Document: 498 U.S. 168 111 S.Ct. 112 L.Ed.2d 508 Arthur GROVES, Bobby J. Evans and Local 771, International Union UAW, Petitionersv.RING SCREW WORKS, FERNDALE FASTENER DIVISION. No. 89-1166. Argued Oct. 10, 1990. Decided Dec. Syllabus After petitioner employees were discharged from their jobs, they union invoked the grievance procedures in collective-bargaining agreements between respondent company. Those provide for voluntary procedures, including arbitration, reserve parties' respective rights to resort economic weapons when fail resolve a dispute, but are silent as judicial remedies. Upon failure of petitioners filed an action under § 301 Labor Management Relations Act, 1947 (LMRA), which provides remedy breach agreement. The District Court granted company's motion summary judgment, Appeals affirmed, holding that brought about inference strike or other job was perceived successful resolution absent agreed such recourse courts barred. Held: Petitioners may seek 301. While 301's strong presumption favoring enforcement be overcome whenever parties expressly agree different method adjustment disputes, Congress, passing LMRA, envisaged peaceful methods dispute resolution. Thus, statute does not favor agreement warfare rather than mediation, review. A contract provision reserving union's right cannot construed divest jurisdiction disputes. Such would have written much more clearly. Pp. 172-176. 882 F.2d 1081 (CA6 1989), reversed remanded. STEVENS, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Laurence Gold, Washington, D.C., petitioners. Terence V. Page, Birmingham, Mich., respondent. Justice STEVENS 1 dispute. question presented is whether, upon contracts should bar 61 Stat. 156, 29 U.S.C. 185. We certiorari conflict Circuits,1 494 1026, 110 1469, 108 607 (1990), we now conclude available 2 * Two almost identical (CBA's) Ring Screw Works (company) union2 prohibit discharges except "just cause." Groves contend violation this provision. 3 Both CBA's will make "an earnest effort" settle every arise App. 16. also contain multistep procedure, neither includes requirement submit disputes binding arbitration.3 strikes lockouts until machinery has been exhausted. no-strike clause provides: 4 "The cause permit its members cause, nor any member take part strike, either sit-down, stay-in kind interference, stoppage, total partial, production at Company's plant during terms all negotiations failed through procedure set forth herein. Neither Company engage lockout same carried out." Id., 34 (emphasis added); see id., 69.4 5 case arose out decision discharge petitioners.5 With assistance union, without success.6 At end company decided call exercise strike.7 Instead, invoking federal 301, 6 Following Sixth Circuit's Fortune v. National Twist Drill & Tool Division, Lear Siegler, Inc., 684 F. 2d 374 (1982), judgment affirmed. (1989). Circuit explained: 7 "We believe CBAs do bring action, arbitration. resolution, by work 'stoppage interference' happy solution societal standpoint industrial particularly it relates claim single employee he wrongfully discharged. Were deciding issue with clean slate, might disposed adopt rationale Dickeson [v. DAW Forest Products Co.], 827 627 [ (CA9 1987) ]." F.2d, 1086.8 II 8 Section 301(a) LMRA agreement.9 squarely held authorizes "suits against individual well unions employers," actions employer wrongful discharge. Hines Anchor Motor Freight, 424 554, 562, 96 1048, 1055, 47 231 (1976). Our described policy agreements. wrote: 9 "Section Act . reflects interest Congress promoting 'a higher degree responsibility .' S.Rep. 105, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., 17 (1947). sufficiently powerful sustain district over suits even though conduct involved arguably amount unfair labor practice within Board. Smith Evening News Assn., 371 195 [83 267, 246] (1962); Atkinson Sinclair Rfg. Co., 370 238 [82 1318, 462] Teamsters Lucas Flour 369 95 571, 593] Charles Dowd Box Co. Courtney, 368 502 519, 483] (1962). contemplates employers; contrary earlier indications encompass those seeking vindicate 'uniquely personal' wages, hours, overtime pay, supra, [371 U.S.], 198-200 S.Ct., 269-270]. Petitioners' present suit provided 301." U.S., 561-562, 1054-1055. 10 areas law, there favors access neutral forum 11 Respondent correctly points out, however, disputes.10 argues if mediation process unsuccessful, then exclusive remains lockout, depending on party asserts contract. According view, whether cause" Evans, enough muscle compel rehire them just 12 In our statute's reference "the desirable settlement disputes," n. refers application meaning agreement.11 Of course, review, surely For most situations ending impasse, resolving merits Rather, simply one imposes adversary. antithesis passed LMRA.12 13 Associated General Contractors Illinois Conference Teamsters, 486 972 (1973), United States Seventh confronted case, albeit employer, claiming contractual foreclosed relief. Circuit, response argument deadlocked grievances resolved sanctions courts, 14 "Unquestionably 'the means chosen differences collective bargaining [must be] given full play.' See Steelworkers America American Mfg. 363 564, 566 [80 1343, 1345, 1403 (1960) ]. But thing hold arbitration enforceable. It quite matter construe Union's 'economic recourse' whatever arise. This decline do. 15 "In first noted had compulsory reserved event deadlock. therefore protected Norris-LaGuardia Act. However, did not, now, requiring settling grievances. plain language protects no compelling use force instead reason differences. forbid participation important clearly this." 976 (footnote omitted). 16 reasoning applies equally cases employee, reversed, remanded further proceedings consistent opinion. 18 so ordered. Compare 1982), Haynes Pipe Foundry 362 414 (CA5 1966), (CA7 1973); 1987); Brotherhood Carpenters Joiners Hensel Phelps Construction 376 731 (CA10), cert. denied, 389 952, 88 333, 19 360 (1967), Breish Works, 397 Mich. 586, 248 N.W.2d 526 Union, Automobile, Aerospace Agricultural Implement Workers (UAW), three serves agent two petitioners, Evans. CBA provides, part: 1. Should difference employed Company, provisions agreement, effort made follows: "Step Between his steward foreman department. If satisfactory reached, 2. Shop Committee, management. 3. Committee and/or local president representative arrange meeting attempt grievance. 4. outside assist difficulty. include mutual only." 16-17. One contained following provision: "Unresolved (except decisions) shall handled Article XVI, 7." 53. referenced clause. There stage litigation justifies interpretation otherwise CBA's. terminated allegedly excessive, unexcused absences dismissed falsifying records. properly followed fairly represented Evans' vote taken unit worked, receive required two-thirds majority; Groves' never taken. relied Fortune, restated subsequent opinions: " 'This circuit concluded, essence regardless mechanism results 'final binding' decision, existence foreclose review find intended exclusive. 'While wisdom foreclosing 'final' 'binding' via since absence infer (and thereby employees) gained anything result, nevertheless established panel court bound prior decisions another issues.' "Mochko Acme-Cleveland Corp., 826 1064 (6th Cir.1987) (unpublished per curiam)." 1086. Given panel's expressed doubt correctness precedent following, together fact square Circuits, appropriate request rehearing en banc. "(a) Suits organization representing industry affecting commerce defined chapter, organizations, having parties, respect controversy regard citizenship parties." 185(a). 203(d) "Final declared arising existing agreement." 173(d). As explained Warrior Gulf Navigation 574, 80 1347, 1409 (1960): processing actually vehicle content 581, 1352. Here, centers discharges. "If can break relative impunity, tend stabilize relations. execution itself promote peace. chief advantage reasonably expect assurance uninterrupted operation term Without some effective assuring freedom little why desire sign contract." p.

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