Opinion
Nos. 371, 400, Dockets 82-7588, 82-7612.
Argued September 2, 1982.
Decided September 20, 1982.
John F. O'Donnell, New York City (O'Donnell Schwartz, New York City, of counsel), for plaintiffs-appellants.
Stanley A. Camhi, Asst. Atty. Gen., New York City (Robert Abrams, Atty. Gen. of the State of New York, George D. Zuckerman, Asst. Sol. Gen., Richard Grant Liskov, Asst. Atty. Gen., New York City, of counsel), for defendants-appellees.
Appeal from the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Before LUMBARD, CARDAMONE and WINTER, Circuit Judges.
In April, 1980 the Transit Workers Union (Union) carried out an illegal strike against the New York City Transit Authority. Subsequently the Union was penalized for its actions by the New York Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Among the sanctions ordered by PERB was the suspension of the Union's dues checkoff privilege, N.Y. Civ. Serv. Law § 208 (McKinney 1973). This suit followed alleging due process and equal protection violations. A preliminary injunction was then sought to enjoin the defendants from suspending the dues checkoff privilege during the pendency of this action. The district court declined to grant the requested relief and this appeal followed.
This suit and the companion case of Wilson v. New York State Public Employment Relations Board were heard and are now decided together.
We affirm on the basis of Shanker v. Helsby, 676 F.2d 31 (2d Cir. 1982), for the reasons stated by Judge Ward in his well-written opinion.
We also note that the standard in this circuit for granting a preliminary injunction requires: a showing of (a) irreparable harm and (b) either (1) likelihood of success on the merits or (2) sufficiently serious questions going to the merits to make them a fair ground for litigation and a balance of hardships tipping decidedly toward the party requesting the preliminary relief. Sperry International Trade, Inc. v. Government of Israel, 670 F.2d 8, 11 (2d Cir. 1982). Upon review of the record, we are convinced that plaintiffs have failed to demonstrate irreparable harm. Plaintiffs maintain that without the dues checkoff, collection of union dues "would be extremely difficult and most expensive." This overlooks the New York State Civil Service Law which expressly provides for the suspension of the dues checkoff privilege. N.Y. Civ. Serv. Law § 210(3)(f) (McKinney 1973 Supp. 1981-1982). Plaintiffs claim that its capacity to represent employees properly and to maintain and promote constructive and cooperative relations with management would be severely impaired. However, PERB's Decision and Order expressly provides for reconsideration of the penalty should the Union be unable to collect sufficient dues to insure proper representation of unit employees.
The judgment is affirmed and the stay previously granted is dissolved.