Document: 353 U.S. 364 77 S.Ct. 838 1 L.Ed.2d 894 GOVERNMENT AND CIVIC EMPLOYEES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, CIO, an Unincorporated Association, et al., Appellants,v.S. F. WINDSOR al. No. 423. Argued April 29, 30, 1957. Decided May 13, Mr. Milton I. Shadur, Chicago, Ill., for the appellants. Gordon Madison, Montgomery, Ala., appellees. PER CURIAM. In 1953, Alabama Legislature enacted a statute, Ala.Laws 720 p. 974, which provides that any public employee who joins or participates in 'labor union labor organization' forfeits 'rights, benefits, privileges he enjoys as result of his employment.' Section defines to include organization employees whose purpose is deal with employers concerning grievances, disputes, conditions employment. Teachers, certain State Docks Board and city county employees, however, are exempted from provisions Act. 2 Appellants composed governmental civic agencies, member employed by retail liquor store operated Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. They commenced this action United States District Court Northern enjoin enforcement state statute on grounds it abridged freedoms expression association violated Due Process, Privileges Immunities, Equal Protection Clauses Fourteenth Amendment. 3 The three-judge Court, convened pursuant 28 U.S.C. §§ 2281, 2284, U.S.C.A. withheld exercise its jurisdiction, retaining cause 'for reasonable time permit exhaustion such administrative judicial remedies may be available.' 116 F.Supp. 354, 359. We affirmed judgment Court. 347 901, 74 429, 98 L.Ed. 1061. 4 Appelant courts obtain 'authoritative construction' statute. A bill equity was filed Circuit Montgomery County, Alabama, praying against members enjoined, declaratory not within meaning complaint, denied applied members. None constitutional contentions presented pending were advanced court action. After hearing testimony, County union's prayer relief, holding union, activities. Supreme affirmed. 262 Ala. 285, 78 So.2d 646. It held local operating under appellant's rules constitution would subject 5 case resubmitted final decree. dismissed prejudice, saying have construed Act 'in manner render unconstitutional, and, course, we cannot assume will ever so construe said statute.' 146 214, 216. noted probable jurisdiction. 352 905, 149, 115. 6 do reach issues. brought restrain grounds, federal should retain jurisdiction until definitive determination law questions obtained courts. One policy served practice passing situations where authoritative interpretation avoid Spector Motor Co. v. McLaughlin, 323 101, 105, 65 152, 154, 89 101. Another avoidance adjudication abstract, hypothetical Federal pass upon abstract rather than concrete form. Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 575, 584, 67 1409, 1423, 1427, 91 1666. bare does suffice, since asked interpret light objections If appellants' freedom-of-expression equalprotection arguments had been court, might different manner. Accordingly, vacated, remanded directions efforts appropriate exhausted. 7 ordered. 8 Judgment vacated directions. 9 Justice BLACK took no part consideration decision case.

Category: 8