Document: 404 U.S. 37 92 S.Ct. 185 30 L.Ed.2d 198 NORFOLK AND WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, Petitioner,v.Richard NEMITZ et al. No. 70—97. Argued Oct. 21, 1971. Decided Nov. 15, Rehearing Denied Jan. 10, 1972. See 1026, 668. Martin M. Lucente, Chicago, Ill., for petitioner. Thomas J. Murray, Jr., Sandusky, Ohio, respondents. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In connection with a 1964 consolidation by which petitioner railway company absorbed New York, Chicago & St. Louis R. Co. (Nickel Plate), so-called Sandusky Line, running from Columbus, to was acquired Pennsylvania Railroad system. Respondents were at time employees on Line. Their work seasonal because winter freeze barred navigation Lake Erie. During those periods junior worked other points Pennsylvania's Toledo Division. 2 anticipation consolidation, entered into an agreement 19 labor organizations protection several railroads coming including Petitioner agreed employ 'all lines involved guarantee that they will not be adversely affected in their employment as result proposed transactions or any reason than furloughs due requirements decline volume traffic revenue.' 324 D.C.C. 1, 89 (emphasis added). 3 Each employee receive monthly supplement his post-consolidation earnings equal excess, if any, average compensation 12 months prior he had performed services. 4 Some 96 Line elected accept terms and conditions stated. Twenty-five men who seasonally Division plaintiffs this action. 5 The took place over year elapsed during these trainmen paid promised. Arbitration pursuant collective upon. At point 1965 union new reduced substantially benefits been employees. District Court (287 F.Supp. 221; 309 575) held enforceable matter law it violated Act under merger place. Appeals affirmed, 436 F.2d 841, modification damages respondent-employees should determined Court, through arbitration. case is here petition writ certiorari we granted, 402 994, 91 2171, 29 159. 6 Section 5(2)(f)1 Interstate Commerce amended, 54 Stat. 906, 49 U.S.C. § 5(2)(f), provides mergers consolidations 'the Commission shall require fair equitable arrangement protect interests railroad affected' period four years. 7 ICC its approval (324 I.C.C. 106 (1964)) stated agreements respecting, inter alia, rights 'made conformity section 5(2)(f) covered employees.'2 8 It construed requiring 'that job eliminations acquisition control accomplished only normal attrition.' Ibid. 9 mandate seems clear enough: 'shall affected.' Commission, noted, said protective made provisions gave authorization 'subject such agreements.' I.C.C., 50. Solicitor General argue amicus curiae brief last sentence 'notwithstanding' provision—relieved duty review adequacy contained collective-bargaining agreement, accorded order.3 10 We disagree view. reviewed history Railway Labor Executives' Assn. v. United States, 339 142, 70 530, 94 L.Ed. 721, 'one principal purposes provide mandatory consolidations.'4 Id., 148, S.Ct., 533. That 'mandatory protection' can provided or, more likely, adopts approves adequate minimum years (as required second sentence) longer allowed first so provides. 154, 536. purpose jobs but compensatory conditions. Brotherhood Maintenance Way Employes 366 169, 175—176, 81 913, 916—917, 206. noted has consistently followed practice 'in 80 cases, full support intervening brotherhoods.' 177, 917. And again adopted set discharge 5(2)(f). Gulf, O.R. Purchase, 261 405, 434; Erie Trackage Rights, 295 303, 305; Delaware, L. W.R. 743, 755—756. 11 When there here, it, not, suggested, read out Act. then becomes 'condition' Commission's 'approval' 5(2) (f) are deemed 'a interests' within meaning sentence. Thus, significance proviso machinery pre-merger thus supplies measure fairness implementing after between petitioner's claim limited before regardless how many sections say, each them would based work. respondent Nemitz $583.34 representing pre-consolidation Under governing supplemented extent fell short $583.34. compensation, solely if, received much unemployment compensation. obviously placed worse position respect compensation,' words used agreement. For no could part former except reflecting parts Division, 'compensation' entitled whose historical slight now insurance, drastic 'normal attrition,' whay eliminated. said: 13 'An Sec. may vary protections afforded order, abrogate employees' grounded order.' 848. 14 agree also agreement5 abrogated standard agreement6 come order Commission. 15 judgment below therefore affirmed. 16 Affirmed. 17 BLACKMUN, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE WHITE join, dissenting. 18 I am sympathetic respondents unfortunate predicament which, largely own acts, find themselves. feel, however, Court's decision effect federal district court jurisdiction exists affirmed amounts sympathetically imposed judicial cure authorized Act, violative Congress' intent, ignores unusually legislative history. January 1962 Norfolk Western respondents' Brotherhood, others, event anticipated merger. This express paragraph VIII, directed Act.' October union, Implementing Agreement. follows, me, number factors demand opposite reached Court: 20 1. very language statute. added Transportation 1940, 906. Act's provision relating benefits. thrust subsection's third sentence, beginning exclusionary word 'notwithstanding,' crucial here. 21 directs condition merger, 'require states include four-year period. reads: 22 'Notwithstanding pertaining hereafter carrier carriers duly representative representatives employees.' 23 plain unambiguous language, necessarily affecting two preceding sentences, requires controlling. sentences have application, therefore, when 'pertaining executed. us did execute kind specified, play. today nullifies reads 24 2. clearly antagonistic 1940 accident floor-conceived legislation. Indeed, Senator Wheeler led 'venture assertion bill given careful thoughtful consideration ever Senate my time.' 86 Cong.Rec. 11270. emerged economically distressed days 1930's, Washington Job Protection Agreement 1936 (see Hearings H.R. 2531 House Committee Foreign Commerce, 76th Cong., 1st Sess., vol. p. 231), recommendations President F. D. Roosevelt's Six Hearings, supra, 259). 25 What original version (H.R. 4862, Sess.), (S. 2009, indeed, draft initial H.R.Conf.Rep.No.2016 April 26, 3d Sess. surfaced revised submitted supplanting H.R.Conf.Rep.No.2832 August 7, 26 replaced earlier Harrington Amendment version. reasons change effected conferees forth pages 68—69 H.R.Conf.Rep.No.2832. Although comments do focus apparent debates. 27 Representative succeeded amending directive approve transaction resulting displacement 84 9882, 9886, 10127. conference committee, eliminated all employee-protection provisions. floor, Wadsworth recommitment instructions, among drafted unions 5886. As Congressman Harrington, advocate compulsory protection, 28 'But contains clause permits industry, processes bargaining, problems democratic manner.' 5871. motion recommit passed. committee course reported present form. Wolverton, conferee, spoke bill: 'And, further uncertainty some whether amendment might preclude voluntary agreements, management being into. 31 'I want, make one expressed opinions mentioned thought moment possibilities intended sponsors amendment.' 10189. 32 Lea referred confirming right enter take care consolidations.' 10178. 33 evinces positive intent authors legislation appropriate explicitly withdraw Commission-dictated whenever voluntarily arrive satisfactory them. clause. Furthermore, accord 'strong policy against governmental interference substantive North Union, 570, 579 n. 11, 1731, 1736, 187 (1971). view, today, decisions Appeals, overlook choose ignore Instead, achieved exact congressional policy. 34 urge past recognized responsibility sufficiency third-sentence 'adopt' orders, citing 721 (1950), 206 (1961). These produces theory jurisdiction. Neither apposite. presented question power precribe extending beyond refers. holding affirmative. makes decision. But premerger there, three case. Nor latter case, where issue whether, formulates two, must retain simply equivalent disagreement parties arose hearing what arrangements fulfillment duty. 35 taken line above, See, e.g., Great Northern Pacific Burlington Lines-Merger-Great Co., 331 228, 278 (1967); Co.-Merger-New York Central 327 475, 544 (1966); Co.-Merger, 9, 90 (1964); Missouri Corp. Nebraska Trustee Operation, 247 653, 657 (1941). 36 nor single instance either found wanting 'included' sense recognition existence necessary relieve itself otherwise two.* 3. bargaining. appears me courts always intrude upon reviewing product, thereby discourage downgrade process firmly established area steadfastly protected. example, International Association Machinists Street, 367 740, 1784, 1141 too clear, general namely, employment,' widely varying interpretations applied specific dilemmas implies however protective, nevertheless regarded controlling subsequently less Commissioners judges think been. warrants our espousing overview. 38 4. facts element choice. Contrary impression quick appraisal something reasonable expectation receiving approved. On face, application ('placed compensation') reflected generality ambiguous. Interpretation understanding parties' intentions without substantial selection future transfer choice continued Pennsylvania, seniority division maintained, abandoning working territory casting lot acquirer Had chosen stay expected would, brought plight. personal as, perhaps, residence (a factor ideal convenience off-season made), chose incurred risks both unexpected circumstances. situation highlights wisdom leave solution problem (their bargaining well Pennsylvania), rather benevolent hindsight court. 39 All propels conclusion incorporated authorizing state see satisfied execution follows complaint dismissed. provides: 'As approval, paragraph, involving subject chapter, providing effective date employment, continue period, following order. Notwithstanding Report, 50: previously herein appendix A, various transactions. Our authorizations will, reference, agreements. * 'We that, conditioned herein, meet prescribed 20a act conform generally objectives national transportation declared Congress. convinced approved.' Appendix Report Order, 89, continued: 'Norfolk organizations, members Association, Western, Nickel Plate, Wabash, persons employed represented organizations. assumption outstanding contracts, schedules Plate having basically unification attrition. terms, agrees consummation lease, purchase, result, course, basis 1336. A synopsis Joe Paper Atlantic Coast 347 298, 315, 74 574, 583, 98 1118. approved described Order 89: 'The throughout merged system permitting follow assigned craft class same locality existing jobs, retraining, necessary, Western's expense.' negotiated disagreed union's National Board Appeals. Both, proceeded mistaken view law. refer Florida East Reorganization, 307 (1958), aff'd, 312 744, 171 512 (S.D.Fla.1959), plainly sustained determination bankruptcy reorganization involved, applicable.

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