Jessie L. Washington v. Northland Marine Co., Inc., Shipscalers Local Union No. 541, Amos Burl, Intervenors

This is an action originally brought by union members under § 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), 29 U.S.C. § 185 , against their employer, their local union, and their international union. Prior to trial, the employer filed bankruptcy, and this action proceeded against the Local and International Unions. After hearing the plaintiffs’ evidence, the district court dismissed the case against the International. Subsequently, after finding for the plaintiffs on the issue of liability, the court also dismissed the case against the Local on the ground that the action was barred by Washington’s two-year “catchall” statute of limitations, Wash.Rev.Code § 4.16.130. In this appeal, the employees contest only the trial court’s ruling as to the applicability of the statute of limitations to their cause of action against the Local.

The plaintiffs and intervenors in this action were employees of Northland Marine Lines, Inc., and members of Shipscalers Local 541. The employer and the Local had a collective bargaining agreement that established wages, hours, working conditions, and grievance and arbitration procedures for the employees. After ratification of a new contract in…