Document: 337 U.S. 521 69 S.Ct. 1287 93 L.Ed. 1513 AERONAUTICAL INDUSTRIAL DIST. LODGE 727v.CAMPBELL et al. No. 333. Argued and Submitted Jan. 31, 1949. Decided June 20, Mr. Maurice J. Hindin, Los Angeles, Cal., for petitioner. H. Graham Morison, Washington, D.C., respondents Campbell Robert Canan, Burbank, respondent Lockheed Aircraft Corporation. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 We brought this case here, 335 869, 166, to resolve a conflict views between two Courts Appeals in their interpretation rights given veterans World War II by § 8 Selective Training Service Act 1940, as amended, 54 Stat. 885, 890, 58 798, 50 U.S.C.App. 308, U.S.C.A.Appendix, 308. Three suit compensation period layoff while employed at Corporation, here. The facts controlling legal claims all three may be represented circumstances attending Kirk's employment layoff.1 2 petitioner, Aeronautical Industrial District Lodge 727, was duly recognized collective bargaining agent employees In September, 1941, union had negotiated an agreement with covering range subjects touching conditions typical such agreements aircraft industry. This effect when Kirk August, 1942, Vega which afterwards merged Lockheed. He joined has remained member throughout controversy. left years later enter Army, from he honorably discharged January, 1946, restored his job accordance 8(a) Act. 308(a) U.S.C.Appendix, 308(a). While military service made new modifying terms 1941 various particulars. Crucial issue here change seniority provisions former agreement. provided that 'Union Chairmen who have acquired shall deemed top long they remain Chairmen.'2 plain English means thereafter served chairmen were entitled retained layoffs regardless length plant. 3 latter part June, within year after reemployment, it necessary lay off industrial unit. These followed conventional sequence seniority, time being credited, exception 1945 agreement, even though less company than those laid off, or not. among retention men junior him is basis claim been infringed.3 back work month, but refused pay off. For sum suit. Petitioner Union allowed intervene order protect its labor contract. Judgment went Kirk, alone took Court Ninth Circuit. That court affirmed judgment,4 169 F.2d 252, holding forbade disregard employment, so far are affected, enforcing event service. ran counter series decisions Third Gauweiler v. Elastic Stop Nut Corp., 162 448; Koury 544; DiMaggio 546, Payne Wright 549. 4 It essence continuous process. Neither addresses itself nor benefits secured static. They not frozen war. Thus, under veteran accumulates toward service; also becomes beneficiary gains achievement constant thrust bargaining. other words, gives status one 'on furlough leave absence' uninterruptedly working force on whose behalf successive made. way protects furloughed employee prejudiced any because furlough,' favored against fellows. our decision Fishgold Sullivan Drydock & Repair 328 275, 66 1105, 90 1230, 167 A.L.R. 110. 5 providing position before entered 'without loss seniority,' uses term 'seniority' without definition. thus apparent Congress creating system recognizing operation process must therefore look determine guaranteed veteran. 6 Barring legislation involved, derive scope significance contracts, confined almost exclusively unionized See Trailmobile Co. Whirls, 331 40, 53, note 21, 67 982, 988, 91 1328. There great variations use principle through bearing begins, determination units subject same consequences flow seniority. All these disclose limitations upon dogmatic interest ultimate aims probationary often met begins operate; sometimes retroactive date employment; instances effective only qualifying date; some industries determined basis, others occupation plant taken unit determination; special workers key positions; then again factors found varying combinations. Williamson Harris, Tren Collective Bargaining, 100—102 (1945); Harbison, Seniority Policies Procedures Developed Bargaining 1—10 (1941). 7 To draw implication inflexible determining reflected ignore vast body long-established practices refers part. One safeguards insisted unions functioning continuity office shop stewards chairmen. end provision made, laying them merely temporal Because regarded individual members union; relation benefit whole union. retain encroachment due regard interests embrace rights. considerations decisive case. represent familiar developments presupposes context placed. rights, including derived 1941. So, likewise, defined 1945, inasmuch no wise disadvantaged 9 ordinary orderly course formulating directions modified A code government enterprise and, like government, ultimately depends effectiveness quality enforcement code. assumes proper adjustment grievances source, play very important role Therefore highly desirable authority skill office. beyond routine requirements uncommon surely ought arbitrary discriminatory.5 fact involve, case, temporary nonveteran chairman retained, wholly unrelated veteran's absence Under elected once year, unless election occurred day returned plant, chance would persons continuously 10 Of course, restricts readjustment during disadvantage But undue restriction (without compensating gain veteran) forbid changes arrangements secure fixed tenure chairmen, whereby well nonveterans benefited promoting greater protection smoother labormanagement relations. 11 presupposes, obviously, containing expresses honest desires skillful device hostility veterans. remotest suggestion what purported be—the securing both non-veterans better leaders contingencies turnover. 12 Reversed. 13 DOUGLAS concurs result. yeterans, James L. Campbell, withdrew first March, did affect company. contention withdrawal affects manner Act, should cause different signed concerned provided: 'In slack production, primarily Due consideration will given, however, (a) knowledge, training, ability, efficiency, (b) deportment record factors. If reduce department, plan procedure prepared management submitted approval. acceptable nion Company agrees negotiations attempt arrive mutually agreeable plan. If, week original agreed to, proceed according proposed Article II, Section 6.' Agreement, Art. III, 5. '(A) General Layoff Procedure. Layoffs Company-wide applied where efficiency substantially equal. However, four years' more may, discretion, occupation, Any unjust discrimination exercise discretion up grievance. Employees relative '(D) Top Purpose Layoffs. purpose applying Temporary Procedures, Chairmen. * *' IV, 3(A)(D). relevant statutory provisions: '(a) person inducted into land naval forces training service, who, judgment over him, satisfactorily completes section 3(b) certificate completion include proficiency merit attained. '(b) perform leaves position, employ employer (1) receives certificate, (2) still qualified duties (3) makes application reemployment ninety days relieved hospitalization continuing discharge year— '(B) if private employer, restore niority, status, employer's changed make impossible unreasonable do so; '(c) paragraph (A) (B) subsection considered having forces, participate insurance offered pursuant established rules relating restoration. Lockheed, Court, appeal. since money damages involved construction right 281—284, 1109—1110, Greenman, Getting Along With Unions 26 (1948); Agreements Cotton-Textile Industry, Dept. Labor, Bull. 885 28 (1946); Thomas, Automobile Unionism 56 (1941); Provisions, Labor 28—29 Office, American Management Assn., Research Rep. 72. advantage modification 'the mutual preserving grievance personnel.' Provisions Agreements, Serial R. 1308 there complete certainly area Trends 101—103 see 85—86 (1948). Nation l Board 'that functions local officials value settling preventing grievances. reason, usually directed preference disputes issue.' Termination Report National Board, Vol. I, p. 148.

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