Holschen v. International Union of Painters & Allied Trades/Painters District Council 2

**Union Member Loses Retaliation Case Against Painters Union** This case involved a dispute between a union member named Holschen and the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades. Holschen claimed the union retaliated against him and breached their contract with him as a member. He filed several complaints under federal labor laws that protect union members' rights. The courts ruled entirely in favor of the union. The lower court threw out some of Holschen's claims, saying they were covered by federal labor law rather than state law. The court also granted summary judgment on two claims under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, meaning the union won without going to trial. On the remaining claims, the court directed verdicts in the union's favor during trial. The appeals court upheld all these decisions. **What This Means for Workers:** This case shows how challenging it can be for union members to successfully sue their own unions, even when claiming retaliation. Courts apply strict standards when evaluating these disputes, and federal labor laws often override state law protections. Union members considering legal action against their unions should understand that these cases face significant hurdles and require strong evidence to succeed.