Document: 375 U.S. 96 84 S.Ct. 219 11 L.Ed.2d 179 RETAIL CLERKS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION, LOCAL 1625, AFL-CIO et al., Petitioners,v.Alberta SCHERMERHORN al. No. 13. Reargued Oct. 16, 17, 1963. Decided Dec. 2, [Syllabus from intentionally omitted] S. G. Lippman, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Bernard B. Weksler, Miami, Fla., respondents. Archibald Cox, Sol. Gen., the United States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion 1 The sole question in case is one we set down reargument 373 746, 747—748, 83 1461, 10 L.Ed. 678: 'whether Florida courts, rather than solely National Labor Relations Board, are tribunals with jurisdiction to enforce [Amicus Curiae State's prohibition' against an 'agency shop' clause a collective bargaining agreement. 2 In this union and employer negotiated agreement that contained providing employees covered contract who chose not join were required 'to pay condition employment, initial service fee monthly fees' union. Nonunion brought suit court have agency shop declared illegal, injunction enforcement it, accounting. Supreme Court held executed union-security violates 'right work' provision Constitution state courts afford remedy. 141 So.2d 269. 3 We agree view. 4 While § 8(a)(3) Taft-Hartley Act provides1 it unfair labor practice require membership employment provided specified conditions met, 14(b) (61 Stat. 151, 29 U.S.C. 164(b)) provides: 5 'Nothing shall be construed authorizing execution or application agreements requiring organization any State Territory which such prohibited Territorial law.' 6 start premise that, while Congress could preempt much little interstate field chose, would odd construe permitting prohibit but barring implementing its own law sanctions kind involved here. 7 Section came into 1947, some years after Wagner Act. latter did bar matter federal agency-shop agreement.2 8 (a)(3) also allowed saying 'nothing Act, other statute preclude' one.3 By time was written twelve States had statutes constitutional provisions outlawing restricting closed related devices4—a power sustained Lincoln Federal Union v. Northwestern Iron & Metal Co., 335 525, 69 251, 93 212. These laws about seems been well informed during 1947 debates5—had wide variety sanctions, including injunctions, damage suits, criminal penalties. outlaw per se; add new conditions, which, presently 8(a)(3),6 there 30-day waiting period before employee forced union, appropriate representative employees, discriminate if he has reasonable grounds believing available on nondiscriminatory basis employee's denied terminated reasons failure meet union-shop requirements dues fees. words, undertook pervasive regulation agreements, raising minds many whether thereby preempted under decision Hill Florida, 325 538, 65 1373, 89 1782, put beyond control. That reason why section, later became 14(b), appeared House bill7—a described Report8 making clear unambiguous purpose field. restated Conference Report explaining 14(b).9 Senator Taft Senate deates stated continue policy avoid interference As stated, 'But way already shops.'10 (Italics added.) He went say, 'That ever since time. It bill; putting express prov sion bill, (§ 14(b)) no change bill passed States.11 9 light wording legislative history, conclude deprive all their agreements. Since plain left free legislate field, can only assume intended unaffected those laws. Otherwise reservation felt so critical become empty largely meaningless. noted, permissible, example, represents 9(a) (subject rescission authority make 8(a)(3)). Those standards entrusted Board. Yet even clears hurdles, final say may i . There thus conflict between law; sanctioned directions give right argued violation authorized remedy exclusive one. urged course necessary uniformity achieved. But gives passes muster standards. Where degree overriding authority, reluctant nonetheless enforceable Washington. This result face seem at war San Diego Bldg. Trades Council Garmon, 359 236, 79 773, 775, decided 1959, holding where action 'arguably subject must defer competence Board.' 245, 780, 775. Garmon precluded awarding damages economic injuries resulting peaceful picketing plant unions selected majority agents. 12 however, does principle; merely rationalizes problems coexistence regulatory schemes relations; present posed viz., select adopted pursuant authority. ultimate touchstone. Commerce Clause displace (Rice Santa Fe Elevator Corp., 331 218, 234—236, 67 1146, 91 1447; supra) silence indicate let imposed regime. See Lime Avocado Growers Paul, 132, 141—143, 1210, 248. 13 Algoma Plywood Veneer Co. Wisconsin Emp. 336 301, 314, 584, 591, 691 '§ included forestall inference exclusive' issued cease-and-desist order giving effect maintenance ordered reinstated made whole loss suffered. 10(a) Board 'exclusive' prevent 'any practice,' commerce displaced. 305, 587, 691. power, exist alongside because history dissent deny that; proceeded ground dispute arose prior judged pre-1947 construction 8(a)(3), minority disagreement. 14 displaced 'regulates' shop. said: 15 doubt language section means authorize 'application' contract, discharging employee, circumstances 'is prohibited' State, dispel it.' U.S., 16 Congress, abandon search dealing executi n suffer medley attitudes philosophies subject. 17 will arise situations presenting accommodation supra, upheld reinstate back discharged law. On hand, get execute hire all-union lies exclusively domain (Local 429 etc. Farnsworth Chambers 353 969, 77 1056, 1133, Local 438 Curry, 371 542, 531, 514), recognized begins actual negotiation type 14(b). Absent agreement, conduct arguably Garmon. 18 100 Ass'n Journeymen Apprentices Borden, 690, 1423, 638, 207 Intern. Bridge, Structural Ornamental Workers Perko, 701, 1429, 646, suing arising out practices cases, problem though tendered Borden either tribunal us. 692, S.Ct., 1431, n. 2. 19 relief prayed below within ambit scheme designed when 20 Affirmed. 21 GOLDBERG took part consideration case. reads follows: 'It * discrimination regard tenure term encourage discourage organization: Provided, nothing preclude (not established, maintained, assisted defined 8(a) practice) therein thirtieth day following beginning effective date whichever later, (i) 9(a), collective-bargaining unit made; (ii) unless election 9(e) year preceding certified least eligible vote voted rescind agreement: further, justify nonmembership (A) same terms generally applicable members, (B) tender periodic initiation fees uniformly acquiring retaining member hip.' 61 140—141, amended, 601, 73 (Supp. IV) §§ 158(a)(3). Act: '* facilitate closed-shop them legal they illegal; interfere status quo debatable leaves open might now legally consummated *.' S.Rep. 573, 74th Cong., 1st Sess., pp. 11—12. Prior enactment 1935, unquestioned regulate forms 8(3) said 'preclude' them. Note 1, supra. Laws Regulating Union-Security Contracts, L.R.R.M. 66. H.R.Rep. 80th p. 34; 105, 6. supra; 9. differences 'closed' shops, 'union' devices, see 528, 253; American Federation Sash 550—553, 258, 222. H.R. 3020, Leg.Hist. Management 207—208. 'Since preempts act covers insofar meaning concerned, report finally ruled upon employers engaged compulsory unionism, committee expressly restrict rquire remain members organizations valid, notwithstanding reporting referred invalidate provision. consistent view.' 44. H.R.R.ep. 510, 60; U.S.Code Cong.Service 1166: 'Under assure shop, membership, form unionism contrary Many enacted illegal. never intention powers unionism. Neither so-called 'closed proviso existing nor conference arrangements sort policy. To certain should this, bill. contains having effect.' Cong.Rec. 6520, 1597. Ibid.

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