The Massachusetts Jury Instruction — 1.8.1 Employee Claim Against Employer and Union — Vaca v. Sipes – General Instruction provides guidance for jury members on how to evaluate and decide cases involving employee claims against both their employer and their union. This instruction is based on the landmark Supreme Court case, NACA v. Sides, which established certain legal principles regarding these types of claims. In NACA v. Sides, the Court recognized that employees have the right to bring claims against both their employer and their union for violations of their rights under applicable labor laws. This instruction aims to assist jurors in understanding their roles and responsibilities when evaluating such cases. The key factors that jury members should consider when assessing an employee claim against an employer and union under this instruction include: 1. Duty of Fair Representation: Juries should be aware that a union has a legal obligation to represent its members fairly. The employer cannot be held liable for any actions taken by the union unless the union's conduct is found to be arbitrary, discriminatory, or in bad faith. 2. Breach of Duty: Juries must determine if the union breached its duty of fair representation by engaging in arbitrary, discriminatory, or bad faith conduct that harmed the employee. Examples of such conduct may include acting negligently, refusing to fairly investigate a claim, or improperly advancing the employer's interests at the expense of the employee's rights. 3. Employer's Liability: Juries should understand that an employer can be held liable for actions taken by its agents or supervisors that violate the employee's rights. However, employers cannot be held liable for the union's breach of duty unless there is evidence of collusion or some form of improper agreement between the employer and the union. 4. Damages: If the jury finds that both the employer and the union are liable, they must determine the appropriate damages to award the employee. These damages may include lost wages, emotional distress, and any other harm suffered as a result of the violations. It's important to note that different variations or modifications of this general instruction may exist depending on the specific circumstances of a case. For example, different elements of the duty of fair representation or the employer's liability may be emphasized based on the unique facts and claims presented. However, these variations would still be based on the principles established in NACA v. Sides. In conclusion, the Massachusetts Jury Instruction — 1.8.1 Employee Claim Against Employer and Union NACAca v. Sipes - General Instruction provides jurors with a comprehensive framework for evaluating employee claims against both their employer and union. By taking into account the duty of fair representation, breach of duty, employer's liability, and appropriate damages, juries can ensure a fair and just resolution of these complex cases.