Document: 355 U.S. 131 78 S.Ct. 206 2 L.Ed.2d 151 James E. YOUNGDAHL, W. Chandler, Ruth Ralph, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, CIO, et al., Petitioners,v.RAINFAIR, Inc. No. 11. Argued Oct. 15, 1957. Decided Dec. 9, Mr. William J. Isaacson, for petitioners. L. Shaver, Sr., Wynne, Ark., respondent. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion Court. 1 The issues here are whether, under circumstances this case, a state court may enjoin strikers and union representatives from (1) 'threatening, intimidating or coercing any officers, agents employees (the employer) at place,' also 'from obstructing, attempting to obstruct free use streets adjacent employer's) place business, ingress egress property,' (2) all 'picketing patrolling' employer's premises. For reasons hereafter stated, we conclude that lawfully conduct substantially first category but not second. Most material facts uncontroverted. In 1955, respondent, Rainfair, Inc., was Wisconsin corporation with headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin. It owned operated plant Arkansas, an essentially rural community about 4,000 inhabitants. About 100 women seven men were there employed manufacture men's slacks which shipped interstate commerce. None members labor many had signed applications join is one 3 Apparently effort compel employer recognize as bargaining agent employees, 29 did report work on May 2, 1955. A picket line established street front plant. Strike maintained across entrance. Nearly women. Their number varied eight 37. All quiet, however. On occasion nails strewn over company's parking lot and, week later, whole 'seeded' roofing tacks. Tacks scattered driveway manager's home driveways 12 nonstriking employees. One pickets told manager she would 'wipe sidewalk' him send back because he 'was nothing trash.' followed by each time left plant; harassed night occasional shouting his numerous anonymous telephone calls. 4 Immediately after strike called, registered mail, informed that, if they return within few days, company assume those returning quit jobs. Only three returned. Thirteen new hired. ended 19, withdrawn applied reinstatement. Respondent, however, declined arrange immediate June 17, voted re-establish Monday, 20.1 purpose protest against respondent's failure its refusal reinstate who reinstatement May. 5 Shortly midnight, morning 20, two deliberately drove sharp instrument into tires car daughter employees.2 At 5:15 a.m. police summoned where found five-foot black snake inside beneath broken window. 6 picketing resumed.3 Although posted notices warning committing acts violence, representative later sufficiently concerned ask have someone regularly duty entrance evidence shows tension large part caused enormous amount abusive language hurled Supreme Court Arkansas summarized follows: 'As go plant, lunch, take recess, congregate along west edge their sometimes Rowena Street engage loud offensive name calling, singing directed workers. They call workers 'scabs,' 'dirty scabs,' 'fat 'yellow 'crazy 'cotton patch 'pony tailed 'fuzzy headed 'fools,' picking fools,' other similar names. This took every employee entered done individually, couples entire group boisterous manner. witness described it 'just bedlam' when more than dozen joined shouting. Particular names remarks reserved individual pregnant worker greeted with, 'Get hot water ready,' or, 'I am coming make another payment baby, Dr. Beaton,' 'Why, you can hour until delivery room.' filling station gasoline up attendant wait 'these scabs' before waited strikers. 7 'One said always called her scab,' made fun clothing asked 'Pete,' manager, still liked 'low-cut dresses earrings.' so angry invited come 'make some business.' * 8 'The sang songs improvised lyrics tune certain popular ballads religious Union songs. 'When Saints Go Marching In' became Scabs ballad, 'Davy Crockett,' began, 'Born cotton greenest gals ever saw *.' 9 stand sit near shout ugly names, stick out tongues, hold noses variety indecent gestures while pointing Several testified continuous calling them afraid, angry, ill nervous adverse effect ability properly do work. Some talk others remained silent. Chief Police Wynne during second fearful going be trouble staff members. member once seemed imminent wanted 'go record' having requested presence officer.' 226 Ark. 80, 83—84, 288 S.W.2d 589, 591. 10 24, respondent filed complaint local Chancery alleged such amounted 'unlawful unlawful coercing' joining union, no adequate remedy law suffering irreparable damage conduct. acted upon testimony issued temporary injunction. After full hearing, injunction permanent September 15. trial court's findings included following statement: 11 'That defendants, plaintiff's resorted coercion intimidation, calculated cause breach peace, defendants unlawfully abused right peaceably picket, granted laws Federal Constitution, should permanently enjoined plant.' decree only threatening intimidation place, patrolling premises named persons sympathy acting concert them.4 affirmed decree. 266 589. We certiorari largely sweeping 352 822, 77 62, 45. 13 applicable principles agreed upon. Respondent concedes engaged commerce entitled protection National Labor Relations Act, amended 61 Stat. 136, U.S.C. § 151, U.S.C.A. 151. does contend power peaceful organized activity, recognizing generally Board has exclusive jurisdiction matters. Weber v. Anheuser-Busch, 348 468, 75 480, 99 L.Ed. 546. Petitioners concede violence. United Automobile, Aircraft Agricultural Implement America Employment Board, 351 266, 76 794, 1162; Allen-Bradley Local 1111, Electrical Radio Machine 315 740, 62 820, 86 1154. contends record pattern violence enmeshed restore order, necessary Petitioners, hand, urge threat accordingly, factual warrant issued. 14 issue whether likely physical protected could not, therefore, using it. cannot agree. Words readily coupled provoke See Chaplinsky State New Hampshire, 568, 571—572, 766, 768—769, 1031. words used, principally 'scab' variations thereon, terminology. But sufficient yell word loudly showing intent ridicule, insult annoy, matter how innocuous dictionary definition word, cease persuasion become incitement violence.5 industrial metropolis. When, small community, 30 people get together act here, heap abuse neighbors former friends, justified finding imminent. Recognizing better position assess situation, think supports conclusion, Court, massed name-calling petitioners unless promptly restrained. 15 Though discretionary enjoining future threats yet equally clear pre-empted domain insofar proper, contrasted activities around headquarters, peaceful. There little, any, designed exclude desired Nor say inevitably reappear event resumed. Cf. Milk Wagon Drivers Chicago, 753 Meadowmoor Dairies, 312 287, 552, 85 836. What much unconnected picketing. indicate ineffective 16 Accordingly, us prohibits cooperating against, provoking of, obstructing property, affirmed. extent particular picketing, set aside. judgment vacated case remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 17 ordered. 18 Judgment directions. 19 CHIEF JUSTICE, BLACK, DOUGLAS, being Congress given controversy, reverse entirety remand dismissal meantime unfair practice charges Board. These pending hearing instant case. representation election, request election held October majority represented union. convicted misdemeanor. placards inscribed, 'Rainfair Strike, Rainfair CIO.' 'It is, considered decreed Youngdahl them, officers sympathy, be, hereby on, to, located Martin Drive Street, interfering customers patrolling, causing picketed patrolled premises, sidewalks, streets, property banners designating business labor, otherwise worded give designation; above-mentioned sympathizers, restrained accosting detaining, accosted detained sidewalks person seeking enter depart dissuading patronizing, working plaintiff, attention unfairness labor; threatening, plaintiff place; loitering congregating tent used union's directly premises; property.' then statute long standing expressly crime profane, violent, vulgar, insulting toward common acceptation arouse anger whom spoken addressed, peace assault 1947, 41—1412.

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