Baldracchi v. Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Division

This case presents the important question whether section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA), 29 U.S.C. § 185, which gives federal courts jurisdiction over suits alleging violations of collective bargaining agreements, preempts an action by a union member under a state statute that prohibits the discharge of an employee for filing a workers compensation claim. The discharged employee, Christine Baldracchi, appeals from an order of the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, Alan H. Nevas, J., denying her motion to remand to the state court and granting defendants motion to dismiss the complaint. Because we believe that Baldracchis action is not preempted by section 301 of the LMRA, we reverse and remand with instructions to remand to the state court.