Legal Document

362 U.S. 365 80 Supreme Court Reporter 779 4 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 797 MARINE COOKS & STEWARDS, AFL, etc., et al., Petitioners,v.PANAMA STEAMSHIP COMPANY, Ltd., al. Number 403. Argued March 2, 3, 1960. Decided April 18, Rehearing Denied May 31, See 363 809, 1235. Mr. John Paul Jennings, Pebble Beach, Cal., for petitioners. D. Mosser, Portland, Or., respondents. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The respondents, who are owner, time charterer, and master Liberian registered vessel, S. Nikolos, brought this action in a District against petitioner union its members praying temporary permanent injunctions to restrain, damages allegedly suffered from, union's peaceful picketing ship American waters threats picket shore consignees ship's cargo should they accept delivery. sole contention was that without jurisdiction restrain because Norris-LaGuardia Act which states § 1: 2 'That no court States, as herein defined, shall have issue any restraining order or injunction case involving growing out labor dispute, except strict conformity with provisions Act; nor such be issued contrary public policy declared Act.'1 3 Section same law specifically denies Courts prohibit unions from: '(e) Giving publicity existence of, facts involved in, whether by advertising, speaking, patrolling, other method not fraud violence * *.'2 5 Notwithstanding these despite an express finding had been guilty fraud, threatened committed acts physical person property, picketing.3 prohibited 'the §§ 'Nikolos' vessel under foreign flag manned alien crew owned, operated chartered by' Puget Sound area. This based on conclusions (a) did involve grow dispute within meaning (b) even if there were Act, it interfered internal economy friendly power amounted 'unlawful interference commerce.'4 court's conclusion rested following facts, about substantial dispute. 6 national organizations act bargaining representatives most unlicensed personnel vessels fly Pacific Coast. Petitioner alone, pursuant National Labor Relations Board certification, represents employees stewards' department large majority those vessels. Nikolos is owned corporation, time-chartered trip another all aliens working employment contracts made outside country. There between ship. picked up salt Mexico carried harbor port Tacoma, Washington, delivery consignee there. After entered Tacoma met boat began circle around displaying signs marked 'PICKET BOAT.' Later additional sign put reading: 'AFL—CIO seamen protest loss their livelihood flagships substandard wages conditions.' extend attempt berth unload cargo. Although result could deliver 7 On appeal from Appeals argued granted beyond Norris- LaGuardia previously set out,5 but rejected upheld injunction.6 That view almost entirely upon our holding Benz versus Compania Naviera Hidalgo, 353 138, 77 699, 709. Certiorari consider question applicability here, 361 893, 197, 150, Order Railroad Telegraphers Chicago North Western R. Co., 56, 330, 761. We think neither supports narrow construction gave case. 8 decided sitting state enforce diversity jurisdiction. Management 1947, 29 Code Annotated KF65 U5 141 seq., governed relations workers abroad while happened temporarily waters. scope coverage accordingly pre-empt filed so bar unlawful Oregon law. Nothing said intimated would justify inference has award disputes also like situations. question—of courts' cases this—is controlled Act. 9 Act's langauge broad. language broad Congress intent taking federal courts business very limited circumstances left open history background led take adverted number prior opinions we refused give interpretations restored many controversies courts.7 10 It difficult see how controversy thought spring anything one 'concerning terms conditions employment,' hence Act.8 stated pickets concerned 'substandard does involve, requires, 'persons engaged industry, trade, craft, occupation.'9 And immaterial 'stand proximate relation employer employee.'10 clearly 11 held, however, commerce' 'in power' prevented 'such lawfully loading discharging at ports States.'11 adopted position, cited authority statement 'unlawful,' respondents pointed statute persuasive proving petitioner's conduct unlawful. Compare 20 Clayton KF62 52, 52. unlawful, follow enjoin particular enjoined. Nor leave room hold type can nonenjoinable may 'interfere power.'12 12 passed curtail regulate courts, not, Taft-Hartley people disputes. As case, voluntarily enters territorial limits country subjects itself laws exist.13 fact plaintiff cannot enlarge court. presented us do decide, tortious All decide deprives shown. 13 judgment reversed remanded directions dismiss petition injunction. ordered. 14 Judgment directions. 15 WHITTAKER, believing constitute lawful 'labor dispute' his dissenting page 345, 769, dissents. 47 Statutes-at-Large 70, 101, 101. 71; 104, 104. Even leaves controversies, sections narrowly circumscribe where, parties whom, which, issue. If, issuance specific section, 4, compliance requirements 7, Panama Steamship company Marine Cooks Stewards, 1959 A.M.C. 340. 340, 350. In claim 28 1331, provides: 'The district original civil actions wherein matter arises Constitution, treaties States.' Between Court's appealed appeal, Romero International Terminal Operating 358 354, 79 468, 483, 368. 1331 'not extend, reasonably interpreted admiralty maritime jurisdiction.' Id., 378, 483. here broadened challenge invoking interpretation makes unnecessary determine separate raised Cir., 1959, 265 Federal Reporter, 2nd 780. See, e.g., Hutcheson, 312 219, 61 463, 85 L.Ed. 788; Milk Wagon Drivers' Union etc. Lake Valley Farm Products, 311 91, 122, 63; New Negro Alliance Sanitary Grocery 303 552, 58 703, 82 1012; Lauf E. G. Shinner 323, 578, 872. Allen Bradley Local I.B.E.W., 325 797, 805, 65 1533, 1538, 89 1939. underlying aim restore purpose formulated frustrated, believed, unduly restrictive judicial construction.' 235—236, 788. congressional purpose, well known, prompted desire protect rights laboring men organize bargain collectively withdraw believed ill-suited participation feared, prestige might suffer. Frankfurter Greene, Injunction (1930), 200; Gregory, Law (1958), 184—199. 113(c), defines purposes follows: term includes concerning employment, association representation persons negotiating, fixing, maintaining, changing, seeking arrange regardless disputants stand employee.' (Emphasis supplied.) 73; 113(a), 113(a). note 8, supra. Unlike situation belong picketed sympathy strike aboard, interested ship, rather preserving job opportunities themselves They own behalf, behalf Benz. Though foreign, domestic. For thoughtful discussion impact standards, Afran Transport Maritime Union, D.C., 169 F.Supp. 416, 326 (holding withdrew strikingly involved). But Fianza Cia. Nav. S.A. Benz, 178 243, 1758, 37 C.C.H. Lab.Cas., 65, 495. 142, 702, generally, Comment, Effect Legislation Flag-of-Convenience Fleet: Regulation Shipboard Remedies Against Shoreside Picketing, 69 Yale L.J. 498, 516—525, esp. 523 525. Here ships obtain them complying requirement hearing make specified findings.

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