Document: 384 U.S. 238 86 S.Ct. 1420 16 L.Ed.2d 501 BROTHERHOOD OF RAILWAY AND STEAMSHIP CLERKS, FREIGHT HANDLERS, EXPRESS STATION EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, et al., Petitioners,v.FLORIDA EAST COAST COMPANY. UNITED STATES, Petitioner, v. FLORIDA COMPANY, Cross-Petitioner, STATES. Nos. 750, 782, and 783. Argued April 20, 1966. Decided May 23, [Syllabus from pages 238-240 intentionally omitted] Paul Bender, Washington, D.C., for the United States, pro hac vice, by special leave of Court. William B. Devaney, Florida East Coast Ry. Co. Neal Rutledge, Miami, Fla., Brotherhood Railway Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express Station Employees, AFL—CIO others. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion 1 This controversy started with a union demand on behalf nonoperating employees general 25-cent-per-hour wage increase requirement six months' advance notice impending layoffs abolition job positions. The was made virtually all Class I railroads, including (hereinafter called FEC). dispute underwent negotiations mediation as required Labor Act.1 When those procedures proved unsuccessful, Presidential Emergency Board created under § 10 Act,2 which after hearings recommended pay about cents per hour at least five days' before abolition. In June 1962, this settlement accepted carriers except FEC. Thereupon, further invoked Act but again no reached. makes provision compulsory arbitration. Section 5 First3 does, however, provide voluntary arbitration suggestion National Mediation Board. both unions FEC refused. Further were unsuccessful January 1963, struck. that happened, most operating refused to cross picket lines. 2 shut down short period; then February 3, resumed operations employing supervisory personnel replacements fill jobs strikers who would not individual agreements concerning their rates pay, rules working terms substantially different in outstanding collective bargaining various unions. Thereafter, proposed formally abolish existing substitute another agreement make rather sweeping departures numerous respects agreements. Negotiations between broke down. services relative changes, carrier thereafter agreed submit underlying dispute—the one wages notice—to But shortly established new unilateral action operated it until present instituted States 1964—a suit charging promulgation violated Act.4 intervened plaintiffs held. Meanwhile, Court Appeals decided R. Trainmen, Cir., 336 F.2d 172, parallel injunctive brought against an similarly complaining FEC's agreement. That court held had its abrogation It ruled, could unilaterally institute such changes District found be 'reasonably necessary effectuate right continue run railroad strike conditions.' F.2d, 182. entered injunctions Trainmen case, requiring abide rules, conditions specified termination statutory procedure 'except upon specific authorization finding reasonable necessity therefor application Court.' Thereupon filed approval some Court, hearings, granted requests denied Thus permitted exceed ratio apprentices journeymen age limitations agreements, contract out certain work, use perform where appeared trained unavailable. request disregard completely craft seniority district restrictions, allowed supervisors work whenever desired, relieved duty rosters, unavailable, shop declared void unenforceable hired 1963. Both sides appealed. affirmed basis decision case. 348 682. unions, each petitioned writ certiorari we granted. 382 1008, 615, 15 524. 3 centers around Seventh Act,5 provides: 4 'No carrier, officers or agents shall change employees, class embodied manner prescribed section 6 Act.' abolitions major covered (Elgin, J. & E.R. Burley, 325 711, 723, 65 1282, 1289, 89 L.Ed. 1886) proceeded through without settlement. having demands exhausted provided Congress, therefore warranted striking. For has been ultimate sanction union, being provided. At juncture self-help also available Locomotive Engineers Baltimore Ohio Co., 372 284, 291, 83 691, 695, 9 759. '* * parties, procedures, are relegated adjusting *.' 7 carrier's is underlined public service aspects business. 'More involved than private appreciable consequences public.' Virginian System Federation No. 40, 300 515, 552, 57 592, 601, 81 789. Interstate Commerce Act, 24 Stat. 379, amended, places responsibility common rail transportation.6 runs shippers alone public. our complex society, metropolitan areas particular might suffer calamity if freight passengers stopped. Food other critical supplies dangerously curtailed; vital impaired; whole communities paralyzed. 8 We emphasize these problem say operate absolute, only owes efforts maintain times, even when beset labor-management controversies continues provisions have becomes controversy. If given abolition, simple. complication arises because undertaken keep going labor force, finds desirable find case anxious contracting-out provisions, requirements personnel, discard provision, so on. Each technically included words 'rules, agreements' within meaning Act. is, therefore, argued force issues must same gantlet negotiation mediation, did gave rise strike. practical effect conclusion bring grinding halt. purposely long drawn out, based hope reason considerations will time resolves dispute. If, applicable lawful well become workers alone, carrier. improvises employs emergency may able comply agreement, drafted meet sophisticated professional force. remains representative designated craft, whether members not. Steele Louisville N.R.Co., 323 192, 226, 173. All entitled benefits supersede contracts though willing enter into them. See Order Railroad Telegraphers Agency, 321 342, 347, 64 582, 585, 88 788. occurs, operate, reasonably possible, academic depart first following lengthy course otherwise prescribes. 11 time, any power revise basic closely confined supervised. These product years struggle negotiation; they represent governing community striking destroyed strike, represents interruption continuity relation.7 Were occasion tear up annul, speak, entire relations revert jungle. A over simple work-rules permit operation conceivably obtained negotiation. Having little incentive reach led indeed strong prolong break union. temptation precipitate order abrogate favorable it. processes sham achieve what requires done orderly procedures. 12 While during strictly confined, spirit honored.8 used necessary.' do disagree, necessary' construed strictly. respect continuing status truly light inexperience lack training lesser number continued operation. norm; burden show need alteration it, employ law 13 Affirmed. 14 FORTAS took part consideration cases. WHITE, dissenting. provides there neither strikes nor contract. (45 U.S.C. 152 (1964 ed.)); First 155 156 ed.)). Here, point free bargained for. could, my view modified subjects Act's followed. 17 agrees forbids itself taken place, regardless how successful railroad. consent court, state matter, now essential operation.1 Although agent alike, N.R. bargain wants alone. thereby attempt halt railroad; may—indeed, circumstances—permit wages, hours obviate normal fail see exception can read unequivocal language Seventh. 18 very close judgment transportation business, Congress rejected drafting True, designed maximize settlements minimize strikes,2 stopped imposing arbitration, obvious technique insure disputes prevent strikes. 5, 45 ed.) Certainly anticipated struck invoke aid forbidden make. Nor anticipate type receivership last blunt effectiveness left call.3 Had impressed railroads absolute while struck, perhaps implied warranted. But, majority recognizes, placed railroads. 19 Of so. To task federal court. 6, 44 48 1197, ed.); First, 580, 1195, ed.). 586, 160 doubt standing Tenth, 1189, Tenth ed.), attorney 'institute proper prosecute proceedings enforcement' (emphasis added) here charged violating. Republic Steel Corp., 362 482, 491—492, 80 884, 890, 903. 1188, 49 1(4) part: 'It every subject chapter furnish therefor, establish routes carriers, just rates, fares, charges, classifications thereto; *' 1(11) safe adequate car establish, observe, enforce regulations, practices service; 'In do, cause done, act, thing prohibited unlawful, omit liable person persons injured full amount damages sustained consequence violation connection, bears emphasis Court's deviate would, readily concedes, terminate earlier fully precipitated refusing arbitrate, barred Enterprise Lodge, 27 Toledo, P. W.R. 50, 413, 534, obtaining relief courts since failed 'every effort' settle Norris-LaGuardia 47 72, 29 108 And assume seeking fallen ban. instant Later changed mind refusing. 'self-help' accrued. issue good faith party pre-strike opportunity arbitrate presented, apply. Moreover, justification permitting lies serve public, grant should satisfy engaged good-faith effort restore not, e.g., using curtail service. generally entrusted specialized unique affairs industry few expert boards agencies. Elgin, 752, 1303 (Frankfurter, J., dissenting). Permitting wholesale intervention seems inconsistent congressional policies uniformity supervision. Cf. Relations Brown, 380 278, 299, 85 980, 992, 839 (White, dissenting); American Ship Building Board, 300, 325—327, 955, 970—971, 855 concurring). certainly questionable approved settlements. longest history. There followed helped example, enjoyed substantial profits period. Brief Government, p. 8, n. 7. 77(n) Bankruptcy 205(n) provides, judge trustee acting title Burke Morphy, 109 572.

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