Document: 391 U.S. 418 88 S.Ct. 1717 20 L.Ed.2d 706 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v.INDUSTRIAL UNION OF MARINE AND SHIPBUILDING WORKERS AMERICA, AFL-CIO, and Its LOCAL 22. No. 796. Argued April 30, 1968. Decided May 27, Norton J. Come, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Goldstein, Barkan, & Brodie, M. H. Philadelphia, Pa., respondents. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 One Holder, a member respondent unions, filed with National Labor Relations Board an unfair labor practice charge, alleging that Local 22 had violated § 8(b)(1)(A) Act,1 61 Stat. 141, 29 U.S.C. 158(b)(1)(A), by causing his employer to discriminate against him because he engaged in protected activity respect employment.2 The filing this charge followed accusation Holder its president constitution International. local decided favor president; but did not pursue intra-union appeals procedure was available instead, based on same alleged violations president. 2 Section 5 Article V International Union, which binding 22, contained following provision relative grievances union members: 3 'Every * considering himself aggrieved any action (General Executive Board), Officer, or other subdivision Union shall exhaust all remedies within provided Constitution, before resort court tribunal outside Union.' 4 While Holder's pending Board, lodged complaint internal proceedings International's exhausted remedies. After hearing found guilty expelled from both unions. He then appealed General affirmed local's October 7, 1964. On 28, 1964, second claiming expulsion first unlawful. That is basis instant case. 6 A issued; unions Act expelling without having procedures. 159 N.L.R.B. 1065. It issued remedial order, Court Appeals refused enforce, Cir., 379 F.2d 702. case here writ certiorari, 389 1034, 781, 19 821. 7 important question whether consistent applicable federal statutes may penalize one members seeking aid exhausting There threshold question, however, concerning adequacy original charged discrimination practiced because, use words Regional Director as paraphrased complaint, 'in certain activity' unspecified nature 'with employment.' pointed out protects only 'the exercise rights guaranteed section 7';3 'says nothing about right file charges Board.' F.2d, at 706. That, issue. discriminated sufficient way allege impairment rights. 'The proof. merely sets motion machinery inquiry.' NLRB v. Indiana Michigan Electric Co., 318 9, 18, 63 394, 400, 87 L.Ed. 579. Moreover, no issue raised 'protected activity.' answer respondents insofar concerned said made upon precisely facts those been based. We must, therefore, assume initial ambit so plainly it party undertook it. 8 main could be 'all Union'4 constitution, already quoted. 9 proviso5 preserves organization prescribe own rules acquisition retention membership therein.' 10 concluded while proviso would permit expel union, permits rule gives 'a fair opportunity correct wrong injured should have recourse 707. 11 held Allis-Chalmers Mfg. 388 175, 2001, 18 1123, does prevent imposing fines who cross picket line created implement authorized strike. strike, we said, 'is ultimate weapon labor's arsenal achieving agreement terms' power fine strikebreaker "is essential if effective bargaining agent." Id., 181, 2007. 12 Thus assures freedom self-regulation where legitimate affairs are concerned. But penalizes considerations public policy come into play. 13 10(b) Act, 146, 160(b), forbids issuance conduct occurring more than six months prior charge—a promoting promptness. proceeding adjudicate private effectuate policy. cannot initiate proceedings; implementation dependent 'upon initiative individual persons.' Nash Florida Industrial Comm'n, 235, 238, 362, 365, 438. keeping people 'completely free coercion,' ibid., making complaints therefore functioning organic whole. restriction such find contrary policy, applied here. healthy interplay forces governed means there great ask relief petition department government redress grievances.6 Any coercion used discourage, retard, defeat access beyond interests organization. philosophy Skura case, 138, Operating Engineers, 148 679; agree overriding interest makes unimpeded alternative, except unless involved. 14 In present whole complex issues charge. implicated employer. might also comprehensive coordinated provided. Those fully explored proceeding. justification make processes wait until exhausts procedures inadequate deal phases problem employer, employee member. If becomes exhausted, instead remedies, never reached airing grievance had. recognized consequence remedy required 'would impose unreasonable delay hardship complainant.' 15 difficulty guess what ultimately hold. guessed procedures, discipline union. risk alone likely chill member's induce forgo futile procedure. judgment Board; think comports Act. say, design their respecting membership' broad give invokes protection matter domain 16 support position 101(a)(4) Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure 1959.7 73 522, 411(a)(4). prohibits limiting 'to institute administrative agency,' provides 'may reasonable procedures' 'not exceed four-month lapse time.' 17 conclude required' grant authority firmly police statement tribunals whose invoked discretion stay hands four months, person seeks read it, words, installing field regime comparable prevails areas law courts, often litigant appropriate agency.8 legislative history very illuminating. Some House spoke indicated room judicial remit remedies.9 Senate fear expressed new punish exhaustion remedies.10 continuance under emphasized.11 indeed expressly stated Senator John F. Kennedy reporting Conference Committee:12 4-month limitation bill relates restrictions imposed rather administration Government agencies.' Yet appears speaking Report permitted complain even end period. Congressman Griffin reported:13 21 '(T)he intended limit 1947, amendmed, entertain charges, though period elapsed.' And side, invalidate considerable body State Federal decisions many years standing require, do intervention depending reasonableness requirements terms circumstances particular case.' (Emphasis added.) Nor, prohibit entertaining has elapsed.'14 23 were processing members, consume time; agency consider 'reasonable' 'exhausted.' conclude, reasons earlier opinion, concern matter, touches part covered failure ground hold properly entertained order enforced. 24 Reversed. 25 STEWART dissents. affirm judgment, agreeing substantially Third Circuit. 26 HARLAN, concurring. 27 I am persuaded history, summarized Court, 411(a)(4), simply require less months' duration invoking assistance. See generally Detroy American Guild Variety Artists, 286 75, 78. cannot, invocation 'where concern(s) matter,' thus touch 'part *.' Ante, 428. Assuming arguendo member-union untouched various statutes, dichotomy has, seems me, disadvantage Circuit's construction proviso: compels gamble membership, employment, accuracy understanding laws. 28 Finally, emphasize courts agencies will frustrate purpose 1959 legislation they not, fact, regularly compel Responsible self-government demands, among prerequisites, function.* supra, 79. With these modifications, concur 8(b) part: 'It agents— '(1) restrain coerce (A) employees 7: Provided, paragraph impair therein 140, 157, contains guarantee rights: 'Employees self-organization, form, join, assist organizations, bargain collectively through representatives choosing, engage concerted activities collective mutual protection, refrain extent affected requiring condition employment 8(a)(3).' This February directed solely that: 'On 8, 196(3), above named caused United States Lines (employer) Edwin D. conditions employment. 'By acts, interfered with, restrained coerced, continues interfere Company's Act.' By letter 20, informed dismissed. N. 1, supra. These constitution: 'No good suspended otherwise disciplined penalized open trial, notice given accused member, Trial *. accusers appeal decision Union's regular meeting Membership next rendered, thirty (30) days after membership's Board. shall, appellant time place hearing, and, later 130 receipt Office, event day Convention, render affirming, overruling, modifying either findings guilt innocence, penalty imposed. Both accuser Convention sending Office registered mail Although take adverse president, International, affirmed. Cox, Internal Affairs Unions Reform 1959, 58 Mich.L.Rev. 819, 839 (1960); Summers, Legal Limitations Discipline, 64 Harv.L.Rev. 1049, 1067—1068 (1951); Usefulness Law Achieving Democracy, 48 Am.Econ.Rev. 44, 47 (May 1958). provides: thereof court, appear witness judicial, administrative, proceeding, legislature communicate legislator: (but time) organization, instituting legal Myers Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp., 303 41, 459, 82 638; compare Railroad Comm'n Texas Pullman 312 496, 643, 85 971. requirement sound courts. See, e.g., McCulloch Sociedad Nacional, 372 10, 16—17, 83 671, 674—675, 547. see Leedom Kyne, 358 184, 188—189, 79 180, 183—184, 210; Public Utilities Comm. California States, 355 534, 539—540, 78 446, 450, 470. Exhaustion when inadequate. Greene 376 149, 84 615, 576; McNeese Education, 373 668, 1433, 622. K. Davis, Administrative Treatise 20.07 (1958). When raises union's are, previously explained, 105 Cong.Rec. 15835 (McCormack); id., 15689—15690 (O'Hara); 15563 (Foley). 10095 (Goldwater). 17899 (John Kennedy). 17899. 18152. noted constitutions elaborate provisions appeals, added modified 101(a)(4). Kroner, Title LMRDA: Problems Method Mythology, 43 N.Y.U.L.Rev. 280, 302, n. 72.

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