Document: 374 U.S. 74 83 S.Ct. 1657 10 L.Ed.2d 763 DIVISION 1287 OF the AMALGAMATED ASSOCIATION STREET, ELECTRIC RAILWAY AND MOTOR COACH EMPLOYEES AMERICA et al., Appellants,v.STATE MISSOURI. No. 604. Argued April 24 and 25, 1963. Decided June 10, Bernard Dunau, Washington, D.C., for appellants. Joseph Nessenfeld, St. Louis, Mo., appellee. Opinion of Court by Mr. Justice STEWART, announced WHITE. 1 The appellant union is certified representative a majority employees Kansas City Transit, Inc., Missouri corporation which operates public transit business in Missouri. A collective bargaining agreement between company was due to expire on October 31, 1961, August that year, after appropriate notices, parties commenced negotiation an amended agreement. An impasse these negotiations reached, early November appellant's members voted strike. strike called 13. 2 same day Governor acting under authority state law known as King-Thompson Act,1 issued proclamation interest, health welfare were jeopardized threatened interruption company's operations, executive order purported take possession 'of plants, equipment, all facilities located State Missouri, use operation interest.' second provided part 'All rules regulations * governing internal management organization company, its duties responsibilities, shall remain force effect throughout term Missouri.' 3 Pursuant provision Act makes unlawful any or concerted refusal work means enforcing demands against utility has been taken State, petitioned Circuit Jackson County injunction 15, 1961.2 temporary restraining day, picketing discontinued evening. After two-day trial, continued effect, later entered permanent barring continuation 'against On appeal Supreme appellants argued conflict with pre-empted federal labor legislation, it abridges rights guaranteed First, Thirteenth, Fourteenth Amendments. Reaffirming earlier decisions cases arising Act,3 rejected arguments affirmed issuance injunction. 361 S.W.2d 33. We noted probable jurisdiction. 371 961, 541, 9 509. 4 are met at threshold claim this controversy become moot, we accordingly foreclosed from considering merits appeal. basis contention fact that, appellants' jurisdictional statement filed Court, which, although reciting dispute 'remains unresolved,' nevertheless terminated outstanding seizure order, upon finding 'continued exercise me such not justified circumstances aforesaid dispute.' Reliance mootness placed Court's Harris v. Battle, 348 803, 75 34, 99 L.Ed. 634, Local 8—6, Oil, Chemical Atomic Workers International Union, AFL-CIO 363, 80 391, 373. In Oil case declined consider constitutional challenges Act, rule constitutionality similar Virginia statute, ground controversies had moot. both those cases, however, underlying settled new agreements concluded time litigation reached Court. Here, contrast, remains unresolved. There thus exists present merely speculative possibility invocation some future dispute, but presence existing unresolved continues subject provisions Act. Cf. Southern Pac. Terminal Co. Interstate Commerce Comm., 219 498, 514—516, 31 279, 283—284, 55 310; United States W. T. Grant Co., 345 629, 632, 73 894, 897, 97 1303. situation here quite different presented Unions hold before us must be decided. 5 defines certain utilities 'life essentials people' declares policy 'the strife operating governmental franchise permit ownership control threat people.'4 imposes requirements connection duration renewal agreements,5 creates Board Mediation hearing panels whose services invoked whenever cannot themselves agree terms included agreement.6 And where, here, recommendations agencies accepted, result, empowered 'take immediate of' 'for interest.'7 6 Amalgamated Ass'n Street, Electric Ry. & Motor Coach Employees America, Division 998 Wisconsin Employment Relations Board, 340 383, 71 359, 95 364, held Public Utility Anti-Strike Law, made misdemeanor engage would cause essential service, conflicted National Labor therefore invalid Supremacy Clause Constitution. argument decision determinative unconstitutionality statute issue. court dealing mediation board severable remainder refused pass authorize injunctions strikes taking place imposed. These provisions, ruled, do not—as case—provide comprehensive code conflicting rather represent 'strictly emergency legislation' designed solely State's police power protect breakdowns vital community services. Emphasizing party suit, did actively participate utility's Governor's sufficient convert into one barred legislation. S.W.2d, 44, 46, 48 52. 7 disagree. None distinctions drawn legislation involved seem apposite. whatever status title properties acquired result record shows involvement fell far short creating state-owned operated relations definition excluded coverage Act.8 pay their wages, direct supervise duties. No property actually conveyed, transferred, otherwise turned over State. way actual there no change kind conduct business. As summed up Chairman Board: 'So I know now just two weeks ago strike.' 8 Secondly, decisively proposition enactment affecting interstate commerce could saved challenge based demonstrated standards embodied simply designating 'emergency legislation.' said where seeks deny entirely federally right Congress itself restricted only limited extent national emergencies, however serious, manifest law.' U.S., 394, 365. matter through fiction 'seizure' peaceful unlawful, guarantees utility, employer engaged commerce.9 forbidding covered forbidden explicitly protected § Act.10 Collective bargaining, core, essence scheme. denies stand It hardly necessary add nothing have even remotely affects own operate other business, nor duty chief legislature deal conditions danger, violence, disaster organic statutory law. 11 Reversed. Chapter 295 Revised Statutes 1959. section authorizing Mo.Rev.Stat., 1959, 295.180, V.A.M.S. Rev.Stat., 295.200, par. 1, provides: 'It person, employee, defined chapter call, incite, support plant, equipment facility chapter, state.' 'Section 6, 'The courts enforce legal equitable remedies regulation prescribed governor hereunder.' See ex rel. Pigg, 362 Mo. 798, 244 75; Rider Julian, 365 313, 282 484; AFL—CIO, 317 309, vacated 295.010. hereby declared heat, light, power, sanitation, transportation, communication, water life people; so clothed state's 295.090. hereafter craft class reduced writing continue period less than year date expiration previous if then execution Such presumed fixed original termination unless either thereto inform other, writing, specific changes desired therein also file copy mediation, least sixty days end yearly period, thereafter.' §§ 295.030, 295.070, 295.080, 295.120, 295.140, 295.160, 295.170. 295.180. '1. Should refuse accept abide pursuant thereof effective interrupted, should employees, having given days' notice thereof, failing give notice, strike, stoppage lockout opinion governor, will failure threatens welfare, event neither side intention seek working conditions, occurs lockout, impair interfere he authorized interest. '2. may exercised department agency government designate his investigation disturbance, jeopardized, insure utility; provided, reason slowdown, cause, returned owners soon practicable settlement thereupon plant facility, accordance certificate convenience necessity.' 29 U.S.C. 152(2), (3), 49 Stat. 450; 61 137—138. Compare Mine Workers, 330 258, 67 677, 91 884. enacting Taft-Hartley expressly suggestion treated differently employers. explained Senator Taft, 'If begin utilities, coal steel important utilities. draw line. So bill concerned, proceeded theory peace free bargaining.' 93 Cong.Rec. 3835. 'Employees self-organization, form, join, assist organizations, bargain collectively representatives choosing, activities purpose mutual aid protection, regrain except affected requiring membership condition employment 158(a)(3).' 157, 452; 140.

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