Document: 389 U.S. 463 88 S.Ct. 643 19 L.Ed.2d 705 W. Willard WIRTZ, Secretary of Labor, Petitioner,v.LOCAL 153, GLASS BOTTLE BLOWERS ASSOCIATION, etc. No. 57. Argued Nov. 8, 1967. Decided Jan. 15, 1968. Louis F. Claiborne, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Albert K. Plone, Camden, N.J., respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioner, filed this action in District Court Western Pennsylvania seeking a judgment declaring void election officers conducted by respondent Local Union on October 18, 1963, and directing that new be under Secretary's supervision. 2 Section 402(b) Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959, 29 U.S.C. § 482(b), authorizes upon complaint union member who has exhausted his internal remedies, to file suit when an investigation gives probable cause believe was not compliance with standards prescribed 401 Act, 481. If court finds violation occurred which 'may have affected outcome election,' it 'shall declare election, if any, direct conduct supervision Secretary.'1 The alleged illegality provision 401(e), 481(e), subject every 'in good standing shall eligible condidate hold office (subject * reasonable qualifications uniformly imposed) *.' A bylaw provided members had attended 75% Local's regular meetings two years preceding stand office.2 whose invoked been allowed President at 1963 because he only 17 24 monthly meetings, one short requisite 75%; bylaws, working night shift excusable absence none absences reason. 3 held meeting-attendance requirement unreasonable restriction eligibility candidates therefore violated 401(e),3 but dismissed ground established outcome' election. 244 F.Supp. 745. appealed Appeals Third Circuit. appeal pending its next biennial 1965. challenge mooted 1965 vacated direction dismiss case as moot. In consequence, did reach merits question whether unlawful qualification may 372 F.2d 86.4 Because intervening is important administration LMRDA, we granted certiorari, 387 904, 87 1686, 18 621, set oral argument 58, Wirtz v. 125, Laborers' Int'l Union, 477, 639, 716. We reverse. 4 holding rest any explicit statutory happening another unsupervised should deemed 'ceased exist.' People State California San Pablo & T.R. Co., 149 308, 313, 13 876, 878, 37 L.Ed. 747.5 Indeed literal reading would more reasonably compel contrary conclusion. For no exceptions are admitted unambiguous wording 'the Secretary. *' (Emphasis supplied.) 5 Nonetheless, does end inquiry. cautioned against congressional labor legislation; such legislation often product conflict compromise between strongly opposed views, proper construction frequently requires consideration background legislative history light general objectives Congress sought achieve. See, e.g., National Woodwork Mfrs. Assn. NLRB, 386 612, 619, 1250, 1255, 357. LMRDA exception.6 6 Title IV particular, reveals nothing indicate possibility might intervene before final judicial decision particular inference occur Congress.7 turn whether, achieve, statute properly construed terminate fortuitous event suit. 7 seven subdivisions dealing various facets both affairs labor-management relations. enactment preceded extensive inquiries based findings, purposes, policy expressed 401.8 Of special significance findings public interest' remedial necessary further objective 'that organizations their officials adhere highest responsibility ethical administering *,' 401(a), found, 'from recent investigations management fields, there number instances breach trust, corruption, disregard rights individual employees, other failures observe high requiring 'supplementary will afford protection interests employees generally they relate activities representatives.' 401(b). 8 IV's function furthering overall goals insure 'free democratic' elections.9 shows weighed how best legislate revealed abuses elections without departing needlessly from long-standing unnecessary governmental intrusion into affairs.10 vigorous debate over manifested extent intervention most crucial aspect or desirable. emerged 'general allow unions great latitude resolving own controversies, and, where fails, utilize agencies Government familiar problems aid bringing about settlement through discussion resort courts.' Calhoon Harvey, 379 134, 140, 85 292, 296, 190. 9 But freedom run reserved those conform democratic principles written 401. International must less than once five local three years. Elections secret ballot among except international elect convention delegates chosen ballot. 481(a), (b). Specific provisions equality treatment mailing campaign literature; require adequate safeguards fair including right candidate observers polls counting ballots; guarantee 'reasonable opportunity' nomination candidates, vote fear reprisal, pertinent us, candidate, imposed.' §§ 481(c), (e). 10 Even violates these standards, stated commitment postpone until afforded opportunity redress violation. This effect complaining first exhaust remedies invoking 482(a). And denies relief makes timely Secretary, initiate confirms probably infected challenged Moreover, attempt settle matter lawsuit; lawsuit 'aid Chalhoon supra. finally action, presumed valid adjudged invalid. explicitly told us were designed preserve 'maximum amount independence self-government giving correct improper elections.' S.Rep.No.187, 86th Cong., 1st Sess., 21, Leg.Hist. 417. 11 incorrect read circumscribing time basis somehow conditioning invoked. Such ignore fact Congress, although committed minimal intervention, obviously equally making warranted, effective carrying out basic aim IV.11 deliberately gave exclusive enforcement authority having 'decided knowledge discretion Labor order serve interest.' so doing, rejected proposals, them plans authorized suits right.12 unequivocally declared establishes 'The 482(c). 12 cannot agree scheme satisfied happenstance notion unlawfulness infecting considered washed away following disregards Congress' evident conclusion supervised could offer assurance achieved beneficiaries violations some means perpetuate control succeeding That reached surfaced inquiry showing incumbents' use inherent advantage potential rank challengers perpetuated dynastic unions. See S.Rep.No.1417, 85th 2d Sess. These 'number trust (and) rested required interest.13 chose alternative remedy belief protective presence neutral prevent unfairness infecting, directly indirectly, choice also reflects made aware practices adequately protect It clear, therefore, much circumstances bring halt. Aborting immunize proved attack leave unvindicated protected intended readily frustrated. Respondent argues granting after supervening officers' tenure prematurely mere suspicion. settled risk influence substantial, do reason truly what requires, rerun 14 concluded 'no practical purpose' old terms conferred terminated said enough demonstrate fallacy reasoning: First, fails consider possible Second, seems view merely limited, emphatically asserted vital interest assuring free transcends narrower member. 15 proves existence already deprive supervision.14 16 reversed remanded decide appeal. ordered. Reversed direction. MARSHALL took part case. 402, 482: '(a) organization— '(1) available constitutional bylaws organization parent body, '(2) obtaining within calendar months invocation, month thereafter alleging section (including constitution pertaining removal officers). thereon (as hereinafter provided) interim elected manner provide. '(b) investigate title remedied, shall, sixty days filing complaint, civil entity district United States maintains principal aside invalid hearing accordance rules regulations prescribe. '(c) If, preponderance evidence trial merits, finds— far lawful practicable, conformity organization. '(d) An dismissing designating appealable same stayed appeal.' 24, received months, Article IX, 1, Constitution that: 'All office, nomination, 75 per cent least prior election.' 4, 12, provided: 'No unless seventy-five (75%) since last 'In cases work notify Recording marked present writing seventy-two (72) hours meeting. As consequence requirement, 500-member 1963. Vice Financial ran re-election unopposed Trustee positions. positions filled appointment qualified requirement. Pending appeal, Appeals, application, permit make post-judgment motion denied motion. denial affirmed 'absent challenging sue establish invalidity F.2d, 88. Our correctness holding. adopted Second Circuit Unions 410, IUOE, 366 438. Sixth supra, followed Archibald Cox, actively participated shaping remarked: contains share interpretation bill floor Senate House Representatives many sections contain calculated ambiguities political compromises essential secure majority. Consequently, courts well advised seek underlying rationale placing emphasis close words.' Internal Affairs Under Reform 58 Mich.L.Rev. 819, 852 (1960). There references desirability expeditious determinations suits, clear contexts appear concern quickly practicable cloud titles avoid S.Rep. 187, I 417, U.S.Code Congressional Administrative News, p. 2318, 104 Cong.Rec. 7954, 699 (Dept.Labor 1964) (hereafter cited D.L.Leg.Hist.) (Senator Kennedy); 11003, D.L.Leg.Hist. 710 Smith); cf. Role Law Preserving Democracy, 72 Harv.L.Rev. 609, 631—634 (1959). 402 (d), 482(d), 'an appeal' consistent challenges resolved possible. 1959 discussed Aaron, 73 851 (1960); Unions, n. 6; Levitan Loewenberg, Politics Provisions Landrum-Griffin Regulating 28 (Estey, Taft Wagner eds. 1964); Rezler, Elections: Background Symposium 475 (Slovenko ed.1961). see 7, 628—634. Although Senator Kennedy, sponsor legislation, counseled mixing up providing democracy enacting measures concerned relations management, 105 883—885, II 968—969; S.Rep.No. 5—7, 401—403, neither debates nor itself unwavering adherence principle. 6, 831—833. 'It needs importance elections. Relations Railway Acts bargaining representative power conjunction employer, fix man's wages, hours, conditions employment. employee lawfully negotiate employer. He bound contract. practice, significant role enforcing grievance procedure contract enforced. obligation wield responsive desires men women whom represent. can given legal guaranty periodic responsiveness depends frequency elections, honest count ballots. Guaranties fairness confidence integrity 20; H.R.Rep. 741, 15—16, 416, 773—774. 2—5, 1—7, 398—401, 759 765. 403: acting (S. 1555) committee principles: 1. recognized minimum interference private (I)n establishing care taken undermine weaken collective-bargaining agents. 2. Given maintenance detailed information union, fully competent regulate affairs. 3. Remedies direct. (T)he provide administrative appropriate each specific problem.' ibid.: reported committee, while carries all major recommendations (McClellan) philosophy restraint.' referred Committee Report enacted virtually drafted Senate. 34, 430: places heavy reliance reporting disclosure members, correction occurred. However, endows broad effectuation objectives. to—* (e) actions overturn improperly supervise *. believes powers combined full provides combination devices remedied.' S. 748, 84, 118—134; H.R. 8342, 687, 727—729. H.R.Conf.Rep. 1147, 35, 939. 469-470. briefs alternatives our conclusion, expediting proceedings injunctive discussion, however, assumes comment.

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