Document: 488 U.S. 347 109 S.Ct. 639 102 L.Ed.2d 700 SHEET METAL WORKERS' INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION et al., Petitionersv.Edward LYNN. No. 86-1940. Argued Nov. 7, 1988. Decided Jan. 18, 1989. Syllabus In an attempt to alleviate a financial crisis plaguing petitioner local union (Local), which is affiliate of international (International), the International's president appointed Richard Hawkins as trustee supervise Local's affairs, with authority under constitution suspend officers and business representatives. Five days after special meeting at membership defeated Hawkins' proposal increase their dues, notified respondent Lynn, elected representative Local, that he was being removed "indefinitely" from his position because outspoken opposition meeting. After exhausting intraunion remedies, Lynn brought suit in Federal District Court, claiming removal violated free speech provision Title I Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959 (LMRDA or Act). The court granted summary judgment for petitioners Finnegan v. Leu, 456 431, 1867, 72 239, held discharge union's agents by president, following election over incumbent whom had campaigned, did not violate I. However, Court Appeals reversed, holding control where dismissed official rather than appointed, rejecting contention Lynn's valid it carried out trustee. Held: agent, retaliation statements made dues sought trustee, violates LMRDA. Pp. 352-359. (a) Petitioners' argument unpersuasive status elected, immaterial, loss employment cannot amount violation remains member Local prevented attending meeting, expressing views on proposal, casting vote. Even though actually exercising such rights, interfered those rights forcing him choose between them job. Moreover, contrast official, denies members who voted choice has more pronounced chilling effect upon exercise own thereby contravening LMRDA's basic objective ensuring unions are democratically governed responsive will membership, must be discuss policies criticize leadership without fear reprisal. Finnegan, supra, distinguished. 353-355. (b) cause action affected fact during trusteeship lawfully imposed III Act. Nothing language legislative history suggests lost whenever imposed. Given this congressional silence, trustee's ordinarily should construed manner consistent I's protections. As concede, imposition does destroy critical right vote increases guarantees members. That would meaningful if were able members' debate issue. instant case, concerning proposed entitled protection, since nothing changed nature office so obligated support positions. 356-358. 804 F.2d 1472 (9th Cir.1986), affirmed. MARSHALL, J., delivered opinion REHNQUIST, C.J., BRENNAN, BLACKMUN, STEVENS, O'CONNOR, SCALIA, JJ., joined. WHITE, filed concurring judgment, post, p. 359. KENNEDY, took no part consideration decision case. Donald W. Fisher, Toledo, Ohio, petitioners. Bruce M. Stark, Long Beach, Cal., respondent. Justice MARSHALL Court. 1 239 (1982), we Act), 73 Stat. 519, 29 U.S.C. § 401 seq. question presented case whether Ninth Circuit LMRDA protected agent these circumstances. We certiorari address important issue internal governance labor unions, 485 958, 108 1219, 99 420 (1988), now affirm. 2 * June 1981, Edward 3-year term 75 Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (International).1 instrumental organizing fellow concerned about Local. These members, called themselves Club (Club), published leaflets demonstrated, basis Department Labor statistics, officials spending far two other sheet metal locals area. urged reduce expenditures order problems. A majority apparently agreed, they three successive proposals dues. 3 Following third vote, 1982, 17 officials, including sent letter general requesting "immediately take whatever [is] . necessary including, but limited to, put sound basis." App. 14. Invoking constitution, responded placing delegating Hawkins, "to direct" affairs "including, officers, managers, representatives." Art. 3, 2(c), Constitution Ritual Association, Revised Amended Authority Thirty-Fifth General Convention, St. Louis, Missouri (1978). 4 Within month appointment, decided needed rectify situation. Recognizing lacked impose unilaterally, prepared submitted approved executive board. then convened Prior advised expected support. first wanted commitment expenditures, declined provide. thus spoke secret ballot later, specifically increase. 20. 5 LMRDA, 412, claiming, inter alia, 101(a)(2), 411(a)(2).2 petitioners, reasoning that, "[a] member's statutory oppose affords protection against dismissal opposition." Pet. Cert. 36a. 6 reversed. (1986). employee former "can only impede democratic union." F.2d, 1479. "Allowing rights," explained, "would nullify candidate whose supports," id., 1479, n. impinge official's "spea[k] himself member" union. Id., also rejected trusteeship, stating "while may remove officer misconduct, incompetence, do speech." 1480 (citations omitted).3 II 7 "was product concern widespread abuses power leadership." U.S., 435, S.Ct., 1870. major reform bills originally introduced Senate, well bill ultimately reported Committee Public Welfare, S. 1555, 86th Cong., 1st Sess. (1959), dealt primarily disclosure requirements, elections, trusteeships. legislation evolved into "Bill Rights Members Organizations," adopted amendment Senate floor "legislators [who] feared go enough provide Steelworkers Sadlowski, 457 102, 109, 2339, 2344, 707 (1982).4 "[D]esigned guarantee every equal voting assembly, sue," ibid., "aimed enlarged paralleling certain guaranteed Constitution." providing Congress further LMRDA: "ensuring [are] memberships." 436, 1870; see Reed Transportation Union, 319, 325, 621, 626, 665 (1989); 112, 2346. 8 considered several staff positions discharged local's newly president. been openly supported unsuccessful reelection campaign. They subsequently relief constituted "infringement" 9 could establish claims inconsistent "overriding objective" governance. 441, 1873. Permitting victorious appoint frustrate objective; rather, ensured "responsiveness mandate election." Ibid. concluded "restrict freedom leader compatible own." agents' claim, consider retaliatory and, so, significant validly trusteeship. It questions turn.5 10 Petitioners argue "infringed" purposes like Under view, essentially immaterial violation. 11 This unpersuasive. place, acknowledged with, albeit indirectly, forced jobs. See 440, 442, 1872, even rights. same true here. attend express cast taking actions, right[s] section 101(a)." post direct result disagreement presumably discouraged speaking future, paid price 12 not, course, end analysis. Whether interference gives rise judged reference objective: ensure governed, expressed open, periodic elections." goal furthered when ousted incumbent. Indeed, recognition president's victory might rendered meaningless disloyal thwart implementation programs. While patronage-related discharges some agents, found outweighed need vindicate electorate. 13 consequences much different. To begin denied choice. deprived leadership, knowledge, advice time His removal, therefore, hardly "an integral administration's responsiveness Ibid.; Wirtz Hotel Employees, 391 492, 497, 88 1743, 1746-47, 20 763 (1968). 14 Furthermore, potential discharged. Not fired likely chilled him. Hall Cole, 412 1, 8, 93 1943, 1947-48, 36 702 (1973). Seeing just five led fight defeat yet another proposal,6 have one challenged hierarchy, all, one's peril. precisely what prevent passed "It recognized democracy assured reprisal." hold stated 102.7 B 15 next contend states different obtains here 530-532, §§ 461-466. 16 disagree. find its suggest intended fall wayside Had contemplated result, expect discussion text history.8 Congress' silence point, protections provided McDonald Oliver, 525 1217, 1229 (CA5), cert. denied, 429 817, 97 61, 50 77 (1976); United Brotherhood Carpenters & Joiners Brown, 343 872, 882-883 (CA10 1965); Dale, 118 LRRM 3160, 3167 (CD Cal.1985). there any circumstances acting pursuant can override confront.9 Section 101(a)(3) I, 411(a)(3), increase,10 conceded oral argument, vanish Tr. Oral.Arg. 5. seeking restore stability through required seek approval decide meaningful, exchange advantages disadvantages measure protected. which, statute, beyond control. 18 protection. point once imposed, Thus, view shared best solution problems reduction expenditures. circumstances, post.11 19 For reasons herein, conclude Accordingly, Affirmed. 21 KENNEDY 22 judgment. 23 436-437, 1870-71, observed "[i]t readily apparent, both provisions rank-and-file members—not employees, such—whom protect" (footnote omitted). If involves capacity officer, make difference appointed. But asserted campaign activities, member, election, response, said start confidence. sufficient dispose officers' claim 24 before us, member. duties defined constitution. Those relate collective bargaining administering collective-bargaining contract. seem include supporting dues; did, am sure spoken all. 25 unlike incoming staff, dismiss all shown here, went cause, i.e., incompetence behavior disqualifying tasks perform officers. Respondent's opposing matter resolve, countervailing interest rooted suffices 26 doubt resolution cases turns Rather inquiry speaks assigned duties. former, latter, becomes considerations deprive officer/member Title. dissolved March 1985. Two locals, parties below presently joint responsibility legal obligations. 101(a)(2) titled "Freedom Speech Assembly," provides: "Every organization shall meet assemble freely members; views, arguments, opinions; meetings candidates properly subject organization's established reasonable rules pertaining conduct meetings: Provided, herein impair adopt enforce toward institution refraining interfere performance contractual obligations." 522. provides relevant part: "Any person secured title infringed bring civil district States (including injunctions) appropriate." 523. dissent argued "the mere sufficient" distinguish 1486, injury suffered connected member." 1487. quickly accepted substantive change House." Furniture Moving Drivers Crowley, 467 526, 538, 104 2557, 2564, 81 (1984); 4, 1870 (1982). claimed 609 529, makes unlawful fine, suspend, expel, otherwise discipline Act." 541. "removal appointive within scope sanctions explicitly prohibited 609." 439, 1872. complaint 609, Appeals' analysis 102. nor lower courts. There suggestion contravened obligation reaching conclusion, reject petitioners' firing systematic effort stifle state Although noted arise "as 'part purposeful deliberate suppress union,' " 1873, quoting Schonfeld Penza, 477 899, 904 (CA2 1973), situation giving claim. merely proper resolution. Likewise, reserved "whether obtain involving nonpolicymaking nonconfidential employees." 11, 1873 11. appeared Kennedy-Ives 1958. 3974, 85th 2d response findings Select Improper Activities Management Field, popularly known McClellan Committee, "exposed details sad large sections movement numerous examples power." Note, Landrum-Griffin Trusteeship Imbroglio, 71 Yale L.J. 1460, 1473 (1962). found, particular, trusteeships too often "baselessly imposed." S.Rep. 1417, Sess., (1958). reappeared Kennedy-Ervin Welfare Congress. (1959). Report accompanying bill, although recognizing sometimes necessary, stressed "labor hearings committee demonstrate instances used means consolidating corrupt plundering dissipating resources preventing growth competing political elements organization." 187, (1959) (emphasis added); H.R.Rep. 741, U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 1959, pp. 2318, 2333, 2435. addition floor, little either House relationship contained III. surprising. From spring 1958, attention directed controversial titles, glided quietly labyrinthine process less discussion." L.J., 1475. One exception Senator Dodd require Secretary 105 Cong.Rec. 6675-6681 successfully amendment, Morse emphasized importance "look[ing] light not[ing] done way setting up procedures protect rank file unions." 6678 added). notes, precise III, survive matters engendered litigation courts." Brief Respondent 31. proceed caution relatively uncharted territory. "[T]he rates initiation fees payable date enactment increased, assessment levied except— "(A) organization, (i) good standing notice intention question, (ii) referendum conducted ballot. ." posttrusteeship international's occupy similar Finnegan. Cf. 101(b), 523, 411(b).

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