Admiral Packing Company v. Robert F. Kennedy Farm Workers Medical Plan, Appeal of Juan De La Cruz Farmworkers Pension Fund Plan
Opinion
Opinion
Leavy, J.
This action involves contributions made by an agricultural employer, Admiral Packing Company (Admiral), to medical and pension fund plans on behalf of a Union representative, Miguel Garcia, after termination of a collective bargaining agreement. The plans are multiemployer trusts within the purview of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1461 (1982 and Supp. IV 1986) (ERISA).
Admiral had a collective bargaining agreement with the agricultural employees until October 22, 1982. Despite termination of the agreement on that date, Ad miral continued to contribute to the benefit plans on Garcia’s behalf.
On October 10, 1983, Admiral terminated Garcia as the paid union representative. Over one year later, on October 22, 1984, Admiral requested refunds for the mistaken payments Admiral claimed it made from October 22,1982, until October 10, 1983, on Garcia’s behalf. The benefit plans’ administrator declined to make the refund.
On October 8, 1985, Admiral filed a complaint in federal court seeking a return of the benefit contributions under section 403(c)(2)(A)(ii) of ERISA, 29 U.S.C. § 1103 (c)(2)(A)(ii) (1982). Section 403(c)(2)(A)(ii) provides that…