⚖ Oral Arguments, with Context

The Second Circuit hears Joseph Harrison and Stephen Mazza's lawsuit against their elevator workers' union. After a drunken incident at a 2023 union conference, Harrison resigned as a local union official. He says the local president promised not to bring disciplinary charges if he resigned. But after Harrison campaigned for a rival candidate, charges followed, and the International Union expelled him. Mazza supported the same candidate and complained about alleged intimidation of that candidate. He says he was reassigned and stripped of union responsibilities in retaliation. Both sued under the Labor Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, which protects union members' speech and sets safeguards for disciplinary hearings. Harrison also challenges the notice and fairness of his union hearing. The district court dismissed the case before trial, finding the complaint did not plausibly show unlawful retaliation or an unfair hearing. On appeal, the members will argue that the court accepted the union's explanations instead of giving their allegations the required legal weight. A motion to dismiss tests whether factual allegations state a plausible legal claim, not whether the plaintiffs have already proved it. Arthur Schwartz will argue for the two members; Maura Moosnick will represent Local One and its president. Jennifer Simon will represent the International Union, arguing that it independently conducted a fair hearing and did not share any retaliatory motive.

Harrison v. Local One, International Union of Elevator Constructors of New York and New Jersey, AFL-CIO (No. 26-30) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, argued October 13, 2026.