Document: 400 U.S. 351 91 S.Ct. 409 27 L.Ed.2d 456 BULK CARRIERS, INC.v.Dominic B. ARGUELLES. No. 29. Argued Nov. 12, 1970. Decided Jan. 13, 1971. Syllabus The enactment of 301 the Labor Management Relations Act, which provides for enforcement grievance and arbitration provisions collective-bargaining agreements in industries affecting commerce, did not abrogate, but merely added an optional remedy to, 46 U.S.C. § 596, permits seamen to sue wages federal court. 408 F.2d 1065, affirmed. George W. Sullivan, New York City, petitioner. I. Duke Avnet, Baltimore, Md., respondent. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. 1 This is a suit seaman's accruing from services rendered foreign commerce. Federal jurisdiction was claimed under 28 1333 grants exclusive district courts any 'admiralty or maritime' case. A agreement contained concerning payable when were dismissed their employment terminated; it provided procedure disputed claims. Those procedures pursued by seaman. He sued court instead. 2 District Court granted employer's motion summary judgment, ruling that principles we announced series decisions starting with Textile Workers Union America v. Lincoln Mills Alabama, 353 448, 77 912, 972, extending Republic Steel Corp. Maddox, 379 650, 85 614, 13 580, governed this maritime case had no adjudicate claim only enforce award might be given. Appeals reversed divided vote, certiorari, 398 957, 90 2163, 26 541. 3 1947, 61 Stat. 136, industry 'affecting commerce,' 301(a), 29 185(a); clear 'commerce' includes 152(6). It also employee's basic wage overtime rate pay fixed determinable agreement. And generally true, as stated Vaca Sipes, 386 171, 184, 87 903, 914, 17 842, 'is based upon breach collective bargaining agreement, he bound terms govern manner contractual rights may enforced.' 4 question here continuing validity its progeny. distinctly different one, whether earlier, express, alternative method collecting seamen's 596 has been displaced Act so far are concerned resolving controversy. 5 Title derives July 20, 1790, 6, 133, relevant part: 6 'The master owner vessel making coasting voyages shall every seaman his within two days after termination shipped, at time such discharged, whichever first happens; vessels voyages, port on Atlantic Pacific, vice versa, twenty-four hours cargo four all cases entitled paid discharge account sum equal one-third part balance due him. Every who refuses neglects make payment hereinbefore mentioned without sufficient cause days' each day during delayed beyond respective periods, recoverable made before court* * *.' (Italics added.) 7 Moreover, 597, 1790 provides: 8 'Every United States receive demand belongs one-half earned remaining unpaid where vessel, voyage commenced, load deliver ended, stipulations contract contrary void: Provided, Such expiration of, nor oftener than once five more same harbor entry. *' 9 statutory speaks amount owing penalties nonpayment, specifies timetable payments must made. Section penalty nonpayment 'as court.' implies right duty committee arbiter. Hence does wholly jibe 301. We often legislate interstitially1 iron out inconsistencies statute fill gaps resulting legislative oversight resolve ambiguities compromise. earnestly urged established can give effect these therefore derogation ancient Congress provided. 10 Seamen start wards admiralty. See Robertson Baldwin, 165 275, 287, 326, 331, 41 L.Ed. 715. In 1872 appoint shipping commissioners 'to superintend seamen' our merchant fleet. Cong.Globe, 42d Cong., 2d Sess., 1836.2 Commissioners indeed served, 541 (1940 ed.), administrative adjunct until 16, 1946, 104 Reorganization Plan 1946 abolished them. 60 1098. No other agency substituted. remained guardians seamen, agencies chosen Congress, rights—a guardian concept which, claims concerned, much what 18th century. 11 reviewed history U.S., 451—456, 915—917, 972. matter foremost concern enforceability agreements. essence new policy law—'that should behalf against labor organizations industrial peace best obtained way.' Id., 455, S.Ct., 917, Enforcement unions main burden 301, though standing individual employees secure declarations legal recognized. 456, Since emphasis suits unions, little attention given assertion none whatsoever impact special protective governing collection workers. find suggestion 1947 take place old assume roles served since 1790. 12 literalness way progressive philosophy procedures. said would most appropriate because 'a familiarity customs practices helpful assessing claims,' 'underlying (are) factual disputes.' Resolving disputes hardly uncommon courts. while arbitrator area have expertise, 180 years protecting knowledge area. 14 informal, readily available defeat overreaching delay employer designed reach. do hold may, if chooses, use processes arbitration. Yet, unlike position say interests usually will through rather 596. 15 literal conflict between relatively one think resolve. sit revision. know employee justiciable claim. kind grist judicial mill. allowed properly head jurisdiction. hesitate route claimant shut courthouse door him open members class. 16 What decide today nothing employers them, neither touched deal personal Maritime course, like gain 'prestige' processing supra, 653, 616. 'by limiting choice remedies aggrieved employees.' Ibid. there express exception declined carve circumstances present. quite created reluctance Maddox redesign regime makes us equally reluctant 18 chronology statutes—§ 301—makes explicit clearly taken away plainly deny. silent abrogation existing field, construe provide require reflects compulsion overrides 19 Affirmed. 20 BLACK concurs judgment still adhering dissent 580. 21 HARLAN, concurring. 22 I join Court, deem advisable add some thoughts my own. 23 mere provision forum subclass workers forecloses application 972 (1957), 580 (1965); understand Court's hold. Smith Evening News Ass'n, 371 195, 83 267, 246 (1962), held state charging discrimination violation foreclosed availability unfair practice proceeding National Board conduct. There explicitly noted absence geievance exhausted recourse could 196 n. 1, 268. Later, 652, 616, cited portion support broadly proposition '(a)s general rule law applies, requires wishing assert grievances attempt agreed union mode redress.' (Emphasis omitted.) compelled exhaust machinery prelude commencing Finally, Carey Westinghouse Electric Corp., 375 261, 84 401, 320 (1964), compel arbitrate arising events proceedings NLRB either 8(a)(5) amended, petition clarifying union's representation certificate 9(c)(1). Old Dutch Farms, Inc. Milk Drivers Dairy Emp. Local 584, Intern. Broth. Teamsters, etc., 243 F.Supp. (E.D.N.Y.1965); Seafarers' North America, 237 529 (ED Pa. 1965). 183—184, 913—914, 842 (1967). 24 Smith, Carey, together evince fundamental role plays implementing national relations policy. They crucial judiciary forging proper relationships among arbitral, administrative, forums vindicating employers, employees. light cases, cannot infer, workers' wages, requiring contract. 25 But relationship potentially competing effectuation individuals organizations, always proceeded close policies underpinning both forums. recognized inevitably affects scope substantive vindicated forum. particular, acutely sensitive differences. Thus, Wilko Swan, 346 427, 74 182, 98 168 (1953), faced congressional favoring arbitration, manifested Arbitration 3, protection securities purchasers fraud, 12(2) Securities 1933, 48 84, 77l(2). carefully analyzed remission involved concluded conflicting goals construing nonwaiver Act1 applying well substance Act's protection. 434—439, 186—189. Central process reconciliation recognition effectiveness proarbitration dependent, instance, limited review arbitrator's determination. Bernhardt Polygraphic Co., 350 198, 76 273, 100 199 (1956), holding controlled reference diversity brought court, offered following considerations right: nature tribunal tried important parcel behind action. change panel radical difference ultimate result. Arbitrators benefit instruction law; need reasons results; record complete trial; trial—all discussed Swan 203, 276, 199. Normally, decision remit arbitral acceptable parties themselves consented Compare Atkinson Sinclair Refining 370 238, 82 1318, 462 Drake Bakeries 50, American Bakery Workers, 254, 1346, 474 (1962). And, respect seeking bypass 'simply contract,' see 657, 618, fact derive solely contract, owes those actions representative process, warrants extension boundaries consent remedial preferences. simply normal situation, 'it inadequate protect attempted implement found them so.' laid full strong concerns exclusivity forum, 653—656, 616—617, then expressly countervailing positive 618. affairs supports presumption comprehensiveness doctrines. II Arguelles' suit, Maddox's contract'; invokes court's seeking, addition allegedly refusal neglect according prescribed 'without cause.' circumstance, is, view, rebutted. 30 But, Here, status certainly bolstered vindicate Supra, 616—617. even importantly, abridged transaction cuts significantly into desirability negotiating viewpoint. 656—657, present context, recognize argue, prior exhaustion internal organizational remedies, extremely decision. Indeed, Steelworkers Trilogy very matters threshold determination arbitrability dispute. Mfg. 363 564, 80 1343, 1403 (1960); Warrior & Gulf Navigation 574, 1347, 1409 Enterprise Wheel Car 593, 1358, 1424 (1960). extreme limitation review, expansive reading consent, task effectuating policy; legitimized, derivation individual's 31 Where, however, dispute implicates rights, incumbent fashion analysis invokes, transposing ipso facto jurisprudence. analogous situation enforceable proceedings, involves grievance, contains typically broad provision, combined virtually review—follows automatically. Rather, takes views NLRB, charged question, difficult issue policy, See, e.g., 271—272, 408—409; 197—198, 268—269. III 32 Here Seaman Arguelles seeks prompt His original complaint action follows: 33 34 These 1790; 133. Also derived providing interim stops cargo.2 Sections 597 go vindication worker's claims; they represent wages3 broader scheme intended seamen. Isbrandtsen Co. Johnson, 343 779, 784—786, 72 1011, 1015—1016, 96 1294 (1952). legislation, antedating emergence modern institutions, laborers. 35 instant case, usual assumption mean denial explanation stand. Given double event failure, cause' promptly meaning practical matter, subject unreviewable discretion arbitrator. 36 necessarily obtain situations sort, assumptions agreeing obtain. Two possibilities suggest themselves: reviewable unspecified extent, ascertain §§ adequately protected, fashion, split, declining outset over litigation, utilizing various devices abstention. Cf., 273 Pa.1965). As abstract proposition, options undesirable consequence cutting substantially 616 617. difficulties analyzing forbode ill efficient resolution implicating right. decided abstractly; certain types benefits lend splitting unacceptable sacrifice interests. 37 However, statute, stake ensuring promptness wages. obvious least desirable solutions create necessity reconciled Labor-Management securing option choose states 38 WHITE, whom BRENNAN, STEWART, MARSHALL join, dissenting. 39 Respondent signed onto 'U.S Pecos,' ship owned petitioner, August 1965, six months' monthly wage. petitioner Union, AFL—CIO, respondent member. 40 On February 1966, respondent's papers expired terms, Pecos anchored off Cape St. Jacques, South Vietnam, awaiting authorization proceed Saigon habor. concedes congestion extended wait offshore.1 During time, officials refused grant pratique, quarantine clearance, crew members. Nonetheless, demanded shore leave, refused.2 authorized did, tie up designated location. Unloading began discharged voucher Consulate Saigon.3 called currency petitioner's headquarters Galveston, Texas. 18, departed air cash 22. While notified local office dissatisfied company's honor wage, miscellaneous claims.4 advised contact details instead doing so, admiralty 1333. sought recovery three survive here: (a) work performed 3,1966; (b) wrongful restriction arrival Jacques tying despite requests leave;5 (c) $254.95 596,6 Galveston. Petitioner answered alleging failure agreement.7 contends authorize 3; lift restrictions, discharge, obtains. 42 (Art. IV, 2); exceptions here, regulation government authorities III, 2), deemed arrived clearance 1(c)). 43 merits nonstatutory depend entirely interpretation Specifically, questions master; confined base alleged show required documents crew, 'in port' payment, or, alternative, articles aboard argicles automatically extended. An additional 'paid' 22, accrues date payment. 44 Most purposes wsa depends questions. If develops tht timely manner, disappears. 45 particularly competence contractually slightest indication contention unable determine questions, inferior doing. face prime attributes 582, 1352, (1960): parties' confidence common shop trust bring bear expressed criteria judgment. expect particular reflect says but, insofar permits, factors productivity result, morale shop, tensions heightened diminished. For objective using primarily further goal uninterrupted production serve specialized needs. ablest judge expected experience similarly informed.' 47 Mills, specifically (1965), absent extraordinary brought.8 reveals grievances, resolved possible procedure. Article three-step on-board '(a)ny feels unjustly treated subjected consideration.' satisfactory solution reached board, directed 'through closed continental Company maintains operating agent.' Provisions party 'dispute grievance' seek expeditious Art. XII, 3. whatever excepting machinery. Prior unmistakably limit determining arguably covered clause. 'In excluding forceful evidence purpose exclude prevail, where, exclusion clause vague broad.' 584—585, 1354. 49 Nor now principle internally directs statutorily presented rests issues cognizable fact, lower endorsed suitability federally rights. 'hope (arbitration's) usefulness controversies statutes 432, 185. appeals passage Fair Standards liquidated damages 216(b) referred being Donahue Susquehanna Collieries 138 (CA3 1943); Evans Hudson Coal 970 1948); Beckley Teyssier, 332 495 (CA9 1964). Cf. Fallick Kehr, 369 899 (CA2 1966); (EDNY 1965); (EDPa.1965). That instance applicable especially underlyiing disputes, whose whether, due. Neither reason why unsuitable underlying leaving penalty. contrary, promise arbitrate, unenforceable, full, grossly late, obligation susceptible quick informal await thousands miles away. Overreaching precisely evils Mavromatis Greek Shipowners 179 310 (CA1 1950). 50 tries avoid problem pursue chooses. employer. curious unwise departure past cases. foresaw employer, modes redress used him,' insist future pay9 eliminated correct surmising '(t)he favor elimination, interest afford comprehensive represents, participate interpretations 656, 51 Nothing words dispensing 'shall claim; Under means exhausted. 52 Even assuming conceding direct claims, bases settled methods adjudicated descendant passed existed unchanged 1915. hand, enacted farreaching measure belief 'industrial 917. common-law rules enforcing executory promises accommodate withholding relief 53 recalled jurisdictional nevertheless removed process. Ass'n., (1962); (1964).10 Both shown high regard informed International Harvester N.R.L.B. 923, 925—926 272, 409. 54 nonmaritime employees, basis jurisdiction, When and, interpreted differently counterparts. 55 pertinent recall granting petitioner: 56 sort left set lest inundated small type today.' App. 55a. 57 short, unnecessary ill-advised detour around body developed Its opinion, comport language sound 'I hesitation judges legislate, interstitially; molar molecular motions.' Southern Pacific Jensen, 244 205, 221, 524, 531, 1086 (Holmes, J., dissenting). Cardozo, speaking construction laws achieve justice harmony, said: 'All departments elevated spirit. some, sociology works harmony evolution tradition. Those, therefore, fields logic coherence consistency ends. others, seems displace compete it. virtues yield interstitial limits power moves.' Selected Writings 136 (Hall ed. 1947). Cong. Globe, 1838, 1863, 2172, 2206, 3437, 3572, 3911. 77n, 'Any condition, stipulation, binding person acquiring security waive compliance subchapter regulations Commission void.' amend hearing proffered amendment pending motion. Brief 4. Collie Fergusson, 281 52, 55, 189, 191, 696 (1930), discussing constitutes 'the evident section (is) thus harsh consequences arbitrary unscrupulous class, peculiarly exposed.' Opposition Certiorari 1—2. 2. 2, except leave prevented order governments. company 'produce copy off.' concede government's pratique alleges captain failed conform (clearance) S. Vietnam Government Agreement *).' imply, clear, exhibit restores asserts 'local restrictions' vouchers 'customary accepted' ports. listed below, coach fare first-class $6.50 share limousine Houston airport $8.50 excess baggage charge. directly airline, amd apparently abandoned course proceedings. supra. Pacfic, court; apply masters owners profits cruise voyage. fishing whaling yachts.' 'ARTICLE 'GRIEVANCES 'Section 1. Department Spokesmen. Unlicensed Personnel department employed board operated designate spokesman department. Any consideration endeavor adjusted spokesman, manner: 'First—Presentation immediate superior. 'Second—Appeal employed. 'Third—Appeal Master. Grievance Machinery. mutual satisfaction Master, Master supreme sea ports, arrives closed. XII 'ARBITRATION Settlement Disputes Arbitration. arises originates ashore, agrees effort adjust amicable adjustment sufficiently party, herein. Notwithstanding foregoing, arise President Merchant Marine Institute designee designee, determination, above request '(a) asserted notice writing Theodore Kheel, contain requesting waiver Following receipt shall, information submitted requested back regular latter notify processed Article. granted, schedule arbitration.' 'Congress approved preferred settling stabilizing 'common law' plant. prosecuting clear. activity complements permitting actively administration addition, conscientious handling enhance prestige Employer interests, part, so. 'A permit completely sidestep lawsuit commend across already mentioned, deprive ability establish uniform orderly settlement grievances. exclusive, loses settlement. creating 'would exert disruptive influence negotiation agreements." (Citations Though severance pay, '(g)rievances depending critically grievances.' 409; News, approving 'resort Board' interal Smith.

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