Legal Document

331 U.S. 722 67 Supreme Court Reporter 1473 91 L.Ed. 1772 RUTHERFORD FOOD CORPORATION et al.v.McCOMB. Number 562. Argued April 9, 10, 1947. Decided June 16, Rehearing Denied Oct. 13, See 68 29. Mr. E. R. Morrison, of Kansas City, Mo., for petitioners. Miss Bessie Margolin, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice REED delivered the opinion Court. 1 The Administrator Wage and Hour Division Department Labor brought this action o enjoin t he Rutherford Food Corporation Kaiser Packing Company from further violating Fair Standards Act.1 alleged that defendants had repeatedly failed to keep proper records pay certain its employees overtime as required by § 7 Act.2 District refused grant injunction. Circuit Appeals reversed on appeal, directed entry judgment substantially prayed for. Walling versus Corporation, 10 Cir., 156 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 513. We case here because importance issues presented petition certiorari administration Act. 2 Act 1938, enacted 25, is a part social legislation 1930's same general character National Relations July 5, 1935, 49 Statutes-at-Large 449, 29 United States Code Annotated KF65 U5 151 seq., Social Security August 14, 620, 42 301 seq. Decisions define coverage employer-Employee relationship under acts are persuasive in consideration similar Board Hearst Publications, 322 111, 64 851, 88 1170; Silk, 704, 1463. 3 petitioners corporations Missouri authorized do business Kansas. slaughterhouse Company, place violations with which we concerned, principal company, Kansas, it ships meat interstate commerce. Since 1942 most product has been boned beef. petitioner, plant processing products Missouri. In 1943, bought 51% stock order assure itself constant supply beef contracts Army. operating continued operate at loss, advanced more than $50,000 between March, when stock, 1943. To meat, leased Kaiser's facilities took over operation July. May, 1944, lease was terminated Rutherford's interest sold, so might qualify subsidies granted Defense Supplies unaffiliated nonprocessing slaughterers Regulation 3.3 4 Prior one hourly paid employee who acted combined butcher, boner filler. During 1942, be able furnish Army specifications contract, entered into written contract Reed, an experienced boner, provided Reed should assemble group skilled boners boning slaughterhouse. terms were work amount per hundredweight beef, would have complete control other boners, his employees, room work, known vestibule, carcasses cattle slaughtered moved overhead rails also barrels washed out vestibule employees. abandoned February, taken oral worked him. This Schindel, then made company Hooper Deere, Schindel. After few onths Deer e left, time like save rent room, although matter fact no ever paid. found since started money shared equally among all except short after some hour. It stipulated owned their own tools, these consisted merely hook hold knife cut it, sharpener knife, leather belt (apron). Although C.I.O. union representative workers insisted members, they join, dues not checked off subject authority steward plant. 5 operations, part, carried series interdependent steps. slaughtered, skinned dressed killing thence overnight cooler Kaiser. next day another rail. They move around rail, each cutting section boning. boneless put barrels, or passed trimmer, Kaiser, trims waste meat. Waste barrels. called dock, where weighed trucks. never attempted hours but must 'keep current depend large measure upon number slaughtered.' 513, 515. undisputed president manager goes through many times 'is frequently about failure bones.' 6 thought facts within classification term used But independent contractors, denied injunction sought Administrator. Appeals, however, said: 'The operations constitute integrated economic unit devoted primarily production Practically entering done roof. * alongside admitted operator tasks. task performed natural contribution accomplishment common objective.' view test determining law control, 'as concerns correction evils remedies unknown *.' concluded 'underlying realities lead conclusion 516, 517. Congress lessen, far seemed practicable, distribution commerce goods produced subnormal labor conditions. An effort eliminate low wages long method chosen free interferences arising conditions detrimental health well-being workers. accomplish purpose minimum maximum hour provisions requirement employees' services kept employer.4 make effective, contais sectio n granting district courts jurisdiction involved, relating keeping employment paying overtime.5 Whether charged complaint violate depends, determination whether either both respondents employers boners. As our requires trial court frame injunction, shall treat only question employers. undertake reach any appropriate form pass 8 Act, there definition solves problems limits employer-employee Provisions bearing appear margin.6 'employ' broad. evidently derives child statutes noted applies 12.7 decided broad include those 'who, without express implied compensation agreement, advantage premises another.' Portland Terminal Co., 330 148, 639, 641. opinion, pointed 'This contains definitions, comprehensive enough require application persons working relationships, prior deemed fall category.' 150, 640. said included compensated piece rate basis. Rosenwasser, 323 360, 65 295, 89 301. accepted stipulation station 'red-caps' railroad Williams Jacksonville 315 386, 391, 62 659, 663, 86 914. There may contractors take alone responsible supra; compare Roland Electrical Walling, 326 657, 66 413, 90 383; Martino Michigan Window Cleaning 327 173, 379, 603. conclude, contractors. agree quoted above, characterization such circumstances performing establishment. Where done, essence, follows usual path employee, putting 'independent contractor' label does worker protection Act.8 that: 9 right inherent constitutional right, contracts, quantity uncommon packing business, generally. plan share commonly employed City elsewhere, various plants nothing inequitable sharing divided group. gives man being members fleshier parts carcass. Under beginners casual can equitably care payment basis money.' think, isolated factors rather whole activity. Viewed way, did specialty job line. responsibility material changes another. equipment work. organization could shift slaughter-house managing official close touch operation. While profits depended efficiency piecework enterprise actually success initiative, foresight typical contractor. Upon whole, conclude slaughtering 11 therefore affirm effect modify direction 'for prayed,' leave decree accordance decision. ordered. 12 Modified affirmed. 52 1060, 201 KF62 207, 207. Register 10826; 14641; 1820. §§ 2, 6, 7, 11(c). Darby, 312 100, 125, 61 451, 462, 85 609, 132 American Law Reports 1430; Overnight Motor Transp. Missel, 316 572, 577, 578, 1216, 1219, 1220, 1682. 17, 15, 7(a), 3: 'As Act— '(d) 'Employer' includes person acting directly indirectly employer relation '(e) 'Employee' individual employer. '(g) 'Employ' suffer permit work.' Note brief summarizes relevant data: 'At enactment phrase 'employed, permitted suffered work' contained thirty-two Columbia. phraseology appeared Uniform Child Laws recommeded 191 1930 Conference Commissioners State (Child Bulletin, Vol. I, 1912; Proceedings Conference, 1930), Standard recommended Legislation Handbook compiled Josephine C. Goldmark (See e.g., issue 1904, Page 11), Recommended International Association Governmental Officials. 'employed seventeen well held unconstitutional Hammer Dagenhart, 247 251, 38 529, 1101, 649, Ann.Cas.1918E, 724, Tax Case, Bailey Drexel Furniture 259 20, 817, 21 1432. cited Appendix brief, infra, Pages 58—60.' Needlecrafts, 139 60; Vogue, Inc., 145 609; Twyeffort, 158 944.

Classification Label: 6