Document: 372 U.S. 284 83 S.Ct. 691 9 L.Ed.2d 759 BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS et al.v.BALTIMORE & OHIO RAILROAD CO. al. No. 730. March 4, 1963. PER CURIAM. 1 Certiorari is granted and the judgment of Court Appeals affirmed for reasons stated in this opinion. 2 The petitioners, hereinafter referred to as Organizations, are Brotherhood Locomotive Engineers, Firemen Enginemen, Order Railway Conductors Brakemen, Railroad Trainmen, Switchmen's Union North America. respondents, Carriers, Baltimore Ohio Company 15 other named railroad companies, representatives a class more than 200 such companies. 3 In February 1959, Association American Railroads proposed creation presidential commission investigate report on possibility radical overhaul working rules affecting Organizations their members light substantial technological changes industry. basis proposal was that '* * drawing up sound new work standards industry has become so complex challenging machinery provided settling ordinary disputes appears hopelessly inadequate cope with task.' opposed proposal, President United States, September refused appoint commission. 4 On November year, pursuant § 6 Labor Act,1 Carriers served notices intended agreements rates pay, rules, conditions. After conferences both individual railroads national level had failed produce agreement concerning changes, October 1960, under auspices Secretary Labor, agreed Presidential Commission which controversy, also authorized 'to use its best efforts, by mediation, bring about an amicable settlement *.'2 parties proceedings were be accepted lieu mediation emergency board procedures Section(s) 5 10 way Act.' created Executive 10891 U.S.Code Congressional Administrative News p. 1693, appointed December year. recommendations delivered 28, 1962, issues remained dispute resumed April continued through May 17. No having been reached, 21 made application services National Mediation Board Act.3 Between 25 June 22, approximately 32 meetings held Chairman Board, but no reached. submit arbitration, July 16 terminated provisions Act. following day, notice that, August 16, conditions would placed effect Carriers. 26, brought present suit seeking rule violate Subsequently, leave court without objection from withdrew 17, notices, substituted therefor 2, effective 1962. Organizations' complaint then amended seek similar relief against those notices. 7 District found exhausted all available Act, they therefore free resort self-help, restricted only appointment Emergency Act.4 It dismissed failure state cause action. affirmed. 310 F.2d 503. 8 petitioners insist because characterized actions reducing negotiations 'sterile discussion,' opinion must read holding right serve here at issue somehow arose penalty bargain good faith. evidence introduced below faith either during lengthy bargaining prior institution suit, there nothing record before us indicate party acted bad Any contrary implication disapproved. concluded, Court, Act exhausted, proper. correctly rejected contention contained themselves violated As pointed out, '(t) he does not undertake governmental regulation wages, hours, or Instead it seeks provide means may reached respect them. interest primarily such. So far itself concerned these employees will tolerate can for. fix authorize anyone generally applicable federal fostered see disagreement reach point interfering interstate commerce. *' Terminal R. Ass'n St. Louis v. 318 1, 6, 63 420, 423, 87 L.Ed. 571. See also, Relations Nat. Ins. Co., 343 395, 402, 72 824, 828, 96 1027. question presented, therefore, whether sustains finding lower courts have major involved here. Elgin, J. E. Ry. Co. Burley, 325 711, 725, 65 1282, 1291, 89 1886: 11 (t)he required successive designed induce agreement. First (b). But compulsions go insure self-help. authority empowered decide power intended, unless agree arbitration.' 12 1960 establishing provision purporting accept Commission's replacement Whether could effectively forestall resorting we need decide, fact specifically invoked Board's exhausted. Similarly, although arbitration 75 section clearly provides 'the refusal controversy shall construed violation any legal obligation imposed upon terms chapter otherwise.' 13 There is, consequently, misconduct part justifying side's unilateral imposition rules. What clear, rather, parties, statutory procedures, relegated self-help adjusting dispute, subject invocation providing Board.6 And be, 14 Affirmed. Mr. Justice GOLDBERG took consideration decision case. Section amended, 45 U.S.C. 156 provides: 'Carriers give least thirty days' written change conditions, time place beginning conference between interested within ten days after receipt said notice, notice. every case where given, being reference thereto, requested party, proffered services, altered carrier until finally upon, 155 title, period elapsed termination request proffer Board.' This authorization echoed words First: 'First. employee group invoke cases: '(a) A adjusted conference. '(b) referable Adjustment refused. 'The labor exist time. 'In event promptly put communication them If efforts unsuccessful, once endeavor final action (except paragraph third 160 title) accordance chapter. 'If one notify writing mediatory thereafter, intervening established practices arose.' note supra. 160, foregoing should, threaten substantially interrupt commerce degree deprive country essential transportation service, President, who thereupon, his discretion, create respecting dispute. Such composed number persons seem desirable: Provided, however, That member pecuniarily otherwise organization carrier. compensation fixed President. separately each instance facts make thereon date creation. 'After change, except agreement, out 157 First, Whenever arise carriers settled appropriate adjustment manner sections 151—156 title may, submitted three (or, if stipulate, six) persons: 'approved' Mitchell. addition, somewhat inconsistently immediately Commission. Finally, waiver parties. We already noted did exhaust procedures. Neither contended affect applicability 10. event, clear private interfere duty confers States.

Category: 6