Document: 345 U.S. 71 73 S.Ct. 519 97 L.Ed. 832 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARDv.ROCKAWAY NEWS SUPPLY CO., Inc. No. 318. Argued Jan. 14, 1953. Decided March 9, Mr. Frederick U. Reel, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. julius Kass, New York City, respondent. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Court Appeals has set aside National Labor Relations Board's order that Rockaway News Supply Co. reinstate one Charles Waugh as a chauffeur and routeman make him whole an unlawful discharge. court below was divided,1 we granted certiorari.2 2 had been employed by respondent about seven years. His duty to drive truck along regular route pick up deliver certain newspapers other publications. One his scheduled stops at Rockville Center plant Daily Review Corporation, publisher Nassau Review, consignments which he various retail dealers. Waugh, like all others similarly respondent, member Newspaper Mail Deliverers' Union Vicinity. For some years recognized this union exclusive bargaining representative its employees, without formality election. It employment contract bargained with contained union-security clause not conditioned upon vote employees under § 9(e) Management Act, 29 U.S.C.A. 159(e), omission raised questions validity whole. 3 County Typographical 915, A.F.L., member, established picket line premises Corporation which, on 2, 1950, prevented pickup newspaper except passing through line. assured himself ordered in connection labor dispute. He then informed foreman that, because man, would cross another union. advised take attitude told 'It might mean your job.' insisted do harm asked have papers somehow outside This done two days, but following day get papers—'Otherwise you are fired; if refuse, fired.' left returned daily three weeks seeking re-employment refused. willing perform duties provided required personally 4 drivers were also members same only refused Waugh's collectively against strikes, lockouts, cessation work or interference therewith party failing comply decision, award, Adjustment Board it provided. initiated arbitration thereunder Board, 31, made award favor respondent.3 filed charge unfair practice General Counsel these proceedings. 5 parties here see case requiring decision sweeping abstract principles respective rights employer employee regarding lines. But does not, should be read to, declare any such principles. actual controversy is within very narrow scope, so said: 6 'Although refusal protected activity, Respondent, normal incident right maintain operations, could elect whether or, striker, vacate job way replacement Respondent. Instead Respondent discharged Waugh.' 7 said (197 F.2d 114), 'We cannot follow reasoning.' Nor can we. distinction between discharge context seems us unrealistic unfounded law found it. application sanctioned v. Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co., 304 333, 347, 58 904, 911, 82 1381. based difference effect employee. And there no finding replaced either new transfer nonobjecting employee, appear necessary operation. Substantive field labor-management depend verbal ritual reminiscent medieval real property law. 8 In finding, evidence even dismissal resulted from antiunion bias, intended did discriminate discourage membership organization. obedience action Even breached, long others. No own joined him. held position union's contract, adjustment processes went ironical denied result solely conceded too much security, allowing what Taft-Hartley Act permit. If pursued wrong course dealing evidently due hostility organizations. 9 apparently conceding valid, establish latter's defense practice, utterly null void whatever case. Also, proceeding decided June 5, 1951, declared illegal entirety aside. present followed said, effectuate policies give prior proceeding. Accordingly, no-strike impact line.' 10 reference refers month half before conduct out arises. choose rely doctrine res judicata proceedings, whose applicability free doubt.4 ruling re-examined proceedings readopted essential part 11 There obstacles complete disregard contract. first inclusion forbidden provision enough justify setting future, wholly ignored judging events occurred thing say go contract; may given negotiated good faith both believed valid operative, conforming their conduct, authority yet void. 12 where statute unconstitutional hence beginning, existence ignored. 13 We think principle applicable here, Chief Hughes stated unamimous Court: 14 'The courts proceeded theory Congress, having unconstitutional, law; inoperative, conferring imposing duties, affording basis challenged decree. * quite clear, however, broad statements determination unconstitutionality must taken qualifications. statute, determination, operative fact consequences justly past always erased judicial declaration. subsequent invalidity considered aspects, respect particular relations, individual corporate, private official. Questions claimed become vested, status, determinations deemed finality acted accordingly, public policy light nature previous application, demand examination. *' Chicot Drainage District Baxter State Bank, 308 371, 374, 60 317, 318, 84 329. 15 second hurdle ignores savings separability clauses itself, forth margin.5 never known they per se illegal. course, question cases basic scheme interwoven terms stand fall entirety. simply concerning security invalidates examiner 'because expressly provide operation unionsecurity compliance provisions Section Act.'6 (Italics supplied.) 16 features rightly objects servered separated shows definance parties, who foresee how interpreted, proposed far toward allowed go, right; farther, duty. Moreover, showing affected employment, discharge, relevant decision. 17 total obliteration command statute. contrary common-law doctrine. rests controlling authority. sound served Realistically, formal stricken, enterprise on—labor continues worthy hire. relationship governed contractual terms. reason apparent why implied place legal bargained. hands themselves merely misunderstood limits bargain, excess severed separately condemned here. 18 therefore consider require respecting lines broader than itself prescribes. agreement 'No lockouts shall hereto during hereof Board.' ambiguous meaning, offered, intent prove negotiations demands stoppages man line,' rejected acquiesced rejection consented above recited. trial 'All right. Let offer proof record.' From clear accepted rejected. arbitrators' interpretation harmony offer. They 'In addition, specifically permit although contracts industry contain provision.' 19 section prescribes practices organizations unfair, proviso nothing therein 'shall construed person enter (other employer), engaged strike ratified approved whom recognize act *.'7 clearly enables contracting embody agree. prevents agreeing them appropriate kind business involved. An employee's breach amde grounds violating Act. 157. Sands Mfg. 306 332, 334, 59 508, 510, 83 682. instances employer's assent, supplement collective preferences over J. I. Case Relatios 321 64 576, 88 762. 20 hold prohibited, nor rendered appearing view circumstances Under case, judgment affirmed. 21 Affirmed. 22 BLACK, DOUGLAS MINTON concur, dissenting. 23 recognizes together 'concerted activities' mutual aid protection. men help refrain crossing Habitual men. prized asset unions. designed regulate restrict type concerted activities engage. attempt deprive unions advantage 8(b)(4)(D) Congress none union-restrictive refuse thrown support lawful strike. Consequently I agree holding takes away standing. 24 despite Court's agreement. place, accept conform requirements me unwise precedent substitute ths Board. find language line—a reserved each 8(b)(4) (D) Believing departs Act's does, affirm order. 197 111. 344 863, 106. undersigned, constituting Adjustment, designated accordance heard allegations, follows: obligation orders foreman, objectionable personally, issues discussed brought procedure therein. instance, obey distasteful him, unless subject physical danger policy. 'Of (and concededly physically endanger him) particularly since knowingly refrained taking willingly performed objection six provision. 'Consequently ruled refusing 7, constituted just cause Signed, Robert Feinberg, Impartial Chairman; John Somyak, Fylstra.' Thereunder dissent dated, York, 1950.' See Wallace Corp. 323 248, 65 238, 89 216. 'To best knowledge belief now contains federal state regulation. Should, agreement, time life, conflict regulation continue extent permitted. event thus being remaining shall, nevertheless, remain full force effect.' U.S.C. 159(e)(1), 159(e)(1): 'Upon filing 30 centum more unit covered organization pursuant 158(a)(3) title, petition alleging desire rescinded, secret ballot certify results thereof employer.' 158(b) 4(D), 158(b)(4)(D).

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