Vermont Jury Instruction — 1.8.1 Employee Claim Against Employer and Union NACAca v. Sipes - General Instruction The Vermont Jury Instruction 1.8.1 provides guidance to jurors when faced with an employee's claim against both their employer and union. This instruction is based on the landmark case NACA v. Sides and serves to outline the key points that need to be considered during deliberations. Here is a detailed description of what this instruction entails: 1. Background: The instruction starts by providing a brief background of the case NACA v. Sides. It explains that this case established important principles regarding employee claims against both their employer and union under the Labor Management Relations Act (LMA) and the duty of fair representation. 2. Definition of Employee Claim: The instruction defines what constitutes an employee claim against both the employer and union. It clarifies that such claims typically arise when an employee believes they have been subject to an unfair labor practice by their employer and/or a breach of the union's duty of fair representation while addressing their grievance. 3. Burden of Proof: The instruction explains that the burden of proof rests with the employee, who must convince the jury by a preponderance of the evidence that their claim against both the employer and union is justified. By emphasizing the preponderance of evidence standard, the instruction guides the jurors in evaluating the credibility and weight of the presented evidence. 4. Elements of the Claim: The instruction outlines the essential elements that the employee must prove to succeed in their claim against both the employer and union. These elements may include demonstrating that the employer engaged in unfair labor practices, that the union breached its duty of fair representation, and that there is a causal connection between the alleged conduct and the employee's harm or damages. 5. Employer's Liability: The instruction discusses the employer's potential liability in employee claims. It explains that the employer may be held responsible for alleged unfair labor practices, such as discriminatory actions, hostile work environment, retaliation, or any violation of the employee's rights under the applicable labor laws. 6. Union's Duty of Fair Representation: This section focuses on the union's responsibility to fairly represent its members. It explains that the union has a duty to act in good faith, without discrimination or arbitrary conduct, when addressing the grievances of its members. The instruction may also emphasize that the union should not disregard or mishandle a meritorious grievance. 7. Causal Connection: The instruction highlights the importance of establishing a causal connection between the conduct of both the employer and union and the harm suffered by the employee. It advises the jury to carefully consider whether there is a direct link between the alleged actions or inaction and the employee's negative outcomes, such as wage loss, emotional distress, or other damages. Different types or versions of Vermont Jury Instruction — 1.8.1 Employee Claim Against Employer and Union NACAca v. Sipes - General Instruction are not explicitly mentioned. However, it is possible that there may be specific instructions tailored for different types of claims, such as discrimination claims, harassment claims, or claims related to contractual violations. These individual scenarios may have slightly different instructions addressing the unique elements and considerations associated with each type of claim.