International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 701 v. Central National Life Insurance

This is an action at law to recover death benefits under a group life insurance policy brought by plaintiff union as assignee of the beneficiaries of deceased union members. The trial court, sitting without a jury, entered judgment in favor of plaintiff, from which defendant appeals.

Plaintiff Local 701 is one of thirty-six local unions belonging to the Western Conference of Operating Engineers. During 1971, the Western Conference and defendant entered into a contract whereby group life insurance would be provided to local union members for three years at an agreed cost and under agreed…