Legal Document

403 U.S. 333 91 Supreme Court Reporter 1841 29 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 510 James D. HODGSON, Secretary of Labor, Petitioner,v. LOCAL UNION 6799, UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA, AFL-CIO, et al. Number 655. Argued March 23, 1971. Decided June 14, Syllabus Failure labor union member's election complaint to include an objection meeting-attendance rule during his pursuit internal remedies when the member was aware existence bars Labor from later challenging that in action under § 402 Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, which provides once a has exhausted filed with 'shall investigate such and, if he finds probable cause believe violation * occurred not been remedied, shall bring civil against organization.' Pp. 336—341. 426 Federal Reporter, 2nd 969, affirmed. Lawrence G. Wellace, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Michael or Haw. Hawai‘i KFH45 A2 Gottesman, respondents. Opinion by Mr. Justice MARSHALL, announced STEWART. 1 Petitioner, instituted this 402(b) Act 1959, 73 Statutes-at-Large 534, Code KF62 482(b), Local Steelworkers America, set aside general officers conducted union.1 The lawsuit arose after Nicholas Hantzis, unsuccessful candidate president local, protested both local international organizations. His protest concerned several matters including use facilities prepare campaign materials incumbent who re-elected.2 2 After failing obtain relief through procedures either organization, Hantzis pursuant 402(a) 482(a). repeated charge had used promote candidacy raised, first time, additional concerning requirement imposed as condition office.3 At no time protests did challenge attendance requirement. 3 Following investigation complaint, concluded improperly aid re-election 401(g) 481(g). also 401(e) violated because uniformly administered itself reasonable qualification on right members hold office. Respondents were advised these conclusions asked take voluntary remedial action. When they failed comply request, brought proceeding District Central California. 4 held benefit president's ordered new office president.4 held, however, 6799 imposing candidacies fur 5 On appeal, Appeals Ninth Circuit affirmed without reaching question whetehr reasonable. In court's view, Hantzis' failure precluded raising issue. court reasoned since requires protesting conduct elections exhaust their before complaining Secretary, Congress intended empower assert only 'those violations are fairly apparent *.' 971. 6 Because case presents important issue scope Secretary's authority we granted certiorari, 400 940, 239, 27 243. We conclude object therefore affirm decision Appeals. 7 Section title shall, within sixty days filing organization *.'5 outset, petitioner contends language section empowers litigate any all may have affected outcome election. Emphasis is placed fact authorized act uncovers 'a violation'—this, it said, means limited seeking redress respect claims earlier presented union. However, statutory so devoid ambiguity alone can bear weight expansive view authority. While words violation' might mean 'any whatever revealed investigation,' susceptible other readings. particular, be read raised protest.' Wirtz versus Union 125 Laborers' International Union, 389 477, 88 639, 19 716 (1968), noted range must determined 'by inference there lacking explicit provision regarding permissible complaint,' U.S., at 481, S.Ct., 641. must, therefore, examine legislative history policies behind rest decide case. 8 Examination relevant reveals clear congressional concern need remedy abuses departing needlessly longstanding policy unnecessary governmental interference affairs, 153, Glass Bottle Blowers Assn., 463, 470—471, 643, 647—648, 705 (1968). introduction Senate report accompanying summarizes objectives Congress: 9 'A strong independent movement vital part American institutions. shocking recent investigations confined few unions. overwhelming majority honestly democratically run. providing existing evils should careful neither undermine self-government nor weaken unions role bargaining representatives employees.' S.Rep. 187, 86th Cong., 1st Sess., (1959); U.S.Code Cong. & Admin. News, Page 2322. 10 seek alleged enlisting similarly designed harmonize eliminate desire avoid intervention. same Report, reference Title IV exhaustion requirement, states: 11 'In show pursued available him parent body timely manner. This preserves maximum amount independence giving every opportunity correct improper elections.' Id., 21. 12 Plainly foster situation themselves could many possible Government's ever becoming involved. Achieving objective would preserve strengthen self-regulating institutions, but expenditure resources Labor. 13 Petitioner concerns underpinning adequately served case, actually given chance specific being taken Secretary. irrelevant himself focus remedies. sum, urges long objects way voluntarily determines election, regardless whether objected 14 petitioner's objectives, left virtually purpose play scheme. 'Exhaustion' accomplished sort union, matter how remote made litigated. obvious met 'exhaustion,' notice defects cured. Indeed, primary vitality mechanisms resolving disputes—mechanisms complaints themselves. To accept contention member, facts underlying violation, self-government. approach slights interest protecting self-regulation out harmony reflected 402(a). 15 Of course, interpretation reflect needs rank file members—those people ultimately serve. unmindful broad imprecise framing will often lack necessary information violations. democracy far too permit deficiencies foreclose violations; determining satisfied, courts impose heavy burden discern question.6 But supporting some discernible fashion, indicate dissatisfaction those meet 16 knew wholly unrelated rule. properly barred litigating claim. Given holding, do reach 17 judgment 18 Affirmed. BRENNAN, dissenting. 20 N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions dissent. acknowledges permitting discloses well investigation.' Ante, 338. Nonetheless, concludes protest,' ibid., broader disregard It controlling significance rather than enacted Court, my falls into error. 21 125, comprehensively analyzed meant further enacting enforcement powers 482. said 'Title IV's special function furthering over-all goals LMRDA insure 'free democratic' elections,' 470, 647, 'vital' public. 475, 483, 650, 642. recognized desired basic minimal union's management its own where intrusion realize public favoring free democratic elections, 'it anomalous limit specifics complaint.' accordingly incorrect (the provision) somehow conditioning Secretary's) intervention invoked.' 473, 649. 22 That holding fits precisely us. Intervention invoked dissident procedures. subsequent uncovered another surely corrected. 482(b) leads 'probable subchapter occurred' order 'to direct accordance provisions subchapter.' (Emphasis added.) 482(c), 'so lawful practicable conformity constitution bylaws These make inescapable conclusion ground processed investigation. Court's contrary construction ignores 'the Congress, although committed intervention, obviously equally making warranted, effective carrying aim IV.' 23 WHITE, 24 If, have, directs 'under supervision practicable, 482(c). it, then, obligation, indeed forbidden, follow unlawful. proceedings discovers regulating deems unlawful—such rule—but insists entirely lawful, does simply ignore secure judicial ruling foreclosed required attack rule, probably affect him? 25 agree claim using rejected, even though turned up discovered ballot boxes stuffed. invalid bylaw purports govern validly exhausted, appears expressed grounds complaint-exhaustion requirements, insist law adjudicated stands provision. chartered, intervened party defendant. written consisted letter purported describe election's operation. Since allegations, difficult define objections. addition machinery incumbents, procedural methods nominate swear officers. subsequently none constituted Act. contained eligible officer grievance committeeman, attended least one-half regular meetings 36 months previous unless activities working hours prevented attendance. unclear qualified facet challenged here. 'Sec. 402. (a) A organization— '(1) body, '(2) obtaining final three calendar invocation, 'may one month thereafter alleging 401 (including pertaining removal officers). presumed valid pending thereon (as hereinafter provided) interim affairs elected manner provide. '(b) entity district maintains principal any, hearing vote upon rules regulations prescribe. power proper assets organization. '(c) preponderance evidence trial merits, finds— prescribed 401, declare void promptly certify names persons elected, thereupon enter decree declaring If subsection (h) results removed '(d) An directing dismissing designating appealable action, stayed appeal.' For much reasons, niceties while unnecessarily complex otherwise operate confuse inhibit protestors.

Classification Label: 6