Opinion ID: 4561301
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Authority to issue an injunction under the RLA

Text: Generally speaking, a court’s jurisdiction in a labor dispute is limited to preserving and enforcing the RLA’s dispute resolution procedures. There are only three scenarios contemplated by the RLA that could have justified the injunction, here. First, a court has authority to issue an injunction in a minor dispute, but only in “exceptional circumstances.” Allied Pilots Ass’n v. Am. Airlines, Inc., 898 F.2d 462, 465 (5th Cir. 1990); Int’l Ass’n of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, Airline Dist. 146 v. Frontier Airlines, Inc., 664 F.2d 538, 541 (5th Cir. 1981) (“Frontier”). Namely, where: (1) it is “necessary to preserve the jurisdiction of the grievance procedure”; or (2) “a disruption of the status quo would result in irreparable injury of such magnitude that it would render any subsequent decision meaningless.” Id. (quoting Teamsters, 875 F.2d at 1136); Frontier, 664 F.2d at 541–42. Second, in a major dispute, a court can issue an injunction: (1) to reinstate the status quo when a party improperly disrupts it; and (2) to enjoin a self-help measure when it is prematurely taken. Conrail, 491 U.S. at 302– 03; United Air Lines, Inc. v. Int’l Ass’n of Machinist & Aerospace Workers, AFLCIO, 243 F.3d 349, 362 (7th Cir. 2001). And, a court may do so “even without the traditional showing of irreparable injury to the other party.” United Air Lines, Inc., 243 F.3d at 362. Third, Section 152, First’s command “to exert every reasonable effort to make and maintain agreements” was “intended to be more than a mere statement of policy or exhortation to the parties.” Chicago & N. W. Ry. Co., 402 U.S. at 577. Rather, it is “a legal obligation, enforceable by whatever appropriate means might be developed on a case-by-case basis.” Id. One of those appropriate means is issuing an injunction requiring a party to bargain in good faith when it fails to do so. Id. 12 Case: 20-10162 Document: 00515544398 Page: 13 Date Filed: 08/28/2020 No. 20-10162