Document: 498 U.S. 466 111 S.Ct. 880 112 L.Ed.2d 991 INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MASTERS, MATES & PILOTS, et al.v.Timothy A. BROWN. No. 89-1330. Argued Nov. 27, 1990. Decided Feb. 20, 1991. Syllabus Respondent, an unsuccessful candidate in prior elections of petitioner Union, advised the Union that he would be a upcoming 1988 election and requested provided with mailing labels so could arrange for timely literature to members Union's nominating convention. The request was denied because rule prohibited such preconvention mailings. Respondent filed suit under § 401(c) Labor Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959 (LMRDA), which places every union "under duty, enforceable at any bona fide . ., comply all reasonable requests distribute by mail or otherwise candidate's expense campaign literature. ." District Court entered preliminary injunction respondent's favor, ruling, inter alia, 401(c)'s clear language required it focus on reasonableness rather than denied, clearly reasonable, and, alternatively, invalid. Appeals affirmed. Held: Section does not require court evaluate before decides whether reasonable. Pp. 473-478. (a) It is undisputed, first, case moot even though has been distributed lost run office may well do again, likelihood again present obstacle his makes this controversy sufficiently capable repetition preserve Court's jurisdiction; second, respondent "bona candidate" within meaning when made request; third, there no basis contending "reasonable" apart from fact violated rule. 473-475. (b) text, structure, purpose Title IV LMRDA demonstrate simply prescribes straightforward test: Is distribution reasonable? section's plainly requires unions "all requests" (emphasis added), just as rules" making requests. Moreover, Congress gave right special status conferred upon other rights granted members, are expressly subject conditions imposed judicially only actions brought Secretary Labor. A broad interpretation also consistent statute's basic ensuring free democratic offsetting inherent advantage incumbent leadership over potential rank file challengers. Furthermore, arguments supporting its position per se unreasonable conflicts unpersuasive. advance reason suggesting unreasonable; thus, must granted. 475-478. 889 F.2d 58 (C.A.4 1989), STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. W. Michel Pierson, Baltimore, Md., petitioners. Paul Alan Levy, Washington, D.C., respondent. James Feldman amicus curiae respondent, leave Justice STEVENS 1 have statutory duty their membership response office. In wanted mailed union's convention mailing. question presented wasreasonable. Like Court, we conclude statute us give negative answer question. 2 * International Organization Masters, Mates Pilots (Union) represents about 8,500 employed in, work related to, maritime industry. Many away home extended periods time they ships ply high seas. Elections officers conducted four years means ballot. An international ballot committee, oversees election, elected convention, impartial balloting agency, conducts balloting, selected delegates App. 36, 25-26. ballots later 30 days1 after candidates nominated, returned ensuing 90-day period. rules authorize nominations but before.2 Any member good standing candidate; moreover, nominate himself. 3 1980 1984. On May 9, 1988, formally secretary-treasurer held fall provide him containing names addresses voting given service arrange, own expense, "election Convention." Id., 41. 4 June 2, wrote president advising office, intended send first July 6, had "had courtesy reply" earlier letter secretary-treasurer. 43. Five days later, following explanation why accommodated: 5 "Although I can understand your eagerness wanting out early, please soon established literature, will notified same time. 6 "As practice past, Constitution prescribes, IOMM P Convention event officially nominated particular Only takes place, Impartial Balloting Agency designated, agency handle designated. Please refer Article V, 10 Constitution. This procedure each fair equal amount adequately reach prohibit one having edge other." 44-45. 7 15, appealed denial general executive board,3 repeating desire action 5. 46. General Executive Board appeal. Labor-Management 73 Stat. 532, 29 U.S.C. 481(c).4 complaint, alleged scheduled begin August 22 "to encourage consideration candidacy issues hope[d] raise during deadline nominations, both order persuade should elected, attract support individuals who might inclined themselves so." 8-9.5 8 Two weeks sides affidavits hearing held, directing two main "within forty-eight hours, future deliver acceptable parties. 74. pay costs service. 74-75. based decision alternative grounds. First, denied. addition, concluded make approximately month "clearly reasonable," if application resulted rejection request, 77. 9 Second, standard review rule, campaigning essential introducing ideas postconvention period 90 inadequate effective whose members' kept them substantial 77-78. United States Fourth Circuit Brown v. Lowen, 857 216 (1988).6 majority entitled depended "entirely said reasonable." 217. conclusion involved "nothing more reading plain statute," ibid., buttressed democracy: 11 "When bureaucracy exclusive control lists, addresses, case, continuous contact particularly local officers, advantages incumbency attempt insurgent promote quadrennial obvious. By requiring access lists these reasonably moderated. And very moderation intention Act." 218. 12 found nothing rejected argument limit avoid discrimination, "since candidate, insurgent, plaintiff." Ibid. 13 dissenting judge discriminatory procedures. According dissent, did conform itself "per unreasonable." 219. After rehearing en banc,7 vote adopted majority's holding affirmed (1989) (per curiam ). We certiorari, 496 935, 110 3211, 659 (1990), resolve conflict between Circuit's Third Donovan Metropolitan Council Carpenters, 797 140 (1986). II 14 Three important propositions undisputed. small margin, moot. again.8 our jurisdiction. See, e.g., Moore Ogilvie, 394 814, 816, 89 1493, 1494, 23 (1969) ("The problem therefore 'capable repetition, yet evading review,' Southern Pacific Terminal Co. Interstate Commerce Commission, 219 498, 515 [31 279, 283, 55 L.Ed. 310] [ (1911) ]"). 15 certified meeting committee accordance formal procedures, office" 481(c). 401(e) guarantees "reasonable qualifications uniformly imposed" Union.9 opinions Wirtz Hotel Employees, 391 492, 88 1743, 20 763 (1968), Steelworkers Usery, 429 305, 97 611, 50 502 (1977), contend refuse recognize eligible until process completed. As explained Wirtz: 16 "Congress intend authorization 'reasonable imposed' reach. contrary implicit legislative history section wording 'every shall hold .' provisions stress freedom Unduly restrictive result abuses entrenched enacted curb. check preventive measure seriously impaired substantially deplete ranks those opposition incumbents. 17 "It follows Local bylaw qualification' measured terms consistency Act's command conduct 'free democratic' elections." U.S., 499, S.Ct., 1748 (footnote omitted). 18 Third, against mailings, 401(c). No raised responsibility cost administrative complying request. sole issue rendered unreasonable. III 19 inquiry primarily curtailing mailed. explicitly instructs 481(c) added). requests," Unlike member's created unlike speech rights, governed sections §§ 101(a)(1) 101(a)(2), 411(a)(1) 411(a)(2), "subject constitution, unqualified.10 Labor, directly individual member. Thus, suggests, pertaining confer members. 21 ensure elections. See Glass Bottle Blowers, 389 463, 470, 643, 647, 705 (1968). specifically designed offset "inherent challengers" possessed leadership. 474, 649. One identified Archibald Cox testimony incumbents' "the newspaper chief vehicle communication members."11 commenting positions advocated press purpose. advances three considered nondiscriminatory through correctly notes predetermined rules, election-related evaluated view rules. argues furthers discrimination election. relies congressional policy avoiding unnecessary intervention internal affairs labor unions. find Rules must, course, govern candidates, casting ballots, counting votes. connection distributing membership, establish procedures requests, selecting agent, paying doubt desirable. justifications underlying (uniformity treatment, reduction burdens) notice existence publication relevant determining But concerns way dictate prohibiting mailings Here, particular, place burden assume elections, political more, less, exchange views contribute process. mailing, hoped "more information" inform decisions. 14. 24 concern among surely satisfied allows denies access. Indeed, arguably opening channels possible better serves interest leveling playing field offsets incumbents allies possess electoral 25 into reflected several LMRDA. already referred protected imposed." 481(e). Similarly, provision LMRDA, 411(a)(1), governing attend meetings regulations." speak freely organization's meetings." 411(a)(2). These expressions respect notably absent 26 Having dispensed need note contend, example, caused financial hardship discriminated candidate. absence showing unreasonableness hold, lower courts' findings, 27 judgment 28 ordered. 1984 were 30th day. 57. affidavit describes procedure: "The followed permit list made. including incumbents, use Ballot Committee meets close reviews eligibility. Candidates accept nomination ten certify prevented (Article 5). Once certified, notifies used communications members." 60-61. Between conventions, board, consisting vice presidents. 18-19. provides: "Every national organization, except federation organizations, organization district maintains principal aid person's refrain favor whenever organizations behalf reference similar treatment distribution. Every right, once inspect last known collective bargaining agreement therein condition employment, maintained designated official thereof. Adequate safeguards insure provided, observer polls ballots." few lawsuit filed, representative Department letters parties expressing unlawful. 52-54; see Brief Amicus Curiae 4. "[alt]hough injunction, granting motion effect constituted merits," reviewed merits, "affirm[ed] merits." F.2d, 216. Although participated stages litigation, she brief oral banc panel. irregularities persuaded new remains However, presumably concerning open provides part: "In secret opportunity (subject 504 imposed) choice, without being penalty, discipline, improper interference reprisal kind thereof." " '[W]here includes omits another Act, generally presumed acts intentionally purposely disparate inclusion exclusion.' Russello States, 464 16, 23, 104 296, 300, 78 (1983) (quoting Wong Kim Bo, 472 720, 722 (CA5 1972)); Motors Corp. 530, 537-538, 541, 2528, 2532, 2534, 480 (1990). Hearings S. 505 al. Subcommittee Senate Public Welfare, 86th Cong., 1st Sess., 134 (1959). Consistent Cox's observations, here regular source news affairs." 13.

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