Document: 347 U.S. 656 74 S.Ct. 833 98 L.Ed. 1025 UNITED CONST. WORKERS, AFFILIATED WITH MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA et al.v.LABURNUM CORP. No. 188. Argued April 5, 1954. Decided June 7, Mr. M. E. Boiarsky, Charleston, W. Va., for petitioners. Messrs. Archibald G. Robertson and George Allen, Richmond, respondent. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question before us is whether Labor Management Relations Act, 1947,1 has given National Board such exclusive jurisdiction over subject matter a common-law tort action damages as to preclude an appropriate state court from hearing determining its issues where conduct constitutes unfair labor practice under that Act. For reasons hereafter stated, we hold it not. 2 November 16, 1949, Laburnum Construction Corporation, Virginia corporation, respondent herein, filed notice motion judgment in Circuit Court City Virginia, against petitioners United Workers, affiliated with Mine Workers America; District 50, Nine America. proceeding was compensatory punitive totaling $500,000. contained substantially following allegations: While performing construction work Breathitt County, Kentucky, contracts Pond Creek Pocahontas Company others, July 26—August 4, agents respective came there. They demanded respondent's employees join recognize organization sole bargaining agent on project. added that, if did not comply, would be allowed continue work. Upon refusal many yield demands, petitioners' threatened intimidated officers violence degree compelled abandon projects area. further alleged result this agents, deprived substantial profits otherwise have earned those other projects. After trial, jury found jointly severally liable $175,437.19 damages, $100,000 making total $275,437.19. 3 Petitioners moved new trial claiming numerous errors law, dismissal ground Act had matter. Both motions were overruled Supreme Appeals granted writ error supersedeas. argument, struck out $146,111.10 affirmed remaining $129,326.09. 194 Va. 872, 75 S.E.2d 694. Because importance jurisdictional issue enforcement rights administration certiorari limited question: 4 "In view type by been carried Petitioners, does so State common law based upon conduct"? 346 936, 374.2 5 We are concerned only abovestated question. accept activities affect interstate commerce within meaning ManagementRelations Act.3 "type Virginia" set margin.4 Although mention or practices such, assume also constituted provisions Act: 6 'Sec. 8. * 7 '(b) It shall agents— 8 '(1) restrain coerce (A) exercise guaranteed section 7: *.' 61 Stat. 140, 141, 29 U.S.C. (1952 ed.) § 158(b)(1)(A), U.S.C.A. 158(b)(1)(A). 9 7. Employees right self-organization, form, join, assist organizations, bargain collectively through representatives their own choosing, engage concerted purpose collective mutual aid protection, refrain any all 157, 157. 10 contend 1947 occupied relations field completely no regulatory agency than may assert defined it, unless expressly authorized Congress do so. claim courts accordingly excluded enjoining future thus colliding Board, occurred Garner v. Teamsters Union, 485, 161, but entertaining actions recovery caused conduct. latter exclusion here. In case, provided federal administrative remedy, supplemented judicial procedure enforcement, which injunctive conflicted.5 Here neither nor suggested substitute traditional collecting injuries tortious cut off injured will deprive property without recourse compensation. To will, effect, grant immunity liability see reason reaching result. contrary consistent language there positive support our decisions legislative history said: 11 'The pointed out, leaves much states, though refrained telling how much. must spell conflicting indications congressional area still permissible. 12 'This instance injurious express power prevent therefore either 'governable entirely ungoverned.' cases declined find implied powers. International U.A.W.A.F. L., Local 232 Wisconsin Employment 336 245, 254, 69 516, 521, 93 651. Nor case mass picketing, threatening employees, obstructing streets highways, picketing homes. held 'its historic powers traditionally local matters public safety order use highways.' Allen-Bradley 1111, Electrical Radio Machine America 315 740, 749, 62 820, 825, 86 1154.' U.S., at page 488, S.Ct., 164. 13 extent prescribed preventive practices, recognized same end. extent, however, dealing consequences already committed, concluding existing criminal penalties liabilities eliminated. care took demonstrate conflict between remedies was, itself, recognition existed, survived. primarily private nature claims distinguishes them measure regulation law. 14 sets up general except minor supplementary ways reinstatement wrongfully discharged back pay. 147, 160(c), 160(c). See also, Union 1229, Int. Broth. 464, 172. 15 One prescribes reference adjudicate resulting secondary boycotts. authorizes Federal 'in having parties'.6 By provision, assures uniformity, lacking, recovery. grants respect amount controversy. recover existence enforce generally. On hand, say Congress, section, related boycotts yet abolishes more directly flagrantly us. 16 Considerable supports interpretation. Under 1935,7 prohibitions part organizations. Yet doubt organizations time damaged conduct, persons responsible damage done. 1154. 17 increased, rather decreased, legal responsibilities Certainly relieve unlawful sought empower body, procedure, forestall anyone circumstances affecting commerce. fact additional disapproval practices. Such increased insistence inconsistent immunization practices.8 18 declaring policy phrased terms prevention: 19 10. (a) empowered, hereinafter provided, person engaging (listed 8) This affected means adjustment prevention established agreement, otherwise: 146, 160(a), 160(a).9 20 Section 10(c) directs cease-and-desist after finding fact. There declaration exclusive. 21 enactment 8(b)(1)(A) lends Senate Report 105, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. S. 1126, said part: 22 'Since bill establishes principle unions, can whatever why they should rules employers. committee heard instances union coercion brought about threats reprisal families course organizing campaigns; direct interference violence. Some these acts illegal constitute investigated least violators protection furnished Wagner Act.' (Emphasis added.) 23 Senator Taft, one sponsors bill, later: 24 'But suppose duplication extreme cases; threat constituting violation State. Why practice? employer. If employer proceeds violence, employers once did, kind goonsquad tactics unions permitted use—and did—if threaten men physical union, proceeded violating world two act kind.' Cong.Rec. 4024.10 25 denied mean procedures impotent inadequate, offenders, here, destroy unorganized persons, conducting themselves undoubted them. contractual relationship provides reasonable basis different conclusion.11 26 is, therefore, sustained affirmed. 27 Affirmed. 28 JACKSON consideration decision case. DOUGLAS, whom BLACK concurs, dissenting. 30 organizer committed murder picket line, he would, course, prosecution Virginia. way deals constitutionally could so, supersede 31 present different. organizer's led specifically deals. facts court, 8(b)(1)(A), using force line make desires. A board enjoin teaches. And I think like applying sanctions it. 32 stuff labor-management strife made, ever since trade unionism began growth. years jungle applied, victory going strongest. emergence civilized methods settling disputes familiar history. At first, mostly side management. courts, well legislatures, shaped interests labor. Gradually human industry until finally received generous 33 That subjected industrial settlement adjudication proceedings. example, forbid interfering trade-union activities. May institute proceedings sue well? Or choice remedies? But union? each wrong recognizes parties remedy supplied Act—and simple reason. designed decide controversies, bring peaceful, orderly settlement, put equality envisaged.* well, controversy settled what does. drags keeping old wounds open, robbing healing effects intended have. 136 seq., 141 seq. Our stated that— Government invited submit memorandum setting forth regard to: (1) proviso 10(a), (Supp. III) (2) cases, apart declines statutory jurisdiction. indicate standards applied rule method.' stating 'not feasible limitations consummate agreements ceding jurisdiction' 10(a). 'Under currently continuing apply, enterprise similar (that of) company herein.' enterprises categories Board's standards: '4. Enterprises producing handling goods destined out-of-State shipment, services outside firm located, valued $25,000 year. '5. furnishing $50,000 year concerns 1, 2, (supra).' Mimeograph Release dated October 6, 1950, entitled 'N.L.R.B. Clarifies Defines Areas Which Will Not Exercise Jurisdiction'; Denver Building Council, 341 675, 684—685, 71 943, 949—950, 95 1284. note supra. 'During period September December plaintiff performed West Kentucky Pacohontas Company, Island Coal subsidiary companies, twelve separate amounting $650,000, derived annual profit slightly $25,000. 'In October, 1948, coal-producing companies determined open mine county, Bryan (president respondent) asked undertake building preparation plant undeveloped condition roads lack living accommodations laborers, told project awarded required operation another $600,000, cost plus fee five per cent. 'On 28, contract cent, exceed sum $12,000. estimated $200,000. Work commenced approximately ninety-five cent completed when interrupted 26, 1949. Pursuant agreement coal several included made. 'Upon commencing Laburnum, compliance Richmond & Trades procured skilled laborers nearest affiliates American Federation Labor. With knowledge consent employed unskilled who members organization. 'Laburnum trouble 14, William O. Hart, speaking Pikeville, telephoned Richmond. According testimony Bryan, accepted jury, Hart identified himself 'field representative 50 America,' working David Hunter, 'Regional Director Region 58 50,' head quarters Pikeville. doing 'working territory,' (Hart) close down employment workers. Laburnum's affiliate employ consequently able comply Hart's demand Workers. replied 'to take over' plaintiff's work, 'organize' workers, 'including carpenters, electricians, pipefitters, ironworkers, millwrights, everybody else,' failed 'recognizing down' done his (Hart's) territory. Monday, 25, 7:30 p.m., Delinger (in employ) informed next day, noon, coming job site large group men, armed, stop '* When (Bryan) arrived (July 26) engaged stopped. developed noon day accompanied crowd variously 40 150 men. evidence 'a very rough, boisterous crowd,' some used abusive language, drunk, guns knives. 'Hart then went workers taking 'join Workers.' He accosted repeated 'take joined represented. yielded agreed organization, while others refused 'Bryan talked again August and, says, 'left anybody's mind people tried.' 'He continually Beaver places signed paper recognizing laborers.' 'wouldn't couldn't it' because prior obligation Moreover, 'went operations stopping Creek.' Consequently, dispute become involved canceled progress. 'After violent events July, abandoned award promised company. bids proposed construction, unsuccessful officials expressed high sympathy explained run risk defendant shut mining unions' differences Laburnum.' 880—881, 882, 883, 884—885, 694, 700—701, 702, 703. relied exclude control made clear. '(W)hen paramount authority, obvious determine far go. constitutional compels occupy whole field. circumscribe admissible forbidden displaced. thoroughly police power, valid superseded action, repugnance 'direct positive' cannot 'be reconciled consistently stand together." Kelly Washington, 302 10, 87, 92, 82 3. Amalgamated Ass'n St. Elec. Ry. Motor Coach Emp. America, Division 998 340 383, 359, 364; Automobile, Aircraft Agr. Implement O'Brien, 339 454, 70 781, 94 978; Plankinton Packing Co. 338 953, 491, 588; La Crosse Telephone Corp. 18, 379, 463; Bethlehem Steel New York 330 767, 67 1026, 91 1234; Hill Florida ex rel. Watson, 325 538, 65 1373, 89 1782. 303. Whoever business (of) subsection (boycotts combinations) therefor district States 301 hereof controversy, parties, him suit.' 158, 159, 187(b), 187(b). 49 449 (1946 151 empowered strike, illegal, method illegal—even illegality consist actual destruction property. Policing left wholly states. considerable injury intimidation questions state's methods.' 253, pages 255—258, 522—523, distinguishing complained protected retaining adjustment, conference makes clear exist, addition to, lieu of, remedies.' Conference H.R. 3020, H.R.Rep.No.510, 52. Similarly, H.R.Rep.No.245, 8, 'Equal Responsibility Before Law 'When violate gives orders laws, answer do. protecting employees.' generally, Note, Law—Federal Jurisdiction—Common Remedies, N.Y.U.L.Rev. 468; Cox Seidman, Federalism Relations, 64 Harv.L.Rev. 211, 236. 1(b) 1947, 136, 141(b), that: 'It promote full flow commerce, prescribe legitimate both provide peaceful preventing other, protect individual whose define proscribe management inimical welfare, connection commerce.'

Category: 9