Legal Document

401 U.S. 302 91 Supreme Court Reporter 658 28 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 64 George RAMSEY et al., Petitioners dba Leon nunley Coal Co., al.v.UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA. Number 88. Argued Dec. 7, 1970. Decided Feb. 24, 1971. Syllabus Petitioner coal mine operators brought this Sherman Act conspiracy action against respondent union alleging that had expressly or impliedly agreed with the major producers to impose provisions of 1950 National Bituminous Wage Agreement (NBCWA) on all operators, knowing smaller ones would be unable meet NBCWA terms and driven out business. based their express-agreement claim a later amendment, Protective Clause (PWC), whereby undertook not enter into any agreement other basis than NBCWA, implied-agreement PWC subsequent activities operators. Following trial, trial judge dismissed case for failure proof, finding did constitute an express commitment by bargain except but that, evidence considered, implied do so inferred if applicable standard proof were preponderance ordinarily applied in civil cases. He concluded, however, where labor is involved, § 6 Norris-LaGuardia requires 'clear proof,' both respect authority individuals alleged have performed illegal acts behalf unions whether themselves occurred, amounted conspiracy, injured plaintiff's Section provides no organization participating dispute shall liable unlawful individual officers members upon proof' actual participation authorization such acts. The District Court's judgment was affirmed equally divided Appeals. additionally urge construction which make it exempt under antitrust laws, they ask reconsideration holding Mine Workers America versus Pennington, 381 657, 85 1585, 14 626, laws when concludes 'a wage multi-employer bargaining unit * as matter its own policy, part employers unit, seek(s) same wages from employers.' Held: 1. ordinary actions proving members, officers, agents perform complained of, applies. Pp. 307—311. 2. This cannot properly consider first instance petitioners' additional argument about since clear contention made below whether, event, record supports it. 311—312. 3. decision Pennington reaffirmed (1) may agreements pursuit self-interests seek secure (2) exemption forfeited agrees employer group certain scale units, thus joining limit competition. 312—314. 416 Federal Reporter, 2nd 655, reversed remanded. John Atlantic Rowntree, Knoxville, Tenn., petitioners. Edward Bennett Williams, Washington, D.C., respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered opinion Court. 1 Petitioners, southeastern Tennessee, plaintiffs court, complaint accused violating conspiring various drive petitioners thrust Union (MBCWA), executed companies 1950, small nonmechanized contract's terms. purpose eliminate marginal control production, reserve market larger concerns. rested so-called (PWC) added amendment 1958. PWC, after reciting parties mines 'shall operated debase lower standards wages, hours, safety requirements conditions work, established contract,' provided follows: 2 'During period Contract, will into, party to, nor permit understanding covering hours work employees covered Contract those specified Contract. diligently enforce without discrimination favor paragraph use exercise continuing best efforts obtain full compliance therewith each signatory thereto.'1 3 event claimed conspiratorial arrangement between could course negotiations forward,2 ensuing organizational strike activity south-eastern Tennessee aimed at securing amended time time, well Union's purchase controlling interest West Kentucky company latter's allegedly predatory pricing TVA market. 4 court voluminous record, wrote extensive containing his findings conclusions leading dismissal proof. Ramsey Workers, 265 F.Supp. 388 (ED Tenn. 1967). interpreted forbidding departure contract only signatories concerned; found nothing obligating insist comparable dealing outside unit. As standardize employment throughout industry destroying producers, said '(w) ere being tried usual rule cases, conclude U.M.W. agree,' 'the involved proof', required Act, different burden persuasion.'3 F.Supp., 412. Judged stricter standard, wanting failed. 5 A panel Appeals ruled erred applying clear-evidence rehearing en banc granted. then four judges disagreed. latter insisted preponderance-of-evidence Union. therefore court. 655 (CA6 1969). We granted certiorari. 397 1006, 90 1283, 25 418 (1970). In section entitled 'Legal Guidelines,' Judge inquired must govern proceeding involving charge union.' His answer was: 'The borne plaintiff cases generally. requirement imposed this. That applies wherein sought charged violation appears settled.' 400. passages judge's opinion,4 he apparently demanded rather who unions, also proved plaintiffs' business been injured. eight seemed read having given unlimited application clear-proof action. Apparently convinced critical difference case, issue them should matters conduct proved.5 7 reasoning courts departing generally federal courts6 rooted 47 Statutes-at-Large 71, 29 Code KF62 106. But far too much 6, 8 'No officer member association organization, interested dispute, held responsible agents, in, acts, ratification knowledge thereof.' 9 O'Sullivan cogently observed that: 'This plain language clearly exposes Section's limitation.' F.2d, 667. On face addressed quantum prove occurrence 'unlawful acts.' It concerned requiring person actually participated authorized, ratified 'such Nothing words suggests new prescribed issues union, dispute. neither implication satisfaction deciding factual concerning commission vel non inferences drawn overt furtherance impact relevant injury businesses. 10 legislative history reviewed length Brotherhood Carpenters Joiners States, 330 395, 67 775, L.Ed. 973 (1947). again we find suggest means something what seems say.7 Without laboring matter—since contrary has presented us—the simple concern Congress violence occurring disputes never authorized responsible. discerned tendency blame everything during strike. Nor problem necessarily limited unions.8 straightforward are one antagonists dispute—whether union—the individual's ratified. See id., 403, S.Ct., 780. support material notion intended broadly modify sued separately together damages incurred disputes. 11 Prior relied contrary. Carpenters' 6. there '(t)he limitations growing disputes, come before them.' Id., 401, 779. statement unexceptionable—the courts, course, heed arising applicable.9 However, imposes describes. remainder deals organizations act another. Indeed, because failed instruct unless showed 12 Gibbs, 383 715, 86 1130, 16 218 (1966), insofar dealt show responsibility illegel violence. There suggestion broader scope. And even 626 (1965), came cited discussed indications our passing reference, U.S., 665, 1591, forfeiture liability connivance shown establish charging violations Act. 13 view, convincing authorization, behalf. discern fashioning unions. Accordingly, elements treble-damage II argue two matters. urged construe itself laws. 1958, BCOA, national hundreds units addition represented BCOA. Even bound identical 'signatories,' effect clause, urged, bind contract, ad infinitum, many units; longer free agree previous NBCWA.10 reference aspect opinions unsure deem inappropriate instance. 15 Finally, us reconsider Clayton Acts incurs 'awage 664, 1590. decline do. unmistakably Allen Bradley Local 3, International Electrical 325 797, 811, 65 1533, 1540, 89 1939 (1945), unilateral type protected does violate though restrain trade. '(T)hese congressionally permitted trade themselves. denying fact so, directly indirectly.' desirability question determination Congress.' 810, 1540. adhere view. retreat 'one line can draw assurance follow congressional purpose. know feared concentrated power dominate markets prices. monopoly less participates, Act.' Hence Pennington: '(T)he policies compel UMW large uniform industry, proved, laws.' 669, 1593. Where set employers, insists maintaining ruinous caused agreed-upon conduct. reverse remand further proceedings consistent opinion. 17 So ordered. 18 Judgment 19 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK, HARLAN, MARSHALL concur, dissenting. 20 phase protracted litigation involves quite 626. 38 738, 70, exempted recognized single issue. 661—666, 1588 1591. said, '(W)e think forfeits units.' 21 scope violated. Apex Hosiery Leader, 310 469, 512, 60 982, 1002, 84 1311, '(A)ctivities immunized 22 union-employer force causes lose exemption. mean liable. present is, indeed, violation. solely concerns kind needed. 23 turns meaning 106, provides: 24 says 'On acts." & N Immigration Nationality Decisions respectfully disagree. 26 Unions usually through body. Their vicarious; anxious safeguard, curtail, restricted agency 'authorization.' commit 'actual participation' 'ratification' 27 Authorization acts' like must, vitality, complicity scheme.1 my view drastic rewriting ratified.' BCOA (Bituminous Operators Association) entered industry-wide 1958 scales 'signatory operators' lands leases. argued constituted nonsignatory order some (including petitioners) If then, (381 674, 1595), lost word agreement, it, covers 30 contended business, total driving small, 31 Wilson ruled: 32 'Were agree. persuasion. (and America) 973; (of 218. unequivocal warrant pursued policy uniformity more distinguished pursuing own. direct own, employer.' 388, 33 officials agreeing clause fully agents. requires, easy. For immaterial 'preponderance evidence' test, whichever required, woud difference. labor-antitrust apart rest—as designed do—it embrace program entire 34 detail. While none suggested test satisfied relation. 35 739, 1146, 218, spoke flowing violence: 36 'What either approved actively tolerance actionable state law intentionally drew force.' 37 Gibbs talk protest threatened union's interests, became heated erupted violence? Certainly not. dynamite proof'; carry lawful certainly destroy employer's get include Goldberg pointed 189, Amalgamated Meat Cutters, etc. Jewel Tea 676, 697 seq., 1596, 1607 640, obviously per se collective bargaining.2 particular becomes vulnerable union3 advance miners' interests 39 By here: Was plan business? 40 Since affirmed. return 'that bituminous mined, produced, prepared them, procured acquired subcontract arrangement' produced favorable contract. another Consolidated UMW, 1192 1969), stated 'quid pro quo' foregoing undertaking described 'to boycott conformity agreement.' 1198. Association (BCOA) formed collective-bargaining just signing NBCWA. Member ranged large, mined 50% coal. 'negotiating committee' analogous UMW's 'policy committee,' represent table. 407 Tenn.1967). Relations management improved greatly 1950's, absence strife indicated rise conspiracy. 407—408. 'Did apply, might reached conclusion issues.' 434. n. supra, accompanying text. urges understood most significant rule. proposition relies instructions jury reported 1200—1203, narrowly. decide us, evidenced views. Here belied court's interpretation second proposition—that ruling mere dictum—leaves unexplained Appeals' affirmance remarks results issues, including aspects issue, prepondance governing standard. To extent fail here hold legal open remand. note picketing, nonexistent played little thinking judge. 'In (the finder's) duty weight carefully, whose preponderates. *' Lilienthal's Tobacco 97 237, 266, 901 (1878). noted 736 26, 1144, fullest S.Rep.No.163, 72d Cong., 1st Sess., 19—21. 'Moreover, capital.' 19. 'more stringent standards' modified purposes Labor Management 736, (1966). amended, 2(13), 61 139, 152(13); 1947, §§ 301(e), 303(b), 157, 159, 185(e), 187(b). From Ramsey, petitioners, 'was began operations (in 1954) until 1960. Welfare Fund non-payment royalties following years payments exceeded profits. fact, money year withdrew joined Southern terminated contract.' 428. Other refused sign negotiated modifications. '(O)n December 1962, miners Southeastern field ceased working. appear called strike, sanctioned strike.' Ibid. 410—411, 783—784, 973. provoked Frankfurter say dissent: 'Practically speaking, serves immunize especially alert powerful, corporations Law liability. result deny practical consequences ruling.' 422, 789. Yet, S.Rep. 163, 19, respecting 6: 'Opposition voiced ground seeks 'new agency.' place, establishing evidence. provision relieving act' ratification.' see H.R.Conf.Rep. 793, 6; 821, said: shows contracts standardized area often secured associations leaders sets 'pattern' employers. These similar systems used achieve fostering peace negotiation industry.' 722, 1621. prior measure introduced. 1060, pt. 2, 71st 18—19: '(W)hy specifically advised avoided, become hot-headed perhaps assaulting breaker? Again, relationship employee. chosen membership. They over associates determining employ them. accepted associated common controlled lawless majority, necessary law-abiding men dissolve lawbreakers; doctrine few change character very largely developed peculiarly judge-made high action, uphold long guilt personal evidence, criminal imputed proven beyond reasonable doubt liability.'

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