southwest administrators teamsters pension

728 F.2d at 1263-64. The Account Manager for our TX operation is responsible for full account management for those client(s) and oversees the general office operation with support from the . Sign up for our free summaries and get the latest delivered directly to you. Subsequently, Southwest Administrators, Inc., the assignee of the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund, filed this action against Rozay's Transfer under sections 502(a) and 515 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), 29 U.S.C. (D) reasonable attorney's fees and costs of the action, to be paid by the defendant. You're all set! 1442, at 202-03 (1971). Click here for details. July 2, 1986). Under ERISA, the award of attorneys' fees is mandatory in all actions by an employee benefit trust fund to collect delinquent contributions. Rozay's Transfer contends that its bargaining agreement is invalid, because it was the product of fraudulent inducement. COUNTERCLAIM TO RECOVER PREVIOUS TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTIONS. Company Information; FAQ; Stone Materials. In recognition of the fact that millions of workers depend upon employee benefit trust funds for their retirement security, Congress and the courts have acted to simplify trust fund collection actions by restricting the availability of contract defenses, which make collection actions unnecessarily cumbersome and costly. Once you start receiving Plan benefits, Prudential Financial representatives are your main contact for information about your payments. 2d 273 (1980); 6 C. Wright & A. Miller, supra Sec. 146 Pension Plan, Plumbers and Pipefitters 286 Money Purchase Plan, U.A. Rozay's Transfer filed a counterclaim seeking the refund of $57,235.38 in contributions made to the trust fund between October, 1981 and April, 1982, after the old collective bargaining agreement had expired and before the new agreement was executed. Email Signup Chinese Granite; Imported Granite; Chinese Marble; Imported Marble; China Slate & Sandstone; Quartz stone | The district court concluded that sections 502(a) and 515 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. Download the WCT Pension Plan Document, Summary Plan Description, Agreement & Declaration of Trust, Form 5500, Actuarial Report, PPA Actuarial Certification with Explanation, Annual Funding Notice and Notice to Employers & Unions. 221, 228 (1981); see, e.g., Lewis v. Benedict Coal Corp., 361 U.S. at 468-71, 80 S. Ct. at 494-96 (precluding the employer from raising a union's strike in violation of the bargaining agreement as a defense to a trust fund collection action based on the same agreement). If this data is unavailable or inaccurate and you own or represent this business. As in the instant case, the fraudulent misrepresentation in Bjorklund went directly to the employer's central motivation for entering into the agreement. Copyright 2008-2023, Glassdoor, Inc. "Glassdoor" and logo are registered trademarks of Glassdoor, Inc. EACH COMPANY IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS FINANCIAL CONDITION AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS. Southwest Administrative Office 225 South Lake Avenue, Suite 1200 Pasadena, CA 91101-3000 (626) 463-6100 Toll Free: (866) 648-6878 Regional Service Center Portland Office 700 NE Multnomah, Suite 350 Portland, OR 97232-4197 (503) 238-6961 Toll Free: (800) 845-9040 Plan Documents click here to view this document issued in October 2021. fashion. This section explains what you need to know and do to get the most from your Plan benefits. Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust. Thus, when a collective bargaining agreement expired, in order for the employer to be reinstated in the trust fund, the new agreement had to provide for the payment of contributions for the interim between the two agreements. In an action to recover delinquent contributions, the trust fund stands in the position of a third-party beneficiary of the collective bargaining agreement. In support of this argument, Rozay's Transfer presents excerpts from letters written by the trust. 1985), cert. We held that the express terms of the agreement were to be enforced in favor of the trust fund because oral modification of the employee benefit provisions was forbidden by section 302 of the Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. This database contains PDF copies of each Michigan districts collective bargaining agreements for teachers, bus drivers, aides, office staff and other employees. Telephone Business Hours Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm Walk-In Hours Mon-Fri 7:30am-4:30pm 5251 Green Street, Suite 200 Murray, UT 84123-2995 UT-ID Teamsters - 855-292-7954 All other UT/NV Health Funds: 801-266-3256 toll free: 800-345-3248 Pension Funds: 801-266-3271 toll free: 800-453-4584 Business Hours Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm See Operating Engineers Pension Trust v. Gilliam, 737 F.2d 1501, 1502 (9th Cir. Maxwell v. Lucky Construction Co., Inc., 710 F.2d 1395, 1397 (9th Cir. Union contracts spell out not just salaries and benefits, but also information about class size, employee evaluations, school calendars, and more. Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust. You can explore additional available newsletters here. Treasurer. If your pension checks are automatically deposited with your bank, its still important to keep the Plan advised of any changes to your home address. Welcome to the Teamsters Western Region & Local 177 Health Care Plan! 1983), cert. 1488, at 332 (3d ed. 33 Southwest Service Administrators jobs including salaries, ratings, and reviews, posted by Southwest Service Administrators employees. | Click here for details. In Waggoner, an employer was fraudulently induced to enter a bargaining agreement by the union's oral representation that the trust fund contributions of the agreement would not be enforced. Southwest Service Administrators, Inc. While the NLRB charge and the grievance were pending, William S. Rozay, the owner of Rozay's Transfer, and Archie Murrietta, president of Local 208, eventually reached a settlement. Under section 8(a) (5) of the National Labor Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE ISSUED BY THE PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA (PICA), NEWARK, NJ OR ITS AFFILIATES. 515 of ERISA, 29 U.S.C. Southern California Retail Clerks Union and Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund v. Bjorklund, 728 F.2d 1262, 1265 (9th Cir. Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust. To maintain a defense of fraud in the execution, Rozay's Transfer would have to establish "excusable ignorance of the contents of the writing signed." Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust. Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust. To assure the best customer experience for an in-person visit, we encourage you to schedule an appointment by calling the number listed below. Apparently the parties believed it was not possible simply to draft a collective bargaining agreement providing for prospective-only payment of contributions to the pension fund. 1103(c) (2) (A) (ii), expressly permits trust funds to return mistakenly paid contributions, we have held it is appropriate to imply a right of action under ERISA in favor of employers to recover contributions mistakenly paid into a pension trust fund. After the mandate issues, the district court will assess a reasonable attorneys' fee for this appeal. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Administration, Professional,and Transportation, Administration, Custodial, Food,and Office, Administration, Office,and Transportation, Custodial, Professional, Transportation,and Otherstaff. All of the Plan benefits and improvements explained on this web site are made possible by the contributions of employers negotiated through the ongoing efforts of the Teamster local unions. Under this settlement, employee wages would be reduced by $1.00 and Rozay's Transfer would resume payments to the trust fund on behalf of each employee at the approximate rate of $.99 per hour. 1443, at 208. Select from over 115 networks below to view available data about this business. However, the settlement agreement makes no reference to trust fund contributions, while the renewed collective bargaining agreement executed simultaneously expressly provides for contributions to the trust fund effective as of September, 1981, thereby covering the disputed period between May, 1982 and February, 1983. The district court denied Rozay's Transfer's motion for leave to file a third-party complaint against Local 208 for rescission of the collective bargaining agreement or, in the alternative, for indemnification and for fraud. See J. In Bjorklund, the employer entered into the bargaining agreement upon the assumption that he would be making pension fund contributions only for himself and his one full-time employee, his son. 1132(a), 1145, to collect delinquent contributions for the period between May, 1982 and February, 1983. 1. It was the established policy of the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund not to accept contributions made under any collective bargaining agreement which provided for a "gap" in contributions. James Oswald, Davies, Roberts, Reid & Wacker, Seattle, Wash., for plaintiff/appellee. This program is meant to be an important supplement to your Social Security and other sources of retirement income. Indeed, the situation in Bjorklund was quite similar to that presented in the instant case. Although the settlement agreement amends the new collective bargaining agreement with respect to certain provisions concerning wages, holiday pay, and sick leave, it leaves the pension fund contribution provisions unaltered. The parties also executed a settlement agreement resolving the NLRB unfair practice complaint and the breach of agreement grievance. In sum, the misrepresentation by the union went to Rozay's inducement to enter the agreement, rather than to his understanding of the basic nature of the transaction. If your pension check is mailed to your home and you move, it may take up to two months before your check is mailed to your new address. Fraud in the execution results in the agreement being void ab initio, whereas fraud in the inducement makes the transaction merely voidable. Privacy Policy and Teamsters Local 572 Strong, Unified and Growing since 1937! 1-800-336-3387 AVAILABILITY OF CONTRACT DEFENSES IN PENSION FUND COLLECTION ACTION. Pension Analyst - AZ: Southwest Service Administrators: Phoenix, AZ: $35K-$40K: Accounts Payable/Receivable Data Entry Clerk - AZ: Southwest Service . Start the process of applying for Retirement, Disability, or Survivor Benefits here. Contact, (989) 631-0900 WELCOME Be sure to update your WCT Pension Plan address. See also Operating Engineers Pension Trust v. Giorgi, 788 F.2d 620, 623 (9th Cir. Get started with your Free Employer Profile, Customer Service Representative (Eligibility), The Ultimate Job Interview Preparation Guide. In two recent cases, we have had occasion to consider the availability of fraud as a defense to an employer's obligation to make trust fund contributions under a collective bargaining agreement. Receive a one-time comprehensive credit report on this company. See 1 Williston on Contracts Sec. Account Changes and Payments Tax Filing Documents and Semiannual Statements Plan Health and Miscellaneous You can also visit the Forms Page to download important documents for your plan. However, Rozay's Transfer may now be entitled to indemnification for liability incurred as a result of this collection action appeal. Rozay's Transfer also filed a counterclaim seeking the return of $57,235.28 in contributions made to the trust between October, 1981 and April, 1982, the period between expiration of the old bargaining agreement and the date Rozay's Transfer ceased making payments. Under the facts of this case, the argument that there was no "meeting of the minds" is little more than a restatement of the fraudulent inducement defense. In any action under this subchapter by a fiduciary for or on behalf of a plan to enforce section 1145 of this title in which a judgment in favor of the plan is awarded, the court shall award the plan--. Laborers Health and Welfare Trust Fund, 779 F.2d at 500 & n. 3; American Distributing Co., Inc. v. NLRB, 715 F.2d 446, 449 (9th Cir. 1002(2), (37) (A). Accordingly, Rozay's Transfer was fully obligated to make pension fund contributions during this period. Learn More Why Organize? Pressroom Know Your Worth. 1443, at 210. 1981). | This employer has claimed their Employer Profile and is engaged in the Glassdoor community. WESTERN CONFERENCE But there simply was no confusion as to the actual contents of the agreement. Search job openings at Southwest Service Administrators. 1981), later appeal, 767 F.2d 589 (9th Cir. However, even after the expiration of the bargaining agreement, Rozay's Transfer was obligated to continue to make contributions to the employee benefit trust fund. Get free summaries of new Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals opinions delivered to your inbox! Why Join Us | Member Resources Access your documents and benefits, update information, or report a grievance. If the third-party complaint is not filed within ten days after the defendant's original answer is served, then, as in the instant case, the defendant must ask the trial court for leave to implead. TEAMSTERS LOCALS 63, 396 & 495 : Southwest Administrators, Inc Covina Office: 1985). To help you continue making good decisions during retirement, pleasevisit our library of resources for retirees. The settlement agreement executed by Rozay's Transfer and Local 208 states that it resolves all disputes between the parties arising out of the alleged unfair labor practice and provides that the grievance would be withdrawn. Tax filing document & Semi annual statement, visit our library of resources for retirees, Tax Filing Documents and Semiannual Statements. In September, 1982, Local 208 filed an unfair labor practice claim with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) charging Rozay's Transfer under 29 U.S.C. 1000 S FREMONT AVE # 11 ALHAMBRA, CA 91803 If you have not yet retired or are looking for more information about the Plan, you can contact yourArea Administrative Officesor visit the Plan Website atwww.wctpension.org. White & R. Summers, Uniform Commercial Code Sec. However, the court did grant summary judgment against Rozay's Transfer on the counter-claim to recover contributions paid after the expiration of the old agreement.2. Teamsters Local 572 has served the American workforce since 1937 and currently provides union representation for 11,500 members working for more than 150 diverse employers including those in specialty crafts, graphics communication, transit, and several other industry sectors.Local 572 was first chartered by the International . Go to the Plan Documents page or click here to view this document issued in October 2021. We accept the district court's findings of fact because they are not clearly erroneous. Please contact your Local Union to verify that a Southwest Administrators Representative will be available. Site Map Rozay's Transfer contends Teamsters Local 208 fraudulently induced it to execute the underlying collective bargaining agreement and thus Rozay's Transfer has no obligation to pay retroactive contributions. Pacific Southwest Administrators. TEAMSTERS LOCAL 104 ENDORSES RUBEN GALLEGO FOR U.S. National Master United Parcel Service Agreement, Southwest Package Rider / Southwest Sort Rider, Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Rep Visit, Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Rep Visit TUCSON, Teamsters Local 104 Endorses Ruben Gallego for U.S. Senate, Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust. United States v. One 1977 Mercedes Benz, 708 F.2d 444, 452 (9th Cir. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 14(a) provides that a defending party may implead a third party "who is or may be liable to him for all or part of the plaintiff's claim against him." elgin mental health center forensic treatment program. However, the full text of those letters indicates that the trust was merely summarizing federal law which requires contributions to be made while a current bargaining agreement is in effect or while negotiations are pending:As you are aware, the Trust cannot accept pension contributions unless there is a written labor agreement and Employer-Union Pension Certification in effect requiring such contributions or unless negotiations for a new agreement are pending. In this section of the website you will find many useful documents and have access to online resources. bargaining agreements, or links to those agreements, to Plan updates and your annual Internal Revenue Service Form 1099R or Form 1042S are mailed to your home address. DENIAL OF LEAVE TO IMPLEAD UNION AS THIRD-PARTY DEFENDANT. Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust. Learn More My pension check View pension check schedules, get set up for direct deposit, and verify your income. Award Service, Inc. v. Northern California Retail Clerks Union and Food Employers Joint Pension Trust Fund, 774 F.2d 1391, 1392 (9th Cir. Regular benefit processing continues to be performed, to the extent possible. For reasons of public policy, traditional contract law does not apply with full force in actions brought under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to collect delinquent trust fund contributions. II STANDARD OF REVIEW We accept the district court's findings of fact because they are not clearly erroneous. Comment, Denying the Illegality Defense: An Enigmatic Approach to the Delinquent Pension Fund Contribution Problem, 34 Stan. The company is located in Alhambra and incorporated in California. Local 208 also filed a grievance alleging the cessation of contributions to the trust fund violated the collective bargaining agreement. TEAMSTERS LOCAL 63: Pension: . Bjorklund, 728 F.2d at 1265. Producers Dairy Delivery Co., Inc., v. Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund, 654 F.2d 625, 627 (9th Cir. Stronger Members. Learn If oral modifications to the express terms of the agreement by the employer and union were permitted, " [e]mployees, basing their futures on the promise of an old-age pension provided in a union contract, may discover in later years to their surprise that an oral side-agreement had eroded the worth of their pension rights." Slow, less stable, much more vulnerable to viruses, spyware, malware, and prone to other security issues! 3-305 comment 7. All Rights Reserved. It covers 200,000 active participants through pension agreements negotiated by Teamster local unions with more than 1,600 employers predominantly in 13 Western states. Job Details Job Location Richardson, TX - Richardson, TX Position Type Full-Time Travel Percentage Up to 50% Job Shift Day Job Category Management Description COVID-19 vaccination required as a condition of employment. Be sure to update your WCT Pension Plan address. By accessing the WCTPT website, you accept its terms and conditions. 1980). The district court denied cross-motions for summary judgment on Southwest Administrators' complaint to collect delinquent contributions. 728 F.2d at 1263-64, 1265. Elected Officials Urge Company to Follow Labor Law, Deliver an Agreement, TEAMSTERS RATIFY INDUSTRY-LEADING CONTRACT AT UNITED AIRLINES, HONORING DR. KING AND THE FIGHT FOR LABOR DIGNITY, TEAMSTERS LOCAL 104 ENDORSES RUBEN GALLEGO FOR US SENATE. If you have any questions about your benefits, call the office at 855-215-2039. After a one day bench trial, the district court held that the trust fund's right to enforce the express terms of the collective bargaining agreement, requiring pension fund contributions for the contested period, was not impaired by the union official's oral misrepresentations. J. See Uniform Commercial Code Sec. The district court entered judgment for Southwest Administrators in the amounts of $76,133.29 in retroactive pension fund contributions, $15,226.25 in liquidated damages, $25,039.09 in interest, and $6,390.00 in attorneys fees. Southwest Administrators, Inc. was founded in 2007. The position of City Treasurer is established by City Charter. See Carpenters Southern California Administrative Corp. v. Russell, 726 F.2d 1410, 1413 (9th Cir. Indeed, the defense of fraudulent inducement indicates there has been no proper manifestation of mutual assent. 428 Health and Welfare Trust Fund, Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons' Local 394 Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Southwest Multi-Craft Health & Welfare Trust Fund, Teamsters Western Region & Local 177 Actives, Teamsters Western Region & Local 177 Retirees, Teamsters Western Region Legacy Plan - Actives & Retirees, AZ Laborers & Teamsters Defined Contribution, IBEW 570 & 518 and Southern AZ NECA Annuity Trust Funds, IBEW 570 & 518 and Southern AZ NECA Pension Trust Funds, Operating Engineers Local 428 Annuity Trust Fund, Operating Engineers Local 428 Pension Trust, Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons' Local 394 Annuity Trust Fund, Operative Plasterers' & Cement Masons' Local 394 Pension Trust Fund, Operating Engineers' Local No. The City Treasurer is appointed by a majority vote of the entire Commission for an indefinite term. 20, at 36 (3d ed. 2d 442 (1960). Thus, Rozay's Transfer argues, the settlement agreement bars the trust fund's claim for delinquent contributions. IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Due to the coronavirus outbreak, our local union offices and WCTPT Administrative Offices are temporarily closed to in-person interviews with participants. Our competitive landscape shows how this business compares to similar businesses in their industry and region based on information found in their Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Review profile. Prior to September 30, 1981, Rozay's Transfer, an employer in the trucking industry, and Teamsters Local 208 were parties to a collective bargaining agreement. It is not an abuse of discretion to deny an application for impleader where it will disadvantage the existing action. OF TEAMSTERS | PLEASE CHOOSE YOUR GROUP PLAN BELOW: Arizona Health & Welfare Past Employment and Intermediate Employment, Employer-Union Pension Certification Form. All Rights Reserved. * Please make sure to use the latest browser version. No. 1970). The Teamsters Pension Trust Fund was formed to provide participating employees and employers with an affordable, comprehensive and efficient retirement program. See Lewis v. Benedict Coal Corp., 361 U.S. 459, 468, 80 S. Ct. 489, 494-95, 4 L. Ed. Consequently, the express written terms of the bargaining agreement, providing for full pension fund contributions for the disputed period, must be enforced, notwithstanding any oral understandings to the contrary. Now you can log in to a secure, private website to get benefit payment information, update direct deposit and tax elections, view and print tax documents and more. Publications Blog Click here for details. Union contracts spell out not just salaries and benefits, but also information about class size, employee evaluations, school calendars, and more. 158(a) (5), it is an unfair labor practice for an employer to change unilaterally the conditions and benefits of employment while negotiations for a new bargaining agreement are pending. 3-305(2) (c); see Restatement (Second) of Contracts Sec. Click the links below to findinformation about: You can also visit theForms Pageto download important documents for your plan. Donate Subsequent to the entry of judgment by the district court in this trust fund collection action, Rozay's Transfer initiated a separate action against Local 208 alleging fraudulent misrepresentation. We value your time, so appointments are not required but will greatly assist in our ability to assist you without unreasonable delay. 1489, at 341-42. Home; About Us. 1055 Park View Dr. Covina, CA 91724. We held that the employer's assertion that he had been "fraudulently induced" to enter into the agreement was not a legitimate defense to the trust fund's collection action. Consequently, the bargaining agreement was not "void," but merely "voidable." CV 84-8313 MRP (Bx) (C.D. at 1266. We affirm. Go to the Plan Documents page or click here to view this document issued in October 2021. City of Mount Pleasant - 320 W. Broadway - Mt. Schedule is subject to change. 1983). Yet we held that such fraudulent inducement was not the type of defense that could be maintained against a trust fund's collection action. Its contributions were not made mistakenly. | However, Murrietta and Anderson represented to Rozay that it was possible on an individual case-by-case basis for the trust fund to grant an employer relief from making up the delinquent payments. Uniform Commercial Code Sec. 2d 217 (1984); Rosario v. Amalgamated Ladies' Garment Cutters' Union, Local 10, 605 F.2d 1228, 1247 (2nd Cir. Welcome Members! Get a free, personalized salary estimate based on today's job market. situs link alternatif kamislot Murrietta, and Maurice E. Anderson, the director of the Western Conference of Teamsters, agreed to contact the trust fund and request a waiver of the obligation to make contributions for this period.1 Murrietta and Anderson assured Rozay that the delinquent payments would be forgiven, noting that the trust fund had waived the unpaid pension contributions of other employers under similar circumstances. Rozay's Transfer's appeal from that summary judgment was stayed by this court pending final judgment by the district court on the primary claim in the case. 1983). Both stem from the union's oral misrepresentation as to the effect of the bargaining agreement. To have granted the impleader might well have complicated and lengthened the trial, and would have introduced the extraneous question of remedies in the third-party action, such as whether the collective bargaining agreement should be rescinded by reason of the union's allegedly fraudulent conduct.4VII. Past Employment and Intermediate Employment, Employer-Union Pension Certification Form. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT (excluding holidays). admin@educationreport.org. For an employer to be obligated to make employee benefit contributions to a trust fund, there must exist a binding collective bargaining agreement. Filter your search results by job function, title, or location. All rights reserved. Whether certain contract defenses are available in an action to recover delinquent trust fund contributions is a question of law. This subsequent judgment in the related case does not affect our conclusion in the instant case. Call Us: 158(a) (5) with refusal to execute a collective bargaining agreement that had allegedly been negotiated. In Bjorklund, an employer signed a collective bargaining agreement relying upon the union representative's false assurance that the employer himself would be eligible to obtain a pension and that he would not be required to make contributions for his part-time employees. The Supplemental Plan is provided at no charge to retirees; the participating employers . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google About . The district court entered judgment for Southwest Administrators in the amounts of $76,133.29 in retroactive pension fund contributions, $15,226.25 in liquidated damages, $25,039.09 in interest, and $6,390.00 in attorneys fees. Find a provider using the links below and view plan documents! Pursuant to the agreement, Rozay's Transfer made monthly contributions on behalf of its employees to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust Fund. 17-8, at 623-24 (2d ed. Website (626) 279-3000. Oklahoma. In 1980, Congress amended ERISA by adding section 306(a), 29 U.S.C. Over the phone, they can: The telephone hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time. CLAIM THIS BUSINESS 1000 S FREMONT AVE # 11 ALHAMBRA, CA 91803 Get Directions (626) 284-4792 Business Info Founded 2007 Incorporated CA Annual Revenue $12,300,000.00 Employee Count 300 Industries Pension Funds Contacts TONI L ROBERTS Contact Business Message Send Message Company Summary About Search Results. mcpp@mackinac.org Id. 163 (1981). PRUDENTIAL, ITS AFFILIATES AND ITS SALES PROFESSIONALS DO NOT RENDER TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE. See generally Laborers Health and Welfare Trust Fund v. Advanced Lightweight Concrete Co., Inc., 779 F.2d 497 (9th Cir.