Virgin Islands Jury Instruction — 1.8.1 Employee Claim Against Employer and Union NACAca v. Sipes - General Instruction provides guidance to the jury on the legal standards and principles that need to be considered while hearing an employee claim against both the employer and the union. This instruction is based on the case NACA v. Sides, which has set precedents for such cases. The purpose of this instruction is to outline the main elements and considerations that the jury should keep in mind during the trial. Here is a detailed description of the instruction: 1. Background: The instruction begins by providing a brief background on the NACA v. Sides case, explaining the parties involved and the nature of the employee claim against both the employer and the union. 2. Introduction to Employee Claim: The instruction then describes what constitutes an employee claim against the employer and the union. It explains that the claim is brought by an employee who alleges that both the employer and the union have violated their rights or duties under the applicable labor laws, agreements, or contracts. 3. Burden of Proof: The instruction outlines the burden of proof, emphasizing that the plaintiff (the employee) has the burden of proving their claim by a preponderance of the evidence. The jury should evaluate the evidence presented and determine if it supports the employee's allegations. 4. Elements of the Claim: The instruction presents the essential elements that the employee needs to establish to succeed in their claim. These elements may include showing that the employer and the union had a duty towards the employee, that there was a breach of that duty, and that the breach caused harm or damages to the employee. 5. Role of the Employer and Union: The instruction also defines the roles and responsibilities of the employer and the union, emphasizing that they have separate and distinct duties towards the employees. It highlights that the employer has the responsibility to provide fair treatment and conditions of employment, while the union has the duty to fairly represent the employees. 6. Standard of Conduct: The instruction discusses the standard of conduct expected from the employer and the union. It may refer to the duty of the employer to act in good faith and the union's duty to fairly represent its members. 7. Defenses and Contributory Negligence: The instruction may outline potential defenses that the employer and the union may raise, such as lack of evidence, lawful actions, or compliance with established procedures. It may also explain the concept of contributory negligence, where the employee's actions contributed to their own harm. 8. Causation and Damages: The instruction explains that the employee needs to establish a direct connection (causation) between the alleged wrongful acts or omissions of the employer and union and the damages suffered. It may also discuss the types of damages that can be awarded if the claim is successful, such as lost wages, emotional distress, or punitive damages. It's important to note that there might not be different types of jury instructions specifically named under the Virgin Islands Jury Instruction 1.8.1 Employee Claim Against Employer and Union NACAca v. Sipes - General Instruction. However, different variations or specific instructions may exist depending on the specific facts and circumstances of each case and the judge's discretion.