Document: 442 U.S. 42 99 S.Ct. 2121 60 L.Ed.2d 698 INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS et al., Petitioners,v.Leroy FOUST. No. 78-38. Argued Feb. 26, 1979. Decided May 29, Syllabus ondent was discharged by his employer, the Union Pacific Railroad Co., for failing properly to request an extension of medical leave absence. Petitioner union filed a grievance on respondent's behalf two days after time submission had expired. The National Adjustment Board denied claim ground that not complied with filing deadline. Respondent then brought unfair representation suit against union. A jury found respondent, awarding him actual and punitive damages. Court Appeals affirmed in most respects, but remanded case consideration whether damages award excessive. Held : Railway Labor Act does permit employee recover union's breach its duty fair processing employee's employer wrongful discharge. Pp. 46-52. (a) Since Congress has specified what remedies are available actions, this Court's function is implement remedial scheme will best effectuate purposes Act, recognizing overarching legislative goal facilitate collective bargaining achieve industrial peace. P. 47-48. (b) fundamental purpose suits compensate injuries caused violations employees' rights. To damages, which, definition, provide monetary relief excess loss, could impair financial stability unions unsettle careful balance individual interests which struck area. Additionally, prospect curtail broad discretion afforded handling grievances thereby inhibit proper functioning collective-bargaining system. Inflicting such risks employees, whose welfare depends strength their unions, too great price whatever deterrent effect may have. 48-52. 10 Cir., 572 F.2d 710, reversed part. Laurence J. Cohen, Washington, D. C., petitioners. Terry W. Mackey, Cheyenne, Wyo., respondent. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 This action arises from failure petitioner process alleging discharge employer. question presented Act1 permits representation. 2 * Respondent, member International Brotherhood Electrical Workers (IBEW), injured March 1970 while working Co. (Union Pacific). He received absence through December 22, 1970. agreement between company required employees either before expired or return work as scheduled. Accordingly, respondent sought renew late December. Correspondence attorney, however, revealed doctor's statement supporting request. Notwithstanding Pacific's written assurance January 25, 1971, it would await arrival document reviewing case, February 3 because, company's view, he requested extension. After attorney failed persuade reconsider decision, wrote IBEW District Chairman, F. Jones, requesting initiate proceedings pursuant Rule 21 agreement.2 letter dated Jones 27, 52 dismissal. Although aware presentation "within date occurrence . based," see n. 2, supra, deadline imminent, did immediately prepare letter. Rather, contacted General Leo Wisniski, who insisted personally writing assistance. Wisniski drafted stating "handle" until authorization received. App. Brief 8a. Instead telephoning sending directly him, mailed signed forwarded April 5, 61 Without awaiting authorization, 6, form been prepared Omaha, Neb., sent Rawlins, railroad Omaha. 4 Both 60-day several officers.3 alleged out time, breached representation, resulted dismissal claim. $40,000 $75,000 accepted jury's award. C 74-50B (Wyo., 17, 1976). 5 judgment 710 (CA10 1978).4 It rejected suggestion Third Circuit impermissible suits,5 declined adopt Eighth Circuit's standard, allows only when officers display malice toward employee.6 following Fourth Circuit, ruled appropriate if acted wantonly reckless disregard See Harrison v. United Transportation Union, 530 558, 563-564 (CA4 1975), cert. denied, 425 958, 96 1739, 48 203 (1976).7 6 We granted certiorari resolve conflict among Courts any circumstances justify assessing breaches 439 892, 248, 58 237 (1978). II 7 first recognized statutory Steele Louisville & Nashville R. 323 192, 65 226, 89 L.Ed. 173 (1944), arising under Act. held empowered bargain exclusively all particular unit, subordinated unit whole, imposed correlative "inseparable power representation" exercise authority fairly. Id., at 202-204, S.Ct., 233; Humphrey Moore, 375 335, 342, 84 363, 367, 11 370 (1964); Vaca Sipes, 386 171, 182, 87 903 (1967); Hines Anchor Motor Freight, Inc., 424 554, 564, 1048, 1056, 47 231, 17 842 (1976).8 doctrine thus serves "bulwark prevent arbitrary conduct individuals stripped traditional forms redress provisions federal labor law." U.S., 912. Under doctrine, must represent fairly bargaining-unit members during negotiation, administration, enforcement agreements. See, e. g., Conley Gibson, 355 41, 46, 78 99, 102, 80 (1957); 367; 563-567, 1055-1057. In particular, "arbitrary, discriminatory, bad faith," as, example, "arbitrarily ignore[s] meritorious process[es] [a] perfunctory fashion." 190, 191, 917. 8 right bring actions judicially "implied statute policy adopted," 204, 232, these suits.9 Our function, therefore, 232; Textile Lincoln Mills, 353 448, 456-457, 77 912, 917-918, 972 Machinists Street, 367 740, 759, 81 1784, 1795, 1141 (1961); cf. Clearfield Trust States, 318 63 573, 838 (1943). Whether comport national issue instant turns. III 9 Punitive "are compensation injury. Instead, they private fines levied civil juries punish reprehensible deter future occurrence." Gertz Robert Welch, 418 323, 350, 94 2997, 3012, 41 789 (1974).10 extraordinary sanction necessary vindicate Because pursue be de minimis, F.2d, 563; St. Clair Local 515, 422 128, 132 (CA6 1969); also infra, 50, contends strong legal remedy essential encourage misconduct. do doubt lucrative recoveries unrelated injury powerful incentive actions. Similarly, threat large sanctions likely affect unions' willingness complaints. However, offsetting potential benefits possibility awards previously articulated approving "resort usual judicial injunction appropriate," 207, 234 (emphasis added), emphasized each should fashioned make whole. 206-207, 233-234. principle again invoked 903, 842, govern compensatory based refusal discharge.11 there contention order compelling arbitration remedy, concluded equitable awarded ensure full compensation. 196, 919.12 12 applied gauge sufficiency limit liability. can contract, we reasoned fails predicated cannot liable attributable employer's conduct. 197, 920. Recognizing "real hardship" impose "no merit requiring [them] pay share damages." Ibid. avoid burdening beyond extent injuries, refused create exception even those indemnification rights employers. acknowledging apportionment rule might some instances effectively immunize liability clear duty, considerations deterrence insufficient risk endangering institutions. 198, 921. vacated since "all almost all" were Ibid.13 13 limitation reflects attempt afford misconduct without compromising protecting limited funds. "in loss," Scott Donald, 165 58, 86, 265, 267, 632 (1897), undermine accommodation. accorded both imposition amount 349-350, 3011-3012; Prosser § pp. 13-14, impact windfall unpredictable potentially substantial. Cf. Hall Cole, 412 1, 13, 93 1942, 1948, 36 702 (1973).14 Such deplete treasuries, impairing effectiveness agents. upon union, simply Automobile Russell, 356 634, 658, 932, 946, 1030 (1958) (Warren, C. J., dissenting). 14 cases grievances. notion force claims irrespective terms agreement, satisfies obligation ignore 191-194, so holding, stressed supervision complaints promotes settlements, avoids frivolous claims, strengthens confidence 191-193, 917-918. screening settlement procedures, costs dispute resolution ultimately render system impracticable. 15 Just unlimited access bargaining, disrupt responsible decisionmaking peaceful relations. protect unforeseeable magnitude, feel compelled resist settlements. Indeed, confident hold favor deterred taking clearly interest members. Absent congressional guidance, decline inject element uncertainty into decisions regarding representative functions. 16 Acknowledging "essentially remedial" objectives Relations certain practice cases, see, Republic Steel Corp. NLRB, 311 7, 10-12, 77, 78-79, 85 (1940); Carpenters 365 651, 655, 875, 877, (1961), 303 Management 29 U.S.C. 187, Teamsters Morton, 377 252, 260-261, 1253, 1258-1259, 280 (1964). Like NLRA, essentially purpose. 47-48; 45 151a; Virginian Employees, 300 542-548, 57 592, 596-599, (1937); 759-760, 1795; 10-11, 78-79. general disfavors punishment, adverse consequences substantial, assessed grievance. reverse below insofar upheld So ordered. 18 BLACKMUN, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE, REHNQUIST, STEVENS join, concurring result. 19 now adopts per se never no matter how egregious be. I seriously correctness wisdom holding. Whatever merits rule, need propound blanket proscription case. here betrayed nothing more than negligence, inappropriate occasion formula. dispose trial judge erred law submitting jury; holding adopt. Inasmuch reaches outlaw shall show why think errs concur A. 20 created, necessarily left determination. "The representation," 195, 919, (1967), "must vary breach." Depending breach, N. 234, "the contemplates resort These court, seeking match wrong, disposal panoply tools traditionally used courts justice parties. being one tools, presumptively use unless directed otherwise. expressly interdicted use, decision ban arsenal rests inference perception inconsistent "federal policy." proffers four main theories support inference. find none them persuasive. First, discerns "compensation principle," supposedly dictating "make whole," more. Ante, 49, 12. If embody principle"—really, neologism area law—it vastly different sort relies. assuredly stand proposition worker least made plaintiffs entitled inasmuch "adequate administrative remedy" available. exclusive jurisdiction Board, lest victims discrimination, owing Board's powers, remediless. 182-183, 912-913. And decree underlying grievance, reasoning arbitrator lack instead court free decide contractual relief." Steele, other words, worker's include fully compensated. But neither exclude rise above norm. read Vaca' affirmative negative pregnant; transformed liberal principle" parsimonious limiting rule; converted floor beneath ceiling top them. 22 my mind, contain pregnant. 173, 907, "such recoverable case," id., 919 pointing stands chargeable taxed either. contains pregnant, too. 234. language, context, seems expansive me. now, italicizing "usual," implies sanction, "unusual remedy," hence outside Steele' compass. 49. reading strained. italics point clear, argument correct, substitute fairminded appraisal says. Neither nor supports 23 second reason banishing pantheon, closely related first, inhospitable awards. 52. cites major theory. apposite. (1940), sanctions. "Congress [had] conferred requirements." 10, 79. question, competence; decided "beyond authority" lacked "jurisdiction" 11, 79-80. pertinence here, have efforts devise remedies. (1964), recovered secondary boycotts. ButMorton construction. Section authorizes recovery sustained." 187(b). "Punitive violation 303," "conflict judgment, reflected language history, business losses activities actual, 260, 1259 (footnotes omitted). expressed prohibition suits, Morton inapposite here. invocation theory 24 third gives "could agents." 50-51. true Vaca, enunciating formula apportioning wrongful-discharge said "[i]t real hardship union" circumstances. talking about fiscal soundness; searches vain references "depletion treasuries" "impairment bargaining." What "damages solely contract." is, obviously, anyone, regardless wealth, forced money something fault. evince concern where fault, fault egregious. As notes, ante, 48, typical minimal; formula, bulk paid perpetrator parallel 301 action. 197-198, 920-921. emerge unscathed run cases. Given this, undue soundness rare notoriously misbehaved. 25 fourth underpinning grievances," relations." Ante 1227. fearing become vigilant workers' grievances; vigilance lead frivolity antagonize employer; antagonism beget disharmony table. tenuous Surely, believe airy speculations induce shop stewards abandon vestiges common sense go diurnal chores. operate chill this," Member proposing this." Everyone agrees improper. outlawed unlike one, truly little chilling "discretion" bother B 26 proffered reasons me unpersuaded. am alone feeling way, consider embraced today goes way observes, 45-46, followed Tenth approved (1975), (1976). view guilty "outrageous conduct." Butler 823, 514 442, 454, 423 924, 46 249 (1975). Ninth barring facts, restricted "grievances kind alleged" Williams Maritime Assn., 421 1287, 1289 (1970). Even relies embrace approach, refusing "decide exist punitive-type implied Act," unavailable (as case) shown. Deboles Trans World Airlines, 552 1005, 1019, 434 837, 98 126, 54 (1977). 27 Equally instructive, upholding workers Landrum-Griffin That outlines "bill rights" members, 411(a), provides (including injunctions) appropriate." 412. Every "appropriate relief" manifests "actual wanton indifference" members' speech associational Boilermakers Braswell, 388 193, 199-201 (CA5), 391 935, 88 1848, 854 (1968); Cooke Orange Belt Dist. Council, 529 815, 820 (CA9 1976); Morrissey 544 19, 24-25 (CA2 Keene IUOE 624, 569 1375, 1381-1382, (CA5 1978). noted serve legitimate 200; Cooke, 820, "[i]f defendants, well." Morrissey, 25. reasoning, think, equally reserves 9, pronouncements "[t]he "windfall" nature safeguard quality policy, seem apply equal uneasy. professes draw hairline distinctions types tort laws, willingness, suggests evidence "congressional intent" back up 28 Appeals' unanimous erect bar judicious reveal intentional racial deliberate personal animus, conscious infringement freedoms, discern exceptional conduct, makes objective 915. feels obliged "careful interests" solution, across board, restrict sphere, namely, described outrageous. For reasons, hesitate squarely decision. particularly hard fathom promulgate pronouncement manifestly unnecessary involves trampling rights"; record suggest—indeed, contend—that motivated hostility. shows, neglecting act promptly standard operating procedure, procedure admittedly given constraints operating, inappropriateness himself partly responsible, notify contract's negligent or, worst, grossly negligent. No knowledge, ever negligence basis Especially statutes. 30 sum, jury. further proscribes much difficult questionable situations, join result only. 44 Stat. 577, amended, 151 seq. 21(a)(1) provides: "All employe involved, officer Carrier authorized receive same, within based." Prior initiating action, separate work-related allegedly part waived 73. held, inter alia, correctly instructed elements cause principles sufficient verdict. 714-718. grant question. Consequently, our analysis, take correct findings proper. 1019 (CA 3), 1287 1970). 454 (CA8), demonstrate needed 454; Emmanuel Omaha 560 382, (CA8 1977). determined instructions comported standard. charged petitioners "maliciously, wantonly, oppressively." 65. BLACKMUN surmises "as law," "betrayed negligence." Post, 53. conclusion assumes malicious, wanton, oppressive We, unwilling jury, Court, evidentiary Tr. 270-271; 91-94; 719; Graver Tank Mfg. Linde Air Products 336 271, 275, 69 535, 537, 672 (1949); Berenyi Immigration Director, 385 630, 635-636, 666, 669, 670, 656 (1967). implicit 49 449, seq., because statute, like affords unit. Syres Oil Workers, 350 76 152, 100 785 (1955); Ford Huffman, 345 330, 73 681, 97 1048 (1953); 177, 909. discussion similarities Acts, Feller, Theory Collective Bargaining Agreement, Calif.L.Rev. 663, 676-718 (1973). Contrary fears result, post, 59, express propriety concerned created explicit U. S. §§ 411 accompanying history authorize obviously considerations. Prosser, Law Torts 9-11 (4th ed. 1971) (hereinafter Prosser); Dobbs, Remedies 3.9, p. 204 (1973); (1897). involved certified permitted process, precluded pursuing once procedures exhausted. 175 3, somewhat solicitous unsuccessful level seek own Board. First (i), (j), 153 (j). Vaca's "public effectuating policies wrong done employee, always principal fashioning remedies," feared denial forum "frustrate basic representation." 182 8, 183, 913 added). Glover Louis-San Francisco 393 324, 328-329, 548, 550-551, 519 (1969). On similar Czosek O'Mara, 397 90 770, 773, (1970), loss employment unrecoverable except handle added difficulty expense collecting employer." Moreover, ignored employed unpopular defendants. observed defamation context: "[Since] assess wholly amounts bearing relation harm remain selectively expressions views. presumed unnecessarily exacerbates danger .." (1974). Community hostility management, minority views expression 942,

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