Lewis v. Local 382, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (AFL-CIO)

WALLER, Justice:

We granted certiorari to review the Court of Appeals’ opinion in Lewis v. Local 382, Int’l Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 324 S.C. 412, 481 S.E.2d 135 (Ct.App.1997). We affirm in result.

FACTS 1

Lewis, an electrician, 2 was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local # 382, for approximately 30 years. In 1987, his membership in the union lapsed when he continued to work for an employer which had been declared “in difficulty” by the IBEW. 3 In February, 1988, the IBEW informed Lewis he was ineligible to receive retirement benefits from the…