Teamsters Union No 142 Pension Fund Trustees of the et al v. Actin Inc et al, No. 2:2021cv00153 - Document 14 (N.D. Ind. 2021)
Court Description: OPINION AND ORDER: Plaintiffs, Trustees of the Teamsters Union No. 142 Pension Fund, Trustees of the Teamsters Union Local No. 142 Training and Apprenticeship Trust Fund, and Trustees of the Teamsters Union Local No. 142 Annuity Fund, Amended Motion for Default Judgment 12 is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to enter default in the total amount of $42,115.29 in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant Actin, Inc., and in the total amount of $72,895.18 in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant Actin Contracting LLC. The previously filed Motion for Default Judgment 10 is DENIED AS MOOT. Signed by Judge Philip P Simon on 10/4/2021. (bas)
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Teamsters Union No 142 Pension Fund Trustees of the et al v. Actin Inc et al Doc. 14 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT NORTHERN DISTRICT OF INDIANA HAMMOND DIVISION TRUSTEES OF THE TEAMSTERS UNION NO. 142 PENSION FUND, et al., Plaintiffs, v. ACTIN INC., et al., Defendants. ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) NO. 2:21 CV 153-PPS-JPK OPINION AND ORDER Before the Court is the Amended Motion for Default Judgment filed by Plaintiffs, Trustees of the Teamsters Union No. 142 Pension Fund, Trustees of the Teamsters Union Local No. 142 Training and Apprenticeship Trust Fund, and Trustees of the Teamsters Union Local No. 142 Annuity Fund. [DE 12.] Plaintiffs seek default judgment against Defendants Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting LLC a/k/a Actin/TRI Contracting Limited Liability Company. The request is supported by a memorandum [DE 13] as well as an amended affidavit of Jay Smith, Fund Manager of Teamsters Union No. 142 Pension Fund, Training and Apprenticeship Trust Fund, and Annuity Fund [DE 13-1], and amended affidavit of attorney’s fees [DE 13-8]. For the following reasons, I will grant Plaintiffs’ motion for default judgment and grant the requested damages as against both Defendants Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting LLC. Background Plaintiffs are trustees of a multiemployer pension fund, training trust fund, and Dockets.Justia.com annuity fund. They filed this collection action against the Defendant/Employers, Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting LLC, pursuant to Section 502(a)(3), (e)(1), and (f) of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1132(a)(3), (e)(1) and (f), and 1145 and Section 301(a) of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947 (“LMRA”), as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 185(a), seeking to obtain unpaid benefit fund contributions. The collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”) with Teamsters Union Local No. 142 (the “Union”) and the Restated Trust Agreement [DE 13-2, 13-3, 13-7] require Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting to pay contributions on behalf of employees performing work under the CBAs. Despite those written agreements, Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting have failed to pay the required contributions. Plaintiffs filed suit on April 30, 2021. [DE 1.] Summons was issued and returned executed as to both defendants. [DE 4, 5.] Neither Actin, Inc. nor Actin Contracting have appeared by counsel, or filed any answer or other responsive pleading. On June 3, 2021, Plaintiffs requested the Clerk enter default, and obtained entry of default the next day against both defendants. [DE 6, 7, 8, 9.] Plaintiffs filed a motion for default judgment on July 2, 2021. [DE 10.] The instant amended motion for default judgment was filed on September 9, 2021, with updated damages numbers. [DE 12.] Defendants have not filed an appearance, answer to the complaint, or any response to the motion for default judgment or amended motion for default judgment. Discussion Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55(a) governs the entry of default and default judgment. When a defendant fails to answer a complaint or otherwise defend himself, the clerk can make an entry of default. Fed. R. Civ. P. 55(a). “Entry of default must precede an entry of default judgment.” Wolf Lake Terminals, Inc. v. Mut. Marine Ins. Co., 433 F.Supp.2d 933, 941 (N.D. Ind. 2005). In this case, default has been entered against both defendants by the Clerk. Once the default has been established, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 55 authorizes a party to seek and a court to enter a default judgment. So long as the allegations are well-pled, a default judgment generally “establishe[s], as a matter of law, that defendants [are] liable to plaintiff as to each cause of action alleged in the complaint.” Dundee Cement Co. v. Howard Pipe & Concrete Prods., Inc., 722 F.2d 1319, 1323 (7th Cir. 1983) (quotation omitted); see also e360 Insight v. The Spamhaus Project, 500 F.3d 594, 602 (7th Cir. 2007). When a party applies for default judgment under Rule 55(b)(2), I am required to exercise sound judicial discretion in determining whether the judgment should be entered. Wolf Lake Terminals, 433 F.Supp.2d at 941. I must consider a number of factors when deciding a motion for default judgment, including “whether there is a material issue of fact, whether the default is largely technical, whether the plaintiffs were substantially prejudiced, and how harsh an effect a default judgment might have.” Wolf Lake Terminals, 433 F.Supp.2d at 941; see Wright & Miller 10A FEDERAL PRAC. & PROC. § 2683 (3d ed.). All well-pleaded facts are taken as true for purposes of liability. Black v. 3 Lane, 22 F.3d 1395, 1399 (7th Cir. 1994); Cameron v. Myers, 569 F.Supp.2d 762, 764 (N.D. Ind. 2008). Thus if the complaint establishes the requisite elements of liability on a claim, a plaintiff is entitled to relief for that claim. See In re Catt, 368 F.3d 789, 793 (7th Cir. 2004). Nevertheless, an entry of default judgment is only appropriate if the allegations, along with other evidence submitted, establish a cognizable claim for relief. Franko v. All About Travel Inc., No. 2:09-CV-233 JVB, 2014 WL 2803987, at *1 (N.D. Ind. June 19, 2014) (“Default judgment is appropriate only if the well-pleaded allegations of the complaint are sufficient to establish a legal claim.”). “Once the default is established, and thus liability, the plaintiff still must establish his entitlement to the relief he seeks.” In re Catt, 368 F.3d at 793. In other words, I still have to decide whether damages are appropriate, and in what amount. In turning to the factors to consider when deciding a motion for default judgment, I first note that there is no material issue of fact. Actin, Inc. is signatory to a CBA with the Union with a contract duration of January 1, 2021 to December 21, 2023. [DE 13-2.] The CBA required Actin, Inc. to make periodic contributions on behalf of employees performing work covered under the CBA. [DE 31-1 at 2; DE 13-2.] Actin Contracting LLC is a member of the Northwest Indiana Contractors Association (“NWICA”), which entered into a CBA with the Union for the period of June 1, 2020, through May 31, 2023. [DE 13-1 at 2; DE 13-3.] The NWICA CBA requires all member employers, including Actin Contracting, to make periodic contributions on behalf of its 4 employees of Plaintiffs’ Pension Fund, Training and Apprentice Fund and Annuity Fund in the amounts established by the CBA. [DE 13-1 at 2; DE 13-3, Articles 9, 14.] The default in this case was not just largely technical. Both Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting have a long history of failing to timely pay contributions to Plaintiffs funds - indeed, as outlined in the Smith affidavit, he has spent serious time and effort trying to get the contributions from Defendants. [DE 13-1 at 2.] This is the fifth lawsuit since 2007 that Plaintiffs have filed for delinquent contributions against Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting LLC in the Northern District of Indiana. Id. The declarations prepared by Smith show that Defendants owe more than $90,000 in contributions alone, plus ancillary costs and fees, which is substantial prejudice to Plaintiffs. [Id. at 3.] The Trust Agreement provides that if employers are delinquent in contributions, the Trustees may take any steps necessary to collect the funds, and Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting LLC shall pay interest on all money due, and all expenses of collection incurred by the Trustees, including costs and legal fees. [Id. at 3-4.] Additionally, the agreement and Employer Collection Policy require delinquent employers to pay liquidated damages in the sum of 20% of the total amount due, and attorney fees and costs. [Id.; DE 13-4.] ERISA requires obligated employers to contribute funds pursuant to the terms of a CBA. 29 U.S.C. § 1145. Here, the CBAs explicitly require contribution to the Plaintiffs’ funds, and the Trust Agreement outlines the consequences of delinquent contributions. Smith’s amended affidavit and the attached exhibits summarize the delinquent 5 contributions and ancillary amounts owed. Because defendants Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting have failed to contest the allegations, they are liable for the delinquent contributions, interest, liquidated damages, and attorney fees and costs. Because Plaintiffs are entitled to a default judgment on their claims, I must also determine the amount of damages. In the context of a default judgment, the amount of damages must be proven with facts beyond the allegations of the complaint. See Yang v. Hardin, 37 F.3d 282, 286 (7th Cir. 1994) (citing United States v. Di Mucci, 879 F.2d 1488, 1497 (7th Cir. 1988)). Thus, upon considering a motion for default judgment, a court may need to hold a hearing to determine damages. See Dundee Cement Co., 722 F.2d at 1323. But in cases where damages are capable of ascertainment from definite figures contained in the documentary evidence or in detailed affidavits, like in this case, such a hearing is unnecessary. See e360 Insight, 500 F.3d at 602. Plaintiffs have provided this information. Under section 1132(g)(2), a mutliemployer plan that is awarded a judgment under section 1145 is entitled to be paid: (1) delinquent contributions; (2) interest at the rate specified in the plan; (3) the greater of interest or liquidated damages of up to 20% as specified in the plan; (4) reasonable attorney’s fees and costs; and (5) other legal or equitable relief that the court deems appropriate. 29 U.S.C. § 1132(g)(2). Courts have held that the award of these remedies is mandatory when the plan prevails. Laborers’ Pension Fund v. Blackmore Sewer Constr., Inc., 298 F.3d 600, 608 (7th Cir. 2002). Plaintiffs have established through the amended Smith affidavit that Actin, Inc. 6 owes delinquent contributions in the amount of $32,760.00 to the Pension Fund, Actin Contracting owes delinquent contributions in the amount of $36,542.40 to the Pension Fund, $18,892.80 to the Annuity Fund, and $1,872.00 to the Training Fund. [DE 13-1 at 3; DE 13-5.] The amended Smith affidavit also establishes that Actin, Inc. owes accrued interest in the amount of $1,673.72 to the Pension Fund. Actin Contracting owes accrued interest in the amount of $1,908.20 to the Pension Fund, $989.89 to the Annuity Fund, and $98.88 to the Training Fund. [DE 13-1 at 3; DE 13-5.] The amended Smith affidavit further establishes that Actin, Inc. owes liquidated damages to the Pension Fund in the amount of $6,552.00. [DE 13-1 at 3; DE 13-5.] Actin Contracting owes liquidated damages in the amount of $7,308.48 to the Pension Fund, $3,778.56 to the Annuity Fund and $374.40 to the Training Fund. [DE 31-1 at 4; DE 13-5.] Finally, the amended Smith affidavit and the attorney fee affidavit also establish that Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting owe attorney fees and costs in the amount of $2,259.15, to be apportioned equally against each Defendant ($1,129.57 each). [DE 13-1 at 4; DE 13-8, 13-9.] Defendants Actin, Inc. and Actin Contracting have not disputed any of the amounts claimed. ACCORDINGLY: Plaintiffs, Trustees of the Teamsters Union No. 142 Pension Fund, Trustees of the Teamsters Union Local No. 142 Training and Apprenticeship Trust Fund, and Trustees 7 of the Teamsters Union Local No. 142 Annuity Fund, Amended Motion for Default Judgment [DE 12] is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to enter default in the total amount of $42,115.29 in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant Actin, Inc., and in the total amount of $72,895.18 in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant Actin Contracting LLC. The previously filed Motion for Default Judgment [DE 10] is DENIED AS MOOT. SO ORDERED. ENTERED: October 4, 2021 s/ Philip P. Simon PHILIP P. SIMON, JUDGE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 8
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