JOHNSON V. RETIREMENT PLAN OF GENERAL MILLS, INC. AND THE BAKERY, CONFECTIONARY, TOBACCO AND GRAIN MILLERS INTERNATIONAL UNION (BCTGM)

Filing 40

ENTRY ON PLAINTIFF'S OBJECTION TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE'S ORDER ON MOTION TO STAY LITIGATION AND COMPEL ARBITRATION - The Court OVERRULES Johnson's Objections 37 and ADOPTS Magistrate Judge Baker's Order 36 , and GRANTS Defendant's Motion to Stay Litigation and Compel Arbitration 27 . SEE ORDER. Signed by Judge Tanya Walton Pratt on 8/25/2017. (JRB)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA
NEW ALBANY DIVISION
DEBORAH J. JOHNSON,
Plaintiff,
v.
RETIREMENT PLAN OF GENERAL MILLS,
INC. AND THE BAKERY, CONFECTIONARY,
TOBACCO AND GRAIN MILERS
INTERNATIONAL UNION (BCTGM),
Defendant.

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Case No. 4:16-cv-00151-TWP-TAB

ENTRY ON PLAINTIFF’S OBJECTION TO MAGISTRATE JUDGE’S
ORDER ON MOTION TO STAY LITIGATION AND COMPEL ARBITRATION
This matter is before the Court on Plaintiff Deborah J. Johnson’s (“Johnson”) Objection to
Magistrate Judge’s Opinion and Order (Filing No. 37) regarding the Order on Motion to Stay
Litigation and Compel Arbitration (Filing No. 36) (“the Order”) filed by Defendants Retirement
Plan of General Mills Inc. and the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco and Grain Millers International
Union (BCTGM) (“the Plan”). For the following reasons, the Court OVERRULES Johnson’s
Objection, ADOPTS the Magistrate Judge’s Order, and GRANTS Defendant’s Motion to Stay
Litigation and Compel Arbitration.
I.

BACKGROUND

General Mills Incorporated (“GMI”) hired Johnson on April 22, 1997. As an employee,
she was eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan provides four distinct retirement benefits—
normal, early, disability, and deferred. On September 14, 2015, Johnson applied for disability
retirement benefits due to a medical condition. The Plan denied her request and she appealed the
Plan’s denial. The Plan denied Johnson’s appeal.

On August 19, 2016, Johnson sought relief in this Court against the Plan. (Filing No. 1.)
In her Complaint, she alleges the Plan breached its contract with her pursuant to the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 (“ERISA”), when the Plan denied her
claim for disability retirement benefits. Id. On October 17, 2016, the Plan filed an Answer to the
Complaint, denying liability for Johnson’s claim. (Filing No. 11.) During this same time period,
on September 14, 2016, GMI negotiated a plant closure agreement (“the Agreement”) that
provided severance benefits to eligible employees. Johnson was an eligible employee and,
pursuant to the Agreement, GMI agreed to pay Johnson $20,000.00 in exchange for releasing:
GMI, its subsidiaries and affiliates…, from all causes of actions, claims,
debts or other contracts and agreements... including, but not limited to,
any and all claims directly or indirectly relating to [her] employment, or
to [her] separation from employment.... This release includes any and
all claims under federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment
discrimination, harassment or retaliation, and specifically includes,
without limitation, claims arising under… [ERISA]…. However,
[Johnson] shall retain any and all vested benefits acknowledged by GMI
as benefits to which [she is] entitled as a participant in any GMI benefit
plans, and any rights that cannot by law be released by private
agreement, including the right to file a complaint or charge with a
governmental administrative agency….
(“the Release”) (Filing No. 23-1 at 1). Johnson also agreed to arbitrate “any dispute or claim
arising out of or relating to the above release of claims, including without limitation, any dispute
about the validity or enforceability of the release or the assertion of any claim covered by the
release” (“the Arbitration Clause”). Id. On October 28, 2016, Johnson signed the Release
“knowingly, voluntarily and without reliance upon any statements made by or on behalf of GMI
except those in [the] release agreement or the other written information provided to [her] in
connection with [the] release agreement.” Id. at 2.
That same day, Johnson’s counsel emailed the Plan administrator, inquiring whether the
Release would impact her pending breach of contract claim. (Filing No. 37 at 3.) On October 31,

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2016, the Plan responded that it would look into the inquiry and get back to Johnson’s counsel.
Id. at 4. The following day, on November 1, 2016, Johnson’s counsel replied that “unless informed
otherwise, [Johnson is] proceeding with the understanding the severance release will not impact
[her] claims in this case.” Id. The Plan did not reply.
On November 30, 2016, the Plan moved for leave to amend its Answer to add affirmative
defenses and a counterclaim based on the Release. (Filing No. 15.) On December 21, 2016, the
Court granted the Plan’s request (Filing No. 21), and the Plan filed its First Amended Answer and
Counterclaim on December 22, 2016. (Filing No. 24.) Thereafter, on January 6, 2017, the Plan
filed a Motion to Stay Litigation and Compel Arbitration pursuant to the Release. (Filing No. 27.)
On February 14, 2017, Johnson responded in opposition to the Plan’s request to arbitrate, arguing:
1) the Arbitration Clause is unenforceable because it lacks consideration; 2) the Plan is not an
intended beneficiary of the Arbitration Clause; 3) Johnson’s claim against the Plan is not subject
to the Release; and 4) the Plan forfeited its right to enforce the Arbitration Clause when it failed
to respond to the November 1, 2016 email and actively litigated the breach of contract claim prior
to filing its request to compel arbitration. (Filing No. 32.)
On March 29, 2017, the Magistrate Judge granted the Plan’s request to compel arbitration,
concluding the Release required Johnson to arbitrate her claim. (Filing No. 36.) Johnson objects
to the Magistrate Judge’s Order. (Filing No. 37.)
II.

LEGAL STANDARD

A district court may refer a non-dispositive pretrial motion to a magistrate judge under
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 72(a). Rule 72(a) provides:
When a pretrial matter not dispositive of a party’s claim or defense is referred to a
magistrate judge to hear and decide, the magistrate judge must promptly conduct
the required proceedings and, when appropriate, issue a written order stating the
decision. A party may serve and file objections to the order within 14 days after

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being served with a copy. A party may not assign as error a defect in the order not
timely objected to. The district judge in the case must consider timely objections
and modify or set aside any part of the order that is clearly erroneous or is contrary
to law.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 72(a). After reviewing objections to a magistrate judge’s order, the district court
will modify or set aside the order only if it is clearly erroneous or contrary to law. The clear error
standard is highly deferential, permitting reversal only when the district court “is left with the
definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made.” Weeks v. Samsung Heavy Indus. Co.,
Ltd., 126 F.3d 926, 943 (7th Cir. 1997).
III.

DISCUSSION

Johnson objects to the Magistrate Judge’s Order, contending the Magistrate Judge erred
when: 1) failing to address her argument that the Arbitration Clause lacked consideration; 2)
concluding the Plan is a party to the Release; 3) finding that Johnson’s breach of contract claim
against the Plan fell within the scope of the Release; and 4) concluding the Plan did not waive its
right to compel arbitration.
A.

The Arbitration Clause does not lack Consideration
Johnson asserts the Magistrate Judge erred when ignoring her argument that the Arbitration

Clause is unenforceable because it lacks consideration. She contends the Court should not enforce
the Arbitration Clause because the language of the Release obligated her to arbitrate all claims but
did not obligate the Plan to do the same. See Gibson v. Neighborhood Health Clinics, 121 F.3d
1126 (7th Cir. 1997) (finding an arbitration provision lacked consideration because it bound only
one party with the obligation to arbitrate all claims).
The Court agrees with Johnson that the Order did not specifically address her “lack of
consideration” argument. The Court finds, however—when reading the Release as a whole—
Johnson’s argument fails on the merits because she received adequate consideration in exchange

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for the Arbitration Clause. “Indiana courts have used both a benefit-detriment and a bargainedfor-exchange approach in defining consideration; the courts look for a promisor receiving a benefit
or a promisee suffering some detriment, which was bargained-for in exchange for the promise.”
Flynn v. AerChem, Inc., 102 F.Supp.2d 1055, 1060 (S.D. Ind. 2000). There is no dispute that the
Release is supported by consideration. As the Magistrate Judge pointed out, the Plan paid Johnson
$20,000.00 in exchange for the Release. Accordingly, because the Release includes the Arbitration
Clause, the Court finds that the Arbitration Clause is supported by sufficient consideration. See
Oblix, Inc. v. Winiecki, 374 F.3d 488, 491 (7th Cir. 2004) (noting an arbitration clause was as much
a part of a deal as plaintiff’s salary and commissions, the rules about handling trade secrets, and
other terms. “All stand or fall together.”).
The Court also notes, despite Johnson’s contention and reliance on Gibson, Gibson does
not conclude that all arbitration clauses must obligate both parties to arbitrate in order to obtain
adequate consideration. See 121 F.3d at 1131 (“Often, consideration for one party’s promise to
arbitrate is the other party’s promise to do the same”) (emphasis added). Rather, Gibson stands
for the proposition that “ordinary contract principles [apply] to arbitration agreements” and, as
such, consideration for a plaintiff’s promise to arbitrate is required. See id. at 1130-31. As
mentioned, Johnson’s receipt of $20,000.00 in exchange for the Release amounts to sufficient
consideration and, accordingly, the Court overrules Johnson’s objection.
B.

The Plan is a Party to the Release
The Magistrate Judge specifically found that the Plan may enforce the Release because it

is an affiliate of GMI and, in the alternative, a third party beneficiary. Johnson asserts that both
conclusions are clearly erroneous. The Court will address each issue in turn.

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1.

Affiliate

There is no dispute that Johnson agreed to release “GMI, its subsidiaries and affiliates…,
from all causes of actions, claims, debts or other contracts and agreements.” (Filing No. 23-1 at 1)
(emphasis added). Johnson, however, objects to the Magistrate Judge’s conclusion that the Plan
amounts to GMI’s affiliate. She points to GMI’s regulatory findings with the Security Exchange
Commission and notes that the Plan is not listed as a “subsidiary” and GMI does not reference the
Plan in its public filings or on its website. Johnson asserts, based on the doctrine of noscitur a
sociis, the Court must read the term “affiliate” in the same context as “subsidiaries” and cannot
give “affiliate” a broader meaning. See NOSCITUR A SOCIIS, Black's Law Dictionary (10th ed.
2014) (“A canon of construction holding that the meaning of an unclear word or phrase, esp. one
in a list, should be determined by the words immediately surrounding it”); see also Glob. Crossing
Telecommunications, Inc. v. Metrophones Telecommunications, Inc., 550 U.S. 45, 75–76 (2007)
(“A word is known by the company it keeps, and one should not ascrib[e] to one word a meaning
so broad that it is inconsistent with its accompanying words.”) (citations and quotation marks
omitted).
Despite Johnson’s contention, the Court agrees with the Magistrate Judge and concludes
that the Plan is GMI’s affiliate. “Affiliate” is defined as a “corporation that is related to another
corporation by shareholdings or other means of control; a subsidiary, parent, or sibling
corporation.” AFFILIATE, Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014) (emphasis added). “Control” is
defined as the “direct or indirect power to govern the management and policies of a person or
entity, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise; the power or
authority to manage, direct, or oversee.” CONTROL, Black’s Law Dictionary (10th ed. 2014). It is
evident that GMI has means of control over the Plan. As the Magistrate Judge mentioned, and

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Johnson does not dispute, the Plan is sponsored and maintained by GMI; GMI appoints the Plan’s
trustee; GMI retains the right to modify or amend the Plan; and GMI receives all assets not required
for benefit payments. The Plan also uses GMI’s Employer Identification Number for government
reports and GMI’s address for legal service of process.
2.

Third Party Beneficiary

Johnson also objects to the Magistrate Judge’s finding that the Plan is an intended
beneficiary of the Release. A third-party, intended beneficiary may enforce a contract by showing:
(1) a clear intent by the parties to the contract to benefit the third party; (2) a duty imposed on one
of the contracting parties in favor of the third party; and (3) performance of the contract’s terms is
necessary to render the third party the intended benefit. Barth Elec. Co. v. Traylor Bros., Inc., 553
N.E.2d 504, 506 (Ind. Ct. App. 1990).
Johnson argues the Magistrate Judge summarily concluded the Plan is an intended
beneficiary without analyzing each of the three elements. She relies on Daimler when asserting,
despite the Magistrate Judge’s conclusion, the Plan is not an intended beneficiary because the
Release does not reference the Plan and does not show a clear intent to benefit the Plan. See
Daimler Chrysler Corp. v. Franklin, 814 N.E.2d 281, 286 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004) (noting plaintiff
was not the intended beneficiary because “the body of the contract and the arbitration agreement
between Community and Franklin does not reference [plaintiff] and does not show a clear intent
to benefit [plaintiff].”).
The Magistrate Judge concisely explained his conclusion and analyzed each of the three
elements. Specifically, the Magistrate Judge concluded that Johnson’s agreement to release “all
causes of actions” including, “without limitation, claims arising under… [ERISA]” demonstrates
that the Release intended to benefit the Plan. (See Filing No. 23-1 at 1) (emphasis added). He

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further reasoned that the Release intended to benefit the Plan because all claims under ERISA
relate to benefit plans and a plaintiff may assert some claims under ERISA only against a benefit
plan. The Court finds, because Johnson undertook the duty to release all claims under ERISA—
which in some cases benefit only the Plan—the Magistrate Judge’s brief analysis satisfies every
element of the third-party beneficiary claim.
Regarding Johnson’s contention that the Magistrate Judge arrived to the wrong conclusion,
the Court again disagrees and notes that an intent to benefit a third party “may be demonstrated by
specifically naming the third-party or by other evidence.” Barth, 553 N.E.2d at 506 (emphasis
added). Accordingly, because Johnson does not dispute that the release of all claims under
ERISA—in many cases—solely benefit the Plan, the Court overrules Johnson’s objection on this
issue.
Johnson also argues that the Plan is not an intended beneficiary because after signing the
Release she made clear that she did not intend for the Release to apply to the Plan. The Court
relies on the plain language of the Release and again finds that the Magistrate Judge did not commit
clear error when concluding that the Plan amounts to an intended beneficiary. (See Filing No. 231 at 2) (showing Johnson signed the Release “knowingly” and “voluntarily”.)
C.

The Breach of Contract Claim falls within the Scope of the Release
Johnson next asserts that the Magistrate Judge erred in concluding that her claim against

the Plan fell within the scope of the Release. Johnson specifically argues that the Release applies
only to GMI and claims arising from her employment. She contends that the Release does not
encompass her disability retirement claim against the Plan.
The Court disagrees and notes that it previously adopted the Magistrate Judge’s conclusion
that the Plan amounts to GMI’s affiliate. Johnson agreed to release “GMI, its subsidiaries and

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affiliates…, from all causes of actions, claims, debts or other contracts and agreements.” (Filing
No. 23-1 at 1) (emphasis added). Accordingly, the Release applies to the Plan. The Court also
notes that there is no dispute that Johnson’s claim against the Plan arises under ERISA. When
signing the Release, Johnson agreed to release all claims including, “without limitation, claims
arising under… [ERISA].” Id. (emphasis added). The Court rejects Johnson’s contention that the
provision refers only to ERISA claims arising from employment, such as harassment,
discrimination or retaliation, rather than claims for disability retirement benefits.

As the

Magistrate Judge points out, the phrase “without limitation” is unambiguous. Accordingly, the
Court finds the Magistrate Judge did not err when concluding that Johnson’s ERISA claim against
the Plan falls within the scope of the Release.
Johnson also asserts, because GMI acknowledged that she is a vested participant in
accordance with the Plan, her claim against the Plan falls under the Release’s exception. The
Release states that Johnson “shall retain any and all vested benefits acknowledged by GMI.” Id.
at 2 (emphasis added). The Magistrate Judge determined that Johnson’s reliance on the exception
is misplaced because being a vested participant under the Plan does not amount to having a vested
right to disability pension benefits. The Magistrate Judge noted that disability pension benefits
under the Plan are forfeitable and, therefore, not vested. See Vallone v. CNA Fin. Corp., 375 F.3d
623, n.5 (7th Cir. 2004) (Vested benefits…refer to those normal retirement benefits to which an
employee has a nonforfeitable claim”) (emphasis added). Because Johnson presents no arguments
refuting the Magistrate Judge’s analysis, the Court overrules Johnson’s objection on this issue.
D.

The Plan did not Forfeit its Right to Compel Arbitration
Finally, Johnson argues the Magistrate Judge incorrectly concluded that the Plan did not

forfeit its right to enforce the Arbitration Clause. Despite the Magistrate Judge’s conclusion,

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Johnson contends the Plan waived its right to arbitrate because it failed to respond to her counsel’s
November 1, 2016 email and actively litigated the breach of contract claim prior to filing its request
to compel arbitration.
1.

Failure to Respond

Johnson argues the Plan misled her and breached its fiduciary duty by failing to respond to
her inquiries about the Release’s impact on her pending breach of contract claim. The duty to
disclose material information is central to a fiduciary’s responsibility. Kenseth v. Dean Health
Plan, Inc., 610 F.3d 452, 466 (7th Cir. 2010). The duty to disclose “includes an obligation not to
mislead a plan participant or to misrepresent the terms or administration of an employee benefit
plan, including an insurance plan.” Id. The duty to disclose also “exists when a beneficiary asks
fiduciaries for information, and even when he or she does not.” Id.; see also Vallone, 375 F.3d at
640-642 (same).
The Magistrate Judge opined that Johnson provided no support for her claim that the Plan
and its counsel misled her. He noted that prior to contacting the Plan, Johnson signed the Release
“knowingly, voluntarily, and without reliance upon any statements made by or on behalf of GMI
except those in [the Release Agreement] or other written information provided to [her] in
connection with this [Release Agreement].” (See Filing No. 28-1). Thereafter, Johnson’s counsel
emailed the Plan, inquiring whether the Release would impact her pending breach of contract
claim. (Filing No. 37 at 3.) On October 31, 2016, three days after Johnson executed the Release,
the Plan responded that it would look into the inquiry and follow-up with Johnson’s counsel. Id.
at 4. The following day, on November 1, 2016, Johnson’s counsel replied that “unless informed
otherwise, [Johnson is] proceeding with the understanding the severance release will not impact
[her] claims in this case.” Id. The Plan did not respond. On November 30, 2016, however, the

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Plan moved for leave to amend its Answer to add affirmative defenses and a counterclaim based
on the Release. (Filing No. 15.) The Magistrate Judge found, based on the short timeline and
because Johnson signed the Release prior to contacting the Plan, the Plan did not mislead or breach
any fiduciary duty to Johnson.
The Court agrees. Despite Johnson’s objection and contention that she was forced to sign
the Release—it is inconceivable that the Plan misled Johnson because Johnson signed the Release
“knowingly” prior to communicating with the Plan. Even if the Court accepted Johnson’s
argument, Johnson has provided no legal authority to support a finding that the appropriate remedy
for breach of fiduciary duty is a forfeiture of arbitration rights. Accordingly, the Court concludes
the Magistrate Judge committed no clear error.
2.

Failure to Immediately Compel Arbitration

Johnson also argues that the Plan waived its right to compel arbitration by actively
participating in the lawsuit before asserting the right. See Cabinetree of Wisconsin, Inc. v.
Kraftmaid Cabinetry, Inc., 50 F.3d 388 (7th Cir. 1995). The Magistrate Judge disagreed with
Johnson’s argument and concluded that the Plan enforced the Release within thirty-three days of
its execution.

During those thirty-three days, the Plan answered Johnson’s Complaint and

participated in a court-ordered status conference. The Magistrate Judge found that such minimal
participation did not constitute a waiver.
The Court again agrees with the Magistrate Judge and notes that Johnson’s objection
amounts to the same argument presented in her initial Response in Opposition to the Plan’s request
to arbitrate. Compare (Filing No. 32 at 16-17), with (Filing No. 37 at 14-15.) Johnson presents
no arguments refuting the Magistrate Judge’s analysis. The Court finds Johnson’s reliance on
Cabinetree misplaced. In Cabinetree, the court held that a defendant waived its right to arbitrate

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because the defendant removed the case to federal court prior to seeking arbitration in state court.
50 F.3d at 391. Thereafter, the defendant waited eight months to compel arbitration. Id. (noting
“[t]here is no plausible interpretation of the reason for the delay except that [defendant] initially
decided to litigate its dispute…in the federal district court, and that later, for reasons unknown and
with no shadow of justification, [defendant] changed its mind and decided it would be better off
in arbitration.”). Unlike the defendant in Cabinetree, the Plan did not remove this case from state
court—or invoke judicial process. See 50 F.3d at 390 (“invoking judicial process is presumptive
waiver”). The Plan participated only in court-order status conferences and, thereafter, immediately
sought leave to amend its Answer to assert defenses and a counterclaim relating to the Release.
Here, the Plan enforced its right to compel arbitration within thirty-three days of the Release’s
execution—rather than eight months after invoking judicial process. See id.
The Court overrules Johnson’s objection because she has presented no evidence that the
Magistrate Judge committed clear error when finding the Plan did not waive its right to arbitrate,
nor has she demonstrated that the Plan acted inconsistently with the right to arbitrate. “Arbitration
is a waivable contract right, but a waiver of arbitration is not lightly to be inferred.” Morrie Mages
& Shirlee Mages Found. v. Thrifty Corp., 916 F.2d 402, 405 (7th Cir.1990) (citations omitted).
There is no bright line rule that dictates whether a waiver has occurred; instead, we must examine
whether “based on all the circumstances, the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced has
acted inconsistently with the right to arbitrate.” Grumhaus v. Comerica Securities, Inc., 223 F.3d
648, 650–651 (7th Cir.2000) (emphasis added) (citations omitted).

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IV. CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Court OVERRULES Johnson’s Objections (Filing No. 37)
and ADOPTS Magistrate Judge Baker’s Order (Filing No. 36), and GRANTS Defendant’s
Motion to Stay Litigation and Compel Arbitration (Filing No. 27).
SO ORDERED.
Date: 8/25/2017
DISTRIBUTION:
Andrew M. Grabhorn
GRABHORN LAW OFFICE PLLC
[e-mail]
Michael D. Grabhorn
GRABHORN LAW OFFICE, PLLC
[e-mail]
Stephanie L. Boxell
FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP (Indianapolis)
[e-mail]
Philip John Gutwein, II
FAEGRE BAKER DANIELS LLP (Indianapolis)
[e-mail]

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