Robinson Bradshaw Argues Fourth Circuit Should Affirm Dismissal for SPX

Robinson Bradshaw filed a brief urging the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm the district court's judgment that a labor union lacked authority to assert its claims in a long-running suit against the firm's client, SPX Corp., over a change in the manner in which SPX makes health benefits available to retirees.

For the first five years of the legal case, United Auto Workers maintained that it was acting in an individual capacity in suing SPX, rather than suing on behalf of the retirees. When the district court ruled that UAW lacked authority to sue for that reason, UAW appealed, claiming that it had brought the suit on behalf of retirees.

"This appeal is about the UAW's attempt to contradict its own allegations and reverse the position it previously took before the district court and this court — not because of any change in the facts or law, but for strategic reasons only," the brief said. "The district court properly exercised its discretion not to allow the UAW to do so."

Robinson Bradshaw attorneys David C. Wright III, Cary B. Davis, Mark A. Hiller, Amanda Pickens Nitto, Emily J. Schultz, Ethan R. White and Demi Lorant Bostian represent SPX in the case.

Law360 covered the case and brief in a recent article. "SPX Corp. Knocks UAW Flip-Flop In 4th Circ. Benefits Case" is available here.