NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
APPELLATE DIVISION
DOCKET NO. A-3502-14T1
BRIAN HEJDA,
APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION
Plaintiff-Appellant,
May 9, 2017
v.
APPELLATE DIVISION
BELL CONTAINER CORPORATION,
Defendant-Respondent.
_________________________________
Argued September 14, 2016 – Decided May 9, 2017
Before Judges Messano, Espinosa and Guadagno.
On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
Law Division, Monmouth County, Docket No. L-
4179-14.
John P. Brennan, Jr. argued the cause for
appellant.
Jamie S. Felsen (Milman Labuda Law Group,
PLLC) of the New York bar, admitted pro hac
vice, argued the cause for respondent (Milman
Labuda Law Group, PLLC, attorneys; Mr. Felsen,
Netanel Newberger, and Robert F. Milman, of
the New York bar, admitted pro hac, on the
briefs).
Deborah L. Mains argued the cause for amicus
curiae New Jersey Association for Justice
(Costello & Mains, LLC, attorneys; Ms. Mains,
on the brief).
The opinion of the court was delivered by
ESPINOSA J.A.D.
In Puglia v. Elk Pipeline, Inc., 226 N.J. 258 (2016), our
Supreme Court applied principles the United States Supreme Court
clarified in Hawaiian Airlines v. Norris, 512 U.S. 246 114 S. Ct.
2239, 129 L. Ed. 2d 203 (1994), to conclude that an employee's
state whistleblower claim was not pre-empted by § 301 of the Labor
Management and Relations Act (LMRA), 29 U.S.C.A. 185(a). This
appeal presents the question whether an employee-union member's
disability discrimination claim under the Law Against
Discrimination (LAD), N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 to -49, and retaliatory
discharge claim under the Workers' Compensation Law (WCL),
N.J.S.A. 34:15-1 to -128.5, are pre-empted by § 301. We conclude
the claims as asserted are not pre-empted because they do not
require interpretation of any provision of the collective
bargaining agreement (CBA) between the union and employer.
I.
A.
Plaintiff Brian Hejda, a member of Teamsters Local Union 813,
was employed as a commercial truck (CDL) driver by defendant Bell
Container Corp. when he suffered a workplace injury to his knee
on August 22, 2012. A physician's assistant examined him at
Bell's request and referred him for an MRI and six physical therapy
2 A-3502-14T1
sessions.1 Hejda was cleared to return to work that day with the
following restrictions: "No squatting and/or kneeling," "Must wear
knee brace," and "No climbing stairs or ladders." The report also
noted, "NO WORK IF NO LIGHT DUTY." Hejda averred that, despite
these restrictions, Bell's safety director asked him to continue
driving. Hejda refused, orally demanded workers' compensation,
and left for home.
After follow-up visits on September 21, 2012 and October 5,
2012, physician reports cleared Hejda to return to work immediately
with the same restrictions, adding he was "[u]nable to drive
company vehicle." Hejda asserted Bell advised him that no light
duty work was available.
In October and November 2012, Dr. Toby B. Husserl, an
orthopedic specialist, examined Hejda's knee and reviewed his MRI
results.2 He concluded Hejda required surgery and, without it,
1 Hejda attended one physical therapy session.
2 An MRI revealed Hejda had suffered:
Complex tear posterior horn medial meniscus
with displaced fragment into the intercondylar
notch adjacent to the PCL. Nondisplaced
truncation tear central-apical margin
posterior horn lateral meniscus. Moderate
suprapatellar joint effusion.
Tricompartmental articular cartilage
degeneration particularly at the patellar
upper pole lateral facet and posterior weight
bearing lateral tibial plateau.
3 A-3502-14T1
Hejda was not "safe for his work as a tractor-trailer driver and
would be best sedentary." Although he cleared Hejda to return to
work in November 2012, Dr. Husserl included the restriction that
Hejda be limited to "Sedentary work (primarily sitting)," and
perform "NO COMMERCIAL DRIVING."
On November 20, 2012, Hejda filed a workers' compensation
claim with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce
Development, Division of Workers' Compensation (NJDOL). In its
answer, Bell denied Hejda "sustained a disabling injury while in
the course and scope of his/her employment with [Bell]."
In February 2013, Hejda consulted Dr. Mark Seckler, an
orthopedic specialist. Dr. Seckler agreed with Dr. Husserl that
arthroscopic surgery was "the treatment of choice" and that,
despite Hejda's claim to be "absolutely asymptomatic," such
surgery was inevitable. Nevertheless, he cleared Hejda to return
to work on February 7, 2013, with full duty and no restrictions.
Hejda reported to work every day during the week of February
11-15, 2013, but was not given much to do. When he reported to
work the following week, he was told by Bell to leave.
B.
On February 20, 2013, Bell sent a letter to the union
explaining that before Hejda could return to work, he had to be
recertified pursuant to the Department of Transportation (DOT)
4 A-3502-14T1
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation, 49 C.F.R. § 391.45(c).
That regulation requires "[a]ny driver whose ability to perform
his/her normal duties has been impaired by a physical or mental
injury or disease" to be "medically examined and certified in
accordance with [49 C.F.R.]§ 391.43 as physically qualified to
operate a commercial motor vehicle."
49 C.F.R. § 391.43(a) requires that the physical examination
"be performed by a medical examiner listed on the National Registry
of Certified Medical Examiners." In addition, medical examiners
must:
(1) Be knowledgeable of the specific physical
and mental demands associated with operating
a commercial motor vehicle and the
requirements of this subpart, including the
medical advisory criteria prepared by the
[Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration]
as guidelines to aid the medical examiner in
making the qualification determination; and
(2) Be proficient in the use of and use the
medical protocols necessary to adequately
perform the medical examination required by
this section.
[49 C.F.R. § 391.43(c).]
The results of the medical examination must be recorded on
a specified Medical Examination Report Form, MCSA-5875, set
forth in the regulation. 49 C.F.R. § 391.43(f). That form
requires the driver to complete a "Health History," which must
be reviewed and discussed with the physician.
5 A-3502-14T1
In its letter to the union, Bell represented it would contact
Hejda to schedule the recertification. Hejda declined to submit
to the scheduled independent medical examination.
C.
Pursuant to the terms of the CBA, the union filed a grievance
against Bell in February 2013, alleging violations of Articles 2
(wages), 4 (hours), 5 (overtime), 19 (non-discrimination) and 20
(seniority) of the CBA for "failure to schedule [Hejda] to work
after doctor's release." The remedy requested was payment of "all
lost wages and benefits as well as schedule to work immediately."
The grievance arbitration was conducted on April 5, 2013.
On April 11, 2013, Hejda obtained a medical certificate from
Dr. Alexander Goldberg, a family physician.3 On the form, Hejda
certified he had provided "complete and true" information and
acknowledged the examination and certification could be
invalidated by "inaccurate, false or missing information."
However, he reported he had no medical history of issues relating
to an "impaired . . . leg." Dr. Goldberg's comments on the form
reflect no discussion of Hejda's knee injury. Dr. Goldberg
3 After Hejda obtained this certificate, the NJDOL found him
eligible for workers compensation benefits without restriction,
from April 7, 2013. Bell appealed, arguing Hejda was discharged
for reasons that constituted misconduct in connection with his
work. The Appeal Tribunal rejected this argument and affirmed the
award.
6 A-3502-14T1
executed the Medical Examiner's Certificate and sent a copy to
Bell.
Bell asked Dr. Goldberg to confirm he considered the
evaluations made by Dr. Husserl and Dr. Seckler. Dr. Goldberg
wrote a letter to Hejda, acknowledging he knew about Hejda's work
injury and subsequent clearance to return to work, and reiterated
that Hejda "meets the standards in 49 [C.F.R. §] 391.41; [and is]
qualified for 2 year certificate." Bell accused Hejda of obtaining
the certificate from Dr. Goldberg "under false pretenses" by
failing to inform him of his knee injury or provide him with the
earlier evaluations.
In July 2013, the arbitrator issued an award and opinion,
denying the union's grievance. The issue arbitrated was
"[w]hether the Employer's refusal to return the Grievant to his
former position upon Dr. Seckler's letter violated the [CBA] or
applicable [DOT] regulations, and, if so, what shall the remedy
[be]?" The arbitrator identified the applicable contract section
as Article 32, which addresses the employer's rights.4
4 Article 32 of the CBA states, in part:
(a) [T]he Employer shall retain all the rights
and functions of management that it has by
law, and the exercise of any such rights or
functions shall not be subject to arbitration
. . . .
(b) The Union recognizes the right of the
Employer to establish work rules, regulations,
7 A-3502-14T1
Bell submitted it had "just cause"5 for refusing to reinstate
Hejda as a CDL driver until he was certified in compliance with
49 C.F.R. § 391.43.6 The union argued that Hejda should be
reinstated because Dr. Goldberg had provided a medical examiner's
certificate.
The arbitrator explicitly stated the arbitration opinion was
"not a just cause determination" but also found the union failed
to prove Bell had violated the CBA. The arbitrator observed that
the regulation, 49 C.F.R. § 391.45(c), was "a law that [Bell] was
required to follow and by contract, is entitled to manage its
and policies covering the operations of its
trucking fleet and the conduct of its
employees. Such rights shall include but not
be limited to issuing rules concerning safety,
training, and efficient operations. . . .
(c) It is agreed and understood that if the
Employee aggrieved as a result of a rule or
direction, he will observe the rule or
direction and express the grievance through
the grievance procedure provided in this
Agreement and not through the failure to
comply therewith.
5 Article 18 of the CBA, which addresses employee discharge,
acknowledges Bell's "right to discharge or take any appropriate
disciplinary action against Employees for . . . just cause."
6 Hejda was also examined, in May 2013, by another orthopedic
specialist, Dr. Robert I. Dennis, at Bell's request. Dr. Dennis
concluded Hejda "does have a functional range of motion to be able
to carry out the duties of a tractor-trailer driver even one that
has to unload with pallets without hesitation." Dr. Dennis's
evaluation is not mentioned in the arbitrator's award and opinion.
8 A-3502-14T1
employees, like [Hejda] under that law."7 In light of the specific
requirements for recertification set forth in the DOT regulations,
which were not satisfied by the evaluations submitted by Hejda,
the arbitrator concluded the issue of Hejda's reinstatement would
be held in abeyance until such time that he was examined and
certified pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 391.41(b)(2). Until that time,
Hejda was to remain on a medical layoff consistent with other
terms of the CBA.
D.
In March 2013, Hejda filed a Complaint of Discrimination
against Bell with the NJDOL's Office of Special Compensation Funds,
alleging he had been discriminated against because he filed a
workers compensation claim. In its answer, Bell asserted Hejda's
employment had not been reinstated because he had not yet been
recertified pursuant to 49 C.F.R. § 391.45 and not for any
discriminatory reason. In September 2014, the Office of
Administrative Law dismissed this complaint without prejudice,
concluding Hejda could not have been discriminated or retaliated
against because he was not eligible to return to work without
7 Article 35 of the CBA addresses examinations, and states:
"Physical or other examinations (including [DOT] physicals)
required by any government body shall be promptly complied with
by all Employees provided, however, the Employer shall pay for all
such examinations."
9 A-3502-14T1
proper certification and Bell had no obligation to reinstate a
worker who was not properly certified.
E.
In November 2013, Hejda submitted a second certification from
Dr. Goldberg that purported to comply with the regulatory
requirements, along with a demand to be returned to work as a
truck driver. Bell offered him the position of "night switcher."
Hejda continued to demand reinstatement as a CDL driver, claiming
the night switcher offer was "obviously intended to retaliate
against [Hejda] for his assertion of his legal rights and in
discrimination of [Bell's] apparent unwarranted belief he has a
handicap/disability which prevents him from performing his
position as a" CDL driver.
F.
In October 2014, Hejda filed this lawsuit, alleging Bell's
refusal to reinstate him to his position as a truck driver
constituted unlawful discrimination under the LAD and retaliation
under the WCL. Bell moved to dismiss the complaint pursuant to
Rule 4:6-2(a), on the ground that both the LAD and WCL claims are
pre-empted by § 301 of the LMRA because their adjudication
"require[s] an interpretation and application of various
provisions of [the CBA]." Bell also argued Hejda's claims are
pre-empted by DOT regulations and barred by collateral estoppel.
10 A-3502-14T1
Finally, Bell contended that, because Hejda did not receive
recertification pursuant to the applicable DOT regulations, he was
not qualified to be a CDL driver and, therefore, could not
establish an LAD disability discrimination claim.
Because the trial judge concluded "the provisions of the CBA
must be analyzed to determine . . . the claims and defenses at
issue," she found the claims pre-empted and dismissed the complaint
for lack of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to Rule 4:6-2(a).
Accordingly, she did not address Bell's other arguments for
dismissal.
In this appeal, Hejda argues the trial judge erred in
concluding his claims were pre-empted by federal law. He also
argues the judge erred in failing to afford him all reasonable
inferences from the facts in accord with the standard applicable
to summary judgment motions, Rule 4:46-2(c), and deciding the case
before discovery was complete. We need not address these arguments
because the question of pre-emption is a purely legal issue, which
we review de novo. See Santiago v. N.Y. & N.J. Port Auth., 429
N.J. Super. 150, 156 (App. Div. 2012), certif. denied, 214 N.J.
175 (2013). Bell counters that the trial judge correctly ruled
that Hejda's claims were pre-empted. Amicus curiae New Jersey
Association for Justice argues in support of Hejda's position.
11 A-3502-14T1
II.
"Whether federal law pre-empts a state law establishing a
cause of action is a question of congressional intent." Hawaiian
Airlines, supra, 512 U.S. at 252, 114 S. Ct. at 2243, 129 L. Ed.
2d at 211 (citing Allis-Chalmers Corp. v. Lueck, 471 U.S. 202,
208, 105 S. Ct. 1904, 1909-10, 85 L. Ed. 2d 206, 213 (1985)). A
federal statute will be read to supersede a State's historic powers
only if this is "'the clear and manifest purpose of Congress.'"
Hillsborough Cty. v. Automated Med. Labs., Inc., 471 U.S. 707,
715, 105 S. Ct. 2371, 2376, 85 L. Ed. 2d 714, 722-23 (1985)
(quoting Jones v. Rath Packing Co., 430 U.S. 519, 525, 97 S. Ct.
1305, 1309, 51 L. Ed. 2d 604, 614 (1977)). Pre-emption is not to
be "lightly inferred" in areas, such as the establishment of
employment standards, which lie "within the traditional police
power of the State." Hawaiian Airlines, supra, 512 U.S. at 252,
114 S. Ct. at 2243, 129 L. Ed. 2d at 211 (quoting Fort Halifax
Packing Co. v. Coyne, 482 U.S. 1, 21, 107 S. Ct. 2211, 2222, 96
L. Ed. 2d 1, 17 (1987)).
Section 301 of the LMRA grants subject matter jurisdiction
to the federal courts over "[s]uits for violation of contracts
between an employer and a labor organization representing
employees in an industry affecting commerce as defined in this
Act." 29 U.S.C.A. § 185(a) (emphasis added). Federal courts are
12 A-3502-14T1
charged with "fashion[ing] a body of federal law for the
enforcement of these collective bargaining agreements." Textile
Workers v. Lincoln Mills of Ala., 353 U.S. 448, 451, 77 S. Ct.
912, 915, 1 L. Ed. 2d 972, 977 (1957). Pre-emption in this
context implements the congressional intent "to promote the
peaceable, consistent resolution of labor-management disputes" by
insuring the uniform interpretation of terms in collective
bargaining agreements. Lingle v. Norge Div. of Magic Chef, 486
U.S. 399, 404, 108 S. Ct. 1877, 1880, 100 L. Ed. 2d 410, 417
(1988).
The practical consequence of this principle is that when a
suit in state court alleges a violation of a labor contract, it
"must be brought under § 301 and be resolved by reference to
federal law."8 Lueck, supra, 471 U.S. at 210, 105 S. Ct. at 1911,
85 L. Ed. 2d at 215. In such circumstances, pre-emption serves
congressional intent by precluding the creation of a "state rule
that purports to define the meaning or scope of a term in a
contract suit" and conflicts with a federal interpretation. Ibid.
8 State courts have concurrent jurisdiction over § 301 claims but
are bound to apply federal law in deciding these claims. See Local
174, Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers of Am. v. Lucas
Flour, 369 U.S. 95, 102-03, 82 S. Ct. 571, 576, 7 L. Ed. 2d 593,
598 (1962); Charles Dowd Box Co. v. Courtney, 368 U.S. 502, 508,
82 S. Ct. 519, 523 7 L. Ed. 2d 483, 488 (1962).
13 A-3502-14T1
A state-law claim that does not present a straightforward
question of contract interpretation requires further examination.
"[W]hen resolution of a state-law claim is substantially dependent
upon analysis of the terms of an agreement made between the parties
in a labor contract, that claim must either be treated as a § 301
claim or dismissed as pre-empted by federal labor-contract law."
Id. at 220, 105 S. Ct. at 1916, 85 L. Ed. 2d at 221 (citation
omitted); accord Lingle, supra, 486 U.S. at 405-06, 108 S. Ct. at
1881, 100 L. Ed. 2d at 418-19. By way of example, there is such
substantial dependence when the state-law claim requires
"interpretation of a collective bargaining agreement to determine
the content and scope of the agreement, and what legal consequences
were intended to flow from a breach of an agreement." Nieves v.
Individualized Shirts, 961 F. Supp. 782, 792 (D.N.J. 1997) (citing
Lucas Flour, supra, 369 U.S. at 103-04, 82 S. Ct. at 577, 7 L. Ed.
2d at 599).
In short, because of the compelling need for federal labor-
law principles to be uniformly applied,
if the resolution of a state-law claim
depends upon the meaning of a collective-
bargaining agreement, the application of
state law . . . is pre-empted and federal
labor-law principles . . . must be employed
to resolve the dispute.
[Lingle, supra, 486 U.S. at 405-06, 108 S. Ct.
at 1881; 100 L. Ed. 2d at 418-19 (emphasis
14 A-3502-14T1
added); accord Puglia, supra, 226 N.J. at
276.9]
This does not mean "every dispute concerning employment, or
tangentially involving a provision of a collective-bargaining
agreement, is pre-empted by § 301 or other provisions of the
federal labor law." Lueck, supra, 471 U.S. at 211, 105 S. Ct. at
1911, 85 L. Ed. 2d at 215. "[T]here is nothing novel about
recognizing that substantive rights in the labor relations context
can exist without interpreting collective-bargaining agreements."
Lingle, supra, 486 U.S. at 411, 108 S. Ct. at 1884, 100 L. Ed. 2d
at 422. The Supreme Court explained, "it would be inconsistent
with congressional intent under [§ 301]" to extend its pre-emptive
effect "beyond suits for breach of contract . . . to pre-empt
state rules that proscribe conduct, or establish rights and
obligations, independent of a labor contract." Lueck, supra, 471
U.S. at 212, 105 S. Ct. at 1912, 85 L. Ed. 2d at 216. The
holding in Lingle concisely states the governing principle: "[A]n
application of state law is preempted by § 301 of the [LMRA] only
if such application requires the interpretation of a collective-
bargaining agreement." 486 U.S. at 413, 108 S. Ct. at 1884, 100
L. Ed. 2d at 423 (emphasis added).
9 The trial court did not have the benefit of the Supreme Court's
decision in Puglia at the time it rendered its decision and relied
upon our decision, Puglia v. Elk Pipeline, Inc., 437 N.J. Super.
466 (App. Div. 2014), which was reversed by the Supreme Court.
15 A-3502-14T1
Inevitably, there are times when a grievance may be pursued
either through a claim that a provision of the CBA has been
violated or a claim that has its roots in state law. Under such
circumstances, the fact the employee has the ability to assert
parallel claims under the CBA and under state law does not convert
the state-law-based claim into one "dependent on the CBA." Puglia,
supra, 226 N.J. at 281. The state-law claim is not necessarily
pre-empted even when reference to the CBA assists in the
calculation of damages to which a prevailing state-law plaintiff
is entitled:
Although federal law would govern the
interpretation of the agreement to determine
the proper damages, the underlying state-law
claim, not otherwise pre-empted, would stand.
Thus, as a general proposition, a state-law
claim may depend for its resolution upon both
the interpretation of a collective-bargaining
agreement and a separate state-law analysis
that does not turn on the agreement. In such
a case, federal law would govern the
interpretation of the agreement, but the
separate state-law analysis would not be
thereby pre-empted.
[Lingle, supra, 486 U.S. at 413 n.12, 108 S.
Ct. at 1884, 100 L. Ed. 2d at 423 (emphasis
added).]
As our Supreme Court observed, the plaintiff in Puglia could
have asserted parallel claims based on the Conscientious Employee
Protection Act (CEPA), N.J.S.A. 34:19-1 to -14, or on provisions
of the CBA. Puglia, supra, 226 N.J. at 281. In rejecting the
16 A-3502-14T1
argument that his CEPA claim was pre-empted under § 301, the Court
observed,
Mere factual parallelism between a CEPA claim
and a CBA-based claim does not make a CEPA
claim dependent on the CBA. Puglia is not
asking New Jersey courts to use New Jersey law
to define the ins and outs of his bargained-
for employment relationship with Elk. He is
asking our courts to enforce his rights under
CEPA, independent and apart from his
bargained-for employment conditions. That,
our courts can do.
[Ibid.]
Thus, our evaluation of the § 301 pre-emption question begins
with Hejda's complaint, which we review "to find the source of the
right that he alleges [Bell] infringed. From that, we can determine
whether [Hejda's] claim requires an interpretation of the CBA."
See id. at 280.
The assertion of a defense based on the CBA will not
necessarily alter the resolution of the pre-emption question.
Ordinarily, a CBA-based defense is "insufficient to preempt an
independent state-law action," because in the typical case, it is
unnecessary to interpret the just cause language of a CBA in order
to resolve a discrimination or retaliatory discharge claim. Id.
at 279-80 (citing Hawaiian Airlines, supra, 512 U.S. at 266, 114
S. Ct. at 2251, 129 L. Ed. 2d at 220); see also Lingle, supra, 486
U.S. at 407, 108 S. Ct. at 1882, 100 L. Ed. 2d at 419-20. To
determine whether pre-emption is required as a result of the
17 A-3502-14T1
defense, we still "look to what a plaintiff must prove" in the
state-law claim. Puglia, supra, 226 N.J. at 282.
A.
We first address Hejda's claim that Bell retaliated against
him for filing a workers compensation claim. Our analysis is
guided by the Supreme Court's decision in Lingle, in which the
plaintiff also claimed she was discharged for filing a workers
compensation claim. 486 U.S. at 401, 108 S. Ct. at 1879, 100 L.
Ed. 2d at 416. The Supreme Court rejected the Circuit Court's
conclusion that the claim was pre-empted by § 301, stating,
[E]ven if dispute resolution pursuant to a
collective-bargaining agreement, on the one
hand, and state law, on the other, would
require addressing precisely the same set of
facts, as long as the state-law claim can be
resolved without interpreting the agreement
itself, the claim is "independent" of the
agreement for § 301 pre-emption purposes.
[Id. at 409-10, 108 S. Ct. at 1883, 100 L. Ed.
2d at 421.]
The Court reviewed the elements of the workers compensation
retaliation tort recognized by Illinois courts, i.e., "that (1)
[the employee] was discharged or threatened with discharge and (2)
the employer's motive in discharging or threatening to discharge
him was to deter him from exercising his rights under the [Illinois
workers compensation statute] or to interfere with his exercise
of those rights." Id. at 407, 108 S. Ct. at 1882, 100 L. Ed. 2d
18 A-3502-14T1
at 419 (citation omitted). The Court stated each of these elements
presented "purely factual questions" that "pertain[] to the
conduct of the employee and the conduct and motivation of the
employer" and did not "require[] a court to interpret any term of
a collective-bargaining agreement." Ibid. The Court also noted
the defense against such a claim – proof of a nonretaliatory reason
for the discharge – also entailed a "purely factual inquiry [that]
does not turn on the meaning of any provision of a collective-
bargaining agreement." Id. at 407, 108 S. Ct. at 1882, 100 L. Ed.
2d at 420. The Court therefore concluded, "the state-law remedy
in this case is 'independent' of the collective-bargaining
agreement in the sense of 'independent' that matters for § 301
pre-emption purposes: resolution of the state-law claim does not
require construing the collective-bargaining agreement." Ibid.
The essential elements of a claim under N.J.S.A. 34:15-39.110
require similar proof: "(1) that [Hejda] made or attempted to make
a claim for workers' compensation; and (2) that he was discharged
in retaliation for making that claim." Cerracchio v. Alden Leeds,
Inc., 223 N.J. Super. 435, 442-43 (App. Div. 1988) (quoting Galante
v. Sandoz, Inc., 192 N.J. Super. 403, 407 (Law Div. 1983), aff'd,
10N.J.S.A. 34:15-39.1 makes it unlawful "to discharge or in any
other manner discriminate against an employee as to his employment
because such employee has claimed or attempted to claim workmen's
compensation benefits from such employer."
19 A-3502-14T1
196 N.J. Super. 568 (App. Div. 1984)). In the count asserting
this claim, Hejda made no reference to any provision of the CBA.
He alleged the essential elements of the cause of action: that
Bell unlawfully discriminated against him and discharged him from
his employment because he filed a workers compensation claim and
that the nature and extent of his injury did not preclude him from
performing his job.
As the Court concluded in Lingle, each of these allegations
presents a "purely factual inquiry" that does not require the
interpretation of any provision of the CBA. Lingle, supra, 486
U.S. at 407, 108 S. Ct. at 1882, 100 L. Ed. 2d at 420; accord
Puglia, supra, 226 N.J. at 280. Hejda's workers compensation
retaliation claim is, therefore, "independent" of the CBA and not
pre-empted by § 301. Puglia, supra, 226 N.J. at 282; accord
Conaway v. Webster City Products Co., 431 N.W. 2d 795, 799 (Iowa
1988).
B.
Hejda asserted his LAD disability discrimination claim in a
count that alleged:
Hejda has a disability and is regarded
by Bell as having a covered disability.
Bell knew he had a disability and
discriminated against him while he was
impaired and because of his impairment.
20 A-3502-14T1
Hejda made repeated demands for
reasonable accommodations.
Hejda was "otherwise qualified for
employment with [Bell] with or without
reasonable accommodation."
Bell discriminated against Hejda "in
employment opportunity" despite the fact
that "he was qualified for employment and
previously performed his duties in
accordance with the terms of his
employment."
Bell failed to engage him "in a good
faith interactive process regarding his
requests for reasonable accommodation
and wrongfully failed to provide [him]
with reasonable accommodation."
Bell retaliated against him "because of
his disability," wrongfully altering
"the terms and conditions of [his]
employment based upon discriminatory and
retaliatory intent."
None of these allegations call for the interpretation of any
provision of the CBA.11 Whether or not a parallel avenue existed
in the CBA for Hejda to pursue his allegations, the complaint
alleges a cause of action under the LAD, which plainly establishes
rights that are independent of the CBA.
To present a prima facie case of disability discrimination
under LAD, Hejda was required to prove: (1) he was disabled (or
11Article 19 of the CBA, titled "Non-discrimination," prohibits
discrimination based on "race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, pregnancy, or age" and does not address discrimination
based on disability.
21 A-3502-14T1
perceived to be disabled); (2) he was objectively qualified for
his former position; (3) he was terminated; and (4) the employer
sought someone to perform the same work after the plaintiff's
discharge. Zive v. Stanley Roberts, Inc., 182 N.J. 436, 450
(2005). If the employee establishes a prima facie case, "the
burden of production shifts to the employer to articulate a
legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason for the employer's action."
Id. at 449. Once that reason is articulated, it is left to the
employee to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the
reason was merely pretextual. Ibid.
Each of these elements presents a "purely factual inquiry."
As the Court noted in Puglia:
Whether Puglia performed a whistleblowing
activity in reporting the alleged failure by
Elk to abide by Prevailing Wage Act
requirements, and whether Elk retaliated
against Puglia for doing so are factual
questions, untied to any interpretation of the
CBA. CEPA creates independent rights. Puglia's
CEPA cause of action is unaffected by whether
the CBA was violated; it asks only whether
Puglia's whistleblowing activity played a role
in his termination.
[226 N.J. at 280.]
This analysis marks a departure from the Court's decision in
Maher v. N.J. Transit Rail Operations, 125 N.J. 455 (1991). The
plaintiff in Maher was discharged after he refused to comply with
the requirement of his employer, New Jersey Transit (NJT), to wear
22 A-3502-14T1
safety glasses at all times. Id. at 461. He filed suit, alleging
violations of LAD and CEPA. Id. at 463. The Court found the
plaintiff's LAD claim pre-empted by the Railway Labor Act (RLA),
45 U.S.C.A. §§ 151 to 188. Id. at 479. Distinguishing Lingle,
the Court stated the defense did not "hinge on consideration of
'purely factual questions,'" and that "[a]n evaluation of whether
NJT's actions were reasonable would have to be based on
consideration of the carrier's conduct in following provisions of
the collective-bargaining agreement." Id. at 481.
The term, "purely factual inquiry," is not a model of clarity
on its face. But, the United States Supreme Court's decision in
Hawaiian Airlines provides guidance for its application.
In Hawaiian Airlines, supra, 512 U.S. at 266, 114 S. Ct. at
2251, 129 L. Ed. 2d at 220, the Supreme Court affirmed the decision
by the Supreme Court of Hawaii that an employee's claims for
discharge in violation of public policy and a state whistleblower
act were not pre-empted by the RLA. The Court adopted the
framework articulated in Lingle and emphasized "the existence of
a potential CBA-based remedy did not deprive an employee of
independent remedies available under state law." Id. at 261, 114
S. Ct. at 2248, 129 L. Ed. 2d at 216. Turning to the impact of
a CBA-based defense, the Court rejected the employer's contention
"that the state tort claims require a determination whether the
23 A-3502-14T1
discharge . . . was justified by respondent's failure to sign the
maintenance record, as the CBA required him to do." Id. at 266,
114 S. Ct. at 2251, 129 L. Ed. 2d at 220. A distinction was
drawn between an allegation that a discharge violated the CBA,
which would require such a determination, and the state tort claims
that, "by contrast, require only the purely factual inquiry into
any retaliatory motive of the employer." Ibid.
In Puglia, the Court cited Hawaiian Airlines as "fortif[ying]
the view that . . . a CBA-based defense is ordinarily insufficient
to preempt a state-law action," by "explain[ing] that . . . the
issue to be decided in this action -— whether the employer's
actions make out the element of discharge under [state] law -— is
a 'purely factual question.'" 226 N.J. at 279 (quoting Hawaiian
Airlines, supra, 512 U.S. at 266, 114 S. Ct. at 2251, 129 L. Ed.
2d at 220).
Our Supreme Court further noted the Court's rejection of the
employer's argument that the state-law claim required a
determination whether its action was justified by the employee's
failure to comply with a requirement of the CBA. Ibid. Observing
that Maher was decided before Hawaiian Airlines, the Puglia Court
spurned the suggestion that Maher provided authority for the
proposition that a CBA-based defense would pre-empt a state-law
claim. Id. at 280, n.4. Our distillation of these opinions leads
24 A-3502-14T1
us to conclude that the defining characteristic of a "purely
factual inquiry" is that it "does not turn on the meaning of any
provision of a collective-bargaining agreement." Lingle, supra,
486 U.S. at 407, 108 S. Ct. at 1882, 100 L. Ed. 2d at 420.
We recognize that the question whether Hejda was "objectively
qualified" to be reinstated as a truck driver implicates the
recertification requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 391.45. It is also
true that the CBA contains provisions relevant to this regulatory
requirement, most notably, Article 35, which states: "Physical or
other examinations (including [DOT] physicals) required by any
government body shall be promptly complied with by all Employees
. . . ." But, contrary to the arguments advanced by Bell, neither
Hejda's claim nor Bell's defense requires the interpretation of
any provision of the CBA. The requirement that Hejda be
recertified was not imposed by Bell in the exercise of its rights
under the CBA. It is a function of the DOT regulation which, as
the arbitrator noted, is law that Bell is required to follow. The
applicable regulations, 49 C.F.R. §§ 391.41, 391.43 and 391.45,12
are straightforward in their requirements. To the extent an
interpretation of them is required, federal law must be applied.
1249 C.F.R. § 391.47 provides a procedure for the resolution of
conflicts of medical evaluations obtained by the driver and the
employer. The record does not disclose if the parties engaged in
this procedure or satisfied the criteria for its application.
25 A-3502-14T1
As we have noted, the trial judge dismissed the complaint
pursuant to Rule 4:6-2(a) for lack of subject matter jurisdiction,
and did not address the other grounds advanced by Bell in its
motion. Accordingly, our review has been limited to that issue.
We offer no opinion as to the merits of plaintiff's claims or any
of the other arguments presented by Bell. The order dismissing
the complaint for lack of subject matter jurisdiction is reversed
and the matter remanded. We do not retain jurisdiction.
Reversed.
26 A-3502-14T1
Brian Hejda v. Bell Container Corporation
Court: New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division
Date filed: 2017-05-09
Citations: 450 N.J. Super. 173, 160 A.3d 741
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