Document: 406 U.S. 320 92 S.Ct. 1562 32 L.Ed.2d 95 Thomas L. ANDREWS, Petitioner,v.LOUISVILLE & NASHVILLE RAILROAD COMPANY et al. No. 71—300. Argued March 22, 1972. Decided May 15, Syllabus Petitioner, claiming that he was wrongfully discharged from his employment by respondent railroad, filed a state-court action based on state law for breach of contract. The suit removed to Federal District Court which dismissed the complaint failure exhaust remedies provided Railway Labor Act, and Appeals affirmed. Held: Since source petitioner's right not be employer's obligation restore him regular following an injury is collective-bargaining agreement, petitioner must follow grievance arbitration procedures set forth in Act. Moore v. Illinois Central R. Co., 312 630, 61 754, 85 L.Ed. 1089, overruled. Pp. 321—326. 441 F.2d 1222, Andrew W. Estes, Atlanta, Ga., petitioner. William H. Major, respondents. Mr. Justice REHNQUIST delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioner brought trial court Georgia seeking damages alleged 'wrongful discharge' respondent.1 He prior auto accident 1967, had been employee good standing respondent, employed 'under specified conditions with stipulated schedule benefits.' accident, fully recovered physically able resume work but refused allow return work, respondent's actions amounted wrongful discharge. prayed consisting loss past future earnings attorneys' fees. Respondent case United States there moved dismiss § 3 First (i) 44 Stat. 579, as amended, 48 1191, 45 U.S.C. 153 (i). See also 1966 amendments Second, 80 208. granted motion, Fifth Circuit We certiorari, 404 955, 309, 30 271, are once more confronted question whether 1089 (1941), should overred. 2 held railroad who elected treat contract discharge required resort afforded under Act adjustment grievances, free commence result supported Court's conclusion 'minor disputes' intended Congress optional, compulsory, therefore State accord alternative remedy employees its contracts. basic holding reaffirmed aspects amplified Transcontinental Western Air, Inc. Koppal, 345 653, 73 906, 97 1325 (1953). There it if administrative before resorting court, federal diversity enforce requirement. Later cases this have repudiated reasoning advanced support reached Central, supra. Fifteen years ago, Brotherhood Railroad Trainmen Chicago I.R. 353 30, 39, 77 635, 640, 622 (1957), canvassed relevant legislative history said: 4 'This record convincing general understanding between both supporters opponents 1934 amendment provisions dealing Adjustment Board were considered compulsory limited field.' 5 When issue again Walker Southern 385 196, 87 365, 17 294 (1966), observed: 6 'Provision grievance, minor dispute, matter voluntary agreement Act; compels parties arbitrate disputes National established Act.' U.S., at 198, S.Ct., 366. 7 Thus, notion availed or carrier chooses, never no longer law. 8 related doctrine expressed employee's created governed law, has likewise undercut later decisions. In International Association Machinists Airlines, 372 682, 83 956, 10 67 (1963), 204 said 'like Management Relations 301 . enforceable courts.' 692, 692. A similar 301(a) Textile Workers Union America Lincoln Mills, 448, 912, 972 (1957). 9 Republic Steel Corp. Maddox, 379 650, 614, 13 580 (1965), deduced preference settlement accordance contractually agreed-upon procedures. It accordingly could maintained such contract, first 'attempt use procedure agreed upon employer union mode redress.' 652, 616. only extend save intimated rule might well survive even cases. Indeed, since character stems any contractual undertaking itself, insisting those anything stronger arising than LMRA. fact characterizes claim one does Act's mandatory processing grievances. argues election sever connection latter's 'discharge' renders sufficiently different normal over interpretation warrant carving out exception otherwise submission Board. But very concept implies some sort statutory standard modifies traditional common-law terminable either party will. Here conceded all discharged, 'wrongful' entitles damages, union. vigorously intent part petitioner, pleadings indicate disagreement turns extent duties automobile accident. existence will depend agreement. Thus claim, disallowance it, stem differing interpretations intends hereafter seek elsewhere make present against less dispute His subject requirement submitted adjustment. 11 constitutional discussed dissent 'question presented review' petition our Rule 23(1)(c) precludes consideration it. 'We do reach questions raised parties.' Mazer Stein, 347 201, 206 n. 5, 74 460, 464, 98 630 (1954). 12 term 'exhaustion remedies' broader sense may entirely appropriate description clear, however, least situations makes exclusive, rather merely requiring exhaustion forum another. litigated merits relitigate independent judicial proceeding. Pacific Co. Price, 360 601, 79 1351, 1460 (1959). review Board's proceedings itself provides, Gunther San Diego A.E.R. 382 257, 86 368, 15 308 (1965). (i), available aggrieved party. noted complaints about long delay grievances Boards, extensive accorded carriers employees. Congress, Public Law 89—456, 208, effective June 20, 1966, legislated correct these difficulties, observed benefit new declined, 'in case,' 199, 367, overrule Moore. Andrews, would prosecution improved now hold avail himself them, so doing we necessarily 14 Affirmed. POWELL took decision case. 16 DOUGLAS, dissenting. * If wanted reinstatement back pay, merit remitting want relief. Rather, desires quit further jobs compensated dollars 18 relies quite different. 622, involved claims existing employees, discharge, 'additional compensation' 'reinstatement,' 'minor' is, controversy 'over meaning collective bargaining agreement.' Id., 32—33, 637; 67, 'without seniority pay.' 683, 657. 580, 'serverance pay' allegedly owed 650—651, 614—615. 294, basically seniority, though disclose it.1 19 alleges petitioner-employee involved, company go ground perform former duties. No involving tendered. Petitioner—rightly wrongly—claimed governing place where worked, deprived wages time 'of expectancy until date scheduled retirement.' 20 other words, asks relief ask severance continued employment. finished activities; seeks readmission group works railroad. leaves completely having forced out.2 21 To remit agency power act claim. much Slocum Delaware, W.R. 339 239, 70 577, 94 795. That 'concerned 242, 579. distinguished follows: 22 'Our here inconsistent 1089. challenged validity Board, pay. Instead chose accept railroad's discharging final, thereby ceasing employee, As held, bar courts adjudicating differs provide, involve relations handling consider provision course binding effect Board.' 244, 580. (Emphasis added.) 23 considerable expertise construing applying agreements, respects disciplinary management, various reinstatement. body found customs shop works. competent apply members four divisions authorized (b) presumably know local employee-employer relationships railroads run. second place, personnel occasionally lawyers them law-trained exception, rule. third normally entitled jury trial; division ever pretends serve role. 24 know, made up laymen; laymen insight into nuances they obviously cannot purport give 'court suit' entails. 25 regime mediation upheld 972, cited important stabilizing unions employers. Bulk Carriers Arguelles, 400 351, 355—356, 91 409, 411—412, 27 456. directly certainly individual tenders wants scene communal relation falls ambit authority given agencies. 26 courthouse litigant I close door him, unless mandate clear. Even then see how Seventh Amendment circumvented: 'In Suits common value shall exceed twenty dollars, preserved.' Though courts, sues recognized Georgia. can get court. sue regime. Yet 28 Everyone joins civil rights. leave commune assert rights, supposed stop him. think initiative possible individual. What today ruthlessly regiment worker force sacrifice rights favor choice pursue stay union,3 finds oppressive. construe giving choice. imposed raises serious questions4 argument. 29 This plain, ordinary, dependent cannot, therefore, join Under Amendment, applied Fourteenth, petitioning Government 'for redress grievances' manner suitors law; trial. II noted, my disagreements majority concern two assumptions implicit holding: (a) implicated application substantive vested jurisdiction entertain nonreinstatement Andrews' complaint. But, taking purposes argument, believe erred. 31 mandated exclusive route adjusting grievance. path foreclosed evinced purpose, nothing themselves evidences intention render channel claims.5 today's grounded fashion agreements. 695, 963, 67; 972. assumption, impose narrow readily identifiable dischargees. equation govern agreements clauses voluntarily inserted contracts, onto superimposed One suppose every developed 136, carried apparatus salutary measure worthwhile purpose other. transplants Maddox foreign soil world without discussion ends served. cautioned result, stating overruling come after 'the distinctive features (the Labor) appraised context, e.g., make-up scope monetary awards, ability same obtained suit.' 657 14, 619. 33 (rather private Maddox) fashioned instant somehow reinforces presumption exclusivity. difficult perceive when conceded, mentioned earlier, designed prescription sole avenue class claimants. significance lies inflexibility immunity modification through bargaining. Unlike rule, what done undone tomorrow negotiation.6 difference seem caution ensure gained lost closing door. 34 clear disadvantage counsels holding. Given nature permanent dischargees' weak positions vis-a -vis their unions, manning mechanism, haphazard decisional process, absence decisions, risk substantial valid dischargees Andrews unfairly treated. 35 machinery erected meant nature. process occupy opposite sides table. substitute economic battleground, envisions decisionmaking basis strength accountability interests represented. Unions often press expense continuing member perhaps receive equal representation. because answer yield logrolling management. doubt sound insofar opined agent sufficient interest faithfully prosecuting 'has job most likely outside looking instead hand push claim.' 616 (majority opinion), id., 668, 624 (Black, J., dissenting). Term Allied Chemical Alkali America, Local Pittsburgh Plate Glass, 157, 383, 341, permit represent nonvoting pensioners, 49 449, 151 seq., bargain respect pension plans affecting inactive retirees. reasoned overlooked representatives occasion fit favoring active retirees' benefits.'7 173, 394. 36 Beyond inherent compromise dischargee's lie still obstacles fair treatment. First, internal used far afield associated impartial adjudication. exempt Administrative Procedure 2(a)(1), 551(1). account ad hoc little means proving allegations: 37 'As operated practice, followed hearings informal differed trial-type conducted agencies Government. Disputes referred filing written submissions. Each contains statement accompanied facts. agree, joint facts filed; separate submissions filed, separately. All writing. Parties heard person, counsel, elect. extraordinary live testimony witnesses. factual sworn. cross-examination witnesses transcript proceedings. issuance subpenas attendance witnesses.' Hearing H.R. 706 (1966 amendments) Subcommittee Senate Committee Welfare, 89th Cong., 2d Sess., (1966). 38 tolerable point journey look forward judge's inquiry affair. whatever order enter virtually immune award, special board, reviewable fraud lack jurisdiction. (p) (proviso). 39 On side balance, claimed permitting (in addition one) warfare, especially light estranged relationship unions. Nor nonuniformity inasmuch obliged single supra, 658 40 summary, danger unfair treatment clearly represented great, compensating advantages, confine claimants remedy. References throughout consisted properties leased Louisville Nashville Seaboard Coastline work. Cir., 354 950. seems amount axioms construction fill ambiguities contracts relationships. expressly addresses issue, axioms, controls. For example, provides otherwise, disobedience Coast Piedmont McFarland, 132 Ga. 639, 64 S.E. 897, disrespectful language, Wade Hefner, Ga.App. 106, 84 598. oral written, fired performance unsatisfactory, necessity, Lummus Cotton Gin Baugh, 498, 116 51, although 'mitigating factors' generally defense. Jenkins, 238, 123 161. language controls rules construction. provide fire will, wrongful, Webb Warren 113 850, 149 S.E.2d 867. hiring definite period inferable relationship. Ga.Code Ann. 66—101 (master servant). guide determine custom pay interval, ambiguous. Odom Bush, 125 184, 53 1013. paid monthly, days' notice. shown rate dischargee earn 4—216. prevented performing remainder service recover portion term. Irwin Young, 773, 322. theory, appears necessary show dischargeable proof tender. So tell issue. duty; respondents allege creates duty. impossible say terms dispute. currently disposing petitions 1,500 annually. At eliminate backlog slightly 3,000 years. Thirty-Seventh Annual Report Mediation (Table 9) (1971). Constitutional issues times passed notorious Erie Tompkins, 304 64, 58 817, 82 1188, Butler, J.'s comments, 88—89, 827. Mapp Ohio, 367 643, 673—677, 81 1684, 1701—1704, 1081 (Harlan, dissenting); Redrup New York, 386 767, 771—772, 1414, 1416—1417, 515 Nothing nor suggests hints design H.R.Rep.No.1114, 1st Sess. (1965); S.Rep.No.1201, U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News p. 2285. 657—658, 618 619, avoid simply agreeing commentator warned representation critical factor obtaining favorable award: '(A)n individual's efforts union, particularly ultimately resolved board composed affected unions.' Risher, B.C.Ind. Com.L.Rev. 72 (1970). plight unionless grievant alarming viewed unsatisfactory Act: 'The privilege legislation, product great political administered such. accounts dismal records protection adjustments.' Northrup, Foreword 52.

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