Sheet Metal Workers National Health Fund v. Cunningham

Filing 20

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION: Magistrate Judge Bryant Recommends that MOTION for Preliminary Injunction and to Waive Security 14 be Granted. Signed by Magistrate Judge John S. Bryant on 4/4/11. (dt)

Sheet Metal Workers National Health Fund v. Cunningham

Doc. 20

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF TENNESSEE NASHVILLE DIVISION SHEET METAL WORKERS NATIONAL HEALTH FUND, Plaintiff, v. JACKIE CUNNINGHAM, Defendant. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

NO.

3:10-0695

Judge Haynes/Bryant

TO: The Honorable William J. Haynes, Jr. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION Plaintiff has filed its motion for preliminary injunction and to waive security (Docket Entry No. 14). no response in opposition. For the reasons stated below, the undersigned Magistrate Judge recommends that plaintiff's motion be granted. Analysis In deciding whether to issue a preliminary injunction, a district court must consider: (1) the likelihood that the party seeking the preliminary injunction will succeed on the merits of the claim; (2) whether the party seeking the injunction will suffer irreparable harm without the grant of the extraordinary relief; (3) the probability that granting the injunction will cause substantial harm to others; and (4) whether the public interest is advanced by the issuance of the injunction. Dayton Area Visually Impaired In Defendant has filed

Persons, Inc. v. Fisher, 70 F.3d 1474, 1480 (6th Cir. 1995).

support of its motion, plaintiff has filed the affidavit of Angela Rye (Docket Entry No. 16). This affidavit establishes that

defendant Cunningham, d/b/a Standard Roofing & Sheet Metal is a party to a collective bargaining agreement that requires him to pay

Dockets.Justia.com

certain contributions to the plaintiff on behalf of employees covered by the collective bargaining agreement and to submit timely reports showing payments due identifying the names of employees performing work. The payments from defendant required by the

collective bargaining agreement are made to the plaintiff, which is an employee benefit plan defined by ERISA at 29 U.S.C. § 1002(1). Ms. Rye further testifies by affidavit that although employees have continued to work for defendant, the required reports and payments have not been timely submitted by defendant Cunningham. Finally,

the affidavit of Ms. Rye establishes that if an employer such as defendant fails to submit reports, employees will not receive credit for benefits, and, therefore, can suffer irreparable harm in the absence of those benefits. Courts have held that public policy weighs in favor of an injunction to enforce ERISA rights. International Resources v. New York Life, 950 F.2d 294, 302 (6th Cir. 1991). From a review of the

affidavit of Ms. Rye, and in the absence of any opposition by the defendant, the undersigned Magistrate Judge finds that plaintiff has made a sufficient favorable showing of the four factors required to support the issuance of a preliminary injunction. Plaintiff also has moved for an order waiving the

requirement of security or bond under Rule 65(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This rule provides in pertinent part:

"No restraining order or preliminary injunction shall issue except upon the giving of security by the applicant, in such sums as the court deems proper, for the payment of such cost and damages as may be incurred or suffered by any party who is found to have been wrongfully enjoined or restrained." The Sixth Circuit Court of

Appeals has held that a trial judge possesses discretion to permit 2

the waiver of posting of security.

Urbain v. Knapp Brothers

Manufacturing Co., 217 F.2d 810, 815-16 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 349 U.S. 930 (1955). The undersigned Magistrate Judge finds, upon

consideration of the totality of the circumstances, that the Court in its discretion should grant plaintiff's motion for waiver of security. RECOMMENDATION For the reasons stated above, the undersigned Magistrate Judge RECOMMENDS that plaintiff's motion for preliminary injunction and waiver of security be GRANTED. Under Rule 72(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, any party has fourteen (14) days from service of this Report and Recommendation in which to file any written objections to this Recommendation, with the District Court. Any party opposing said

objections shall have fourteen (14) days from receipt of any objections filed in this Report in which to file any responses to said objections. Failure to file specific objections within

fourteen (14) days of receipt of this Report and Recommendation can constitute a waiver of further appeal of this Recommendation. Thomas v. Arn, 474 U.S. 140 (1985), reh'g denied, 474 U.S. 1111 (1986). ENTERED this 4th day of April, 2011. s/ John S. Bryant JOHN S. BRYANT United States Magistrate Judge

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