Document: 379 U.S. 171 85 S.Ct. 300 13 L.Ed.2d 214 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, etc., et al., Petitioners,v.Eddie WITTSTEIN al. No. 27. Argued Nov. 16, 1964. Decided Dec. 7, Henry Kaiser, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Godfrey P. Schmidt, New York City, respondents. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The issue presented in these suits is whether § 101(a)(3) Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act 19591 providing that dues an international union 'shall not be increased * except by majority vote delegates voting at a regular convention' prohibits national convention union, as authorized its constitution, from being weighted counted according to number members local delegate represents. I. 2 petitioner American Federation Musicians (Federation) labor organization comprising 675 locals United States Canada. As with numerous other organizations having many scattered varying size, Federation's constitution bylaws have long alternative methods ascertaining representing convention. Each entitled one each 100 or major fraction thereof, exceed three any local. permit voice attending all cases, which method often used on routine noncontroversial matters. When amendments are issue, however, locals, upon roll call vote, may cast votes there respective locals. A required demand 10 five All approved under referred committee approve veto proposal.2 3 At petitioner's 1963 annual convention, resolution increasing per capita members, approximately 255,000, was submitted delegates. After chairman ruled two were inconclusive, speaking behalf requested accordance constitution. rules governing explained Delegates they represented. If given disagreement, total divided among taken recommendation carried some 44,326 votes, less than one-half present favor proposal. 4 Respondents, several whose voted against brought declared null void implementation enjoined. In District Court, summary judgment consolidated actions rendered respondent members. 223 F.Supp. 27 (D.C.S.D.N.Y.). Finding material facts about enactment regard 101(a)(3)(B) dispute, court did comply (B)'s requirement approval 'majority convention.' Court Appeals affirmed. 326 F.2d 26 (C.A.2d Cir.). Although noting 'is appearances most 'democratic' method, sense member duly 'represented," it held plain language requires allowed but regardless he question important first impression LMRDA, we granted certiorari. 376 942, 84 798, 11 766. We hold 101(a) (3)(B) does prohibit weighted-voting system equal membership elected. II. 5 Under increase levy assessment referendum, executive board, effective, only next 'by quoted language, said, authorizes head count Just board so too his single vote. There cannot voting, argument proceeds, unless casts no more less, affirmative add up voting. So far based solely what said literal meaning statutory language; suggestion embodies accepted preferable representation provision set particular relationship between size representatives 6 do think this fair import (B). section It state must respondents' construction renders key word 'vote' entirely superfluous although describes determine majority. face prescribes whom cast—a convention—and proportion needed passage—a cast. statute require those delegates, says nothing Where people delegated represents, think, delegate. believe determined 7 Whatever doubts left sole plenary reliance fully resolved consideration legislative history behind (B) provisions LMRDA. This had genesis Senator McClellan's proposals S. 1137, would 'general vote' relating rate initiation fees 'be numerically equivalent, proportionate, (each) constituent unit.'3 I Leg.Hist. 269, 278. 1137 reported out Senate Committee Labor Public Welfare, strength proportionate their constituency significant reason outgrowth extensive hearings McClellan Committee4 uncovered substantial evidence various forms internal misgovernment abuses organizations. findings became primary basis bills followed investigations,5 amalgam ultimately light fact then now large unions very clear thought misgovernment.6 8 bill 1555, Kennedy-Ervin bill, favorably Welfare without Bill Rights Title Act, part.7 soon introduced comprehensive amendment adopted 47 46.8 respect financial exactions, placed flat limit case present' general meeting union. significance susceptible same urged here 101(a)(3)(B), quite author provision, McClellan, intend few days later Kuchel amendment, substituting another 77 14.9 eliminated stringent requirements Rights, such fees, dealt procedures detail; local, necessary, while international, required. 'taken almost verbatim amendment,'10 permissibility could raised. And expressed proposal altered respect. 1555 passed substitute I.11 9 changes House support conclusion bar Senate, focus testimony before Joint Subcommittee Education Labor.12 gist objections failed explicitly allow ensuring participation dues, rigid disallowing action union.13 responded expanding permissible raising dues. Elliott effective until convention.'14 version incorporated identical Landrum-Griffin prevailed floor House.15 Representative Griffin observed generally 'bill rights our essentially form (Senate). guarantees subject reasonable regulations, will arbitrarily.'16 Conference Report confirmed view versions contain 'similar provisions'17 Goldwater, considered Landrum-Griffin, stated textual analysis both technically differences expanded applicability increases rather changes.18 Kuchel, proposal, conferee, 'adopted substantially language' earlier authored.19 direction affording latitude one, perceived restrict abundantly intended guarantee member's 'right participate deciding assessments,' H.R.Rep. 741 H.R. 8342, 86th Cong., 1st Sess., 759, 765, well-known embodied constitutions well serves end. Other LMRDA confirm view. Section part I, 'Bill Members Organizations.' every privileges attend meetings, deliberations business meetings. framework requiring either directly through elected representatives, certain matters throught special importance. find indicate Congress objective better fulfilled allowing constituency, permitting him Act's purpose protecting fostering rank file affairs IV contains elaborate safeguards election officers. But title officers represent.20 Respondents demonstrate exactions asserted difference applicable each. argued ascertain follow wishes assessments. issues likely arouse active opposition Further, broad, questions validity representative government has little manner representative's counted. IV, town union.21 To end recognized role elections process self-government surrounded provide participation. pervading premise titles should full decision today reflect wholly consistent purpose. 12 Accordingly, judgments below reversed remanded proceedings opinion. ordered. 14 Reversed remanded. 15 THE CHIEF JUSTICE GOLDBERG took case. 73 Stat. 519, 522, 29 U.S.C. 411(a)(3) (1958 ed., Supp. V). '(3) Dues, assessments.—Except federation organizations, rates payable effect September 14, 1959 shall increased, levied except— '(A) organization, (i) secret ballot good standing meeting, after notice intention question, (ii) referendum conducted ballot; '(B) thirty days' written principal office notice, ballot, (iii) similar body pursuant express authority contained organization: Provided, That organization.' Article provides: 'All Locals hundred fifty exceeding Local, Local ten computed last report made January books Treasurer. On affecting change laws, may, call, book Treasurer, A.F. M. laws consisting Executive Board, M., committees, who sanction same, final. Roll demandable Locals.' Legislative History 1959, 260, 278 (1959) (hereafter Leg.Hist.). 101(5) provided: 'FREEDOM FROM ARBITRARY FINANCIAL EXACTIONS.—Rules levying assessment, amended due vote.' 104(2) 'VOTING AT CONVENTIONS.—All designated units represent unit ratification disclosed roster *.' Select Improper Activities Management Field. drafting reflected Reports. 'The primarily designed correct crept into management been investigation Field past years. committee-reported legislation year thus implements remaining recommendations McCellan committee.' S.Rep. 187, 2, 397, 398, U.S.Code Cong. & Admin. News p. 2318. field years.' 741, 1, Admin.News 2424. See also 105 Cong.Rec. 15530, II 1566 (remarks Congressman Griffin). Leiserson, Trade Union Democracy 129—132 (1959). 'Except where always greater proxy prohibited (Longshoremen Blacksmiths exceptions), own share represents well. varies them votes. basing memberships differ Id., 129—130. Department Labor, Bulletin 1239, Constitution Provisions: Election Tenure National International Officers, (1959); Industrial Handbook Government, Structure Procedures, Studies Personnel Policy, 150, (1955). 338. Hist. 6475, 1102. 6693—6694, 6727, 1220—1221, 1239. CongRec. 6719, 1232. 516. Hearings Representatives, 3540, 3302, 4473, 4474 Related Bills Regarding Reform Legislation. 1517—1518. 687, 697. 8400, 15859 15860, 1527, 1691—1692. 16 1566. 17 H.R.Rep.No. 1147 934—935. 18 16487, 1357. 19 16760, 1373. 20 Technical Assistance Aid 5, Electing Officers (rev. Sept. 1962). 21 accompanying regard: 'Under Relations Railway vast responsibility economic welfare individual vital interest, therefore, policies conduct affairs. extent democratic formulation policy. say order democratically responsive unions, necessary make decisions detail England meeting. What opportunity influence policy leadership free periodic elections'. S.Rep.No. 6—7, 402—403.

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