Document: 409 U.S. 213 93 S.Ct. 385 34 L.Ed.2d 422 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v. GRANITE STATE JOINT TEXTILE WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA, LOCAL 1029,AFL-CIO. No. 71-711. Argued Nov. 13, 1972. Decided Dec. 7, Syllabus Where neither the Union-employer contract nor Union's constitution or bylaws defined limited circumstances under which a member could resign from Union, it was an unfair labor practice for Union to fine employees who had been members in good standing but resigned during lawful strike authorized by and thereafter returned work that strike. Pp. 215—218. 446 F.2d 369, reversed. Norton J. Come, Washington, D.C., petitioner. Harold B. Roitman, Boston, Mass., respondent. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion of Court. 1 Respondent is union collective-bargaining agreement with employer contained maintenance-of-membership clause providing were, as condition employment, remain 'as payment dues' duration contract. Neither any provision defining limiting resign. A few days before collective expired, membership voted if no reached given date. No specified period, so attendant picketing commenced. Shortly thereafter, held meeting at resolved aiding abetting would be subject $2,000 fine. 2 About six weeks later, two sent their letters resignation. Six months more 29 other resigned. These 31 work. 3 The gave them notice charges made against on dates hold trials. None appeared prescribed; trials nonetheless took place even absence fines were imposed all.1 Suits filed collect fines. But outcome not determined because National Labor Relations Board Union. 4 charged restrained coerced 'in exercise rights guaranteed section 7.'2 See § 8(b)(1) Act.3 ruled violated 8(b)(1). 187 N.L.R.B. 636. Court Appeals denied enforcement Board's order. 369. case here certiorari, 405 987, 92 1247, 452. 5 We NLRB v. Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co., 388 175, 87 2001, 18 1123, did violate fining went suing reviewed length legislative history §§ 7 8(b)(1), concluded close majority vote disciplinary measures taken its those facts within ambit union's control over internal affairs. sanctions allowed 'enjoyed full membership.' Id., 196, S.Ct., 2015. 6 Yet when lawfully resigns union, power him ends. noted Scofield NLRB, 394 423, 429, 89 1154, 1158, 22 385, rule 'invades frustrates overriding policy laws may enforced, expulsion, without violating 8(b)(1).' On facts, we Scofield, where fell Allis-Chalmers. drew line between permissible impermissible action follows: '. . leaves free enforce properly adopted reflects legitimate interest, impairs Congress has imbedded laws, reasonably enforced are leave escape rule.' 430, 1158. 8 Under Act have 'the right refrain all' concerted activities relating bargaining mutual aid protection, well join participate activities. problem construing union.4 have, therefore, only apply law normally reflected our institutions—the individual associations, he sees fit 'subject course financial obligations due owing' group associated. Communications Workers America, C.I.O. 215 835, 838 (CA 2). 9 indicates certainly greater than union-member engages conduct proscribes, commits seeks conduct. That say, there dissolution relation, former man street. 10 weight fact resigning participated give factor little weight. first one after begun. others seven 12 commencement. And still progress inception. Events occurring calling unsettling effects, leading change his mind. likely increase specter hardship family; ease replaces strikers make seem less provident. do now decide what extent contractual relationship curtail freedom where, here, restraints resignation members,5 conclude vitality requires November actions endorsed May lost plea solidarity pressures conformity submission regime. 11 Reversed. Chief BURGER, concurring. 13 I Court's me institutional needs important though they are, outweigh individual. balance difficult; unions need time pressing stress economic conflict. special protection associational individuals variety contexts; through Act, manifested concern specific context national scheme bargaining. employee freely chosen legal abandon privileges membership, us impose continued membership. 14 BLACKMUN, dissenting. 15 September 14, 1968, just prior expiration then force, began 20. 21 unanimously1 resolution anyone company exceeding $2,000. Each involved both these resolutions strike.2 period votes began. Membership voluntary, persons became time.3 16 In 1123 (1967), this state court levied strikebreaking member. that, 8(b)(1)(A) enacted, 'provisions punishable procedures trial appeal constituted part '(t)he courts' role contract." 182, 2007. scope confined restraint coercion visited upon organizational campaigns, id., 186—188, 2009—2011, arbitrary undemocratic leadership, 188—189, 2010—2012, prevented unit going work, 189 n. 25, 2011. viewed prohibiting imposition decline honor attempts such fines.' 195, 2014. Finding, consequence, employees' rights, sustained court. 17 Today reaches opposite result basis facts: 'Neither resign'; returning thus effecting 'a (the) relation.' As fact, am convinced presence constitution, example, should always difference respect existence enforceable, voluntary obligation activity. seems three factors member's vote, ratification penalties, actual participation strike, far reliable indicia boilerplate provisions constitution. second while implications member, hard put understand why alone, results 8(b)(1)(A), similar members, courts, does fall section's prohibition. supra. Are employee's stake Allis-Chalmers, same activity stops short union? cannot opinion, exalt formality substance various interests policies here. activity, very nature, grounded notion strength can garnered unity, solidarity, commitment. This concept particular force draw commitments fellow carried rest fundamentally reliance inheres 'pact.' Similar arising perhaps compelling legally enforceable. 1A A. Corbin, Contracts 198, pp. 210—212 (1963). 19 behalf importance 'The ultimate weapon labor's arsenal achieving terms, expel strikebreakers essential effective agent .." U.S., 181, case, joined thenfellow broke ranks,4 Their uncoerced. They fines, raised objections, feeling hardships befall compensated victory table. attempt bring matter later did,5 terminate 20 context, paramount stake, reasonable laws.' (1969).6 granting 'to activities, including strikes, case. Emphasizing meaning word 'refrain,' 'although gives refuse undertake involve himself necessarily midcourse once undertaken voluntarily.' 373. H.R.Conf.Rep. 510, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., 39—40 (1947). believe expressed applicable my view, frustrated holding could, knowingly waive return sanction.7 abide all outweighs, presented, admitted He resign, also prospect having pay voted. asserted changed undue justify resignations Nor claim unreasonable.8 Perhaps matters defense proceedings prevailing law. issues argued time. affirm decision below. Fines equivalent day's wages each day worked imposed. Section provides relevant part: 'Employees shall self-organization, form, assist organizations, bargain collectively representatives own choosing, engage purpose .' 61 Stat. 140, U.S.C. 157. 8(b). 'It organization agents— '(1) restrain coerce (A) 7: Provided, paragraph impair prescribe rules acquisition retention therein 141, 158(b). Union-security arrangements requiring dues, therefore excuse agreement, least allows option. General Motors Corp., 373 734, 83 1453, 670. argues accept annual ten-day 'escape period,' revoke 'dues check-off' authorizations. rejected argument, saying evidence knew consented limitation 372. There mild discrepancy record whether unanimous. examiner indicated (Pet. Cert. 23a.) dissenting vote. parties stipulated favor App. 45. It clear proceedings. shop 1965 agreement. express members' provision, submit Mechanical & Allied Production Local 444, 427 883 (CA1 1970); 838—839 (CA2 1954). And, longer resignations, retention-of-membership effect. Finally, found 'established practice' accepting 10-day knowledge enforced. reasonableness issue Counsel respondent stated oral argument ultimately company's offer. Tr. Oral Arg. 29. 394, (1969), indicated, dictum, avoid productivity statement construed mean never bind themselves fulfill maintain discipline Recent Cases, 85 Harv.L.Rev. 1669, 1674—1675, 23 (1972); Decisions, 40 Geo.Wash.L.Rev. 330, 338—339 (1971). contexts waived. E.g., Shop Rite Foods, Inc., 430 786 (CA5 1970). Indeed, opinions implicitly recognize 200, 2017, (1967) (Black, J., dissenting). unreasonable, unreasonable constitute violation 8(b)(1)(A). pass issue, (A). passed

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