Fernandez-Montes V. Allied Pilots Association

The dispute in this case arises from plaintiff Fernandez-Montes' assertion that as a member of his union, the Allied Pilots Association ("APA"), he has a right to obtain copies of certified verbatim transcripts or audiotapes of certain union meetings. Although the union makes audiotapes of its meetings, it is not required to do so by its own constitution and bylaws or by any federal law. The union claims that the audiotapes are made solely to facilitate the preparation of minutes (which are sent to all union members). Although the union refuses to acknowledge that union members have a right of access to the audiotapes, in practice the union does permit all union members to come to its offices and listen to the audiotapes on the union's audio equipment.*fn1