Document: 358 U.S. 184 79 S.Ct. 180 3 L.Ed.2d 210 Boyd S. LEEDOM, et al., Individually and as Chairman Members of Constituting the National Labor Relations Board, Petitioners,v.William KYNE, President Buffalo Section, Westinghouse Engineers Association, Scientists America, a Voluntary Unincorporated Organization. No. 14. Argued Oct. 23, 1958. Decided Dec. 15, Mr. Norton J. Come, New York City, for petitioner. Jonas Silver, respondent pro hac vice by special leave Court. Justice WHITTAKER delivered opinion 1 Section 9(b)(1) Act, § 9, 49 Stat. 453, 61 143, 29 U.S.C. 159(b)(1), U.S.C.A. provides that, in determining unit appropriate collective bargaining purposes, 'the Board shall not (1) decide that any is such purposes if includes both professional employees who are unless majority vote inclusion unit.' The after refusing to take among determine whether them would 'vote unit,' included nonprofessional it found appropriate. sole narrow question presented Federal District Court has jurisdiction an original suit vacate determination because made excess its powers. 2 facts undisputed. voluntary unincorporated labor organization, hereafter called was created purpose promoting economic status nonsupervisory Electric Corporation at plant Cheektowaga, York, through with their employer. In October 1955, Association petitioned certification exclusive agent all employees, being then 233 number, Company Cheektowaga plant, pursuant provisions 9 159, 159. A hearing held upon petition. competing organization permitted intervene. It asked expand include five other categories performed technical work were thought be 'professional employees' within meaning 2(12) 152(12), 152(12). they Act. However, nine three those should nevertheless 'share close community employment interests (the not) destroy predominantly character denying Association's request favored 'inclusion directed election desired represented or neither. moved stay amend decision excluding from unit. denied motion went ahead which received valid votes cast thereafter certified Thereafter respondent, individually, president brought this against members alleging foregoing asserting had exceeded statutory power including without consent, violation commands 'shall not' do so, praying, things, Board's action set aside. defendants, dismiss want and, alternative, summary judgment. plaintiff also trial court disobeyed express command same latter's doing so acted powers injury grant relief prayed. accordingly granted plaintiff's entered judgment setting aside certification. 148 F.Supp. 597. 4 On appeal did contest court's conclusion commingling unit, thereby worked rights employees. Instead, contended only lacked entertain suit. Appeals have affirmed 101 App.D.C. 398, 249 F.2d 490. Because importance fact been left open our previous decisions, we certiorari, 355 922, 78 366, 353. 5 Petitioners, concede here under 24(8) Judicial Code, 28 1337, review Act destroyed it. American Federation v. 308 401, 60 300, 303, 84 L.Ed. 347, order proceedings 'a final order' therefore subject judicial except may drawn petition enforcement order, 10(c) restraining unfair practice. But pains point out case '(t)he (there was) distinct * petitioners precluded Wagner maintaining independent district contrary statute *.' Id., page 404, 302. argued there, does here, particularly 9(d), foreclosed This said: 'But record before us. Its answer involves far given legally enforceable rights, deprived courts some portion conferred 24 Code. can appropriately answered showing unlawful inflicted on law, apart affords remedy. properly adequately considered when us suitable record.' 412, 305. (Emphasis added.) 6 squarely presents supra. case, posture us, 'unlawful (which) (respondent).' Does 'apart Act,' afford remedy? We think surely must yes. one 'review,' sense term used jurisdiction. Rather strike down delegated specific prohibition clear mandatory. says bargaining, Yet whom Plainly, attempted exercise specifically withheld. 'right' assured Congress. Surely, these circumstances, prevent deprivation right given. 7 Texas & Orleans R. Co. Brotherhood Railway Clerks, 281 548, 549, 50 427, 74 1034, no remedy expressly redress congressionally suit, 'merely abstract intended enforced legal proceedings.' 558, 429. rejected contention. 'While affirmative declaration duty contained legislative enactment imperfect obligation terms, definite conduct thwart declared legislation cannot disregarded *. If Congress prohibition, thus construed, enforced, encounter difficulty fulfilling inserted act overriden view ignored. As aim Congress, capable enforcement, contemplated.' pages 568, 569, 433. And compare Virginian System Federation, 300 515, 57 592, 81 789. 8 Switchmen's Union North America Mediation 320 297, 64 95, 88 61, yardmen rail lines operated Central system constituted course announced principles controlling here. 'If absence federal meant sacrifice obliteration created, inference strong governing general control. That purport decisions 40, cases apparent but there enforce written into result unsupported sanction. robbed vitality thwarted purpose.' 97. Here, differently 'absence courts' mean Congress' means, control (American supra), protect right. (is) control.' lightly infer intend protection confers agency taken Cf. Harmon Brucker, 579, 433, 503; Stark Wickard, 321 288, 559, 733; School Magnetic Healing McAnnulty, 187 94, 23 33, 47 90. 10 Where, supra, 11 holding, circumstances affirmed. 12 Affirmed. 13 BRENNAN, FRANKFURTER joins, dissenting. 14 history Act,1 Taft-Hartley amendments,2 shows congressional restrict representation certifications Courts specified 159(d), 159(d). extensively debated Acts considered, occasions concluded drastically limited, time-consuming procedures seriously threaten frustrate basic national policy preventing industrial strife achieving peace bargaining. 15 considering concrete evidence delays pending could serious hindrance primary objective Act—bringing employers together resolve differences discussion. acutely aware experience predecessor present Board3 Industrial Recovery provided investigations directly review. Such direct determined 'productive large measure *.'4 eliminated Although recognized necessary employee representatives begin, chance increased correlatively how quickly commenced. For reason ordained interfere prompt holding elections commencement once representative chosen.5 knew investigation barred, Government delayed indefinitely takes first step toward peace.'6 Therefore, 9(d) provide 'for ordered employer something predicated results election.'7 After passed, proposed amendment allow practice rejected.8 short, itself firmly representatives, required initiation collective-bargaining process certification, risk might defeat objectives policy. See 409—411, 304—305, 347; Madden Transit Employees, Cir., 147 439, 158 A.L.R. 1330. 16 When amendments consideration, complained allowed charges based whole part following 'cumbersome proceedings' committing 'no matter much good faith he doubted validity certification.'9 House person interested, Board.10 Opponents revived arguments successfully employed debates: 'Delay piled delay, during time suspended agent. strife.'11 Both sides produce fundamental change law.12 Senate amendment; body continued indirect limited 9(d). conference, prevailed.13 Senator Taft reported:14 17 'Subsection conference agreement conforms amendment. bill provision even entry order. receding insistence portion, yielded conferees permit dilatory tactics proceedings. 18 today opens gaping hole wall resort courts. holds party guilty action' making need await until situation arises, immediately cognizable 'original jurisdiction' 1337 'any civil proceeding arising regulating commerce.' Court, borrowing statement finds (District) 19 There nothing indicate exception requirement begin awaiting preceding Certainly appears where attack alleged misinterpretation statute. behind limitation applies just clearly challenge ground. Plainly interpretation likely out, frustrative policy, type decision. timetable Inland Empire Council, etc. Millis, 325 697, 65 1316, 89 1877. involved proceeding. reach Court's since shown pertinent erroneous. over two years elapsed while litigated. led May 1943 June 11, 1945. 20 error although none I ask, again, scintilla errors interpretation, obvious debatable? Of course, none. Indeed compelling see escape reached Fourth Circuit Appeals: 'It hardly possible 9(c) carefully limiting entered.' 442, 21 daresay ingenuity counsel will, today's decision, entirely adequate task finding action,' otherwise, sufficient get foot door 1337. Even wins merits, dragging threat will ever sought averted providing union management able use tactic litigation delay suits purposes. striking example recently disclosed Select Committee Improper Activities Management Field.15 union, challenging Courts,16 extend six months, though seven support union. By certify months forced business. Thus prevented, LMRA frustrated, hardship fear fashions major setback goals least enacts new language already crystal clear. 22 suffer fully disadvantages unfairness enacted proposal operation 'unfair loses, wrong be; (and to) *.'17 believed broader more than difficulties posed parties. Furthermore, felt parties.18 supports stating 'announced here.' true, believe lead to, indeed compel, 45 151 seq. Railroad Trainmen system. certain designated parts separate instead compelled system-wide election. contention ground authorize less entire 'Railway vests discretion split single carrier 309, 101. read light history, intention bar Board. notwithstanding reasoning application case. each bargaining,' 9(b), 9(b)(1). dispute, interpreted requiring approval mixed professionals nonprofessionals minority ignoring particular interests. basis union's complaint construction perfectly parallel. barred controversy canvassed clarity perhaps true 'precise machinery,' 301, 97, selected 'there tribunals law.' 305, 99. evidenced definitely emphatically 'by highly selective manner administrative orders determinations Act.' Review confined 25 seizes Switchmen's, creating vesting controversies, own tribunal precluding purpose. 'review preserve 'right'. reasons decided method created. precise machinery fashioned tool deemed suited end. All constitutional questions aside, creates enforced.' 'sacrifice obliteration' solely distinguish enforcement. attempting select 'without interference, influence, coercion' (281 433) sanctions outlawed activity, official Similarly obey free ignore talked about created' referred situations cases. 26 agency, NLRB, addition 'an safeguard opportunity heard'19 followed gone further Whereas kind provided, some, complete guarantee arbitrary Board.'20 said precisely 'Congress end.' 27 Cases 503, 733, cited merely judicially indicates contrary. Each turn Wickard itself: 'even complainant possesses claim executive beneficial him, statute, necessarily follow actions officials, owner place restrictions his claim, instance.' 306, 569. statutes consideration common scheme simply demonstrate intent limit compellingly demonstrated reverse remand instructions lack matter. 449. 136. Public Resolution 44 19, 1934, 48 1183, administer 7(a) 198. H.R.Rep. 1147, 74th Cong., 1st Sess., p. 7. 23. S.Rep. 573, 6. Cong.Rec. 7658. Hearings Education 1000 76th pp. 584—587. 245, 8th 43. H.R. 3020, 80th 10(f); 59—60. 94 (minority report). conservatively estimated year average Ibid. See, e.g., H.R.Conf.Rep. 510, 56 57. 93 6444. Testimony Leedom, Field, November 20, connection, NLRB testified: 'We experiencing now, think, my tendency United States move area jurisdiction, recent several interfering processes.' notes infra.

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