Raines et al v. O.W. Construction, LLC

Filing 24

ORDER granting 12 Motion for default judgment (Written Opinion). Signed by Judge Paul A. Magnuson on June 4, 2015. (ALT)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
Civil No. 15-30 (PAM/JJK)
John Raines and Tim McGough, as Trustees of
the Carpenters & Joiners Welfare Fund, and each
of their successors,
Plaintiffs,
FINDINGS OF FACT,
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW, AND
ORDER FOR ENTRY OF DEFAULT

v.
O.W. Construction, LLC,
Defendant.

This matter was heard before the undersigned on the June 4, 2015. Bryan J.
Morben, Esq., of Anderson, Helgen, Davis & Cefalu, P.A. appeared for and on behalf of
the Plaintiffs. There was no appearance on behalf of Defendant.
FINDINGS OF FACT
1.

The Summons and Complaint were filed with the Court on January 7, 2015.

Service was accomplished on Defendant on January 12, 2015.
2.

Defendant has failed to file and serve a response or Answer to the

Complaint. The Clerk of Court entered default against Defendant on February 5, 2015.
(Docket No. 11.)
3.

Plaintiffs are trustees and fiduciaries of the Carpenters & Joiners Welfare

Fund (the “Fund”). The Fund is a multi-employer jointly-trusteed fringe benefit plan
created and maintained pursuant to Section 302(c)(5) of the Labor Management Relations
Act of 1947 (“LMRA”), as amended 29 U.S.C. § 186(c)(5). The Fund is administered in

accordance with the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended 29 U.S.C. § 1001, et seq. (“ERISA”). Plaintiffs John Raines and Tim
McGough, and any subsequently appointed successor, are Trustees of the Fund and
fiduciaries under ERISA § 3(21), 29 U.S.C. § 1002(21). All contributions must be made
and all reports must be submitted to Wilson-McShane Corporation, 3001 Metro Drive,
Suite 500, Bloomington, MN 55425, as the administrative agent designated by the
Trustees.
4.

Defendant is bound to the terms of a Collective Bargaining Agreement with

the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters, Local Union #1091. The
Collective Bargaining Agreement requires employers to make fringe benefit
contributions to the Funds in accordance with its terms. These contributions must be
made on behalf of all employees covered by the Collective Bargaining Agreement, in
amounts set forth and agreed on therein, for the purpose of funding employee benefits.
The employer, such as Defendant, is required to complete a report form with the
information as required by the Trustees, identifying each of its employees and each hour
worked by that employee during the month performing covered service. The report is
required to be submitted with the payment for the amounts due not later than the 15th day
of the following month.
5.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement provides that an employer is liable

for an additional 10% of all contributions not timely submitted for liquidated damages,
and also provides that Plaintiffs are entitled to their attorney’s fees and costs.
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6.

Defendant has breached its obligation under the Collective Bargaining

Agreement by failing to timely submit the fringe fund reports and contributions for the
months of July, August, September, October, November, and December of 2014.
Additionally, Defendant has failed to submit the required reports for the months of
January, February, and March of 2015.
7.

Plaintiffs reasonably believe that Defendant employed individuals during

these months. Furthermore, Defendant is obligated to remit the reports, indicating, if
appropriate, that no hours were worked.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1.

Defendant is in default, and Plaintiffs are entitled to a default judgment

under Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2).
2.

Defendant is obligated to pay to the Funds all fringe benefit contributions,

liquidated damages, and attorney’s fees and costs incurred in collecting the delinquency
pursuant to 29 U.S.C. §1132(a) and (g).
3.

Defendant is required to submit the fringe fund reports due owing for hours

worked between July 2014 and April 2015 (which would have been due May 15, 2015).
Defendant is liable for the contributions due per those reports.
ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that:
1.

Plaintiffs' Motion for Entry of Default (Docket No. 12) is GRANTED;

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2.

Defendant must remit the fringe fund reports due for the months between

July 2014 through the date of the hearing (May 2015), if such reports have not already
been submitted, at the offices of Wilson-McShane Corporation, 3001 Metro Drive, Suite
500, Bloomington, MN 55425. Those reports must correctly identify hours worked
pursuant to the Collective Bargaining Agreement and must be remitted within ten (10)
days of service of this Order on Defendant.
3.

Defendant is obligated to pay to the Plaintiffs the fringe benefit

contributions of all of the hours reported pursuant to the Court's Order, plus liquidated
damages in the amount of 10% of the delinquent contributions for all months in which
contributions were not remitted in a timely manner.
4.

If Defendant fails to make the payments this Order requires, Plaintiffs may

move the Court for entry of a money judgment for all unpaid contributions, liquidated
damages, and reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, as shown by Affidavit filed with the
Court. The Court may enter judgment ten (10) days after service of the motion and
affidavit on Defendant.
LET JUDGMENT BE ENTERED ACCORDINGLY.

Dated: June 4, 2015

s/Paul A. Magnuson
Paul A. Magnuson
United States District Court Judge

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