Document: 383 U.S. 225 86 S.Ct. 768 15 L.Ed.2d 717 Pasquale J. ACCARDI et al., Petitioners,v.The PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY. No. 280. Argued Jan. 20, 1966. Decided Feb. 28, Richard A. Posner, Asst. to Sol. Gen., Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C., for petitioners, pro hac vice, by special leave Court. Edward F. Butler, New York City, respondent. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion 1 Petitioners, who are World War II veterans and former employees Pennsylvania Railroad, brought this action claiming that their employer denied them certain seniority rights guaranteed § 8 Selective Training Service Act 1940.1 Section 8(b)(B) provides upon application any employee has satisfactorily completed his military service, a private 'shall restore' such honorably discharged serviceman 'position or position like seniority, status, pay unless employer's circumstances have so changed as make it impossible unreasonable do so.' 8(c) reemphasizes providing person restored be without loss seniority.' 2 The facts in case undisputed. In 1941 1942 six petitioners began working firemen on tugboats owned Railroad operated Port York. Petitioners left jobs 1943 enter armed services after serving three years more each received an honorable discharge. Shortly discharge was railroad fireman with same amount he had before leaving plus credit time spent forces, required 1940 Act. All continued work until 1960. 1959 labor dispute broke out when nine other carriers operating claimed were not necessary new diesel tugs, owners tugs sought abolish craft class fireman. unions affected called strike. This strike settled 1960 petitioners' union railroads entered agreement which abolished all tugs. As part bargain agreed retain employ 20 desired remain, but less than discharged. To settlement acceptable employees, those did desire stay paid severance separation allowance based formula set agreement. Each involved job allowance, thought due. lawsuit begun attempt recover what believed owed him railroad. 3 allowances determined, according language agreement, length 'compensated service' A month defined worked one days 'a year compensated service is 12 months major portion thereof.' computing include forces service.' claim error contrary 1940. petitioner $1,242.60 would if given parties stipulated entitled included determining pay, judgment should rendered them. District Court petitioners. Appeals reversed, holding, Court, because come within concepts 'seniority, pay.' Cir., 341 F.2d 72. 4 clearly manifests purpose Congress provide nearly possible persons serve country should, returning civilian life, resume old employment country. statute requires employers reinstate 'to (their former) pay,' means veteran treated though been continuously employed during period forces. Fishgold v. Sullivan Drydock & Repair Corp., 328 275, 284—285, 66 1105, 1110—1111, 90 L.Ed. 1230. continuing matter again shown Universal Military Act, 62 Stat. 604, amended, 50 U.S.C. App. 451 seq. (1964 ed.). 9(c)(2) provides: 5 'It hereby declared sense accordance provisions paragraph (A) (B) subsection (b) (of section) manner give status enjoyed from entering restoration employment.' 6 Respondent does quarrel interpretation insists here §§ (c) wholly inapplicable case. 7 term 'seniority' nowhere derives its content practices agreements. mean, however, empowered use transparent labels definitions deprive substantial we said supra, '(N)o practice agreements between can cut down adjustment benefits secured under Act.' At 285, at 1111. limited narrow, technical definition must meaning consonant intention expressed That preserve automatically accrued they remained rather responding call there no doubt amounts payments primarily employees' contends, actual total employee. hardly consistent bizarre results Government2 points out, receive whole mere seven days. There distinction whatever man day 365 year. label cannot obscure fact real nature these compensation jobs. And cost losing measured how much past—no calculated—but forfeits giving up job. Among number value increase proportion only natural most highest since seniority. requirements satisfied some general abstract then denying perquisites flow it. We think clear just perquisite traditional preference order lay-off recall. hold failure accord right reinstated 'without seniority' (c). What makes unnecessary discuss detail Appeals' holding pay' thus governed relating clause stating participate insurance offered pursuant established rules furlough absence effect inducted into * *.' Government contends 'other benefits' added bill 'for express entitling receive, while accorded absence.' legislative history referred Government's brief persuasively supports purpose.3 9 argument Government—that 'insurance put company forces—also finds support 'in Without attempting determine exact scope provision enough say consider intended add protections take away granted clauses 8(c). 10 Since held apply found decide alternative ground contended cause reversal. contention employment, created rested restoration.' rejected having merit. agree believe merit need remanded decision point. Oakley Louisville N.R. Co., 338 278, 284, 70 119, 94 87, said: 11 '(T)he expiration terminate veteran's virtue Act's treatment employment; nor open door discrimination against him, veteran. His continues beyond first reemployment governs correct rejecting 13 also improperly computed interest owing awarded plaintiffs. Because recovery declined question interest. record us present sufficient clarity pass 14 affirm damages due full served calculating pay. But further consideration contention. Reversed remanded. 16 THE CHIEF JUSTICE took 54 890, U.S.C.App. 308 (1946 now 614, 459 Department representing 8(e) Senator Sheppard explaining amendment 'That trainees life. It seems me good suggestion.' Cong.Rec. 10914. Congressman May, Chairman House Committee Affairs, colloquy another question: 'Mr. MILLER. reference insurance, will group insurance? Many industrial plants, course, carry insurance. Under contracts continue participation vacation furlough. Would policies force? MAY. force very legislation.' 11702.

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