Document: 363 U.S. 528 80 S.Ct. 1326 4 L.Ed.2d 1379 BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS et al., Petitioners,v.MISSOURI-KANSAS-TEXAS R. CO. al. No. 165. Argued April 20, 1960. Decided June Mr. Harold C. Heiss, Cleveland, Ohio, for petitioners. Monroe E. Clinton, Dallas, Tex., respondents. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case presents a question concerning jurisdiction Federal District Court to impose certain conditions upon strike injunction issued in railway labor dispute. 2 The essential facts are not complicated. respondent Railroads operate 302-mile branch between Wichita Falls, Texas, and Forgan, Oklahoma. line was originally operated with steam locomotives capable only short runs, this necessitated stationing five way-freight crews along route. After longer-range diesel were purchased replace equipment, general orders which doubled length thereby eliminating jobs two changing home or away-from-home terminals remaining crews. 3 petitioner Brotherhoods, representing engineers, firemen, conductors brakemen affected, protested issuance invoked services National Mediation Board. Nonetheless, put change into effect. Board advised parties that it did consider dispute one subject mediation, unions called strike. On same day filed complaint injunctive relief obtained temporary restraining order. then submitted Railroad Adjustment Board, Committees Disputes established by collective bargaining agreements, They amended their allege various submissions. hearing, granted pending decision but so controversy before us. These required either (1) restore situation existed prior General Orders, (2) pay employees adversely affected orders, wages they would have received had been issued. 5 Both sides appealed, from against strike, requiring preservation status quo. Appelas sustained vacated conditions, holding no power attach them. 266 F.2d 335. In holding, Appeals reasoned imposition character involved preliminary judgment on merits 'minor dispute,' resolution is committed Railway Labor Act, § 3(i), 48 Stat. 1189, 45 U.S.C. 153, U.S.C.A. subd. 1(i), exclusive district judge's type condition an preserve Board's both recurring important field labor-management relations. Consequently, we certiorari, limited grant issue.1 6 held Brotherhood Trainmen v. Chicago River & Ind. Co., 353 30, 77 635, 622, may enjoin strikes arising out disputes'—generally speaking, disputes relating construction contract2—when properly We concluded such does fall within prohibitions Norris-LaGuardia 29 101 seq., because superseding purpose Act establish system compulsory arbitration dispute, might be frustrated if could enjoined during consideration further as nature under rule specifically, whether qualified imposed traditional equitable considerations.3 7 If free exercise typical powers court equity, has maintenance Conditions traditionally made price when necessary do justice parties.4 'The award interlocutory courts equity never regarded strictly matter right, even though irreparable injury otherwise result plaintiff. * (The court) will avoid far be, attaching *.' Yakus United States, 321 414, 440, 64 660, 674, 88 L.Ed. 834. '(I)t duty granting protect all whose interests affect.' Inland Steel Co. 306 157, 59 415, 417, 83 557. Since ensure extraordinary remedies become engines injustice, require clearest legislative direction justify truncation power. 8 Such direction, exists, presumably must derived itself, since contains express provisions circumscribing court, limitations, any, created clear implication. 9 found limiting provision primary over disputes' Its theory constituted parties' therefore encroached 10 It true federal ought act way infringe Order Ry. Conductors America Pitney, 326 561, 66 322, 90 318. But neither principle nor Pitney itself leads us Appeals' conclusion. 11 its ancillary railroad reorganization 205, should permanent finally determining that, instead, withheld determination 12 at bar, however, there Nothing record proceedings suggests any view considered. Instead, affirmatively discloses judge quite aware his function construe contractual relied respective positions merits. sum, scrupulous encroaching Board.5 13 apparently inherent very conditioning injunction. make some examination coming threaten attachment condition. To fulfill also hardships, arise await sometimes long-delayed decisions without recourse unlike dissimilar purpose, interfere grievance 14 Moreover, itself. Yet settled, River, issue jurisdiction. think logic, hold proper also, least where designed promote justice, 15 difficult perceive how deemed serve judicial arose merely concern rates job assignments, rather involves discharge long dislocation others homes. From point these employees, critical made, for, time frequently decision, well impossible them whole realistic sense. so, action judge, than defeating jurisdiction, preventing union's favor empty victory. 16 instituting burden maintaining what less efficient more costly operation. balancing competing claims hardship is, reviewable abuse discretion. And although respondents maintain ths case, scrutiny persuade evidence insufficient support action. 17 reversed. 18 Reversed. 19 HARLAN STEWART, while agreeing injunction, vacate remand respondents' contention Court's order certiorari limits our review following question: 'Whether circumstances sought authority R.R. reasonable harmful working pendency ordering quo, or, alternative, amount paid changes giving rise made.' 361 810, 67, 59. See Elgin, J. E.R. Burley, 325 711, 723, 65 1282, 1289, 89 1886; 33—34, 636—637, 622. decide here, can, carrier effectuating gave constitute independently suit relief. As read Court, involve independent union. Pomeroy, Equity Jurisprudence, 51, 57—59 (5th ed. 1941); Story, §§ 69—76 (14th 1918); Central Kentucky Natural Gas Comm., 290 264, 271, 54 154, 78 307. said stage proceeding, 'Now, let see are. There contract. analyzed contract useless analyze regardless conclusion reach about right enforce deny provisions. Those can determined first *. 'This contract, defendants claim broken company.' 316—317.

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