Legal Document

375 U.S. 261 84 Supreme Court Reporter 401 11 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 320 James baron CAREY, as President of the International Union Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers, AFL-CIO, Petitioner,v.WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORPORATION. Number 21. Argued Dec. 12, 1963. Decided Jan. 6, 1964. Benjamin C. Sigal, Washington, D.C., argued cause for petitioner. With him on briefs were David S. Davidson, Isadore Katz, New York City. John Federal KF105 F3 Hunt, Jr., City, respondent. Archibald Cox, Sol. Gen., States, amicus curiae, by special leave Court. Mr. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion 1 The petitioner union (IUE) respondent employer (Westinghouse) entered into a collective bargaining agreement covering workers at several plants including one where present dispute occurred. states that Westinghouse recognizes IUE its locals exclusive representatives each those units which or have been certified National Labor Relations Board representative; lists among has unit 'all production maintenance employees' plant controversy arose, 'but excluding all salaried technical * employees.' also contains grievance procedure use arbitration in case unresolved disputes, involving 'interpretation, application claimed violation' agreement. 2 filed asserting certain employees engineering laboratory question, represented another union, Federation, had representative salaried, technical' employees, maintenance' performing work. refused to arbitrate ground presented representation matter Board. petitioned an order compelling arbitration. That court refused. Appellate Division affirmed, judge dissenting, 15 A.D.2d 7, 221 N.Y.S.2d 303. Appeals holding was within jurisdiction since it involved definition units. N.Y.2d 452, 230 703, 184 North Eastern Reporter, 2nd 298. is here certiorari. 372 957, 83 1012, 10 10. 3 We so-called 'jurisdictional' two unions employer. But term not word single meaning. In setting this could be different, though related, species: either—(1) whether work should performed another; (2) represent doing particular If considered former, Act (61 Statutes-at-Large 136, 73 519, 29 Code KF62 § 151 et seq.) does purport cover phases stages it. While 8(b)(4) (D) makes unfair labor practice strike get assign group rather than another,1 deal with anterior nor provide any machinery resolving such absent strike. remedies controversies nature come play only threat Such conduct gives authority under 10(k) resolve dispute.2 4 Are we assume regulatory scheme hiatus, allowing no recourse over assignments between but forcing stage before remedy available? Board, admonished 10(k),3 often given effect private agreements settle disputes character;4 accord purpose stated even minority spokesman Congress5—'that full opportunity parties reach voluntary accommodation without governmental intervention if they so desire.' 93 Cong.Rec. 4035; Leg. Hist. L.M.R.A. (1947) 1046. And see versus Television Broadcast Engineers Union, Local 1212 etc., 364 573, 577, 81 330, 5 302. As Judge Fuld, dissenting below, said: 'The underlying objective national laws promote help give substance through process.' 458, 706, 6 Grievance method settling assignments; commonly used, are told. To sure, moved state courts compel So unless other intervenes, adjudication arbiter might put end dispute. Yet may practical movement forces will posture analogous Whitehouse Illinois Central R. Co., 349 366, 75 845, 99 L.Ed. 1155, railroad disputing jurisdictional matter, when Railroad Adjustment served notice assumption jurisdiction. railroad, being able sued relief. adopted hands-off policy, saying, 'Railroad's resort preceded award, rendered occasion possible injury it.' Id., 373, S.Ct., 850. 7 Since tolerates actively encourages settlements assignment unions, conclude procedures pursued further policies Act. 8 What said far treats involves If, however, representational one, duty bargain collectively provided 8(a)(5),6 considerations necessary. charge, made against employer, would, proved, practice, 8(a)(5) expressly states. Or instead filing charge petition 9(c)(1) obtain clarification certificates already from Board; do same. 9 Thus Kennametal, Inc., 132 N.L.R.B. 194, 'production excluding, others, 'technical' 'laboratory' employees. It motion certificates, contending 'an accretion existing embraced classification excluded established unit.' 196—197. contended operation question still research development stage. found some experimental constituted unit; clarified certification specifically unit. can do, evidenced numerous decisions. See Western Cartridge 134 67; Blaw-Knox 135 862; Lumber & Millwork Industry Committee, 136 1083. truly case, either move certificate clarified. existence bar individual seeking damages breach court, held Smith Evening News Assn., 371 195, 267, 246. think same policy applicable here; suit federal courts, 301(a) Management 1947 156, 185(a); Textile Workers Lincoln Mills, 353 448, 77 912, 972), tribunals authorized act (Charles Dowd Box company Courtney, 368 502, 82 483; 174, Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen Helpers America Lucas Flour 369 95, 571, 593) proper, alternative available, which, invoked protect him. behind supra, highlighted reason blurred line exists more appropriate A B, whom assigned fact employees; sustained decisions noted, clarifies certificate. claim violated because entitled seeks additional en ertain clarify merely General Aniline Film Corp., 89 467; American Broadcasting 112 605; Employing Plasterers 118 17. Board's description types cases follows: 12 '* proceeding award; determination majority selected organization their purposes bargaining. true presupposes constitute purposes, making considers general duties tasks However, unlike freeze appropriate. Thus, finding per se preclude adding to, subtracting from, assignments. determined by, determine, job content; signify approval, respect, task claims elsewhere.' Plumbing Contractors 1081, 1087. 13 indicate, difficult classify. Solicitor General, who appears amicus, believes essentially one. Westinghouse. hand Even form problem, involve problems seniority layoffs occur (see Sovern, Section 301 Primary Jurisdiction NLRB, 76 Harv.L.Rev. 529, 574—575 (1963)) aspects disputes. true, there whatever decide. 14 time reaches taken place, shows deference arbitral award,7 fair results repugnant Act.8 recently stated: 'There precluded adjudicating charges subject award. 10(a) plain, uniformly held. equally well considerable discretion respect award decline exercise alleged practices serve fundamental aims 16 Act, repeatedly stated, primarily designed industrial peace stability encouraging Experience demonstrated collective-bargaining final binding arising thereunder, 'as substitute strife,' contribute significantly attainment statutory objective.' Harvester 138 923, 925—926. 17 weight likely considerable, later required rule action awards arbiters times closely brigaded. proceedings pending arbiter, defers decision eligibility discharged vote until made. Pacific Tile Porcelain 137 N.L.R.B 1358, 1365—1367, overruling Dura Steel Products 111 590. N.L.R.B., Page 1365, n. 11. 18 Should disagree ruling, example, members another, ruling course, take precedence; employer's would liable 301. peculiar type controversy. Arbitral construing provision (Carey Electric Cir., 315 499, 509—510), concerning practices, up conflict rulings. Association Machinists, 116 645; Monsanto Chemical 97 517. Yet, possibility barrier tribunal 19 However considered—whether representation—we procedure. dispute, conveniently fills gap avoids necessity bring pervasive, curative party. 20 By go fragmentation avoided substantial extent; conciliatory measures Congress deemed vital 'industrial peace' (Textile 455, 917) dispositive entire encouraged. superior time. Meanwhile therapy brought bear complicated troubled area. 21 Reversed. 22 GOLDBERG took part consideration case. 23 HARLAN, concurring. 24 N Immigration Nationality Decisions join Court's brief comment. recognized all, neither position difficulties. Lacking clear-cut command statute itself, choice lies course altogether attempt kind arbitration, worst expose concerned hazard duplicative proceedings. undesirable consequences first inevitable, second conjectural. two, early experience area rightly chooses latter. 25 BLACK, CLARK joins, dissenting. 26 Electrical (IUE), president, contracts agents respondent, Corporation. IUE's contract covers 'salaried Federation's demanded stop permitting number Federation work, claiming what therefore members, Federation's, these jobs. make change, whereupon IUE, decided (as understand hold done), called IUE. This demand rested agreeing grievances growing out contract. resisted ought resolved York, Westinghouse, arbitrate.1 27 agree affirm judgment. Stripped obscurantist arguments, garden-variety unions. today holds, permits compels warring not, about 'final grievance(s) disputes' says contributes congressional objectives passing Unless salutary safeguards due process law dissipated obliterated rights belonging 'policy considerations,' sacrificed alone. Although find clear point like, infer misnamed 'award' completely members. plainly hold, however—that 'the dispute'—seems trifle less offensive concepts. means, suppose, ex parte must greater judicial review 'phases dispute.' 28 Moreover, holds suits Taft-Hartley 185, 'unfair practice' failing right engaged caught ordinarily helpless position. He trapped cross-fire All he guess union's arbitrator, disputed happens wrong, mulcted damages. prophesy how big verdict jury remembered cannot court. holding, thus subjecting done nothing seems me contrary basic principles common everyday justice. result agency created finally interest peace, supplanted very achieve adjustment One main evils hoped abate work.2 Arbitration cannot. fear announced leanings treat almost sure solvent troubles carried unnecessarily great confusion delay intended job. 30 affirm. 8(b)(4)(D): 'It shall agents—* '(4) (i) engage in, induce encourage employed person commerce industry affecting refusal his employment use, manufacture, process, transport, otherwise handle goods, articles, materials, commodities perform services; (ii) threaten, coerce, restrain commerce, object thereof is— '(D) requiring trade, craft, class class, conform determining work.' (Supp. IV) 158(b)(4)(D) provides: 'Whenever charged meaning paragraph (4)(D) section 8(b), empowered directed hear determine arisen, unless, ten days after filed, submit satisfactory evidence adjusted, agreed upon methods of, Upon compliance dismissed.' 160(k). 10(k), note 2, provides Brotherhood Carpenters, 96 1045; Wood, Wire Metal Lathers 119 1345; Millwrights 1102, 121 101, 106—107; Ironworkers 708, 1753, 1757. 201 declares facilities conciliation, mediation, employers 61 152, 171(b). 203(d) 'Final hereby declared desirable settlement interpretation Service conciliation mediation services available last exceptional cases.' 154, 173(d). Senator Murray Montana. Rep. 105, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., 27, Leg.Hist.L.M.R.A. 433. provides, employer—* refuse provisions 9(a).' 158(a) (5). 9(a) chosen 'in appropriate' 159(a). 9(b) one—'the unit, craft subdivision thereof.' 159(b). accordance regulations prescribed board— '(A) employee acting behalf alleging wish declines recognize represe tative defined 9(a), assert organization, currently representative, longer 9(a); '(B) individuals organizations investigate reasonable believe hearing notice. conducted officer regional office, recommendations thereto. finds record exists, direct election secret ballot certify 159(c)(1). See, e.g., Raley's, 143 256, 258—259: 'In Company indicated 'hospitable acceptance process' 'to bargaining.' Relying various provisions, particularly Labor-Management 1947, instrument composing contractual differences,' concluded withhold undoubted adjudicate 'unless clearly tainted fraud, collusion, serious procedural irregularities Act.' Harvester, honored awards, proceedings, honor persuasive similar instant where, here, issue, thereto set contract, meets requirements decide questions representation. proper considering exists.' 517; Wertheimer Stores 107 1434. 302; cf. Order Railway Conductors Pitney, 326 561, 567, 66 322, 90 318.

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