Legal Document

389 U.S. 477 88 Supreme Court Reporter 639 19 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 716 W. Willard WIRTZ, Secretary of Labor, Petitioner,v. LOCAL UNION NO. 125, LABORERS' INTERNATIONAL OF NORTH AMERICA, AFL—CIO. Number 58. Argued Nov. 8 and 9, 1967. Decided Jan. 15, 1968. Louis Federal KF105 F3 Claiborne, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mortimer Riemer, Cleveland, Ohio, respondent. Mr. Justice BRENNAN, delivered the opinion Court. 1 This is a companion case to 57, Wirtz versus Local 153, Glass Bottle Blowers Ass'n, 463, 643, 705. Petitioner, filed action in District Northern Eastern Division, under § 402(b) Labor Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959, 29 Code KF62 482(b). His complaint challenged validity general election union officers conducted by respondent Union on June 8, 1963, runoff single office Business Representative made necessary tie vote that at election. The alleged, part, violations 401(e), 481(e), permitting members not 'in good standing' run both occasions. However, only allegation internal remedies had been exhausted, as required 402(a), was regard July 13; stated loser election, one Dial, protested appealed General Executive Board International concerning conduct and, having received final denial his protest Board, timely with Secretary. held omission an member complained internally about fatal Secretary's addressed dismissed part complaint. 231 F.Supp. 590. Appeals Sixth Circuit. During pendency appeal, its next regular triennial officers. thereupon vacated judgment dismissal remanded instructions portion dealing be moot. 6 Cir., 375 Reporter, 2nd 921.1 We granted certiorari. 387 904, 87 1686, 18 621. In light our decision today Assn., supra, must reversed; we there '* * fact has already another unsupervised does deprive right court order declaring void directing new supervision.' U.S., 475, S.Ct., 650. 2 circumstances might remand decide merits appeal. issue whether erred holding suit may challenge alleged affecting because Dial specifically 13 respect Representative. this question have fully briefed argued underlying statutory construction subject several conflicting rulings various federal courts.2 interests judicial economy are therefore best served if proceed resolve important now. 3 Respondent governed Constitution Uniform Laborers' North America. Under it existed during period relevant here, member's standing lost failure pay membership dues within specified grace period, automatically suspended without notice loss all rights except readmission (but member) upon payment fee. eligibility voters candidates elections determined reference report names whom per capita tax paid. included some 50 75 who were delinquent their actually provisions Constitution. cause patent disregard Local's own constitution practice Secretary-Treasurer paying from funds selected him, thus making appear those met obligations when they not.3 investigation disclosed approximately voting 60 ineligible vote; 16 27 including Dial's opponent ultimately won runoff, same reason. 4 answered inference since lacking explicit provision regarding permissible scope On facts think entitled maintain challenging fair violation charged unlawful probably occurred earlier well.4 need consider intimate no view argument triggers 402 enforcement which would permitted file any 401 discovered 5 reject narrow adopted supported limiting solely allegations initial Such severe restriction powers should read into statute clear indication congressional intent effect. Neither language nor legislative history provides such indication; indeed, indications quite clearly contrary. First, most improbable Congress deliberately settled exclusive jurisdiction him broad investigative discharge responsibilities,5 yet intended shape immutably fixed artfulness layman's often based incomplete information. expertise resources Department surely meant broader play.6 Second, so constrict inconsistent vital role, emphasize protecting public interest bound up Title IV. designed merely protect particular IV's special function furthering goals LMRDA insure free democratic elections, regulations electoral process enacted regarded protections well members. 7 can conclude, therefore, anomalous limit reach specifics analogous context rejected National Relations Board's authority fashion unfair labor complaints. NLRB Fant Milling Co., 360 301, 306—309, 79 1179, 1243; Licorice company NLRB, 309 350, 369, 569, 84 L.Ed. 799.7 argues, however, spirit letter requirement first exhaust before intervene compels suggested limitation. It contends even allow established Congress' intention unions opportunity redress 401. persuasive. 9 true exhaustion critical statute's objective fostering self-government. By channeling through appellate processes, hoped accustom utilizing available organization; time, expected provide responsible responsive procedures investigating redressing members' grievances. These intertwined objectives disserved but furthered include least he connection 10 Here sought alleging occurring affected five weeks before. fraudulent apparently able prove hearing enabled nine election; denied votes. investigation, much larger number falsification prepared reports used determine elections. Yet face evidence raising almost overwhelming probability misconduct also insists duty expand inquiry beyond specific Dial. Surely self-government contemplated allowing great latitude resolving controversies. default respondent's protest, seek relief Again, Congress, given power, cannot defined complaining ignorance law or artlessness protest. 11 Because deficiency pleading, factual tried. reverse direction enter reversing Court's further proceedings consistent opinion. 12 ordered. Reversed direction. 14 MARSHALL took consideration case. entered 14, 1964. April 18, 1966, granting motion summary directed 13, supervision 11, day intervening runoff. Compare Hotel, Motel Club Employees Union, 6, 381 500; Unions et al., IUOE, 366 911; 174, Musicians, 65 L.R.R.M. 2972; 450, 63 2105, more less support herein, 406, 254 962; 705, Hotel Employees, 2315; 169, Hod Carriers, 246 741, view. views particularly justify resolution remanding Appeals. contrast, did Appeals, standard questioned party properly applied facts. remit $1 month. payments current Local. See n. 2, 751—753. Although judgment, ground voter ineligibility; us. 601, 521, supplements mandate authorizes filing member. But investigates pursuant 601 complaint, remedy limited disclosure discovered. Whether uncovered predicate proceeding denies do Senator Kennedy's 'union lawyer,' 104 Cong.Rec. 10947, Leg.Hist. 1093 (Dept. 1964), conclusion. lawyer's use skills give substance client's incompletely expressed require prior destroy analogy; nothing dispenses 402(a).

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