Riggs v. Cont'l Baking Co., 678 F. Supp. 236 (N.D. Cal. 1988). · Go Syfert
Riggs v. Cont'l Baking Co., 678 F. Supp. 236 (N.D. Cal. 1988). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“the 10 case 2:21-cv-08840-rswl-pd document 13 filed 03/09/22 page 11 of 13 page id :299 1 elements of removability must be specifically indicated 2 in official papers before the statutory period begins to 3 run.”
39 citation events (18 in the last 25 years) across 21 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Nosratollah Satvati v. Allstate Northbrook Indemnity Company (cacd, 2022-03-09)
Treatment trajectory · 1989 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1989 2007 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 29 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Nosratollah Satvati v. Allstate Northbrook Indemnity Company
C.D. Cal. · 2022 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the 10 case 2:21-cv-08840-rswl-pd document 13 filed 03/09/22 page 11 of 13 page id :299 1 elements of removability must be specifically indicated 2 in official papers before the statutory period begins to 3 run.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Anna Glowa v. MDR L&M Apartments, LLC et al
C.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
Cal. Jan. 21, 2010); and a deposition, Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F. Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Melanie F. Tandoc v. U.S. Renal Care, Inc.
C.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
See Carvalho v. Equifax Information Services, LLC, 629 F.3d 876, 886-87 (9th Cir. 2010); Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Michael Elliott v. Werner Enterprises, Inc.
C.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
See Carvalho v. Equifax Information Services, LLC, 629 F.3d 876, 886-87 (9th Cir. 2010); Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Tassy Rueweler v. Genpact LLC
C.D. Cal. · 2025 · confidence medium
See Carvalho v. Equifax Information Services, LLC, 629 F.3d 876, 886-87 (9th Cir. 2010); Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rossetto v. Oaktree Capital Management, LLC
D. Haw. · 2009 · confidence medium
Appx. 142 (9th Cir.2008) (unpublished mem. decision) (holding that notice of removal was timely because the complaint did not disclose that the suit was one for breach of a CBA even though defendant had subjective knowledge of this); 4 see also Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988) (holding that petition for removal was timely filed because plaintiffs complaint did not indicate that the plaintiff was a member of a union or employed pursuant to a CBA).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Steiner v. Horizon Moving Systems, Inc.
C.D. Cal. · 2008 · confidence medium
See Huffman v. Saul Holdings, Ltd., 194 F.3d 1072, 1078 (10th Cir.1999) (finding that a majority of federal district courts do not require receipt of “an actual written document” and holding that deposition testimony qualifies as an “other paper”); Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988) (accord).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Biggs Corp. v. Wilen (2×) also: Cited "see"
D. Nev. · 2000 · confidence medium
In Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988), the court found that a deposition constituted “other paper” for purposes of 1446(b).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Marshall Huffman Virginia Newton v. Saul Holdings Limited Partnership, a Maryland Limited Partnership
10th Cir. · 1999 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Effinger v. Philip Morris, Inc., 984 F.Supp. 1043, 1047-48 (W.D.Ky.1997) (collecting cases); Haber v. Chrysler Corp., 958 F.Supp. 321, 326 (E.D.Mich.1997); Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988); Smith v. International Harvester, 621 F.Supp. 1005, 1008 (D.Nev.1985); see also 28 U.S.C.A. § 1446 (Commentary on 1988 Revision) (“The [‘other paper’] that reveals the phoniness of the nondiverse defendant’s joinder may be, e.g., the deposition of some nonparty witness.”); 14C Charles Alan Wright et al., Federal Practice and Procedure § 3732 at 300-…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Effinger v. Philip Morris, Inc.
W.D. Ky. · 1997 · confidence medium
Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988); Smith v. Int’l Harvester Co., 621 F.Supp. 1005, 1007 (D.Nev.1985); Brooks v. Solomon Co., 542 F.Supp. 1229, 1230 (N.D.Ala.1982); Fisher v. United Airlines, Inc., 218 F.Supp. 223 (S.D.N.Y.1963); Fuqua v. Gulf, Colorado and Sante Fe Ry.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Katonah v. USAir, Inc.
N.D. Ill. · 1995 · confidence medium
Of the cases interpreting subsection (b), courts have allowed removal for such papers as a demand letter, Central Iowa Agri-Sys. v. Old Heritage Advertising, 727 F.Supp. 1304, 1306 (S.D.Iowa 1989), or a deposition, Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dobiecki v. Palacios
N.D. Ill. · 1993 · confidence medium
See Johnson v. Anheuser Busch, Inc., 876 F.2d 620, 625 (8th Cir.1989); Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 239 (N.D.Cal.1988); McElroy v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 1990 WL 11606 *6-7 (D.Kan.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Campos v. Housland, Inc. (2×) also: Cited "see"
S.D. Tex. · 1993 · confidence medium
The second full paragraph of § 1446(b) provides that if the case as stated in the plaintiffs initial pleading is not removable, a notice of removal may be filed “within thirty days after receipt by the defendant, through service or otheiwise, of a copy of an amended pleading, motion, order or other paper fi'om which it may first be ascertained that the case is one which is or has become removable,.... ” Although a few district courts in other circuits have held that the deposition of a plaintiff may constitute an “other paper” as that term is used in 28 U.S.C. § 1446 (b), see, e.g., …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Anthony W. Karambelas v. Hughes Aircraft Company
9th Cir. · 1993 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Felton, 940 F.2d at 507 ; Zawacki v. Penpac, Inc., 745 F.Supp. 1044, 1047 (M.D.Pa.1990); Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988); Brooks v. Solomon Co., 542 F.Supp. 1229, 1230-31 (N.D.Ala.1982).
cited Cited "see" Dario Pulcini v. Ford Motor Company
C.D. Cal. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F. Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited "see" Mayte Guerrero Avina v. Ford Motor Company
C.D. Cal. · 2024 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited "see" Juan Aguilar v. Roto Rooter Services Company
C.D. Cal. · 2023 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited "see" Rodrigo Vargas Gonzalez v. Roto Rooter Services Company
C.D. Cal. · 2023 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited "see" Pashkovsky v. GEICO Choice Insurance Company
E.D. Wash. · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See 28 Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F. Supp. 236 (N.D.
cited Cited "see" Bryan Cobb v. Subaru of America, Inc.
C.D. Cal. · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
cited Cited "see" Carson Cogeneration Company v. Scottsdale Insurance Company
C.D. Cal. · 2020 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Cont’| Baking Co., 678 F. Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.
discussed Cited "see" Haber v. Chrysler Corp.
E.D. Mich. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See, Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236 (N.D.Cal.1988); Zawacki v. Penpac, Inc., 745 F.Supp. 1044, 1047 (M.D.Pa.1990); Turner v. Wilson Foods Corp., 711 F.Supp. 624 (N.D.Ga.1989); Ezon v. Cornwall Equities, Ltd., 540 F.Supp. 885 (S.D.Tex.1982); Brooks v. Solomon Co., 542 F.Supp. 1229 (N.D.Ala.1982); Fisher v. United Airlines, Inc., 218 F.Supp. 223 (S.D.N.Y. 1963); Fuqua v. Gulf Colorado & Santa Fe Ry.
discussed Cited "see" Rivers v. International Matex Tank Terminal
E.D. La. · 1994 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988) (deposition disclosing plaintiff’s union status was an “other paper”); Brooks v. Solomon Co., 542 F.Supp.1229 (N.D.Ala.1982) (plaintiff’s deposition disclosing that damaging statements were uttered during grievance proceedings conducted pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement was an “other paper”); see also Ezon v. Cornwall Equities, Ltd., 540 F.Supp. 885 (S.D.Tex.1982); Fuqua v. Gulf, Colorado & Sante Fe Ry.
discussed Cited "see" Pack v. AC AND S, INC. (2×)
D. Maryland · 1993 · signal: see · confidence high
The phrase “other paper” refers to “documents generated within the state court litigation.” Zbranek v. Hofheinz, 727 F.Supp. 324, 326 (E.D.Tex.1989); see Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal. 1988) (removal must be specifically indicated in official papers); Bonnell v. Seaboard A.L.R.
discussed Cited "see" David Holston v. Carolina Freight Carriers Corporation, a Foreign Corporation, and Michael Bruno
6th Cir. · 1991 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236 (N.D.Cal.1988); Brooks v. Solomon Co., 542 F.Supp. 1229 (N.D.Ala.1982) 4 These defenses were: failure to state a claim, failure to mitigate, bar because of status as a casual employee, and bar because plaintiff's contract was terminable at will
discussed Cited "see" Zawacki v. Penpac, Inc.
M.D. Penn. · 1990 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988) (Deposition of employee, based upon employee’s wrongful termination under collective bargaining agreement, was “other paper” under removal statute, where original pleading of suit did not allege that plaintiff was member of collective bargaining unit, and deposition later received so stated); Smith v. Int’l Harvester Co., 621 F.Supp. 1005, 1007 (D.Nev.1985) (Answers to interrogatories or questions put at depositions may constitute “other paper” under 28 U.S.C. § 1446 (b) necessary to give notice that an actio…
discussed Cited "see" Heafitz v. Interfirst Bank of Dallas
S.D.N.Y. · 1989 · signal: see · confidence high
See Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988); Smith v. International Harvester Co., 621 F.Supp. 1005, 1007 (D.Nev.1985); see also Interior Glass Services v. FDIC, 691 F.Supp. 1255, 1257 (D.Alaska 1988) (“prior knowledge of a case in which [the FDIC] may or should become a party cannot suffice” to trigger the thirty day period).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Soto v. Apple Towing
E.D.N.Y · 2000 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236, 238 (N.D.Cal.1988) (“The elements of remova-bility must be specifically indicated in official papers before the statutory period begins to run.”); Gilardi v. Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Co., 189 F.Supp. 82 (N.D.Ill.1960) (where initial pleading failed to state facts indicating whether case was removable, court held defendant was entitled to remove after receipt of paper from *226 which removability was first ascertained); Morschauser v. The American News Company, 158 F.Supp. 517, 520 (S.D.N.Y.1958) (in diversity jurisdict…
cited Cited "see, e.g." Lewis v. Armstrong Steel Erectors, Inc.
S.D.W. Va · 1998 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence low
See, e.g., Riggs v. Continental Baking Co., 678 F.Supp. 236 (C.D.Cal.1988); Fuqua v. Gulf, Colo. & Santa Fe Ry.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Gary RIGGS, Plaintiff,
v.
CONTINENTAL BAKING COMPANY, Et Al., Defendants
C-87-5342 SAW.
District Court, N.D. California.
Feb 9, 1988.
678 F. Supp. 236
1988 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1223
1988 WL 9493
Abraham A. Flores, Jr., Weltin, Van Dam & Flores, San Francisco, Cal., for plaintiff., Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, Cynthia H. Plevin, Kathy D. Steel, Hallinan & Hallinan, Terence Hallinan, San Francisco, Cal., for defendants.
Weigel.
Cited by 34 opinions  |  Published

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

WEIGEL, District Judge.

Plaintiff Gary Riggs sued his former employer, defendant Continental Baking Company, on September 11, 1986 in San Francisco Superior Court alleging several state common law tort claims. Plaintiff had been employed by the Continental Baking Company as a production foreman. Concerned by a high incidence of absenteeism and a high accident rate at its San Francisco bakery, defendant engaged a private firm to conduct an undercover investigation of possible drug use on its premises. The San Francisco Police Department was notified of the investigation and kept apprised of its progress by the private firm.

After a six-month investigation, plaintiff and twelve other employees were terminated for alleged involvement in the sale, use, and dispensing of drugs on company premises in violation of company policy. At the time of his discharge, plaintiff was a member in good standing of the Bakery, Confectionary and Tobacco Workers’ Union and his employment at the bakery was governed by a collective bargaining agreement. However, plaintiff did not challenge his discharge through the grievance and arbitration procedures. Subsequent to plaintiff’s termination, the San Francisco Police Department and District Attorney’s office issued an arrest warrant and filed criminal charges against plaintiff for the sale of cocaine. These charges were later dropped for lack of evidence.

Plaintiff then filed this lawsuit. On October 26, 1987, defendants removed the action to federal court on the grounds that the action arose under Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act (LMRA) in that it involved an alleged breach of a collective bargaining agreement. Defendants now move for summary judgment on the grounds that plaintiff’s state law claims are preempted by Section 301, and that any Section 301 claims are barred by plaintiff’s failure to exhaust his remedies[*238] under the collective bargaining agreement. Plaintiff moves to remand the case to state court on the basis that the petition to remove was not timely filed.

I. Motion to Remand to State Court.

Plaintiffs motion to remand to state court can be quickly dealt with. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1446(b), defendants have thirty days to remove a case from the filing of the initial pleading or, if the case stated by the initial pleading is not removable, thirty days from receipt by defendants of a copy of “an amended pleading, motion, or other paper from which it may be first ascertained that the case is or has become removable.” The elements of removability must be specifically indicated in official papers before the statutory period begins to run. See, e.g., Jong v. General Motors Corp., 359 F.Supp. 223 (N.D.Cal.1973); Brooks v. Solomon, 542 F.Supp. 1215 (N.D. Ohio 1982); Camden Industries v. Carpenters’ Local Union No. 1688, 256 F.Supp. 252 (D.N.H.1965).

Plaintiffs complaint did not indicate that plaintiff was a member of a union or employed pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement. Defendants did not receive notice under Section 1446(b) of the facts indicating removablility until plaintiff was deposed on September 30, 1987. The deposition constituted an “other paper” under the statute. Brooks, 542 F.Supp. at 1230. Defendants removed the case on October 26, 1987. The petition for removal was timely filed, and plaintiffs motion to remand to state court on this basis is denied.

II. Summary Judgment.

Section 301(a) of the LMRA, 28 U.S. C. § 185(a), confers jurisdiction on federal district courts to enforce collective bargaining agreements in industries affecting interstate commerce. Fristoe v. Reynolds Metals Company, 615 F.2d 1209, 1212 (9th Cir.1980) citing Avco Corp. v. Aero Lodge No. 7735, 376 F.2d 337 (6th Cir.1967), aff'd 390 U.S. 557, 88 S.Ct. 1235, 20 L.Ed.2d 126 (1968). When principles of federal labor law are involved, these principles supersede state law. Id. Accordingly, actions alleging breach of a labor contract must either be brought under Section 301 and resolved under federal law or dismissed as preempted. Allis-Chalmers v. Lueck, 471 U.S. 202, 210, 105 S.Ct. 1904, 1911, 85 L.Ed.2d 206 (1985); see also Tellez v. Pacific Gas and Elec. Co., Inc., 817 F.2d 536, 537 (9th Cir.1987), cert. denied — U.S.-, 108 S.Ct. 251, 98 L.Ed.2d 209 (1987).

In Allis-Chalmers, the Supreme Court held that the key to determining the scope of Section 301 preemption is whether the claims can be resolved only by referring to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. 471 U.S. at 213, 105 S.Ct. at 1912. The Court must decide whether the plaintiffs claims derive from, or require interpretation of, that agreement. Id. If they do not, the Court must further determine whether permitting the state law claims to proceed would infringe upon the arbitration process established by the agreement. Tellez, 817 F.2d at 537-38.

Plaintiffs complaint in the instant case states three causes of action. While inartfully drafted, a careful reading indicates that plaintiff is seeking recovery for (1) malicious prosecution (2) intentional infliction of emotional distress and (3) negligent infliction of emotional distress. Two events underlie each of the plaintiffs claims: defendants’ discharge of plaintiff for the alleged sale of illegal drugs and narcotics on company property (Complaint at 115), and defendants’ alleged “malicious prosecution” of plaintiff in causing criminal charges to be filed (Complaint at 117).

To the extent that the three causes of action arise out of plaintiff’s termination by defendant, they are preempted by Section 301. Plaintiff was a member of the union and working under the collective bargaining agreement at the time of his discharge. As the resolution of any state law claim regarding plaintiff’s termination requires interpretation of the contract provisions, they are preempted by Section 301. See, e.g. Stallcop v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, 820 F.2d 1044, 1048 (9th Cir. 1987).

[*239] Even if these claims are re-characterized as Section 301 claims, they cannot be maintained. The agreement’s grievance and arbitration procedures are presumed to be plaintiff’s exclusive remedy unless the contract expressly provides that they are not. Republic Steel Corp. v. Maddox, 379 U.S. 650, 657-58, 85 S.Ct. 614, 618-19, 13 L.Ed.2d 580 (1965); Clayton v. ITT Gilfillan, 623 F.2d 563, 567 (9th Cir.1980). A civil action for breach may not be brought until the employee has exhausted the agreement’s grievance procedure. Republic Steel, 379 U.S. at 652-53, 85 S.Ct. at 616. Since it is undisputed that plaintiff did not utilize the grievance and arbitration procedure, summary judgment for defendants is appropriate on those claims which arise out of plaintiff’s termination.

However, to the extent plaintiff’s causes of action arise out of the alleged malicious prosecution of criminal charges, they are not preempted by Section 301. Resolution of these claims does not turn on an analysis of the bargaining agreement. It does not govern defendants’ alleged conduct in pursuing criminal charges against plaintiff. A determination of whether defendants’ conduct constituted malicious prosecution will be determined wholly by reference to state law.

Nor would maintenance of these state law claims supplant the arbitration process. The arbitration committee is empowered only to review plaintiff’s termination. It had no authority to judge a claim a malicious prosecution and could provide no remedy regarding such claim. To the extent that plaintiff’s claims are based on the prosecution of criminal charges against him, they are not preempted by Section 301 and can be maintained.

The Court, however, declines to exercise pendent jurisdiction over these remaining state claims in the absence of any other basis for jurisdiction. As the claims involve issues of state tort law alone, they are better heard in state court. No economies of judicial administration exist for retaining them in this Court. They thus are remanded to state court for further proceedings.

Accordingly,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that:

(1) Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is granted to the extent plaintiff’s claims are based on the termination of his employment by defendant;

(2) Defendants’ motion for summary judgment is denied as to plaintiff’s claims which are based on the filing of criminal charges against him;

(3) The claims relating to the prosecution of criminal charges against plaintiff are remanded to the San Francisco Superior Court.