Source: https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/339/454/case.html
Timestamp: 2016-10-24 14:13:16
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Automobile Workers v. O'Brien (full text) :: 339 U.S. 454 (1950) :: Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center Log In
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Automobile Workers v. O'Brien 339 U.S. 454 (1950)
U.S. Supreme CourtAutomobile Workers v. O'Brien, 339 U.S. 454 (1950)International Union of United AutomobileWorkers of America, CIO v. O'BrienNo. 456Argued March 30, 1950Decided May 8, 1950339 U.S. 454APPEAL FROM THE SUPREME COURT OF MICHIGAN
In a suit by appellants to enjoin possible criminal prosecution for a violation of Mich.Comp.Laws, 1948, §§ 423.1 et seq., a Michigan trial court held those sections invalid under the Federal Constitution. The Supreme Court of Michigan reversed. 325 Mich. 250, 38 N.W.2d 421. On appeal to this Court, reversed, p. 339 U. S. 459. Page 339 U. S. 455
The constitutionality of the strike vote provision of the Michigan labor mediation law [Footnote 1] is before us in this case. Appellants struck against Chrysler Corporation in May, 1948, without conforming to the prescribed state procedure. The strike was called to enforce demands for Page 339 U. S. 456 higher wages, and it was conducted peacefully. To enjoin possible criminal prosecution, [Footnote 2] appellants instituted this suit in the state courts, contending that the statute violated the Due Process and Commerce Clauses of the Federal Constitution, Amend. 14; art. 1, § 8, cl. 3. The trial court upheld their contentions, but the Michigan Supreme Court reversed. 325 Mich. 250, 38 N.W.2d 421 (1949). We find no need to discuss the due process point, inasmuch as we hold that the court below erred in its decision on the commerce power.
Congress has not been silent on the subject of strikes in interstate commerce. In the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, 49 Stat. 449, 29 U.S.C. § 151, as amended by the Labor Management Relations Act, 1947, 61 Stat. Page 339 U. S. 457 136, 29 U.S.C.(Supp. III) § 141, Congress safeguarded the exercise by employees of "concerted activities" and expressly recognized the right to strike. [Footnote 3] It qualified and regulated that right in the 1947 Act. It established certain prerequisites, with which appellants complied, for any strike over contract termination or modification. § 8(d). These include notices to both state and federal [Footnote 4] mediation authorities; both did participate in the negotiations in this case. In provisions which did not affect appellants, Congress forbade strikes for certain objectives and detailed procedures for strikes which might create a national emergency. §§ 8(b)(4), 206-210. None of these sections can be read as permitting concurrent state regulation of peaceful strikes for higher wages. Congress occupied this field and closed it to state regulation. Plankinton Packing Co. v. Wisconsin Board, 338 U.S. 953 (1950); LaCrosse Telephone Corp. v. Wisconsin Board, 336 U. S. 18 (1949); Bethlehem Steel Co. v. New York Labor Board, 330 U. S. 767 (1947); Hill v. Florida, 325 U. S. 538 (1945). Page 339 U. S. 458
Finally, the bargaining unit established in accordance with federal law may be inconsistent with that required by state regulation. Though the unit for the Michigan strike vote cannot extend beyond the State's borders, the unit for which appellant union is the federally certified bargaining representative includes Chrysler plants in California and Indiana as well as Michigan. Chrysler Corp., 42 N.L.R.B. 1145 (1942). Without question, the Michigan provision conflicts with the exercise of federally protected labor rights. A state statute Page 339 U. S. 459 so at war with federal law cannot survive. Plankinton Packing Co. v. Wisconsin Board, 338 U.S. 953 (1950); LaCrosse Telephone Corp. v. Wisconsin Board, 336 U. S. 18 (1949); Bethlehem Steel Co. v. New York Labor Board, 330 U. S. 767 (1947); Hill v. Florida, 325 U. S. 538 (1945).