Document: 456 U.S. 431 102 S.Ct. 1867 72 L.Ed.2d 239 Donald FINNEGAN et al., Petitionersv.Harold D. LEU al. No. 80-2150. Argued Feb. 24, 1982. Decided May 17, Syllabus Sections 101(a)(1) and (2) of Title I the Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959 (Act) guarantee equal voting rights free speech assembly to "[e]very member a labor organization," § 609 VI makes it unlawful for union "to fine, suspend, expel, or otherwise discipline any its members exercising right which he is entitled" under Act. Section provides that person whose have been infringed by violation thereof may bring an action in federal district court appropriate relief. Petitioners were discharged from their appointed positions as business agents respondent local president following his election over candidate supported petitioners. also union, discharges did not render them ineligible continue membership. filed suit against respondents Federal District Court alleging violated §§ (2). The granted summary judgment respondents, holding does protect employee discharge if employee's are affected. Appeals affirmed. Held : failed establish Pp. 1870-1873. (a) It apparent both language 101(a)(1), (2), 609, I's legislative history, Congress sought rank-and-file members, job security tenure officers employees such. 1870-1871. (b) term "discipline," used refers only retaliatory actions affect member's status union. disciplinary sanctions suspension, expulsion enumerated all punitive taken members. In contrast, employment impinge upon incidents membership, affects extent they happen be employees. Moreover, essentially same elsewhere with specific intent officer. Accordingly, removal appointive within scope explicitly prohibited 609. 1871-1872. (c) prevented campaign president's opponent vote election, allege indirect interference those rights. Whatever limits places on union's authority utilize dismissal office part attempt suppress dissent restrict freedom elected leader choose staff views compatible own. Neither nor history suggests was intended address issue patronage, overriding objective being rather ensure unions would democratically governed responsive membership's will expressed open elections. 1872-1873. 652 F.2d 58 (6th Cir.), Samuel G. Bolotin, Toledo, Ohio, Theodore M. Iorio, respondents. Chief Justice BURGER. 1 question presented this case whether president, agents, 1959, 73 Stat. 519, 29 U.S.C. 401 seq. Appeals, Cir.) held discharge. We certiorari resolve Circuit conflicts,1 454 813, 89, 70 82 (1981), we affirm. 2 * December 1977, Harold Leu defeated Omar Brown presidency Local 20 International Brotherhood Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen Helpers America, organization representing workers 14-county area northwestern Ohio.2 During vigorously contested campaign, petitioners, then 20, openly incumbent Brown. Upon assuming January 1978, petitioners Local's other whom had 1975.3 explained felt loyal Brown, him, therefore unable follow implement policies programs. 3 20's bylaws—which adopted by, amended membership—provide shall appoint, direct, Union's agents. Bylaws Union Art. IX, D, Joint Exhibit 1, p. 15 (1975). duties include participation negotiating collective-bargaining agreements, organizing processing grievances. addition, along officers, shop stewards, sit Stewards Council, Union. come up through ranks, 20. Discharge 4 United States Court, terminated Act, 411(3/5)(1), 411(A)(2), 412, 529. Navarro v. Leu, 469 F.Supp. 832 (1979). Sixth affirmed, concluding "that should able work who cooperate program carry out directives, these served at pleasure actively could removed agents." App. Pet. Cert. A3. II 5 product congressional concern widespread abuses power leadership. relevant provisions tracing back more than two decades evolution statutes relating unions. Tensions between leaders allegations wrongdoing led extended inquiry. As originally introduced, legislation focused disclosure requirements regulation trusteeships However, various amendments adopted, aimed enlarged protection paralleling certain guaranteed Constitution; surprisingly, ultimately enacted 411-415 introduced title "Bill Rights Members Labor Organizations."4 placed emphasis expression without fear many instances mean loss membership turn livelihood. Such necessary further Act's primary ensuring memberships. See 105 Cong.Rec. 6471-6472, 6476, 15530 (1959), Leg.Hist. 1098-1099, 1103, 1566. 6 411(a)(1) rely, rights, assembly, organization" (emphasis added).5 529, renders representatives entitled Act." (Emphasis added.)6 readily apparent, I, members—not employees, such—whom protect.7 7 dual undoubtedly protected support candidacy. At here thereby immunized III 8 contend position constitutes "discipline" meaning 609; termination when predicated exercise conclude speaks terms disciplining "members"; three specifically enumerated—fine, expulsion—are members.8 Sheridan Carpenters 626, 306 152, 156 (CA3 1962). discern nothing petitioners' claim system 9 101(a)(5), 411(a)(5), states "[n]o fined, suspended, expelled, disciplined" procedural protections. Conference Report accompanying S. 1555 finally enacted, H.R.Conf.Rep.No. 1147, 86th Cong., 1st Sess., 31 935, explains "prohibition suspension observing safeguards applies union; refer officer " added). This too persuasive indication virtually identical likewise meant diminishing employee.9 10 hold, therefore, IV 11 Our analysis complicated, however, fact 102, independent based alleged 12 "[a]ny secured civil such relief (including injunctions) appropriate." 13 Although relationship entirely clear, seems evident litigant maintain 102—to redress "infringement" "rights secured" I—without necessarily stating 609.10 14 still remains, "infringed" employment. Petitioners, but Rather, maintaining forced "choos[e] . jobs." Retail Clerks 648 Assn., 299 1012, 1021 (DDC 1969). need decide office—even though 609—might ever give rise cause 102. For whatever "part purposeful deliberate union," cf. Schonfeld Penza, 477 899, 904 (CA2 1973), own.11 Indeed, neither even patronage.12 To contrary, governed, open, periodic Wirtz Hotel Employees, 391 492, 497, 88 1743, 1746, 763 (1968). Far inconsistent purpose, ability select own administrators integral administration's responsiveness mandate election. 16 Here, presidential vigorous democratic processes protect. candidate—campaigned substantial margin. bylaws, subject amendment, grant plenary discharge, direct significant responsibility day-to-day conduct affairs. Nothing evinces alter traditional pattern permit circumstances appoint choice policies. 17 No doubt poses dilemma some employees; refuse risk displeasure, supporting him displeasure successor. enacting simply concerned perpetuating expense staff. concerns promoting democracy, protecting arbitrary officers. 18 decision 19 Affirmed. BLACKMUN, BRENNAN joins, concurring. 21 am prepared hold newly discipline, violating seq., matter retaliation, member-employees opposed notes, possesses, ante, 1870-1871, choice. 22 must assume what holds today instrumental evolving administrative Elrod Burns, 427 347, 96 2673, 49 547 (1976); Branti Finkel, 445 507, 100 1287, 63 574 (1980). uses "staff," 1873, "his administrators," ibid. particular bylaws expressly With much, no difficulty. 23 On understanding, opinion reaching respect nonpolicymaking is, (a which, me, presents another day), join Court's opinion. See, e.g., Lamb Miller, 212 U.S.App.D.C. 393, 660 792 (1981); Maceira Pagan, 649 (CA1 1981); Newman 1101, Communications Workers, 570 439 1978); Bradford Textile Workers 1093, 563 1138 (CA4 1977); Gabauer Woodcock, 520 1084 (CA8 1975), cert. denied, 423 1061, 800, 46 653 Wambles 488 888 (CA5 1974); Wood Dennis, 489 849 (CA7 1973) (en banc ), 415 960, 94 1490, 39 575 (1974); Grand Lodge Assn. Machinists King, 335 340 (CA9), 379 920, 85 274, 334 (1964); 152 challenged results and, investigation, Secretary determined employer contributions affected outcome Northern ordered rerun Secretary's supervision; Marshall 611 645 second again previously each 1974 presidency. slight margin, set aside because irregularities polling places. won 1975 supervision panel When 1975, see n. 2, supra, resigned. original Rights" amendment floor Senate Senator McClellan 47-46. 6469-6493 National Relations Board, Legislative History pp. 1096-1119 (1959) (hereafter Leg.Hist.). compromise version Kuchel substituted shortly thereafter, 6716-6727 1229-1239, later approved House Representatives Landrum-Griffin bill, H.R. 8400, Sess. 628-633. 15711, 15859-15860, 1692-1702 1645, 1691-1692, 1693-1702. provides: "Every privileges nominate candidates, elections referendums organization, attend meetings, participate deliberations reasonable rules regulations organization's constitution bylaws." 101(a)(2) meet assemble freely members; express views, arguments, opinions; meetings candidates properly before meeting, established pertaining meetings: Provided, That herein construed impair adopt enforce every toward institution refraining interfere performance legal contractual obligations." "It officer, agent, steward, representative section applicable enforcement section." consistently "members." passed Senate, 101(a)(4)—which present form protects "any member" institute proceedings 411(a)(4)—applied 1555, 101(a)(4) 520. words "or officer" deleted 630-631, retained Conference, H.R.Conf.Rep.No.1147, 935. F.2d, 156-157. Compare 201(a)(5)(H) 431(a)(5)(H), requires reporting procedures "discipline breaches trust" 344, "identical quite different meanings" sections. found "legislative gloss" "otherwise 101(a)(5) stemmed primarily "wrongdoing officials"—and particularly guilty misappropriating funds—might permitted remain control while time-consuming 'due process' met." Id., 341-342. 17899 (remarks Sen. Kennedy). viewing inapplicable regard concluded "although intend 'otherwise discipline' 609." 345. 14; 853-854. agree purposes sections different, distinction drawn King one plausibly chosen make. hard pressed either Certainly expect substantially meanings enactment manifested intention concrete fashion. 858 (Stevens, J., concurring result). course, retaliation whereas I. somewhat duplicative regards imposed due large derived sources serve purposes. first included so-called Amendment, 4, designed creating individual 6719 1232. precursor created criminal penalties bill prior addition 506 (as reported), 390; apparently thought violations provisions. 6534 1140; Rothman, Members, 45 Minn.L.Rev. 199, 218 (1960). provision, "temper[ed] remedy," 15531 1567 Rep. Griffin), providing instead sanctions. 676. Finally, day passage authorize private suits making "[t]he promoted Congressmen lead "unnecessary injection executive branch level into law matters," 15830 1662 Cramer). 219. leave result might obtain involving nonconfidential think inconceivable longstanding practice patronage discussion (1973) ) Had contemplated, encountered resistance. likely made accommodation needs employers remove policymaking officials.

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