Watters v. Billings

The City appealed the district court's order and judgment holding that the City incorrectly paid "longevity" wage benefits under successfully negotiated collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and awarding damages to Officers. The Montana Supreme Court held that the district court erred by concluding as a matter of law that the longevity provisions of the subject CBAs were unambiguous. In this case, the differing language of the successive CBAs were reasonably subject to more than one interpretation, and the blanket exclusion of all extrinsic evidence offered by the City—while selectively relying on other extrinsic evidence—was likewise erroneous. Accordingly, the court reversed and remanded for further proceedings. View "Watters v. Billings" on Justia Law