96
Opinion of the Court
the local and its officers in the United States District Court. Petitioner's complaint alleged violation of his rights protected by the LMRDA in that he had been discriminated against in job referrals because of his opposition to proposed union policy; violation of his right to a fair hearing under the LMRDA; violations of the IBEW Constitution and the bylaws of Local 71, which were alleged to constitute breaches of contract redressable under § 301 of the LMRA and state law; breach of the duty of fair representation redressable under § 301; and pendent state-law claims alleging interference with contractual relations and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Petitioner sought injunctive relief, lost wages and benefits, additional compensatory damages, punitive damages, and attorney's fees. App. 14-15.
In the course of acting on two summary judgment motions filed by defendants, the District Court dismissed all claims against all defendants. The Court of Appeals reversed the dismissal of the LMRDA free speech-job discrimination claim but otherwise affirmed the District Court, including its holding that petitioner had no right to have his LMRDA claim tried to a jury. Judgt. order reported at 907 F. 2d 151 (CA6 1990). With respect to the § 301 breach-of-contract claim, the Court of Appeals relied on prior Circuit precedent 2 in holding that § 301 did not authorize such an action to be brought by an individual union member. We granted certiorari to address both the jury trial and the § 301 issues. 498 U. S. 1082 (1991).
2 Trail v. Teamsters, 542 F. 2d 961 (CA6 1976). Other Courts of Appeals that have addressed this issue since Plumbers and Pipefitters v. Plumbers and Pipefitters, Local 334, 452 U. S. 615 (1981), have reached a contrary conclusion. See, e. g., DeSantiago v. Laborers Int'l Union of North America, Local No. 1140, 914 F. 2d 125 (CA8 1990); Pruitt v. Carpenters Local Union No. 225, 893 F. 2d 1216 (CA11 1990); Lewis v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America, Local Union No. 771, 826 F. 2d 1310 (CA3 1987); Kinney v. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 669 F. 2d 1222 (CA9 1981).
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