Bellah
Bellah v. American Airlines, Inc.
Opinion
Opinion
Damrell, J.
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
This matter is before the court on defendant International Association of Machinists’ (“LAM”) motion for summary judgment pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56. Plaintiff Barbara Bellah (“Bellah”) filed an opposition to defendant’s motion. For the reasons stated herein, defendant’s motion is GRANTED.
BACKGROUND
Plaintiff Bellah worked as a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines, Inc. (“TWA”) from 1985 until 2001. (UF ¶ 1.) On March 6, 1997, the National Mediation Board certified defendant IAM as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for TWA’s flight attendants. (UF ¶ 2.) Subsequently, IAM and TWA negotiated a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”), effective August 1, 1999, that provided for short term disability benefits (the “STD Plan”). (UF ¶¶ 3-4.) The collective bargaining agreement did not provide long term disability benefits to flight attendants. (UF ¶ 5.) However, American Bankers Life Assurance Company (“ABLAC”) offered a voluntary Long Term Disability Income Plan (the “LTD Plan”) to members of IAM who were employees of TWA. (UF ¶ 6.) Plaintiff enrolled herself in the LTD Plan. (UF ¶ 12.) The LTD Plan was effective from…