Document: 385 U.S. 196 87 S.Ct. 365 17 L.Ed.2d 294 Roy WALKER, Petitioner,v.SOUTHERN RAILWAY COMPANY. No. 89. Argued Nov. 10, 1966. Decided Dec. 5, Rehearing Denied Jan. 9, 1967. See 1020, 699. J. Nat Hamrick, Rutherfordton, N.C., for petitioner. Jerome Ackerman, Washington, D.C., respondent. PER CURIAM. 1 Under Moore v. Illinois Central Railroad Co., 312 630, 61 754, 85 L.Ed. 1089, decided in 1941, a discharged railroad employee aggrieved by the discharge may either (1) pursue his remedy under administrative procedures established an applicable collective bargaining agreement subject to Railway Labor Act, and right of review before National Adjustment Board, or (2) if he accepts as final, bring action at law appropriate state court money damages courts recognize such claim. also Slocum Delaware, L. & W.R. 339 239, 244, 70 577, 579, 94 795; Transcontinental Western Air, Inc. Koppal, 345 653, 73 906, 97 1325. The question this case is whether those decisions should be overruled light Republic Steel Corp. Maddox, 379 650, 614, 13 580, 1965. 2 Petitioner was yard fireman employ respondent, railroad. He sued North Carolina on claim that respondent had unlawfully him May 29, 1957, violation its with Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen Enginemen. removed Federal District Court reason diversity citizenship. respondent's challenge jurisdiction, citing Moore, Slocum, entered judgment petitioner's favor. 237 F.Supp. 278. Appeals Fourth Circuit reversed, holding after entry judgment, required petitioner first exhaust remedies. 354 F.2d 950. Since our opinion Maddox expressly stated 'we do not mean overrule (Moore R. Co.) within field Act' but '(c)onsideration properly await presented' U.S., 657, n. 14, S.Ct., 619, we granted certiorari, 384 926, 86 1447, 16 530. We reverse. 3 presented contract grievance provided Management Relations 1947, culminating binding arbitration might sidestepped favor lawsuit, federal policy reflected LMRA favoring agreed-upon preferred method settling disputes. brought Alabama Corporation severance pay allegedly owed terms which contained procedure. held voluntarily incorporated parties agreements LMRA, unless specified nonexclusive, must exhausted direct legal redress sought employee. 4 Provision grievance, minor dispute, matter voluntary Act; Act compels arbitrate disputes Board Act. Trainmen Chicago River Indiana 353 30, 77 635, 622. Both time alleged there considerable dissatisfaction operations some statutory features. Congress initiated inquiry found among other causes dissatisfaction, 'railroad employees who have grievances sometimes wait long 10 years more decision rendered (by Board) their claim'; example, 'the First Division (which has jurisdiction over involving service class) * never been current work, (and has) backlog approximately 7 1/2 *.' H.R.Rep.No.1114, 89th Cong., 1st Sess., 3, 5; S.Rep.No.1201, 2. 'if receives award from affected obtain judicial declining comply it. If, however, fails receive favor, no means obtained.' H.R.Rep., supra, 15. S.Rep. 3. 5 In consequence, enacted. Public Law 89—456, 80 Stat. 208, effective June 20, 1966, drastically revises order defects. Of course new were available petitioner, governed Koppal. contrast between us persuades case. 6 reversed remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. It so ordered. Reversed remanded. 8 Mr. Justice HARLAN, whom STEWART WHITE join, dissenting. 9 I dissent because believe Court's requires explicit overruling already all completely vitiated subsequent decisions. trainman based upon wrongful without exhausting invoked ground diversity; employment thought governed, like ordinary contracts, law. case—that Mississippi—did require exhaustion nothing contrary result. 11 premise decision, type labor contract, series contracts are substantive law, Textile Workers Union America Lincoln Mills, 448, 912, 972; International Assn. Machinists, AFL—CIO Airlines, Inc., 372 682, 83 956, 67. doctrine remedies declared part law: 'As general rule cases applies, individual wishing assert attempt use procedure agreed employer union mode redress.' 652, 616. Strong arguments adduced support rule. 652—653, 616—617; Cox, Rights Agreement, 69 Harv.L.Rev. 601, 647—652 (1956). 12 can see why inapplicable Although did explicitly cover cases, single dissenting recognized Court, '* while progeny) case, raised axe high falling just about certain changing seasons.' 667, 624. only two appeals deal impact concurred declaring now railway field. Walker Southern 950 (C.A.4th Cir.); Neal System Bd. Adjustment, 348 722 (C.A.8th Cir.). A Pennsylvania appellate refused permit suit one since 'We cannot how still recovery case.' Beebe 205 Pa.Super. 146, 153, 208 A.2d 16, 20. Other reached same conclusion. Buchanan St. Louis Southwestern Tex.Civ.App., 400 S.W.2d 362; Caffery New York 24 A.D.2d 1075, 265 N.Y.S.2d 742. contractual salutary area specialization important expertise arbitral bodies recognized. Whitehouse 349 366, 371, 75 845, 849, 99 1155, noted "The world state. Its population three million, include families workers, own customs vocabulary, lives according rules making.' Garrison, Board: unique Administrative Agency, 46 Yale L.J. 567, 568—569.' true course, observes, imposed contractually mandatory 'minor' If anything, distinction weighs respecting Congress' determination proper practices settled—at least initially—through negotiation and, failing, arbitration. 14 rationale refusing take step formally time, precedent, logic, persuasively point, apparently speed Board's statute's scope appeal. This congressional concern. my view, unsound make applies depend effectively think functioning. enough, unanimous said last Term, invested broad power plainly intended interpretation these controversial provisions submitted men, both workers management, serving adjustment experience accepted field.' Gunther San Diego A.E.R. 382 257, 261—262, 368, 15 308. stated: 'This again emphasized re-emphasized finally Board.' Id., 263, 372. need even go back Term expression confidence workings central organ interpretion. today's Transportation—Communication Employees Pacific 157, 369, 264, holds extends settlement tripartite work-assignment 'The railroad, employees, public, whose benefits written,' says, 'are entitled fair, expeditious hearing settle nature.' 162, p. To meet capable dealing complex problems, rightly notes common sense, handle entire dispute satisfactory manner proceeding.' 165, 373. purposes simple run-of-the-mill present suddenly deemed incapable adequately handling familiar ignored instance. would affirm Appeals.

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