Document: 429 U.S. 305 97 S.Ct. 611 50 L.Ed.2d 502 LOCAL 3489, UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO, et al.v.W. J. USERY, Jr., Secretary of Labor. No. 75-657. Argued Nov. 30, 1976. Decided Jan. 12, 1977. Syllabus The provision petitioner labor unions' constitution limiting eligibility for local union office to members who have attended at least one-half the local's regular meetings three years previous election officers, held violate § 401(e) Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act 1959, which provides that every member in good standing shall be eligible a candidate hold office, subject "reasonable qualifications." Pp. 308-314. (a) Where such meeting-attendance requirement resulted exclusion 96.5% from candidacy cannot considered qualification" consistent with Title IV's goal free democratic elections, since having result restricts choice membership selecting its leaders. P. 310. (b) has restrictive effect on democracy even when as simply mandating procedure followed by any wishes candidate, rather than excluding category it is probable require decide upon potential 18 months advance an no issues exist prompt decision may discourage candidacies extent impair general membership's freedom oust incumbents favor new leadership. 310-311. (c) Procedures unduly restrict among candidates are forbidden without regard their success or failure maintaining corrupt leadership, hence immaterial whether not was shown incumbent leaders became "entrenched" offices consequence operation requirement. 311-312. (d) challenged justified encouraging attendance meetings, plainly served goal. Nor can assuring knowledgeable dedicated leaders, Congress determined best means this end open unfettered unreasonable restrictions. 312. (e) In using term qualifications" clearly contemplated flexible standard, takes into account all circumstances particular case, determining reasonableness 313. 520 F.2d 516, affirmed. Carl B. Frankel, Pittsburgh, Pa., petitioners. John Rupp, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Labor brought action District Court Southern Indiana under 402(b) 1959 (LMRDA), 73 Stat. 534, 29 U.S.C. 482(b), invalidate 1970 officers Local United Steelworkers America. alleged Steelworkers' International constitution, binding Local, limits (unless prevented activities working hours),1 violated LMRDA, 481(e).2 dismissed complaint, finding violation Act. Appeals Seventh Circuit reversed. 516 (1975). We granted certiorari resolve conflict Circuits over constitutional violates 401(e).3 424 907, 96 1100, 47 311 (1976). affirm. 2 * At time election, there were approximately 660 3489. found these ineligible because satisfy rule.4 Of 23 members, nine officers. argues, held, requirement, rule's requiring insurgent plan early reasons opposition might yet emerged,5 established substantial antidemocratic elections. Petitioners argue rule reasonable serves valid purposes, imposes very burdensome obligation proved device entrenches clique local. II 3 opinions cases decided 1968 identified considerations pertinent determination 401(e). Wirtz v. Hotel Employees, 391 492, 88 1743, 20 763; Bottle Blowers Assn., 389 463, 643, 19 705; Laborers' Union, 477, 639, 716. 4 (1-5) LMRDA does render unions powerless office. injunction "every office" made expressly "subject . qualifications uniformly imposed." But "Congress did intend authorization 'reasonable .' should given broad reach. contrary implicit legislative history section wording ." supra, U.S., 499, S.Ct., 1748. basic objective IV guarantee "free democratic" elections modeled "political country" where "the assumption voters will exercise common sense judgment casting ballots." 504, 1750. Thus, designed merely protect right run election. emphatically asserted vital public interest transcends narrower complaining member." 475, 650; 125, 483, 642. "protect rights rank-and-file participate fully through processes self-government, and, process, keep leadership responsive membership." 497, 1747. 5 Whether qualification "reasonable" within meaning must therefore "be measured terms consistency Act's command conduct 'free democratic' elections." concerned only chose preventive measure "to curb possibility abuse benevolent well malevolent entrenched leadership." Id., 503, Employees check seriously impaired substantially deplete ranks those incumbents, invalid limitation involved restricted certain positions had previously "Plainly, IV, renders 93% hardly qualification.' " 502, 1749. III 6 (6) Applying principles we conclude here, too, effects outweigh interests urged support. Like bylaw results seems A obviously severely 7 argue, however, violative differs significantly here. Under could assure his own efforts he would others controlled criterion eligibility. Here, other hand, himself attending some brief three-year period. words, treated eligibility, but candidate. 8 (7) Even examined perspective, democracy.6 absence permanent "opposition party" union, likely emerge response different times, changing highest shortly before elections.7 Thus foster 9 persuaded petitioners' argument failed show rule. leaderships becoming difficult isolate. same year after signal rules effective challenge regime, satisfied stewardship; if uncontested, factions been denied access ballot, competing compromised differences maintain front unity. Conversely, turnover political competition limited offer real establishment. saddle courts duty search out remove improperly leaderships. Rather, regulating union's electoral procedure, itself. democratic," themselves able correct power 10 next encourages assures more qualified demonstrated affairs, familiar problems. goals. It done little encourage continue attract handful members.8 dissident candidates, few said, see sufficiently far spurred 11 As provisions express congressional leave arbitrary exclusions. Pursuing bulk thus candidacies, runs directly counter premise statute. Congress, guaranteeing opportunity qualifications," disabled establishing sharply openness process 12 (8) Finally, petitioners precise statement what prevents drafting assurance Secretary, whom assigned special role administration Act, Calhoon Harvey, 379 134, 140, 85 292, 296, 13 190 (1964); Dunlop Bachowski, 421 560, 95 1851, 44 377 (1975), announced following view: "Experience feasible establish guidelines judging (a requirement). Its gauged light including frequency number period extends, also factors nature, availability excuse provisions, most attend impact rule, i. e., percentage rendered application." CFR 452.38(a) 14 Obviously, standard leads uncertainty less word "reasonable," exactly result. Moreover, facts case contention they way knowing disqualifying 90% regarded justification unpersuasive.9 15 Affirmed. 16 POWELL, STEWART REHNQUIST join, dissenting. 17 imposed Union unless during preceding 36 months. holds today, resolving Circuits, 481(e). holding me unwarranted interference manage internal I dissent. Stated broadly, purpose insure "(t)he (of Act) shows weighed how legislate against revealed abuses departing needlessly long-standing policy unnecessary governmental intrusion affairs." 470-471, 648, 705 (1968); 496, 1746, 763 (1968). Section reflects intent accommodate both purposes. organization set imposed" wish There question "uniformly displays enough half meetings. 21 nevertheless, relying heavily qualification, "prior elective Court's emphasized prior-office disqualify 93.1% membership. respondent argues enunciated per se "effects" invalidation whenever disqualifies small Although today adopt analysis, comes close doing so. fact 3489's comply controlling weight. 22 my view, extended reach beyond rationale case. Indeed, acknowledged sport "virtually unique trade practice." 505, 1751. deliberately designed, intimated opinion, entrench predictable adopted. By disqualification large proportion purposeful inevitable structure comparable feature. No precluded predicted, demonstrates requisite affairs seek short, factor between similarity members. one predetermined perpetuating control insiders, whereas here perhaps indifference Brennan Steelworkers, 489 884 (1973), Sixth sustained validity identical issue distinguishing said: 24 "The self-evident character 'prior holding' accompanied numerical drastically justifies Employees. is, erroneous conclude, contends, commands blind adherence theory where, itself anyone serve legitimate objectives." 889. 25 court went purposes legitimate. 26 discounts weight agree facially meritorious purposes: (i) meetings; (ii) demonstrate meaningful affairs; (iii) become informed affairs. One prior goes necessary "judgment call" left absent stronger showing 27 record instructive. Twenty-three These nominated complied show, indeed knows, many nominated. Three competed president, four trustee offices, six ran unopposed remaining offices. elected, incumbents. Nonincumbents elected vice treasurer, recording secretary, minor guide. evidence practices precluding contrary. Five presidents years, estimated 40 changes occurred course separate Bernard Frye, initiated complaint won presidency subsequent thereafter lost it. 28 final respondent, bears burden proving "unreasonable," rests entire facial attack itself, supported statistical "effects test" ambiguous almost prove unreasonable. For reasons, reverse Appeals. Constitution America, Art. VII, 9(c) This provides, part: "(e) required secret ballot nomination (subject 504 imposed) vote otherwise support choice, being penalty, discipline, improper reprisal kind thereof. conducted accordance bylaws insofar inconsistent title." (CA6 1973). Similar requirements Usery 545 1300 (CA1 1976); Int'l Brhd. Teamsters, 161 U.S.App.D.C. 173, 494 1092, 1099-1100 (1974); 405 176 (CA3 1968). figure Court, find erroneous. stipulated local, qualify, additional adding excused absences attended. now contend absences. view admitted average 47, split day evening sessions so workers shift attend, unlikely significant qualify method. event, introduced suggest above eligible, unpublished apparently accepted Secretary's assertion "in excess disqualified. circumstances, speculate findings below materially inaccurate. Regular monthly basis. order period, inactive desiring begin relatively short onerous member. misconceives evil statute aims. judge individual government. suggests organized pattern described text typical. Attendance averages indication total represents increase institution Also unpersuasive know disqualified While predictable, awareness rate typical (and not), fairly obvious maintained 50% admittedly stringent unions, impact.

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