Document: 370 U.S. 238 82 S.Ct. 1318 8 L.Ed.2d 462 Samuel M. ATKINSON et al., Petitioners,v.SINCLAIR REFINING COMPANY. No. 430. Argued April 18, 1962. Decided June Gilbert A. Cornfield, Chicago, Ill., for petitioners. George B. Christensen, respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The respondent company employs at its refinery in East Indiana, approximately 1,700 men, whom petitioning international union and local are bargaining agents, 24 also petitioners here. In early February 1959, docked three employees Chicago a total $2.19. On 13 14, 999 participated strike or work stoppage, so complaint alleges. March 12, filed this suit damages an injunction, naming as defendants, together with individual member-employees. 2 Court I complaint, which was counts, stated cause action under § 301 Taft-Hartley Act (29 U.S.C. 185, 29 U.S.C.A. 185) against local. It alleged existing collective agreement between containing, among other matters, promise by not to over any could be subject grievance provisions contract. that caused stoppage occurring on 14 pay claims amount $2.19, were properly procedure provided asked $12,500 from 3 Count II purported invoke diversity jurisdiction District judgment same employees, each committeeman agent international, responsible representing local, their members. asserted individuals, 'contrary duty plaintiff abide said contract, maliciously confederating conspiring expense damage, induce breaches interfere performance thereof labor organizations affected thereof, individually officers, committeemen agents organizations, fomented, assisted * *.' 4 III injunction but matter need concern us here since it is disposed Sinclair Refining Co. v. Atkinson, 195, 1328. 5 defendants motion dismiss various grounds stay reasons (1) all issues referable arbitration contract (2) important involved certain grievances denied I, dismissed II, (187 F.Supp. 225). Appeals upheld refusal reversed dismissal (7 Cir., 290 F.2d 312), granted certiorari (368 937, 376, 7 336). I. 6 We have concluded should stayed. states governed federal law. Local 174, Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen, Helpers America Lucas Flour Co., 369 95, 102—104, 571, 576, 593; Textile Workers Union Lincoln Mills, 353 448, 77 912, 972. Under our decisions, whether bound arbitrate, well what must determined basis entered into parties. 'The Congress has Labor Management Relations Act, assigned courts determining reluctant party breached his arbitrate. For cannot required submit dispute he agreed submit.' United Steelworkers Warrior & Gulf Nav. 363 574, 582, 80 1347, 1353, 1409. See American Mfg. 564, 570 1343, 1403 (concurring opinion). think unquestionably clear susceptible construction arbitrate claim breach undertaking strike. While quite obvious contract1 parties did intend commit possible disputes whole scope relationship procedures established Article XXVI,2 article itself determinative issue case precludes boards considering matters than employee grievances.3 After defining 'any difference regarding wages, hours working conditions hereto employer covered agree-hereto Employer agreement,' XXVI provides desire settle fairly quickly therefore 'must followed.' present foreman, if satisfied there, may take plant superintendent who render written decision. There provision so-called Workmen's Committees management. If superintendent's decision acceptable, referred discussion President International Director Industrial (or representatives), alone. Director's disputed, then 'upon request Director' board convened finally decided board. imposes critical limitation. 'shall consider only committee arising application currently agreement.' word provididng submission company. Instead, there express, flat limitation grievances. Furthermore, expressly invoked option union. At no place does agree behest elsewhere, now done. 9 makes further argument stay. Following strike, both before after suit, claiming reimbursement withheld employer. argues even though damages, these grievances; arbitrator, process grievants' right reimbursement, will determine underlie company's damages. Therefore, court appropriate. 10 record us, however, significant damage presented arbitrator. simply claimed due time spent regular processing Although good deal less although answer been case, would appear affidavits connection grievants disciplined result they challenging disciplinary action. sharply denies brief disciplined. event, precisely discipline imposed, upon being attacked grievants, circumstances surrounding withholding unexplained record. union's underlying instigated contrary This asserts settled arbitrating 11 decide entitled occurs, award deny part some employees. His award, standing alone, obviously suit. awarded ascertained assurance4 one subsidiary findings men had forbidden stoppage—the according brief—the nevertheless foreclosed since, such finding made free prove through conduct state record, out stay.5 12 foregoing reasons, lower pending employer's claim. II. turn charged officers tortious interference contractual relations. held members personally liable actions, 'suits nature longer cognizable courts.' reversed, ruling 'Count Indiana and, diversity, maintainable Court.' unable Appeals, we convinced controlled law merits failure relief can granted. 15 violation either (Local Warehousemen 972), face charges no-strike clause. quoting verbatim clause, alleges by' fomented quarrel proposition unit 'governed behalf universally accepted clause very least establishes rule condition employment justifies discharge (Mastro Plastics Corp. National Board, 350 270, 280 n. 10, 76 349, 356, 100 L.Ed. 309; Board Rockaway News Supply 345 71, 80, 73 519, 524, 97 832; Sands 306 332, 59 508, 83 682; Draper Corp., 145 199 (C.A. 4th Cir.); Biscuit 128 771 (C.A.7th see R. Donnelley Sons Lab.Arb. 16; Ford Motor 439). within 'violation' agreement. 16 As charging necessarily itself. identical sued acted 'as organizations' breaching inducing others principal, acting principal. Whatever liability restates 301(b) acts familiar principles agency (see 301(e)). Proof allegations form inevitably like thus based employer, comes 301(a). When alleged, seeks hold instead principal bring outside 301.6 17 theory, therefore, national relations commanded fashion requires granted—whether plus agents. 18 passed 301, declared view respond wrongs, levy. Section clauses. One unions suable States. Another conventional (cf. time, remaining exempts personal judgments (apparently when without assets judgment). legislative history third deeply felt congessional reaction Danbury Hatters (Loewe Lawlor, 208 274, 28 52 488; Lawlor Loewe, 235 522, 35 170, 341), expression determination aftermath Savings Bank Danbury, 236 F. 444 (C.A.2d Cir.)) permitted recur. antitrust treble brought large number members, including recover them losses nationwide, union-directed boycott hats. named party, nor it. A money entered, instead, participating plan 'emanating headquarters' (235 U.S., 534, S.Ct., 172), knowingly authorizing delegating authority do involved. debates, Senator Ball, Act's sponsors, 'by providing sue legal entity, lie only, prevent repetition many lost homes' (93 Cong.Rec. 5014). 93 3839, 6283; S.Rep.No.105, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. 16. 19 Consequently, discharging imposed formulate govern 301(a) suits, strongly guided give niggardly reading 301(b). 'We undercut defeat policy read narrowly' (Textile 456, 917, 918). already another context evidences 'a congressional intention corporation, absence sole source recovery injury inflicted it' (Lewis Benedict Coal 361 459, 470, 489, 496, 442). evaded truncated simple device suing tort, both, separate count liable. Here, said, prays Where alone pay. dismissed.7 20 remanded proceedings inconsistent opinion. ordered. 21 Case directions. 22 FRANKFURTER took consideration case. APPENDIX TO OPINION OF THE COURT provides: 'GRIEVANCE AND ARBITRATION PROCEDURE 23 'Definition '1. defined might arise region operations. 25 'Grievance Procedure 26 'It sincere possible. arises, following followed: 27 '2. purpose adjusting above, employee, accompanied committeeman, desired shall: '(a) Seek direct adjustment foreman employed. Such meeting loss and/or during conference foreman. shall reply (3) days (Saturday, Sunday Holidays excluded) date first him; '(b) question settled, writing, forms supplied Union, selected hereinafter particular investigate merit meet representative, receive purpose. Written decisions representative ten (10) committee, prior submitted writing representative. 30 '(c) exceptional cases, institute concerning Agreement filing official locally charge. 31 '(d) Any Committee withdrawn Committee's consent. 32 '3. No considered hereunder unless charge sixty (60) arose, concerned learned complaint. 33 '4. above mentioned Union. official, having hire serve committee. 34 '5. lay-off, file complaints week effective lay-off Article. Before discharged cause, flagrant rules, laid off, given notice, dated signed Employer, setting forth reason lay-off. event rule, subsequently, request, discharge. furnished copy statement where Company rule. section forty (40) '6. satisfactory Oil, Chemical Atomic AFL-CIO, someone designated him, shall, later forty-five (45) decision, confer Companies, discussing obtaining thereon. twenty (20) him writing. 36 '7. satisfactory, then, AFL-CIO posting final appeal answer, set up Arbitration formation Board. cases therefrom; Oil Gas heard Tulsa, Oklahoma; Fort Worth, Texas; Midland, Casper, Wyoming; Pipe Line cities previously Kansas City, Missouri; Toledo, Ohio; Houston, Illinois; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Independence, Kansas. These Boards agreement, supplements thereto, wage classification initiative AFL-CIO. connection, agrees rate inequity comparison average competitive rates jobs comparable duties responsibilities paid agreed-upon major companies area. requests adjustments inequities, any, more frequently twice annually, August 1st. thirty (30) semi-annual dates. 37 '8. composed person requested seven (7) submission. Should two provided, days, mutually impartial member thereafter jointly, requesting Federal Mediation Conciliation Service panel arbitrators accordance Service. 38 '9. aforesaid, hereof, final. However, rules originated subsequently changed, understood rendered former act prohibit originating changed conditions. 39 '10. Cases Gasoline Plants coming Producing Division located. 40 '11. fee arbitrator divided equally arbitration. Parties attempt arbitrator's fees reasonable basis.' (Article III) '(T)here except notice XXVII, covering 'general disputes,' general character affect negotiated parties; Moreover, management-prerogative XXXI) recognizes 'operation Employer's facilities direction forces, hire, suspend sufficient pursuant seniority relieve because lack work, prerogatives Employer; suspensions discharges full infra, p. 250, 1325, Appendix. reach, whether, here, 'grievances,' i.e., 'difference(s) conditions,' 'grievances' sense term. Hoover Express Taxicab Drivers Local, 327, 217 49 (C.A.6th Cir.). approve disapprove doctrine Sixth Circuit (e.g., Vulcan-Cincinnati, Inc. Steelworkers, 289 103; Auto Aircraft Benton Harbor Malleable Indus., 242 536). collected Yale Towne Lodge 1717, 299 882, 883—884 5, (C.A.3d Drake Bakeries, 50, 254, 1346, arbitrability resolved favor presence argeement 'all complaints, (i.e., parties) involving relation parties.' Arbitrators generally obligation award. Enterprise Wheel Car 593, 598, 1358, 1361, 1424; Bernhardt Polygraphic 198, 203, 273, 276, 199. complete trial. Ibid. preemptive San Diego Bldg. Trades Council Garmon, 359 236, 79 773, 775, applicable prevents asserting jurisdiction. Since inapplicable. 101 9, 575, 593. put aside, unnecessary reach them, questions excused 1346) factual determination, awarding denying bind latter's Swift Packinghouse Workers, 177 511 (D.Colo.). Contra, Square D Elec., Radio Machine Wkrs., 123 776, 779—781 (E.D.Mich.). Morgan Drive Away, Broth. 166 885 (S.D.Ind.), concluding, do, §§ 301(e), want rather merits. Our holding, suit; question. Bell Hood, 327 678, 66 90 939. reaching conclusion, ignored drafted order anticipate defense unauthorized union, wildcat led nonunion capacity. language contradicts argument, proper unauthorized,

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