§185 Suits by and against labor organizations

Summary

Lets people sue in federal court over broken contracts between an employer and a labor union that represents workers in businesses that affect commerce, or between such unions. Federal courts can hear these cases wherever they have authority over the parties, even if the money at stake is small or the parties are from different states. A union and an employer are responsible for what their agents do. A union can sue or be sued as the organization and for the workers it represents. Money judgments can be taken only from the union itself and its assets, not from individual members. Federal courts treat a union as within their reach either where the union keeps its main office or in any district where its officers or agents act for members. Serving legal papers on a union officer or agent in their official role counts as serving the union. When deciding if someone is an agent, it does not matter whether the acts were actually authorized or later approved.