposes of section 401(a), in
determining whether the plan of employer is for the exclusive
benefit of his employees and their beneficiaries, all plan participants shall be considered to be his employees.
(4)VESTING Section 411 (other than subsection (d)(3) shall be
applied as if all employers who have been parties to the collective bargaining agreement constituted a single employer.
(5)FUNDING The minimum funding standard provided by section 412 shall be determined as if all participants in the plan were employed by a single employer.
(6)LI4,BILITIES FOR FUNDING TAX For a plan year liability under section 4971 of each Employer who is a party to the collective bargained Agreement shall be determined in a reasonable manner not inconsistent with regulations prescribed by the
Secretary- first on the basis of their respective delinquencies in
meeting required employer contributions under the plan, and
then on the basis of their respective liabilities for contributions
under the plan. For the purpose of this subsection and the last
sentence of section 4971 (e).[1] an employer's withdrawal liability under part I of subtitle E of title IV of ERISA of 1974 shall
not be treated as A liability for contributions under the plan.
(7)DEDUCTION LIMITATIONS Each applicable limitations
provided by section 404(a)shall be determined as if all participants in the plan were employed by a single employer.
ARTICLE 27
Pension Plan
the International Union, its chartered
bodies, and,to the extent applicable, affiliated funds
shall maintain the pension plan and trust known as
the "United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Pension Plan for Employees" and any
spinoff or successor plans and trusts, covering eligible officers and employees of the International Union, its chartered bodies, and any participating affiliated funds. The International Union shall maintained the pension plan and trust known as the "United Food and Commercial Workers International
Union Pension Plan for Canadian Employees",
covering eligible officers and employees of the Internatiional Union and its chartered bodies. Hereinafterin this Article and Article 28, the pension plan
and trust described in this paragraph will be referred to as 'the Plan" or "the Plans".
The Plan shall be funded (1 ) by the
contributions of the Plans' participants as may be
provided for in the Plan documents, (2) is applicable, by contributions of the participating affiliated
funds on behalf of their participating employees,
and (3) by allocation of such portion of the International per capita tax and other additional employer contributions as may be necessary to fund the
pension benefits provided for in the Plans. The
amount of such per capita tax allocation and additional employer contributions shall be determined
by the International Executive Board after consulltation with the Plans' actuaries. No contributions
of International Union, its chartered bodies or participating affiliated fund may revert to them except upon satisfaction of all the applicable Plan's
.9
S
YEARS OF VESTING SERVICE
Becoming a Vested Participant
When you are vested Participant you have earned
non-forfeitable right to a pension under the Future Service Plan that cannot be taken away from
you. There are two different ways to become a vested Participant under the Future Service;
*
*
You must have at least five years of Vesting
Service; or
You must terminate Covered Employment
on or after your Norma]. Retirement Date
Pension Distribution Vesting Requirements
Vesting is a right to receive some form of benefit
when you leave Covered Employment. If You are
vested, you cannot lose your right to your accrued
benefits.
Counting Service under a Reciprocity
Agreement
In determined your Vesting Service, The Future
Service Plan will also count contributory service in
accordance with the terms of a Reciprocity Agreement with another plan, provided that the service
has not been cancelled by a Permanent Break in
Service before the effective date of the reciprocity
Agreement. However, Future Service Pension Credit earn after June 30, 1984 that would otherwise be
lost due to Permanent Break in Service can be reinstated by credit recognized under the terms of a
Reciprocity Agreement. See page 6. Reciprocity
Agreement.
10
NORMAL RETIREMENT PENSION
Eligibility
You will be eligible for a Normal Retirement Pension payable at your Normal retirement Date.
(generally on or after age 65) if you become a vested Participant under either of the provisions described on Page 5.
Calculation of Benefits
The amount of your Normal Retirement Pension
under the Future Service Plan is the sum of your
Unit Benefit Value earned for each Plan Year of
participation under the Future Service Plan.If you
have earned a benefit under the Prior Plan, the
benefit under both the Future Service Plan and
the Prior Plan will be combined, subject to the maximum Prior Plan Pension Credit limitations, described on Page 2.
Unit Benefit Value
For each year of Pension Credit earned under the
Future Service Plan, there will be a Unit Benefit
Value. The Unit Benefits Value is the monthly pension benefit earned in a Plan year, based on the
Employer contribution required to be made on
your behalf and AUCR for your Benefit Group. For
some periods, separate A U C R s apply to those
Participants who began participating in the Plan
before September 1, 2005 and those first participating in the Plan before September 1, 2005. See
Appendix C for a listing of AUCR by time period
and group.
11
Commencement of Pension after Normal
Retirement Date
If you have retired, but chose to delay receiving
your benefit until after Normal retirement date,
and you do not work in Prohibited Employment
after your Normal retirement Date, you are eligible to receive an adjusted benefit to take into account the later commencement of your benefit retroactively to your Normal Retirement Date.
Retroactive Payment
If your Pension begin after you Normal retirement
date and you are not working in Prohibited Employment, instead of receiving an actuarially adjusted benefit for periods you were not working in Prohibited employment, you may elect to receive your
accrued benefit determined as of a "retroactive annuity starting date." This means that for periods
you were not working in Prohibited Employment,
you will receive a lump sum for the pension payments that you would have received if you had retired and applied for a pension as of the later of
your Normal Retirement date or the end of your
Prohibited Employment, plus payments of interest
for each complete calendar month your pension payment were delayed. The interest will be based on
the short-term investment fund (known as the
STIF) rate used by the Fund's custodial bank, as
determined on the first day of the Plan Year in
which your pension payment is made.
To receive your pension based on a retroactive
annuity starting date, your spouse must consent
to this election if you are married when you make
the election.
12
BINDING EFFECT OF COLLECTIVEBARGAINING CONTRACTS.
Sec. 10 The Bill, as introduced on the House
Floor (92) Congress, Rec. 765)
"All collective-bargains contracts shall be mutually and equally binding and force able against each of the parties thereto, any other law
to the contrary notwithstanding. In the event
of a breach of any, such contract or any agreement contained in such contract by either party thereto, then, in addition to any other remedy or remedies existing, a suit for damages for
such breach may be maintained by the other
party or parties in court having jurisdiction of
the parties".
502 (e) grants federal courts "exclusive jurisdiction" over ERISA actions 29 U.S.C. 1132(e).
Prevent state court from hearing suits that
"involve application of the title I provision," i.e.,
the provisions of ERISA. H.R. No. 93-12-1280,
reprinted in 1974 U.S.C.C.A.N. 5038, 5107.Federal courts were gwen exclusive jurisdiction
over "action to enforce or clarify benefit rights
provided under Title I".
As Congress explained in the Conference Report on ERISA that a sentence in the Report states that suite seeking the enforcement of
plan terms "aris[e] under the Laws of the United States in a similar fashion to those brought under section 301 of the [LMRA]." U.S.
Br. 15 n.4. That sentence merely means that
federal courts have federal question jurisdiction to hear suits that seek the enforcement
of plan terms, not that state courts can hear
suits to enforce ERISA provisions.
For example, the Government quotes language
from Central Laborers Pension, Fund v. Heinz,
13
541 U.S. 739, 750 (2004), to the effect that ERISA's anti-cutback rule over rides contrary plan
terms and effectively "adds a mandatory terms
to all retirements packages.
The Government also notes that ERISA 404
(a)(1)(D) requires plan administrators to follow
provisions of ERISA if those provisions conflict
with the terms of the plan U.S. Br10-11. See:
Oddino v. Oddino the Government advocated
Petitioners' interpretation of 502(a)(1)(B) arguing that where a plaintiff seeks "to enforce a
provision of ERISA.
"ERISA "vest exclusive jurisdiction in the Federal Courts." 1997 WL 33559420" *21 (U.S. Br.
Jan. 16,1997); See also id. At * 22- 23 (arguing
that in an "action to enforce a provision of
exclusively in Federal
ERISA, jurisdiction
Court. ').
The Board of Trustees of International Union established an Appeals Committee to review pension applications, which Committee processed petitioner's Application and withheld
payments of benefit based on District's Court's
Summary Judgment in favor of Local Union,
Administrator, based on his Affidavit without
documentary support. This action was for refusal to provide pension plan documents, statutory violation of ERISA.
On page 52. of Court's Order UFCW fiduciary
asserted that International Pension Fund is "a
completely separate legal entity than his Local
pension Fund",and Section of a July 2013 Summary Plan Description issued by International
Union "do not govern the terms of Local Union
Fund". Dkt. 27 and Dkt. 30. Court's Judgment
is arising from the Fraud and Misrepresentation of the Fact and Federal Law.
-
14
To qualify for favorable tax treatment, a retirement plan
must meet certain standard including:
-
-
-
-
-
not discriminatory coverage of employees;
minimum vesting requirements;
minimum distribution requirements;
nondiscriminatory distributions and benefit;
accruals and termination insurance program;
ERISA created the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") to provide Federal Insurance Program that
insures participants against the loss of benefits and employee's right to his normal retirement benefit ERISA 3(23),
29 U. S.C. 1002(23)(A) State is preempted State law if
that law actually conflict with federal Law. See IngersollRand 498 Stat. 133, (1990).
(a common Law wrongful discharge claim), that employer discriminated against an employee to prevent to accru
al of benefit or receipt of pension).See: also Lindsay v. Thiokol Corp. See also Minimum vesting standard 26 U.S.C.
411,Elimination of special vesting Rule for multiemployers
plan, effective for plan years commencing after 1988. Tax
Reform Act of 1986 ("TRA 86"), subsection (a) (2) Public
Law 99-514 1113 (e)(1), amended paragraph (2) generally
substituting provisions covering 5 year vesting, 3-7 year
vesting and multiemployers plan for former provisions
which covered 10 year vesting, 5 to 15 year vesting and
the "Rule 45". See Also: Internal Revenue Chart of Effective retroactive Amendments: Internal Revenue Manual
Exhibit 4. 72, 14-1 dated 05/04/2001.
-
Section 1144(a) expressly preempts state statutes and regulations that "relate to "an ERISA plan, except for "any
15.
law which regulates insurance, banking or security,"
"any general applicable criminal law," and other specified
categories of state law. 29 U.S.C. 1144(a), (b) (2) )A), (4),
and (c)(1).
Under this Court's precedents construing that provision,
"[a] law 'relates to' and employee benefit plan * * * if it
has connection with or reference to such a plan." Shaw v.
Delta Air Lines Inc., 463 U.S. 85, 96-97 (1983);, e.g.,
Egellioffv.EgetholZ 532 U.S. 141,147 (2001); New York
State Conference of Blue Cross & Blue Shield Plans v.
Travelers Ins. Co, 514 U.S. 645, 656 (1995) (Travelers).
A Law has a "reference to" ERISA plans if it "acts immediately and exclusively to "ERISA plans or" existence
of ERISA plans is essential to the law's opera-tion."
California Div. of Labor Standards Enforcement v. Dillingham Constr., NA.., 519 U.S. 316, 325-326 (1997) Diiiingham)..See District of Columbia v. Greater Wash. Bd. of
Trade, 506,U.S.125, 128, 129-133 (1992) (worker's compensation law the required employee benefits "set by refereence to [ERISA] plans") (citation omitted); Ingersoll —Rand
Co. McClendon, 498 U.S. 133, 135-136, 140 (1990)
(common law claim for wrongful discharge to prevent attainment of ERISA benefits);, Makey v.Lanier Collection
Agency & Sery Inc., 486 U.S. 825, 828 & n2, 829-830 1988
-
exemption from garnishment statute for ERISA plans).
Egeihoff, 532 U.S. at 1479 cita-tion and internal quotation
marks onutted).To avoid such an expansive breadth, the
Court has "look [ed] both to the objectives of the ERISA
plans." (citation and internal quotation marks omitted); se
Travelers, 514 U.S. at 655 -656.
The purpose of ERISA's preemption provision is "to ensure that plans and plan sponsors [are subject] to an uniform body of benefits law" so that.they are not required to
tailor***plans and employer conduct to the peculiarities
16.
of the law of each jurisdiction? Ingersoll-Rand, 498 U.S.
at 42. That animating purpose "reflect[s] recognition of
the adminiRtrative realities of employee benefit plans". If
multistate plans were governed by different legal rules
for core administrative function, it would produce
considerable inefficiencies, which the employer might
choose to offset by lowering benefit levels" Fort Halifax,
482 U.S.at 9-10..
For that reason, Court has held that State laws"relate to
"ERISA plans under section1144(a) if they "bindflERISA
plan administrators to a particular choice of rules" or "a
central matter of plan administration." Egeihoff, 532U.S.
at 147-148. For example, Court has held that law" relate
to" ERISA plan when they designate beneficiaries of
ERISA plan id. at 143; "forbid{J a method of calculating
benefits that federal law permits, "De Bueno, 520U.S.
at 814-815 (citing Alessi v.Raybestos- Manhattan,Inc,451
U.S 504(1981); or "requirefl employers to provide certain benefits," id.at 815 (citing Shaw, supra, and Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Massachusetts, 471 U.S. 724
(1985)).. When a federal statute occupies a filed of
substantive regulation, the test for preemption "is whether the matter on which the State asserts the right to
act is in any way regulated by Federal Act Rice v.Santa Fe Elevator Corp.,331 U.S.218, 236 1947). If so the
stately is preempted, even if it is consistent with
federal objectives. See ONEOK, Inc .v. Learjet, Ins. 135
S.Ct. 1591, 1595 (2015).
Under conflict-preemption principles, a State law is
invalid (as applied to ERISA plans) if compliance with
both (the state law) and [ERISA] is impossible, or
when the state law stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of the full purposes and
objective of [ERISA]." United States v. Locke 529 U.S.
89, 109 (2000).
The Supreme Court recognizes "there is an important
distinction between benefit accrual and Vesting.
.
"
17.
Benefit accrual means: the rate at which an employee
earns benefits to put in his pension account and requirements for accrual are found in 204 Central Laborer's
pension Fund. Heinz 749, 124, S Ct. 2230, 159 L.
Ed. 2d 46 (2004).. See Boggs, 520 U.S. at 844. Thus, in
Boggs, this Court held that state permitting a non-participant to effect a testamentary transfer of her spouse's
undistributed pension benefits was preempted after finding a "direct clash between [the] state law and provisions and objectives of ERISA" with respect to the designation of beneficiaries of survivor annuities.520 U.S.
843-844. See: Aetna Health, 542 U.S. at 214-215.A Law
would be also preempted if it frustrated the central purpose of section 1144(a) itself, which is too avoid" the prospect that employer's adniinigtrative scheme would be
subject to conflicting requirements.' Fort Halifax, 482
U.S.. at 9-10.
On the other hand ,vesting is: "the process by which an
employee's already accrued pension account become
irrevocably his property" and Minimum vesting requirements are set forth in Section 203 (a), as central
provision in ERISA.
Section 203 (a) requires that a plan treat an employee's
benefit, to the extend that they have vested by virtue of
his having fuffilled age and service requirement no
greater than specified in 203 (a) (2), as notsubject of
forfeiture.
Title IV of the ERISA, as amended, created a plan
termination insurance program, Sec. 4022 of Title IV
provides that if benefits are vested "non-forfeitable" they
are insured by Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
(PBGC), as international Union, Future Service Plan,
for which Petitioner worked 12 (twelve) plan years.
What is purpose of Title III? 93 Congress: "The
purpose of Title Ill is to give the employer and the
employee the right to go to the Federal Courts
to bring a suit to enforce the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, exactly the same sub-
ject matter which contained in Title I and Title
H. It is impossible to separate them (Id, at 4141)"
Finally, we have a provision in title III for bringing a
lawsuit for breach of contract. Breach of what kind of
contract? Breach of contract for collective bargaining
Agreement.
ERISA provides, however, that plan fiduciaries must
interpret and apply plan documents consistently with
the governing provisions of ERISA. See 29 U.S.C.1104
(a)(1)(D) (plan fiduciary must 'discharge his duties* **
in accordance with the documents and instruments
governing the plan in so far as such documents and instruments are consistent with the provision of Title I of
ERISA.; see Central States, Se. & Sw Areas Pension
Fund v. Central Tran.sp., Inc., 472 U.S, 559, 568, (1985)
(trust documents cannot excuse trustee from their duties under ERISA"and "trust document must generally
be construed in light of ERISA's policies).
Accordingly, a plan administrator, as an ERISA fiduciary, must look both to the terms of the plan and the requirements of ERISA- When Participant seeks a review of a
benefits decision in Federal Court, what is relevant here,
under new Plan which Petitioner obtained from International Union Fund.
The Court should construe the plan in light of the Requirements of ERISA. Congress did not intend Courts Considering Section 502 (a)(1)(B) to ignore the provision of ERISA, and Sec.301 of the [LMRA]" H. R. Cons. Rep. No.
1280, 93d Cong.2d Sess. 327 (1974). The Court has construed section 301 to require courts to read the substantive provisions of the Labor Law into the terms of Collective Bargaining Agreements, Kaiser Steel Corp., 455
U. Sat 76-79. Employer is obliged to contribute to the Plan.
See: Varity Corp. v.Howe, 516 U.S. 489.512 (1996),
Section 501(a)(1)(B) specifically provides a remedy for
breaches of fiduciary duty with respect to the interpretation of plan documents and payment of claims.
19.
ACCRUED BENEFIT
The Statute defines "accrue benefit" as individual accrued benefit determined under the plan 1002(23)(A).
"Benefit" that may not be devalued a "defined periodic benefit" the plan is legally obliged to pay".
Accrued benefits are "expressed in form of an annual
benefit commencing at normal retirement age", 29 U.
S.C.1002 (23)(A). The accrue benefits under the plan
is whatever benefit the plan promised to it's participants See: Spacek v. Maritime Assn. 134 F 3d 283.
(Ca 5 1988). See: Allessi v .Raybestos -Manhattan,
Inc. 451. US 504, 511 (1981).
See also Lockheed, 517 U.S. at 887. (ERISA does not
mandate what kind of benefits employers must proviDe if they chose to have [a benefit] plan" see Central
Laborers Pension Fund v, Heinz (02-891)541 U.S.
739 (2004) 303 F.3d 802 Affirmed (June 7, 2004).
The minimum vesting standards require accrued
benefits to be vested i.e nonforfeitable upon satisfaction specific conditions. Treas. Reg. 1.411(a)-4(a).
Under the "anti-cutback" rule ERISA 204 (g)(2), added by the Retirement Equity Act of 1984 ("REA"),
Pub,L. 98-397 301 (a)(2), 98 Stat. 1451, 29 U.S.C.
1054 (g) (1) "[t]he accrued benefit of a participant
under the plan may not be eliminated or decreased
by amendment of the plan, unless that amendment
is authorized under two section of ERISA, not relevant here.When participant attains a nonforfeitable
right to his or her accrued benefits participant is
considered to be "vested" in the nonforfeitable amount. This mean that the participant has an enforceable and unconditional right to his or her vested
benefit under the plan.
20
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
Petitioner worked for Stop & Shop and International
Union pension Fund full time hours for 12 (twelve)
plan years, as cashier without interruption in Service.
See: page 7. Social Security Report, regarding Petitioners hours of worked and names of employers. Hours
of service, are full time, according payroll stubs in petitioners' possessions for 12 plan years. 29 CFR 2530.
200b-3 Determination of service to be credited to employees.
Annuity Pension payments are according to the hour
worked beginning with the first Collective bargaining
agreement and employer's contributions of January 1,
1989, page 62. , SPD, for The First National Supermarket, Corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and hereinafter referred to as the "employer".Page 61 of SPD
First National Supermarket and New England UFCW
and employees Pension Plan.
Merger of The Employer Royal Ahold,known as First
National Supermarket effective May 1,1995 with Reciprocity Agreement effective January 1,1989. See: SPD
page 62. Benefits accrued under a merged Participating Plan are subject to the provisions of that plan immediately before participation in the Future Service P1an. Petitioner worked full time hours, but wages were
paid in part-time, classification, except in period from
September 1, 1995 to February 1, 1997, as result of
merger of single employer Plan The First National Supermarket, into Multi employer Future Service Plan,
effective July 1, 1995.29. U.S.C. 1002(37). Stop & Shop
closed Finast/ d.b.a.Edwards on October 30, 1996 and
paid full time wages rate for 14 weeks and terminate
Petitioner, effective Feb. 1, 1997 at normal plan's date.
21.
STOP & SHOP WAS ACTING AS EMPLOYER AND
IN FIDUCIARY CAPACITY
Edwards Supermarkets throughout Westchester, N.Y. and
New England were closed, according to Westchester News
paper to satisfy an antitrust action brought by The U. S.
Justice Department against Royal Ahold of Nederland's, the
chain's parent company. (Antitrust Laws mean to prohibit
monopolies and make sure customers benefit from a free
market.
Royal Ahold bought the Stop & Shop chain, First National
Supermarket's and Edward's biggest competitor In New
England. To a void having one corporation, operating, more
than one supermarket chain in the same region,Royal Ahold
agreed to close Edward's Stores in Westchester. Stop & Shop
allowed to have presence in Westchester and New England.
Stop & Shop was opened new Stop & Shop Supermarket in
November 1996, for which Company Petitioner worked for
14 weeks and was layoff and plan Administrator Mr. Both
was refused to provide pension application.
Petitioner received Pension Application and Summary ERISA
Plan Description ,by mail in October 2013 and applied for benefits, which are withheld, pending Court's clarification of Plan
documents and payment of claim to Petitioner.
Correspondence indicating the only persons involved in Processing and reviewing Bulovic's claim for benefits were local
Union employees, Administrator, human resources department and the in house attorney who made "explanatory" SPD.
See: Vanity, 116 S.Ct. at 1074, See:Esden v. Bank of Boston
5F. Supp. 2d.214 (1998).
Deposition Testimony of Administrator that Petitioner is not
"Participant", and that U.F.C.W. International Union's Industry Pension Fund is "completely separate legal entity than the
"Fund" See: Vanity 16 S.Ct. at 1074, when private employer decide to provide or not provide benefits, under ERISA.
22.
S
.4
Statutory anti —alienation provision ERISA 1056 (d) (1)
Section 1056 (d)(1) provides: "Each pension plan shall provide that benefits
provided under the plan may not be assigned or alienated. Statutory antialienation provisions are potent mechanisms to prevent the dissipation of
funds.
ERISA's "anti-alienation" provision 1056 (d)(1), says that "benefits provided
under [qualified ERISA plan] may not be assigned or alienated. This provision reflects 'A stream of income for pensioners (and their dependents...).
Guidry v, Sheet Metal Workers National Pension Fund, 493 U.S. 365, 376
{1990}.
29 U.S.C. par.1109 (a) ERISA 409 (a) provides:
"Any person who is fiduciary with respect to the plan who breaches any
of responsibilities, obligations or duties imposed upon fiduciary by this
title shall be personally liable to make good to such plan any losses to the
plan resulting from each such breach, and to restore to such plan any profits of such fiduciary which have been made through use of assets of the
plan by the fiduciary, and shall be subject to such other equitable or remedial relief as the court may deem appropriate, including removal of such
fiduciary.
A Fiduciary may also be removed for violation of section 411 of this Ct." 88
Stat. 886, 29 U.S.C. par.1109 (a).
The principal statutory duties imposed on fiduciaries by that
section "relate to the proper management, administration, and
investment of the fund assets", with an eye toward ensuring that"the benefits authorized by the plan" are ultimately paid to
the participant and beneficiaries. Russell, 473 U.S., at 142: see
also Varity, 516 U.S. 511-512 (noting that 409's fiduciary obligations" relat[e] to the plan's financial integrity" and "reflec[t] a
special congressional concern about plan asset management").
The misconduct by the respondent in this case falls squarely
within that category.
See, e.g. D. Rajnes, An Evolving Pension System: Trends in Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans, Employee Benefit
Research Institute (EBRI) Issue No. 249 (Sept. 2002), http//www.
ebri.org/ pdflbriefspdf/0902ib pdf.
23.
ERISA 502 (a)(1) (B)
Recovery for benefits under ERISA 502 (a)(1) (B) include
individual monetary damages in the form of accrued benefit due.
"to enforce his rights under the terms of the plan, or to clarify
his rights to future benefits under the terms of the plan". The
accrual date for a benefits claim is governed by Federal Law.
Section 411(d)(6) Protected Benefits. Section 401(a)(7) provided
that trust does not constitutes a qualified trust unless its related plan satisfied the requirements of section 411.
Section 411(a)(10) (B) provides that a plan amendment
changing any vesting schedule under the plan does not satisfy
the minimum vesting standards of section 411(a)(2) unless each
participant with at least 3 years of service is permitted to elect
to have his nonforfeitable percentage computed under the
plan without regard to the plan amendments,
Section 645 (b)(1) of the Economic Growth and Tax Reconcitation Act of 2001, Public Law 107-16 (115 Stat.38) (EGTRA)
amended section 411(d)(6)(B) of the Code to direct the Secretary of Treasury to issue regulations that section 411(d)(6)(b) does
not apply to any amendment that reduces retirement benefits
Section 204(g) of ERISA contains parallel rules to that section
411(d)(6) of the Code.
On July 11, 1988 Final regulation (T.D.8212, under
section 411 (d)(6) were published in THE FEDERAL REGISTER (53FR 26050). Those regulations are contained in
1.411(d)-4the 1988 regulations.
The Court should preserve ERISA's purposeful division between benefits claim and other types of fiduciary duty claims
and "respect the 'policy choices reflected in the inclusion of certain remedies and exclusion others" "Varity Corp. 516 U.S. at 515,
(quoting Pilot Life Ins.Co.v. Dedeaux, 481 U.S.41, 54(1987). See
AK Steel Corporation Retirement Accumulation Pension Plan,
Et.AL, Petitioners v. John D. West, No. 07-663.
24
4
Discovery of the Relevant Plan document in October 2013,
provided by letter of International Union, was also Discovery that Local Union does not pay Pension benefits to
Employees. There is the only one International Union
pension Fund, in which employers make contributions.
Petitioner hereby ask the Court to Vacate Summary Judgment on Fraud, misrepresentation of the period in which Petitioner worked, for First National Supermarket, which merged into the Future Service Plan, and for The Stop & Shop
which merged in the same Plan on February 1,1999, with reciprocity Agreement effective January 1, 1989. All according to
Federal Regulations for Multi-employer Plans. The Plan Sponsor is Th Boa.rd of Trustee, and Pension Benefit Guarant Corporation, covers normal and early retirement benefits.
The Board of Trustees did not make decision regarding Petiioner's Pension Benefit, which was already processed.
Summary Judgment of South District Court for Defendant,
Based on Fraud and misrepresentation of facts, blocked
my Right for pension benefit under the Discovered Future
Service qualified, Pension Plan. See:
Brief of DRI- The Voice of Defense Bar, International organization of more 22,000 attorneys involved in the defense of civil litigation. Benefit Claims Cannot Be Disguised As Fiduciary Duty Claims.
"ERISA provides individual recovery for benefits claims under
502 (a) (1)(B), because adequate relief is available in the form
of accrued benefits due. See Varity Corp., 516 U.S. at 515
("[Where] Congress elsewhere provided adequate relief for a
beneficiary's injury, there will likely be no need for further
equitable relief......").
Maintaining the division between benefit claims and fiduciary duty claim is essential to ensure ERISA's consistent and
predictable enforcement. The Court decision in this case should preserve this important distinction.
Southern District of New York, order of dismissal of claim
For Pension benefit under 502(a)(1)(B), dated September 7,
2016 was received on September 19, 2016 (12 day after the
Order date). Motion for reconsideration 16CV-4737 includes
Memorandum of Law, with Appendixes of 200 pages.
25
1.
SMALL BUSINESS JOB PROTECTION ACT OF 1996
("SBJPA") Pub. L. 104-188,110 Stat 1755 (1996) imposed upon
multiemployer plans five years vesting requirements as to all
employees, regardless of whether they were covered by Collective bargaining agreements in a section titled:
Elimination of Special Vesting Rule for
Multiemployer Plans,
Effective January 1, 1997, or the date on which the last collective
bargaining agreement pursuant to which the plan is maintained
terminates or adopted before enactment of "SBJPA". Aug. 20,
1996, applying the amendment made by section 767 of the Uruguay Round Agreement Act (Pub. Law103-465). No reduction
in accrue benefits.. See 1994 amendment. Pension Protection
Act of 1994.
Economic Growth & Tax Relief Reconsideration Act of 2001
(EGTRA 2001), Sec.633, amended IRC 411 (a), Faster vesting for
matching contributions,
CBA's are subject to the same effective date under GUST, (GATT)
as other plans.
Petitioner was already vested under Collective Bargaining Agreement with The First National Supermarket which was terminated
on June 18,1994 before enactment of "SBJPA" and was active physically on the job on January 1, 1997, effective date of "SBJPA" and
later of January 1, 1999, under CBA. See Page 47:
Such amendment shall not apply to any individual who does not
have more that 1 hour of service under the plan on or after the first
plan year to which such amendments apply,
26.
L 29 U.S.C. 1001 provides:
Congressional findings and declaration off policy
Benefit plans as affecting interstate commere and Federal taxing power
The Congress finds that the growth in size, scope
and numbers of employee benefit plans in recent years
has been rapid and substantial; that the operational
scope and economic impact of such pans is increasingly
interstatethat the continued well-being and security of
millions of employees and their dependents are directly
affected by these plans; that they are affected with national public interest; that they have become an importaint factor in commerce because of the interstate character of their activities, and of the activities of their pa
rtieipants, and employers, employee organizations, and
other entities by which they are established or maintained; that large volume of activities of such plans are
carried on by means of the mail and instrumentalities
of interstate commerce; that owing to the lack of employee information and adequate safeguards concerning
their operation, it is desirable in the interests of empoyes and their beneficiaries, and to provide for the general welfare and. a free flow of commerce, that disclosure
be made and safeguards be provided with respect to
the establishment, operation, and administration of such plans; that they substantially affect the revenues of
the United States because they are afforded preferential Federal tax.
27
ACCRUALS AND TERMINATION INSURANCE
PROGRAM
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
the
created
ERISA
("PBGC") to provide Federal Insurance Program that insures participants against the loss of benefits and employee's
right to his normal retirement benefit ERISA 3(23), 29 U.
S.C. 1002(23)(A) State is preempted State law if that law
actually conflict with federal Law. See Ingersoll-Rand 498
Stat. 133, (1990).
(a common Law wrongful discharge claim), that employer discriminated against an employee to prevent to accru
at of benefit or receipt of pension).See: also Lindsay v. Thiokol Corp. See also Minimum vesting standard 26 U.S.C.
411,Elimniation of special vesting Rule for multiemployers
plan, effective for plan years commencing after 1988. Tax
Reform Act of 1986 ("TRA 86"), subsection (a) (2) Public
Law 99-514 1113 (e)(1), amended paragraph (2) generally
substituting provisions covering 5 year vesting, 3-7 year
vesting and multiemployers plan for former provisions
which covered 10 year vesting, 5 to 15 year vesting and
the "Rule 46'. See Also: Internal Revenue Chart of Effective retroactive Amendments: Internal Revenue Manual
Exhibit 4.'72, 14-1 dated 05/04/2001.
-
SECTION 1144(a)
Section 1144(a) expressly preempts state statutes and regulations that "relate to "an ERISA plan, except for "any
law which regulates insurance, banking or security,"
"any general applicable criminal law," and other specified
categories of state law. 29 U.S.C. 1144(a), (b) (2) )A), (4),
and (c)(1).
Under this Court's precedents construing that provision,
*
"[a] law 'relates to' and employee benefit plan if it has
connection with or reference to such a plan." Shaw v. Delta
Air Limes Inc., 463 U.S. 85, 96-97 (1983);, e.g., EgeTh.off
v.Egelhoff, 532 U.S. 141,147 (2001); New York State Conference of Blue Cross & Blue Shield Plans v. Travelers Ins.
514 U.S. 645, 656 (1995) Travelers). A Law has a "reference to" ERISA plans if it "acts immediately and exclusively
to "ERISA plans or "existence of ERISA plans is essential
to the law's operation." California Div. of Labor Standards
Enforcement v. Dillingham Constr., N.A.., 5 19 U.S. 316,
325-326 (1997) Dilhingham)..See District of Columbia v.Greater Wash. Bd. of Trade, 506,U.S.125, 128, 129-133 (1992)
(worker's compensation law the required employee benefits
"set by reference to [ERISA] plans") (citation omitted); Ingersoll —Rand Co. McClendon, 498 U.S. 133, 135-136, 140 (
1990) (common law claim for wrongful discharge to prevent
attainment of ERISA benefits);, Makey v.Lanier Collection
Agency & Sery Inc., 486 U.S. 825, 828 & n2, 829-830 1988
exemption from garnishment statute for ERISA plans).
Egelhoff, 532 U.S. at 1479 citation and internal quotation
marks omitted).To avoid such an expansive breadth, the
Court has "look [ed] both to the objectives of the ERISA
plans." (citation and internal quotation marks omitted);
se Travelers, 514 U.S. at 655 -656.
-
The purpose of ERISA's preemption provision is "to ensure that plans and plan sponsors [are subject] to an uniform body of benefits law" so that they are not required to
ataior***plans and employer conduct to the peculiarities
of the law of each jurisdiction.' Ingersoll-Rand, 498 U.S.
at 42. That animating purpose "reflect[s] recognition of
the administrative realities of employee benefit plans". If
multistate plans were governed by different legal rules
for core administrative function, it "would produce
considerable inefficiencies, which the employer might
choose to offset by lowering benefit levels" Fort Halifax,
482 U.S.at 9-10.
For that reason, Court has held that State laws "relate to
"ERISA plans under section1144(a) if they "bindi] ERISA
plan administrators to a particular choice of rules" or "a
central matter of plan administration." Egeihoff, 532U.
at147-148.For example, Court has held that law" relate
to" ERISA plan when they designate beneficiaries of
ERISA plan id. at 143; "forbidfl a method of calculating
benefits that federal law permits, "De Bueno, 520 U.S.
at 814-815 (citing Alessi v.Raybestos- Manhattan, Inc, 451
29.
U.S 504(1981); or "require fl employers to provide certain
benefits," id.at 815 (citing Shaw, supra, and Metropolitan
Life Ins. Co. v. Massachusetts, 471 U.S. 724 (1985))when.
a federal statute occupies a filed of substantive regulation,
the test for preemption "is whether the matter on which
the State asserts the right to act is in any way regulated
by Federal Act ." Rice v. Santa Fe Elevator Corp., 331 U.S.
218, 236 1947). If so, the stately is preempted, even if itis
consistent with federal objectives. See ONEOK, Inc .v. Learjet, Ins. 135 S.Ct. 1591, 1595 (2015).
2. a. Under conflict- preemption principles, a State law is
invalid (as applied to ERISA plans) if compliance with both
(the state law) and [ERISA] is impossible, oror when the
state law stands as an obstacle to the accomplishment and
execution of the full purposes and objective of [ERISA]."
United States v. Locke 529 U.S. 89, 109 (2000).
The Supreme Court recognizes "there is an important distinction between benefit accrual and Vesting. Benefit accrual
means: the rate at which an employee earns benefits to put
in his pension account and requirements for accrual are found in 204 Central Laborer's pension Fund. Heinz 749, 124,
S Ct. 2230,159 L .Ed. 2d 46 (2004).. See Boggs, 520 U.S.
at 844. Thus, in Boggs, this Court held that state permitting a
non-participant to effect a testamentary transfer of her spouse's undistributed pension benefits was preempted after finding a "direct clash between [the] state law and provisions
and objectives of ERISA" with respect to the designation of
beneficiaries of survivor annuities.520 U.S. at 843-844. See:
Aetna Health, 542 U.S. at 214-215.A Law would be also preempted if it frustrated the central purpose of section 1144(a)
itself, which is too avoid " the prospect that employer's administrative scheme would be subject to conflicting requirements.' Fort Halifax, 482 U.S.. at 9-10.
On the other hand ,vesting is: "the process by which an emloyee's already accrued pension account become irrevocably his
property" and Minimum vesting requirements are set forth
in Section 203 (a), as central provision in ERISA.
Section 203 (a) requires that a plan treat an employee's benefit, to the extend that they have vested by virtue of his
having fulfilled age and service requirement no greater
than specified in 203 (a) (2), as not subject of forfeiture.
30.
4
STANDING
Respondent's argument that Petitioner lacks standing
under ERISA Section 502.(a) is wrong.
ERISA Section 502 (a) states that "[a] civil action may be
brought by participant or beneficiary for the relief under
the terms of the plan, to enforce right under the terms of a
plan ,or to clarify rights to future benefits under the terms
of a plan. 29 U.S.C. 1132 (a).
This section also provides that a civil action may be brought by participant, beneficiary, or fiduciary:
to enjoin any act or practice which violates any provision of ERISA or the terms of a plan, or
to obtain other appropriate equitable relief (i) to redress such violation or (ii) to enforce any provisions of ERISA or the terms of the plan."
Review of Benefits Claims Denials. Section 502(k) 29 U.S.
C.1132 is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection: (m) any action brought under this title by participant or beneficiary ( subsection (a) (1)(b, (a)3) or after
any final decision by the plan, shall be subject to the novo
review by the court and the court may review all evidence presented. Standing- Section 502 (29 U.S.C. 1132, as
amended by subsection (b), is amended by adding at the
end the following new subsection: any former participant
or beneficiary, and any individual with colorable claim to
be participant or beneficiary, shall be treated in the same
manner as a participant or beneficiary for the purpose to
bring a civil action under subsection (a) claim Review requirements for employee benefit Plans.
31
RECPROCITY AGREEMENTS
If because of job changes or transfers, you have worked for
many years under the jurisdiction of different plans, you may
not qualify for a pension if you do not have sufficient service
under the jurisdiction of any one plan. To remedy this, Plan
sometimes enter into agreements to recognize service with
with each other for purpose of vesting. These are called
Reciprocity Agreements.
The future Service Plan has entered into Reciprocity Agreements with other U.F.C. W.local plans, Each plan signing a reciprocity Agreement agrees that contributory service earn under the
rules of other plan may be counted for purpose of vesting.For a
list of these plans as of July 1, 2013, see Appendix B (page 62)
EXAMPLE
Kyle worked in employment covered by a UFCW local plan and
earned two years of Vesting Service with that plan. He then transfers (without experiencing a Permanent Break in Service)
to a job covered under the Future Service Pension Credit under
the Future Service Plan and earned three years of Vesting Service and Future service Pension Credit under the Future Service
Plan. There is Reciprocity Agreement between the Future Service Plan and UFCW Local Plan that was in effect before the date
Kyle transferred jobs. Assuming Kyle qualifies under the fiveyear vesting provision of the Future Service Plan because the
two earlier years of contributory service with the other UFCW
local plan will count for purposes of Vesting Service under the
Future Plan.
Rule Governing reciprocity Agreements
*
Future Service Pension Credit earned after June 30, 1984
that would otherwise be lost due to a Permanent Break in
Service can be reinstated by credit recognized under the
Terms of a Reciprocity Agreement, provided you initial Annuity Starting Date is after August 23, 1995 Or, if later, the
effective date of the Reciprocity Agreement. Effective Date
for Discovered Future Service Plan is January 1, 1989. Page
62.of Summary Plan Description: New England UFCW and
Employers Pension Fund..
32
PLAN TERMINATION INSURANCE
Title W of the ERISA, as amended, created the singe- employer plan termination insurance program, administered by the
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC"). Major changes affecting the termination insurance program are made under the Single- Employer Pension Plan Amendments Act of
1986, P. L. 99-272 ("SEPPAA") and the Pension Protection Act
("PPA"). which is found at Title IX of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, Pub.L. 100-203.
The Termination Insurance program was established to ensure
among other things, that "if a worker has been promised a define pension benefits upon retirement, and if he has fulfilled
whatever conditions are required to obtain a vested benefits,
he will actually receive it Nachman Corp. v. PBG, 446 U.S.
359, 361-62 (1980). To accomplish this goal, Title W of ERISA
requires the PBGC, to provide benefits to participants in defined benefit plans that terminate with insufficient assets to support their guaranteed benefits. The PBGC's guarantees of
benefits are financed, in part, from insurance premiums collected from covered pension plans. See ERISA section 4007.
.
"
Coverage
The Title IV Termination Insurance Program covers defined
Benefit pension plan. Section 4021 (a) of ERISA describes the
plans that are covered by Title IV; Section 4021(b) describes
the plans that are excluded from coverage. Under Section 4021
(c) to qualified for coverage, a plan must be defined benefit plan that is maintained by an employer or an employee organization representing employees, which is engage in commerce or
in any industry or activities affecting commerce. Moreover, the
plan must be tax-qualified under Internal Revenue Code, or have operated in practice as tax-qualified plan for the last five years peior to termination.
Sec. 4022 of Title IV provides that if benefits are vested "nonforfeitable" they are insured by Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), as International Union, Future Service
Plan, for which Petitioner worked for 12 (twelve) plan years.
33
REASONS FOR GRANTING THE PETITION
FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI
Petitioner is participant in The United Food and Commercial
Workers International Union-Industry Future Service Pension
Plan, "UFCW' Future Service Plan (see page 7.), which became
effective July 1, 1984.
Future Service plan is defined benefit plan which pays the benefits
only for years of service after June 30, 1984, for which Employer contributions are required. Sponsor of the Plan is Board of Trustees.
Assets of the Plan is $ 6,04 billion, on June 30, 2017, which include
Benefits guaranteed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
("PBGC"). A federal Insurance agency. The PBGC guarantee covers
normal and early retirement benefits.
The Future Service Plan is maintained pursuant to collective bargaing agreements between the employers and Local Unions. The provisions of the collective bargaining agreements determine the amount of Employer contributions and Employees on whose behalf contributions are made. Future Service Plan must be used to provide benefits according to Future Service Plan document and federal law.
Any action taken to change or discontinue the Plan will be made
and communicated in writing.
Petitioner is covered by above Plan and earned benefits according to
Provision of the Plan, which Fund mailed to Petitioner with Pension
application, which is already processed by their Committee, and withheld payments of benefits, based on District Court Summary Judgment for Administrator of Local Union Fiduciary, for plan documents.
The Employee Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, "ERISA, preempts any and all state Laws in so far as they may now or hereafter
relate to any benefit plan "29 U.S.C. 1144."
Section 3/16 of Title I of ERISA specifies that the trustees are the
Plan sponsors, appointed according to the International Union Constitution and Future Service Plan to administer the Plan according
to Federal law.
34.
Congress categorically prohibited plan fiduciaries from engaging in specific
transaction that were "likely to injure the pension plan and participants".
District Court dismissed petitioner's Motion for benefits under Discovered
Pension Plan applying Illegal Plan, pre-empted and repealed Plan of 1954,
20 years before ERISA of 1974.
Pub.L.101-239 7891 (a)(1) substituted "Internal Revenue Code of 1986 for
"Internal revenue Code" 1954", which was translated as Title 26. Under
The new Law participant earned benefit and that is:
1. Life annuity in as service only plan. It is a dollar amount that she is entitled to which is benefit. It would violate vesting rules.There is two parts of
ERISA and it is set in "Allessi" opinion in 1981. You have to accrue benefit
and then you vest in benefit. The accrual is when you've earned the benefit.
She earned the benefit. She earned her pension. Then she has to vest in it.
That is, though she earned it. She has what "Alessi" calls a non-forfeitable
right to claim it.
And what provision Article does it says: your benefit is still exist. (Page 7.
of SPD). Her benefit is life annuity. It exists. Her benefit is life annuity.
2
There is a stream of payments that is available every single month.
That is accrual Rule. You have to have right to claim it. Question: it's not
You that vest. It is the pension that vests, isn't it?
There is a benefit out there, this life annuity. And the question is: do you
have the right to claim it in any particular month? That is Structure of
section 203 The accrued benefit may not be eliminated by new Rules.
.
ERISA Reticulated Statute: there are 3,978 pages of regulations.
Benefit is the life annuity. There are two ways you can vest under ERISA:
"One if over course of 7 years in individual steps." Another is so called
35.
Cliff Vesting, and that is. You've got your benefits. You have your benefit.
You have earned it, but until you have been in service for 5 years, you do
not have legal claim to it notwithstanding that it is out there.
203 (c) are allowed to change their vesting rules, but it speak for future effect, not retroactive. What is authority for that? 203 (c) explains that if you
have less than 3 years of service, you are not allowed to object to the change vested condition. Change of vesting it would violate 1053. It will violate
1(a) and paragraph 1053(a)(2)(A) and (B).
It says, except provided in paragraph 4, which is not relevant,a plan satisfies the requirements of this paragraph if it satisfies the requirements of
Subsection (A) to (B). give you 5-year cliff vesting option or instead over 7
years.
A Plan satisfied the requirements of this Subparagraph if an employee who
has completed at least 5-years of Service has a non-forfeitable right to 100
percent of the employee's accrued benefit derived from employer contributions. And then (B) is other option, the 7 years. You would acquire the accrued benefit under 1054 as it accrued over time., but you have to vest in it
under 1053.
The protection of the participant's legitimate expectations is a theme that
runs throughout the provisions of ERISA. Sec. 203 (a)(3)(B).
203 (a) says your normal retirement is non-forfeitable. This is 29 C.F.R.
2530.203 is defining the universe of possible Suspensions Rule for normal
retirement benefits. It doesn't limit the universe of suspension rule for
early retirements benefits. It's whatever the plan promises to the participant that is protected by the plan.
-
In the Internal Revenue Manual, the IRS says: You can have provision
saying that any work is suppressive, but you can only do that prospectively, because applying the such a change rule retroactively would decrease
benefits.
36
04
The conflict created by the decision of District Court in this case
would preclude a uniform national administration of pension plan
rules. One of the principal goals of ERISA is "to establish a uniform
administrative scheme, which provides the standard procedures
to guide processing of claims and disbursement of benefits". Fort
Halifax Packing Co. v. Coyne,482 U.S. 1, 9 1987).
Under 29 U.S.C. 1144 Other Laws the provision of this Subchapter
and Subchapter III of this Chapter shall supersede any and all States laws insofar as they may now or hereafter relate to any employee
benefit plan described in section 1003 (b) of this Title.
,
Par. 301 Labor Act, under Collective Bargaining Agreements affecting interstate Commerce should be enforceable in the Federal Courts.
as Congress stated: "Statutory- recognition of the Collective Bargaining Agreements, as a valid, binding, and enforceable contract is a logical and necessary step. It will promote a higher degree of responsibilities upon the parties to such agreement and will thereby promote
industrial peace".
District Court Order should be vacated and remanded for review under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended and 301 Labor Management Relations Act of 1947,(LMRA), 61 Stat,
156, 29 U.S.C. 185.
Review by this Court of the conflict created by decision in this case is
thus warranted both by the importance of the issue and by need to
ensure uniformity in the administration of this national legislation.
CONCLUSION
The petition for a writ of certiorari should be granted.
Respectfully submitted.
May, 2018
D, b ,,.,
V(C.
DANICA BULOVIC), Pro-se
37.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.