Document: 379 U.S. 134 85 S.Ct. 292 13 L.Ed.2d 190 Jesse M. CALHOON etc., Petitioner,v.Raymond H. HARVEY et al. No. 17. Argued Oct. 20, 1964. Decided Dec. 7, Rehearing Denied Jan. 18, 1965. See 984, 639. David Scribner, New York City, for petitioner. Burton Hall, respondents. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case raises important questions concerning powers Secretary Labor and federal courts to protect rights employees guaranteed by Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959.1 2 The respondents, three members District 1, National Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association, filed a complaint in Federal Court against union, its president secretary-treasurer, alleging that certain provisions union's bylaws national constitution violated they infringed 'the right defendant NMEBA, nominate candidates elections defendant, which is each member plaintiff, Section 101(a)(1) LMRDA * *'2 It was alleged § 102 Title I gave jurisdiction adjudicate controversy.3 union complained deprived anyone office but himself. turn provided no could be eligible nomination or election full-time elective unless he had been five years served 180 days more seatime two preceding on vessels covered collective bargaining agreements with subsidiary bodies. On basis these allegations respondents asked enjoined from preparing conducting any until it revised system so as afford fair opportunity persons 'meeting reasonable eligibility requirements all offices filled such election.'4 3 moved dismiss grounds (1) court lacked over subject matter, (2) failed state claim upon relief granted. dismissed want 'jurisdiction,'5 holding conduct even if true, show denial equal vote Act, give controversy under 102. allegations, said court, showed at most imposition qualifications restrictive might violate 401(e) IV denying candidates.6 further held not exercise because 402(a)7 provides remedy, declared 403 'exclusive,' authorizing vindicate challenging after have held,8 then only first exhausting remedies available filing Labor, who (3) may, investigating violation complaint, bring suit United States district attack validity election. Appeals reversed, existed 102.' 324 F.2d 486, 487.9 Because importance presented conflicting views appeals courts,10 we granted certiorari. 375 991, 84 633, 11 478. I. 4 Jurisdiction depends entirely whether this 101(a) (1), disagree Appeals' can upheld reliance whole part substance charge breach rights. An analysis understanding meaning charges are therefore essential determination issue. Respondents constitutional referred above their candidates. result here, however, an attempt sweep into ambit sue denied 101(a)(1), allowed choose regardless his restrictions. But IV, I, sets standards officials own separate different administrative judicial procedure those standards. And equal-rights language would stretched far beyond normal hold guarantees just 'nominate candidates,' anyone, without regard valid rules. All 5 'Every labor organization shall privileges candidates, referendums participate deliberations voting rules regulations organization's bylaws.' 6 Plainly, than command classes discriminated vote. Congress carefully prescribed discrimination 'subject regulations' union. complaining here way privilege has others. They indeed taken full advantage uniform rule limiting nominations nominating themselves office.11 true were request nominate, since same required equally members. Whether set question distinct given violated. grant requested unless, held, 'combined effect restriction self-nomination' considered determining violated.12 II. 7 We possible violations regarding relevant s Act. up statutory scheme governing officers, fixing terms during office, requiring secret ballot, regulating handling campaign literature, unions fix 'reasonable uniformly imposed' attempting guarantee participate. 402 pointed out, exclusive method protecting rights, permitting individual file clection IV. Upon investigates finds probable cause believe violated, may appropriate court. apparent decided utilize special knowledge discretion order best serve public interest. Cf. San Diego Building Trades Council Millmen's Union, Local 2020 v. Garmon, 359 236, 242, 79 773, 778, 775, 781. In doing Congress, one exception relevant,13 permit individuals block delay federal-court suits Reliance harmony general congressional policy allow great latitude resolving internal controversies, and, where fails, agencies Government familiar problems aid bringing about settlement through discussion before resort courts. Without setting out lengthy legislative history preceded passage measure, sufficient say satisfied itself shows clearly structure disputes basically relating do fall squarely within resolved procedures Title. 8 Accordingly, judgment reversed affirmed. ordered. 9 Judgment 10 DOUGLAS affirm reasons stated reported 486. STEWART, whom HARLAN joins, concurring. 12 marks interpretation significant changes wrought 1959 increasing supervision affairs. At issue subtle interplay between part, both seem deal matter: 'equal candidates'; 'a candidates.' Where Titles legislation differ substantially provide. If issue, allegedly aggrieved direct, virtually immediate recourse obtain adjudication injunction merit. 73 Stat. 523, 29 U.S.C. 412 (1958 ed., Supp. V). Vindication claims much onerous. Federal-court brought then, held. additional barrier thus placed Remedies shape significance think too casually forecloses direct access Congress. time brought, Association (NMEBA) relevance selection office. One rule, long standing self-nomination manner name membership second adopted seven months scheduled occur, severely limited prospective officers must belonged sea duty three-year period election.1 According action, combination unreasonably nominate. that, except fulfilled strict requirements, emptied To sure, 'right nominate' continued, but, say, countless rendered ineligible new sea-duty turning one's candidacy meaningless. 14 precludes asserting focusing fact imposed restrictions speaks eligibility. 'possible eligibility' 'are Act.' By reasoning, early participation process. there occasions when infringe Had NMEBA issued regulation Calhoon place store left rest membership. ago recognized ways removed less visible stage political decisions Texas Primary Cases founded belief impaired nomination. Smith Allwright, 321 649, 64 757, 88 L.Ed. 987; Nixon Herndon, 273 536, 47 446, 71 759. Classic, 313 299, 61 1031, 1368. No onerous burdens drastically limit scrutinizing devices designed erode franchise, shown impatience arguments form device. Gomillion Lightfoot, 364 339, 345, 81 125, 129, 110, 115. told infringement should sophisticated simple-minded. Lane Wilson, 307 268, 275, 59 872, 876, 83 1281, 1287. 15 After today, simply framing discriminatory eligibility, immunize pre-election though makes deep incursions vote, 16 justifies conclusion looking 'structure language' certainly free doubt. indicates misleading. What now constitutes II VI contained original bill Senate Senator Kennedy. introduced McClellan, product doubt went enough guaranteeing democracy concept I—its stress protection—was House. Repeated attempts made representatives organized labor, among other groups, mandate so-called Bill Rights modified, eliminated altogether. Despite efforts remove endured, amended provide stronger remedial version. As originally introduced, make exactly remedy Kuchel amendment, substituted present provision When change, commented: 17 '(H)ere major proposal. amendment Arkansas might, behalf injured member, litigate grievance seek relief. giving type employee himself interest justice *.' Leg. 18 Hist., 1959, 1232. 19 Clark Pennsylvania noted 'takes bureaucracy leaves enforcement members, aided courts.' Leg.Hist. 1233. 20 Nonetheless, 'general policy' avoid resolution disputes. That policy, says, power seeking injunctive Such appraisal accurate addition does explain emphasis prompt provided. authorized 1022 saving 103,3 101(a)(4) modifies traditional requirement litigation.4 Even conclusive elimination remedies.5 least, state-court actions advance 'enforce courts, arguable held.6 reading narrowly, construing foreclose absolutely litigation sharply reduces meaningful protection many assiduous create.7 simplifying tangled renders impossible gain hearing necessary—when still comport 21 My difference reach disposition particular case. limitations operate illegally curtail members' effectively distorted basic democratic line shadowy some cases. did allege nor demonstrate affidavits crossed. remand directions failure 519, 401 seq. organization, attend meetings, business 522, 411(a)(1) also damages. 221 F.Supp. 545, 550. 'In section ballot every good candidate (subject 504 title imposed) otherwise support choice 533, 481(e) 534, 482(a) '(e)xisting enforce respect prior thereof affected 483 While below us 'jurisdictional,' obvious differed facts 'cause action,' thereby raising discussed Bell Hood, 327 678, 66 90 939. need concern however. See, .e.g., Mamula Steelworkers, 304 108 (C.A.3d Cir.), cert. denied, 371 823, 42, 63; Beckman 46 International Assn. Bridge, Structural Ornamental Iron Workers, 314 848 (C.A.7th Cir.); Robins Rarback, 325 929 (C.A.2d petition pending, 11, Misc., 1964 Term; Johnson Waiters & Bartenders 444 (D.C.S.D.Cal.); Colpo Highway Truck Drivers Helpers, 201 (D.C.D.Del.), vacated moot, 305 362 890, 188, 123; Jackson Longshoremen's Assn., 212 (D.C.E.D.La.). appears practice nominated change affect our decision. F.2d, 489. (Emphasis supplied.) 401(c) permits Courts bona fide section, treatment distribution literature lists. 532, 481(c) restriction, applicable solely post president, official capacity. 'SEC. Any person whose secured civil action (including injunctions) appropriate. occurred, principal located.' 103. Nothing State law tribunal, organization.' Detroy American Guild Variety Artists, 286 75 Cir. 1961). 403. greater frequency bylaws, title. Existing already conducted exclusive.' Summers, Pre-Emption Reform Act—Dual Remedies, 22 Ohio St.L.J. 119, 138—139 (1961). strange created period. Court's particularly judge once balloting occurred. Under 402(c), confined aside outcome.' For totally inadequate. function always A faction vitally interested appearing merely view, approaches majority status, will absent. Judicial Regulation Union Elections, 70 Yale L.J. 1221, 1257

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