Document: 331 U.S. 40 67 S.Ct. 982 91 L.Ed. 1328 TRAILMOBILE CO. et al.v.WHIRLS. No. 85. Argued Dec. 19, 1946. Decided April 14, 1947. As Modified 28, Mr. Philip J. Schneider, of Cincinnati, Ohio, for petitioner trailmobile co. Messrs. Sol Goodman, and Ernest Detroit, Mich., International Union, etc., U.A.W.-C.I.O. Frederick Bernays Wiener, Providence, R.I., respondent. Justice RUTLEDGE delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case, like Fishgold v. Sullivan Drydock & Repair Corporation, 328 275, 66 1105, presents a problem in seniority standing reemployed veteran. It arises under § 8 Selective Training Service Act 1940.1 The case held that veteran is entitled to be restored his former position plus which would have accumulated but induction into armed forces.2 Here question concerns duration veteran's statutory standing. petitioners maintain it ends with first year reemployment. Respondent's last as long employment continues.3 A suggestion has also been made occurrences taking place since decision Circuit Court Appeals may rendered cause moot. 2 an aftermath general controversy over rights arose among employees two corporations following their consolidation on January 1, 1944. Because relation this litigation detailed statement facts becomes necessary. Prior Highland Body Manufacturing Company had wholly owned subsidiary petitioner, Trailmobile Company. manufactured same commodities separate plants Ohio.4 During 1943 plan supplies equipment personnel were transferred gradually plant Trailmobile. took assets business assumed all its obligations. payroll 1944, when became fully effective.5 3 both companies affiliated American Federation Labor. 51 N.L.R.B. 1106, 1108. At time group, including respondent, claimed dates by Highland. opposed this, maintaining should considered new Trailmobile, dating only from dispute was submitted national representatives A.F. L. They decided favor group. 4 dissatisfied decision. outnumbered claimants about ten one. Accordingly, reorganizing unit Congress Industrial Organizations, they requested recognition exclusive bargaining agent Trailmobile's employees, transferees. An election auspices National Labor Relations Board, C.I.O. local chosen representative composed groups.6 5 accordingly negotiated July, collective agreement concluded, effective June 21, provided fixed r gardless original 6 Respondent Whirls Highland's employ 1935 1942, he entered military service. He honorably discharged returned work May, 1943.7 thus whose reduced so start date 7 group contested agreement's validity Ohio courts class suit brought July 17, Hess, one number, behalf himself 178 others similarly situated. These included 104 persons actually at work, veterans nonveterans, amoung whom Whirls, 74 then forces. petition alleged 500 service, apparently some 426 outside theory that, although plaintiffs not members C.I.O., hence could legally deprive minority represented accrued other any company.8 arbitrarily unlawfully deprived 'vested individual rights' asked mandatory injunctive relief restoring each status company stood upon terms agent's authority certified make justifying action taken it. 9 against action, sustaining union.9 effect issue exclusively contract, making no reference whatever or relating it;10 lawfully empowered enter contract fixing those 1944; trial court authorized, own language, 'to plaintiff(s) contract,' power 'exists provisions Relation's (29 U.S.C.A. 151 seq.), acts within law.'11 10 Accordingly dismissed. record here does disclose court's judgment. But affirmed before October 2, 1945, union's answer f led present cause; finally determined plaintiff's claims Supreme prior 15, 1945.12 11 entirely clear concerning exact character sequence events between notified changed, September 18, filed District Apparently, after notice given, officials intervened veterans,13 allegation result intervention denied union. There ambiguity whether closed-shop provision appeared 1944 1945 record, however, are more consistent view introduced until latter year. 12 rate, joined union, complying ofthe agreement. And continued employed painting department, where highest drawing pay $1.05 per hour. On date, him stock threatening reduce $0.83 hour rating accordance 13 Whether threatened reductions afterward again, paying $1.18 another department. done, United States Attorney,14 Act. sought enjoin decrease change status. restoration department employer answered union support employer's position. However, again came hearing, parties agreed hearing limit issues affecting seniority. presented forms, (1) merits, being substantially stipulated; (2) state proceeding now raised res judicata suit. See Angel Bullington, 330 183, 657. 14 Taking respondent's respects, judgment favor. Sixth Court's 154 F.2d 866. Besides holding inapplicable, view, contrary later reached 'superseniority' reemployment,15 went hold preferred respect incidents emplo ment did end expiration bearing importance presented, we granted certiorari. 831, 1364. I. 15 outset important, certain questions injected beyond decision, explicitly what us. In place, required determine constituted adjudication involved litigation. That Appeals. Both adversely petitioners, error assigned ruling therefore express 16 entertained Appeals, tangental connection become memorandum application certiorari brief, Government calls attention appearing Though suggesting our attention, maintains do render Court, course, advisory opinions. sufficient raise mootness comprehended issues, necessary dispose matter undertaking determination otherwise properly 17 suggested 10, 1946, respondent charged conduct unbecoming member namely, bringing without exhausting remedies constitution by-laws; thereby violating agreement; negotiating through than union; conducting manner harmful interests members. suspend work. consequence, directed report duty. Since then, keep payroll, leave absence full pay. Although urges continues company's consequently moot, overlaid unlawful discrimination allegedly arising out facts, decisions Steele Louisville Nashville R. Co., 323 192, 65 226, 89 173; Tunstall Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen Enginemen, 210, 235, 187; Wallace Corporation 248, 238, 216.16 18 put forward proper suggest require merits prejudice ture assertion violated set forth. We agree circumstances related remains employee 19 us decision.17 question, insofar litigation, reference, seem, possible effects. because certiorari, noted, Appeals' outcome suit, liberty consider embraced Insofar thought arise said free such issue. brief pertinently states, 'These points lower courts, evidence party unfair discrimination. Cf. Hormel Helvering, 312 552, 556, 61 719, 721, 85 1037. fact, Hess believe inappropriate, stage, argue these issues.' 20 Wholly aside power, disclaimer affected reason justify refusal inject volunteer aid sought. say if expelled, suspended dealt asserting legal rights, law injuries redressed appropriate proceedings designed purpose proof constituting wrong due consideration present. To assure possibility, remand will framed preclude foreclosure future doctrine determination. 21 Since, moreover, dispositive 8,18 added apply, virtue events. 22 turn sole right extends indefinitely reemployment, unaffected event itself continues. II. 23 relevant portions §§ 8(a) 8(b) margin.19 concerned particularly 8(c), reads: 24 'Any person who paragraph (A) (B) subsection (b) shall having furlough during period active loss seniority, participate insurance benefits offered pursuant established rules practices ordered restoration.' 25 argues correct meaning 8, (c), reemployment retain prewar service-accumulated seniority.20 Under statute, says, cannot away employer,21 either statute insures discharge thereafter while continues.22 Support derived syntax language legislative history. 26 argued grammatically 'within year' applies clause cause, refer 'other rights'23 given subsections appears most proximately prohibition discharge, seeks give prohibition, temporal term, command distinct unrelated anything preceding. treats independent sentence substantively provision, separated earlier ones comma followed conjunction 'and.' 27 premise complete severability builds entire case. necessarily regards 8(c) rights,' leaving found implication. goes conclude implied indefinite. security prescribed year, protection cf. supra, continue force job time. 'freeze' 'freezing' 28 Difficulties construction, conclusions. One conclusion indefinite follow necessarily, acceptable. basis 'indefinite duration' conceives tenable even probably contemplated Several alternatives presented. them, implicit apply concluding secure extension hand, Government's ignores usual rule construction expressly prescribed, evidently implied. For generally cases reasonable term accepted rather permanency extension.24 varying circumstances, might longer shorter itself. 29 real trouble however basic substantively. assumes independence precedes, something incidents, rates pay, etc. think, idea total altogether untenable. accept violence grammatical substantive structure statute. 30 neither nor disconnected significant relationship precedes. 'From position' severed language. define very must equally discharged. Neither 'restoration' clauses. supra. Indeed explicit phrase 'from itself, 31 tear context impossible. conjunctive Nor permissible disconnect constituent term. can doubt intended guaranteed least minimum one-year period. indeed specific 32 there sense thrown altogether. simply opportunity operation system greater accorded forces, remained going 'considered service.' held, indeed, outrank nonveteran amount restored; words, so-called 'superseniority.' squarely demotion, demotion mean impairment 'If period, demoted, status, protect, old changed. lose acquire inferior 'discharged position." page 286, 1112. 33 inherent rationalization extent rate applicable, severable, them. course destroys resulting non-applicability rights.' While 'superseniority,' gave 34 confer nullify them will, once Equally clearly create operative vaguely variously applicable continues, 35 conclusion, said, remain job, reduced, decreased, affected. true, valid reasons changed disadvantage equal simply, required, 'so ground absence.' 285, 1111. gain advantages employees. 36 think mind far-reaching consequence nation-wide employment, public private, benefit. acted, declared war men called service inducted year's training, assurance return civilian life occupations Visionary notion proved be, hardly specified indefinitely. 37 pointed distinguishing 871, But, inconsistent termination. veteran, disadvantaged nation. 'was penalized job.' 284, kept, least, situation gone continuously 'on clear, addition automatically deducted ruled advantage restoration, Act's provisions, 'an increase never services. * No step-up priority fairly implied.' pages 38 meant altered processes administration policy.25 extraordinary extended equality identical inharmonious rationalization, Congress. 39 unable Aside except mootness. treated exactly groups, contained nonveterans large numbers. made. ex-Highland alike. valid, infringed apart us, stated. decide giving special defined creating preference extend further shown demoted beneath rightful though enough whenever 41 find unnecessary pass petitioners' afforded terminates ending much restoration. reserve fellow worker. 42 reasons, founded literal policy evident face, disposition weakened strained unconvincing citation 43 argument grounded conclusions drawn changes explanation committee various form bills eventually Guard Act, 54 Stat. 858, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, 401 seq. Apart inconclusive history, contention final bill named none all. possibilities opinion, Moreover, important relied explanation.26 interpretation statutes safely rest mute intermediate maneuvers.27 44 whole cloth principle rejected regarded Lacking better footing, stand. 45 jud reversed. account ordered. 46 Reversed. 47 JACKSON, FRANKFURTER joins, dissenting. 48 Of millions wage earners War jobs services, organized industries, unorganized industries; incident jobs, rights. all, able get back civil life. industrial usually prevailing industry permanence wages, merely 'against 'loss 'He acquires had; services counted employments governed presence plant. acquired had, away. 49 different aspects employment. imperative who, contracts, normally positions enjoyed fellows behind. limited Congress, assured take twelve months. Congressionally whereby left, particularly, certainly worse If behind, Therefore, wielding agency discriminated discriminate Any fly completely face fashioning economic returning veterans, totally wanting wrote strange part. authorize arbitrary reduction scale, benefits, job. 52 assuring retention progression years aimed insure country retard advancement. likely furthering employee, suffer consequences return. treatment stayed achieved delaying disadvantages letting affect 53 army Now lost booted and, expelled compelled join closed shop craft him. shocking hard law. What happened this: merged consolidated bigger concern kind—a corporation worked—and businesses ownership. united working forces relative groups belonged unions, authorities. company. 55 revolted. demanded smaller coming reorganized unit, enterprise won election. obtained allowing establishing shop. obliged others, suffered 56 Believing supported belief, remedy courts. His claim frivolous, below relief. tested court, charges acted way interests. oust left comply leave-of-absence-with-pay basis. short means industry. predicament comes fault workman, wish. 57 relieve duty imposed reinstating 'the majority compel expel union.' exaggerated fear conjured up hostility just happened, instead repudiating endorses threat. says 'must things, (a) allow supersede list, or, fairness negotiate employment.' 58 combines false alternative disingenuous presuppose absolute reemploying gives secured is, ended. 59 need fair solution go list units consolidated. worked consolidation. thwart it, machinery Board motion used disregard Whirls' Before reach infringed, asserts 60 Section 8(b)(B) refers restored, i.e., equivalent. specifies regardless others' are. Such terminate together diminution incidents. 1111, 1112, 'What (Congress) undertook framework guarantee termination year.' 288, 1113. interpreted broad prohibit ended Seniority which, nature, endure does, valuable protecting enhancing benefits. Ordinarily, functions measure impossibility, almost contradiction terms. 62 8(b)(B). unconditional beneficiary plan. right. exist, 'protection (Emphasis added.) 63 noted bargained bargain representative. makes unit' bargaining. 453, 9(a), U.S.C. s 159(a), 159(a). precludes repre ented prevents himself. Case Co. 321 332, 64 576, 88 762. placed powers limit. Courts immemorial undertake act good faith dealing themselves cost represent. authorizing organizations 'for mutual protection,' 452, 7, 157, indicates excuse unions wholesome principles trusteeship. similar intervene prevent colored minority. Speaking Chief Stone, recognizing 'contracts unfavorable effects represented' matters based differences conditions, said: 'Without attempting mark allowable limits contracts conditions purposes represent hours include discriminations differences.' Railroad 203, 232, 173. 'It exercise involves assumption toward interest behalf, grant deemed dispense exercised unless expressed.' 202, Firemen, 187, available administrative remedies, protection. I immutable immune stand modified. terminated modified craft. raises suspicion misappropriated benefit well own. tolerate expulsion depriving earn living invokes process protect rights—even mistakenly. labor practice 'To testimony' 158, 158. use by-pass Dorchy State Kansas, 272 306, 86, 71 248. equitable equity traditionally adapts developed pleadings. objection development record. done absorbed wholly-owned deny approved transparent scheme. rely deprivation 885, U.S.C.App. 301 seq., minor modification relevant. 798; 278, note 1105. amended expired major part March 31, Public Law 473, 79th Cong., 2d Sess., 341. saved fact appear affirmatively received entry consistently standard provided: 'In crisis, undeclared war, man relinquishes Government, accumulation.' 1107, details companies' operations. operation, approximately 100 produced worth $1,500,000 1,000 $12,000,000. 1106; 1248. 113, election, many 5. excluded supervisory miscellaneous 1114, 1115. 3. holdings modify structure, Rights (1937) Yale L.J. 73, 90; Christenson, Union Working Agreements Temp.L.Q. 355, 370, 371. 216. Trailer O.Supp. 39, O.O. 566, Hamilton County, certify overruled, O.Law Rep. Oct. 51; Bar 314. pleadings findings 'defendant herein plaintiff hiring, regulating to-wit: February 1935, directive System States, 3, time' defendant stated text threatened, restrained, rating. 8(e) quoted 280, 1108, 1109. disagreement views expressed Judge Learned Hand, Cir., 785, writing here. puts discussion desiring 'failure explore nature causes' 'as admission that' Steele, cases, supra; 'cannot lapse initial *' 16. noting class, numerous common Hence, rendering binding complaining 8. 866, 872. 'Sec. land naval training him, satisfactorily completes section 3(b) ertificate completion proficiency merit attained. '(b) order perform leaves position, temporary receives certificate, still qualified duties (3) forty days relieved service— '(A) Territories possessions, Columbia, pay; '(B) private employer, restore impossible unreasonable so; *.' states bona fide waiver. see 25. 'no Ryan New York Central R.R., 267 Mich. 208, 255 N.W. 365; Casey Brotherhood, 197 Minn. 189, 191, 266 737. 'The confined unionized industry.' Decision (1946) Col.L.Rev. 1030, 1031, authorities cited. typically created delimited Ibid. 20. components 'position,' Thus, accepted, reduced. previously 'a pay.' 18. recognized 'position' 'Seniority' (c) See, e.g., Dillon Gloss, 256 368, 375, 510, 512, 994; Sunflower Oil Wilson, 142 313, 322, 237, 1025; Williston, Contracts (Rev.Ed.) 152. recalled, forbids 'without cause' qualification especially 8(c). demote requirements respect. S.Rep. 1987, 76th Sess.; H.Rep. 2847, 3d 2874, Sess. relies statements debates. 'As true materials, extract particular segments immediate come road signs pointing opposite directions.' Hust Moore-McCormack Lines, 707, 733, 1218, 1231. None selections subject

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