Document: 376 U.S. 169 84 S.Ct. 595 11 L.Ed.2d 590 Donald I. TILTON et al., Petitioners,v.MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY. No. 49. Argued Jan. 7, 1964. Decided Feb. 17, Philip B. Heymann, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Robert W. Yost, St. Louis, Mo., respondent. Mr. Justice GOLDBERG delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Since 1940 Congress, as an integral part selective service legislation, has protected reemployment rights veterans.1 The principle underlying this legislation is that he who 'called to colors (is) not be penalized on his return by reason absence from civilian job.' Fishgold v. Sullivan Drydock & Repair Corp., 328 275, 284, 66 1105, 1111, 90 L.Ed. 1230. Petitioners, reemployed veterans, sued respondent railroad, their employer, in District Court Eastern Missouri.2 They claimed they have been deprived seniority which are entitled under Universal Military Training and Service Act applicable collective bargaining agreement. 2 Court3 held petitioners were relief sought. Appeals Eighth Circuit affirmed. 306 F.2d 870. We granted certiorari, 372 905, 83 722, 9 715, because importance question administering statute protecting veterans' rights. For reasons stated below, we reverse judgments Appeals. 3 facts dispute. Petitioners initially employed railroad carmen helpers. At time original employment since, suffered a shortage qualified journeymen mechanics. agreement between union representing carmen, Brotherhood Railway Carmen America, provided methods alleviating shortage.4 Whenever unable employ persons presently mechanics, provides advancement or 'upgrading' helpers provisional carman status. Representatives jointly select so advanced. A helper thus 'upgraded' can then perform work journeyman mechanic paid mechanic's wage. 4 Under labor agreement, however, does immediately acquire permanent journeyman. He retains until completing 1,040 days actual mechanic. end upgraded considered 'qualified carman.' may date making election effect writing. 5 accordance with terms subsequently inducted into military service. induction, Tilton had worked 145 carman, Beck 851 days, McClearn 21 days. Upon honorable discharge service, each petitioner promptly returned at was thereafter satisfactorily completed remainder 1,040-day period necessary qualify Each, thereupon, elected In case, established petitioners' actually period. As result, junior some status after advanced but who—because absent service—were able complete requirement before 6 These nonveterans now ahead carmen's roster enjoy advantages dictates, such preference order layoff recall. 7 contend arrangement improperly affected nonveteran employees temporary list senior list. 8 Petitioners' claim rests upon §§ 9(c)(1) 9(c)(2) Act. § Congress directed veterans returning restored 'without loss seniority.' This provision first enacted National Guard Act, Joint Resolution August 27, 1940, c. 689, 54 Stat. 858. Chairman House Affairs Committee reporting conference final version bill explained one purposes provisions ensure restoration verteran 'seniority status.' 86 Cong.Rec. 10761. provisions, including what 9(c)(1), carried over Selective Bill, 10922 10923, became 885, 890, amended, 50 U.S.C.App. (1946 ed.) 308. specifically interpreted language 8(c) Act5 dealing said: 'Congress recognized existence systems It sought preserve veteran's those protect him against them absence.' Id., U.S., 288, S.Ct., 1113. observed: 10 'Thus step back escalator point stepped off. steps precise would occupied kept position continuously during war.' 284—285, 1111. 'escalator principle' reaffirmed Trailmobile Co. Whirls, 331 40, 67 982, 91 1328, restated Oakley Louisville Nashville R. Co., 338 278, 283, 70 119, 122, 94 87: 12 '(A)n honorably discharged veteran, covered (is), equivalent left when joined Armed Forces, rather which, moving conditions affecting particular employment, comparable if remained employment.' 13 Following these decisions 1948, expressly approved continuous standard applied adopting present provides: 14 'It declared sense any person paragraph (A) (B) subsection (d) (of section) should manner give enjoyed continued entering armed forces r storation 62 604, 615—616, 459(c)(2). 15 Section 9(c)(2), effect, confirms Court's interpretation meaning identical McKinney Missouri-Kansas-Texas 357 265, 271, 78 1222, 1226, 1305. 16 light background decided Diehl Lehigh Valley 348 960, 75 521, 99 749, contend, agree, controls case. involved issues virtually us. Diehl, like petitioners, temporarily while holding and, it. 1,160 capacity could elect Upgraded men requisite given Diehl. completion training period, protested claiming, do here, earlier United States Third ground protects only mere function grade entitle veteran treated actively trained reversed, per curiam, '(u)pon disclosed Circuit, 211 95, Acts 87, judgment reversed.' 749. 17 Although it difficult conceive more controlling precedent, court below attempted distinguish there stipulated claimant 'would completed' no interruption.6 F.2d, 877. 'These words,' said, 'imply dependent prior resolution contingency uncertainty.' Ibid. unlike declared, 'lacks essentials automatic entire system promotion full-fledged distinction, our view, untenable. 18 There room doubt case 'on (this) employment,' job advance passed absence. Each entitled, carman's him. them. But absence, achieved dates claim. confirmed testimony railroad's Chief Personnel Officer, Smith, conceded discretion refuse journeyman's successfully period: 19 'Q. Now, you testified men, three years thousand forty work, did automatically seniority. soon made election, choice seniority, it? 20 'A. (Mr. Smith) That's right. other words, requirement, time, drew date? 22 Correct.' 23 evident, therefore, here 24 Appeals, alternatively, refused follow assumption overruled sub silentio subsequent decision hold status, 'the (must) * seemingly matter foresight than hindsight.' 876. concluded instant cases meet subject certain contingencies 'variables': lay-offs due illness reduction force; continuing unavailability enough fill positions; satisfactory position; whether full 877.7 Accordingly, eventual acquisition foreseen absolute certainty entered that, McKinney, therefore probably 25 reading erred. intended overrule Nor establish foreseeability. That involve Diehl-type situation where depends essentially employment. turned fact issue exercise management prerequisite promotion. concluded, basically clear statement that: 26 'Promotion group 2, formerly employed, simply Rule 1(3) fitness ability discriminating managerial choice. envisage overriding employer's discretionary mandatory promotion.' 272, 1227. 27 Furthermore, mandate supports view adopt rule remanding leave amend complaint allege, fact, practice 'advancement automatic.' 274, If f foreseeability advancement, permitted complaint. apparent predicted fall vacant absence; adequate health bid it; lost lower unsatisfactory performance. Properly read, holds exercised entry cannot show within reasonable required virtue service.8 28 impossible show, require, absolutely certain, 'as foresight' all circumstances essential obtaining later occur. To exact condition insuring verteran's render statutorily without real meaning. Benjamin Franklin observed, 'In world nothing death taxes.' every possibility exists type might available; accept higher sickness prevented purpose history statute, assume possibilities sort defeat 'This legislation,' said supra, 285, 'is liberally construed benefit private life serve country *.' So construed, conclude who, completes interrupted training, acquired met if, foresight, reasonably occurred, hindsight, 29 mean must job. solely unless works insist reflecting delay caused Any lesser protection, deny salutary reversed cause remanded proceedings consistent opinion. 30 Reversed remanded. 614, amended 459, relevant follows: '* '(b) leaves (other position) employer (1) receives certificate, (2) makes application ninety relieved hospitalization year— *for '(B) shall— '(i) still duties position, successor interest pay; '(ii) disability sustained interest, will provide pay, nearest approximation thereof changed make unreasonable so; un '(c) (b) shall having furlough forces, participate insurance benefits offered pursuant rules practices relating year restoration. '(2) represented Attorney, 459(d). Employes' Department, AFL-CIO, filed brief amicus curiae opposing claims. reported. pertinent part: 'A retain helper. When total 1040 carman. writing ending relinquish fails again selection may, lose helper.' reenactment reenacted 1940. stipulation 'The parties briefs both refer find reference opinions either district court. Inasmuch, plaintiffs' counsel argued Supreme Court, stipulation.' 877, n. 8. bar relief. vested among upgraded. favor

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