Document: 397 U.S. 25 90 S.Ct. 770 L.Ed.2d 21 Henry J. CZOSEK et al., Petitioners,v.John R. O'MARA al. No. 234. Argued Jan. 13, 1970. Decided Feb. 24, Richard Lyman, Toledo, Ohio, for petitioners. James P. Shea, Buffalo, N.Y., respondent employees. F. Griffin, railroad. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In 1960, corporate respondent, Erie Lackawanna Railroad Company, was formed by merger and Delaware, & Western Railroad. Thereafter, individual respondents, former employees Delaware Lackawanna, continued as until 1962, when they were furloughed; after 1962 furlough, never recalled Deeming furlough a final discharge, respondents brought suit in District Court New York against International Brotherhood Firemen Oilers, subordinate organizations within union, local national officers union. The allegations that railroad had wrongfully discharged plaintiffs violation § 5 seq. Interstate Commerce Act, 24 Stat. 380, amended, 49 U.S.C. seq., Railway Labor 44 577, 45 151 agreement between its entered into to implement 1960 Lackawanna; union defendants been 'guilty gross nonfeasance hostile discrimination' arbitrarily capriciously refusing process claims plaintiffs, who 'been replaced 'pre-merger' Railroad.' Damages sum $160,000 sought railroad, defendants, or both. dismissed complaint failure exhaust administrative remedies under Act lack diversity jurisdiction; court because failed adequately allege breach duty could have processed their own grievances. 2 On appeal, Appeals Second Circuit reversed Court's decision with respect action defendants. O'Mara v. Co., 407 F.2d 674 (1969). held adequate fair representation subject vindication without resort remedies. Dismissal affirmed; but on remand be granted leave maintain if should choose amend employer somehow implicated union's discrimination. 3 We certiorari, Czosek O'Mara, 396 814, 80, 66 (1969), we affirm judgment Appeals. Although not specific regard discrimination might desirable, deem sufficient survive motion dismiss. As indicated, 'where courts are called upon fulfill role primary guardians representation,' complaints construed avoid dismissals plaintiff at very least 'should given opportunity file supplemental pleadings unless it appears 'beyond doubt' he cannot state good cause action.' F.2d, 679. See Conley Gibson, 355 41, 45—46, 78 99, 80 (1957). And surely is beyond cavil jurisdiction National Adjustment Board ordinary rule exhausted before courts. Glover St. Louis-S.F.R. 393 324, 89 548, 519 (1969); supra. claim discrete quite apart from right expressly extended them pursue Board.1 4 Neither nor review here Appeals' insofar sustained dismissal absent implicating claimed duty. petitioning however, challenge this aspect decision, insisting may sued alone damage roots discharge prior alleged refusal Apparently fearing forced pay damages which wholly partly responsible, petitioners error affirmance These fears groundless. permitted made party properly consequence discriminatory conduct any other way action.2 If these defendant, can event only those flowed conduct.3 Assuming wrongful independent subsequent grievances based loss employment unrecoverable except extent handle added difficulty expense collecting employer. both independently caused employees, complain separate actions portion total each. Since will materially prejudiced possible absence codefendant trial since neither aggrieved judgment, no occasion consider whether federal law, governs cases like these, always single series events gives rise contract whether, held, there tying together, suable must remedy 6 Affirmed. 7 THE CHIEF JUSTICE would dismiss writ certiorari improvidently granted. Section First (i) 153 (i), authorizes reference disputes 'between an employee group carrier carriers growing out interpretation application agreements concerning rates pay, rules, working conditions * *.' (j) (j), provides '(p)arties heard either person, counsel, representatives, respectively elect employee's rights participate processing his 'are statutory rights, exercise authorize behalf.' Elgin, E.R. Co. Burley, 325 711, 740 n. 39, 65 1282, 1298, L.Ed. 1886 (1945), adhered rehearing, 327 661, 721, 928 (1946). Cunningham 266 411 (C.A.2d Cir. 1959); Richardson Texas N.O.R. 242 230 (C.A.5th 1957). also Ferro Express Agency, Inc., 296 847 1961). Vaca Sipes, 386 171, 196—198, 198, 87 903, 17 842 (1967).

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