Document: 361 U.S. 288 80 S.Ct. 332 4 L.Ed.2d 323 MITCHELL, Secretary of Labor, Petitioner,v.ROBERT DE MARIO JEWELRY, INC., et al. No. 39. Argued Nov. 16, 1959. Decided Jan. 18, 1960. Miss Bessie Margolin, Washington, D.C., for the petitioner. Mr. R. Lamar Moore, respondents. Justice HARLAN delivered opinion Court. 1 Section 15(a)(3) Fair Labor Standards Act 1938, 52 Stat. 1068, 29 U.S.C. § 215(a)(3), U.S.C.A. makes it unlawful an employer covered by that Act— 2 'to discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employee because such has filed complaint instituted caused to be proceeding under related this * *.' 3 By 17 Act, 1069, as amended, 217, District Courts are given jurisdiction 'for cause shown, restrain violations section 15:1 Provided, That no court shall have jurisdiction, action brought violations, order payment employees unpaid minimum wages overtime compensation additional equal amount liquidated damages action.' 5 The question decision is whether, enjoin 15(a)(3), empowers a Court reimbursement loss discrimination. 6 facts, found Court,2 not dispute. Several respondent corporation had sought aid petitioner here, seeking recover allegedly violation §§ 6(a) and 7(a) Act. pursuant 16(c) statute, 63 919, 216(c), on behalf aggrieved employees, recovery compensation. After commencement action, respondents commenced course discriminatory conduct three complaining culminating their discharge. In second Secretary, 17, discrimination was been respondents' 'displeasure' over actions authorizing suit. 7 Finding evidence 'clear convincing,' granted injunction further ordered reinstatement discharged without seniority. As wages, court, expressly reserving whether reimbursement, declined exercise its discretion do so. On appeal, Appeals did reach abuse discretion, held lacked lost resulting from Cir., 260 F.2d 929. being conflict with Second Circuit Walling v. O'Grady, 146 422, we certiorari. 359 964, 79 879, 833. 8 We initially consider apart effect proviso, which added 1949. below took touchstone principle upheld here contested 'must conferred act Congress necessarily implied congressional enactment.' at page 933. mistaken. proper criterion laid down Porter Warner Holding Co., 328 395, 66 1086, 90 L.Ed. 1332. This there dealt Price Administrator Emergency Control 1942, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, 925, collection excessive rents require landlord reimburse tenants moneys paid result past violations. power language greatest relevance here: 9 'Thus invoked acts practices made illegal enforce compliance Such equitable one. Unless otherwise provided all inherent powers available complete jurisdiction. And since public interest involved nature, those assume even broader more flexible character than when only private controversy stake. (T)he may go beyond matters immediately underlying give whatever relief necessary circumstances. 10 'Moreover, comprehensiveness denied limited absence clear valid legislative command. statute so many words, inescapable inference, restricts court's equity, full scope recognized applied. 'The great principles securing justice, should yielded light inferences, doubtful construction.' Brown Swann, Pet. 497, 503, 508. *' pages 397—398, 1089. 11 applicability denied, either considered wartime because, having set forth governing inquiry, went find affirmative confirmation reimbursement. Id., 399, When entrusts equity enforcement prohibitions contained regulatory enactment, must taken acted cognizant historic provide statutory purposes. long ago recognized, 'there Equity policy legislature.' Clark Smith, 13 195, 203, 123. To therefore now turn. 12 central aim achieve, industries within scope, certain labor standards. See 1060, 202, 202. provisions affect weekly wage dealings between vast numbers business establishments employees. For weighty practical reasons, seek secure prescribed standards through continuing detailed federal supervision inspection payrolls. Rather chose rely information complaints received vindicate rights claimed denied. Plainly, effective could thus expected if felt free approach officials grievances. ends prohibition discharges designed serve. needs argument show fear economic retaliation might often operate induce quietly accept substandard conditions. Cf. Holden Hardy, 169 366, 397, 18 383, 390, 42 780. proscription retaliatory foster climate substantive would enhanced. context, significance becomes apparent. considering attempt his just deserts value effort pale prospect total indeterminate period obtain reinstatement. Resort remedies take calculated risk, restitution partial deficiencies due work perhaps obtainable cost irremediable entire pay unpredictable period. Faced alternatives, understandably decide best left they are. cannot read presenting protect what little Hobson's choice. 14 Respondents argue that, contrary contractual provision, owing discharge, regarded 'punitive,' outside function unless authorized statute. intimate view validity premise, way supports conclusion. Whatever parties traditional notions contract law, permissible. Even assuming, deciding, contemplate vindication bestowed,3 remedy thereby rendered punitive, where measure compensatory only. heard assert services were performed, employer's own deprived opportunity render services. 15 It contended, however, though restore originally existed withdrawn 1949 proviso disabled courts awarding 'unpaid 334. background think effect. 16 Shortly before enactment decided McComb Frank Scerbo & Sons, 177 137, suit wages. enable recoverable themselves 16(b) 216(b), 216(b). aimed doing away result. so, see fit undo effects entirely, time enacted also 16(c), whereby empowered bring representative cases involving 'an issue law settled finally courts.' 216(c).4 Thus, presumably lend weight to, nor burdened with, except clearest cases. indication history, intended wider effect, is, apply incident wrongful distinguished recoupment underpayments statutorily rates while still employed. speaks entirely terms overtime. effectuating policies suits provisions, attended quite different considerations, which, passing amendments, evidently mind. persuaded partially relied earlier supra, House Conference Report amendments stated 'will reversing decisions included decree 17,' H.R.Conf.Rep. 1453, 81st Cong., 1st Sess., p. 32, overrule O'Grady case well. case, Scerbo. expressions lower indicated point similar espoused Fleming Alderman, 51 F.Supp. 800; Miller, 138 629; Warshawsky 123 622. expressing general repudiation effectuate purpose make modifications nature extent Secretary's compensation.5 warrant construing reaching wholly eradicate losses 15(a)(3). contrary, issues presented Scerbo, modification area treated latter bespeaks intention leave intact. then, serve confirm independently them. 19 hold 15(a) (3), unlawfully discriminated against, abused declining While, purposes doubtless room record us remand consideration issue. 20 Reversed remanded. 21 DOUGLAS, joining opinion, agrees WHITTAKER obtained complementary 22 WHITTAKER, whom BLACK CLARK join, dissenting. 23 I agree Court's opinion. My disagreement rests belief withheld awards employers favor 'wages' discharges, actions, this, 217. 24 corporate respondent, believing 206(a), 207(a), requested writing, institute claims. November 1956. Soon afterward, these discharged. May 1957, another same Court—this 217—complaining 215(a) praying enjoining violating section, reinstating reparations them discharged, instigating first issued offer But district judge doubted he award matter discretion. affirmed, 929, holding certiorari, 25 us, employee, wrongfully entitled reinstatement, excluded job. 26 Court, heavily relying upon unrestricted powers, particularly elucidated 1088—1089, 1332,1 holds does power. 27 relief, including incidental legal justice parties. Here, proceeding, but statute—s Act—the denies power, 28 dispute fact 'order earned rendered, seems one 'order(ing) therefore, case. think, lies fallacy. possible basis theory attempted unlawful, never became effective, job continued accrue. seem follow much compensation' actually performed. If thought properly called 'damages,' same, sole 'damages' Hence, however viewed for, least embraces, both. Before subdivision (c) 1949, acting then stood, Thereafter, following, said, announced 30 Evidently dissatisfied decisions, passed Oct. 26, subsection (c)2 provided, files written request claiming 'the competent claim course, sues trustee use plaintiff benefit triable jury Seventh Amendment United States Constitution. prosecuted Secretary. provided: 'That accompanied bill, H.R.Conf.Rep.No. respecting that: provision will *, 17.' evident statement Committee reverse 'such decisions.' Not opinions applied but, moreover, said said: 'Defendants distinguish individual employee's right sue back explicit distinguishable 138. And, separate concurring result, Judge Learned Hand's opening sentence was: 'I followed 140. clear, history declaring purpose, deny Courts, compensation, also, Scerbo.' Surely (a) decision' Scerbo.3 31 review plainly allow instance subsection, jury; 'wages,' (and) compensation,' rendition denial earn 32 maintain jury, common But, reasons hereinbefore stated, me correct affirm judgment. addition prohibited various activities proscribed paragraphs (1), (2), (4), (5) section. reported 180 800, WH Cases 709. Bonner Elizabeth Arden, Inc., 703, 705; Powell Washington Post 105 U.S.App.D.C. 374, 375, 267 651, 652. A limitation double damages, 16(b). clear: 'This inserted conference agreement authorizes Under preclude single causes arising 32; 95 Cong.Rec. 14879. 205(a) 56 23, 33, state courts, Administrator, grant 'a permanent temporary injunction, restraining order, order,' policy. (Emphasis added.) There sued tender excess collected. prayed. approved saying 'An 'other order' U.S., observed Senate Committee, submitted bill '* circumstances each particular case.' 400—401, 1090. 'that remain unimpaired made.' 400, Subdivision (c), pertinent part, provides: claim: consent bringing dismissed prejudice motion constitute waiver (b) damages. 919. When, adopted two cases, namely, 622, D.C.D.Conn., 800. neither contest Instead, appeared agreed entry largely agreements enter decrees. reference Report, Scerbo' include well really books. judges 629, stood prior adoption express court.

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