Legal Document

357 U.S. 265 78 Supreme Court Reporter 1222 2 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 1305 Henry T. McKINNEY, Petitioner,v.The MISSOURI-KANSAS-TEXAS RAILROAD COMPANY et al. Number 93. Argued Jan. 27, 1958. Decided June 23, Mr. John G. Laughlin, Jr., Washington, D.C., for petitioner. M. E. Clinton, Dallas, Tex., respondent Missouri-Kansas-Texas R. co. Carroll Judge Donohue, St. Louis, Mo., Brotherhood of Railway and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express Station Employees. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. 1 This case arises out proceedings to enforce claim a veteran re-employment rights under § 9 Universal Military Training Service Act. 62 Statutes-at-Large 604, 614—618, as amended, 50 U.S.C.App. 459, (Supp. V) U.S.C.A.Appendix, 459. More specifically, petitioner claims that he has been deprived seniority which is entitled statute collective bargaining agreement in force between his employer, railroad, union representing its employees. Made part complaint filed District are provisions regulating relations employees, especially relating promotions. Employees divided into three groups according functions they perform, with defined within each group. Rule 10 provides when new positions available or vacancies occur existing positions, such will be 'bulletined' by employer employees may bid therefor. 1(3)(A) that, 'Promotion confined group * exception employes on enumerated two (2) given preference over nonemployes assignment one (1), based upon fitness ability *.' 15 states 'An employe returning after leave absence return former position may, exercise any bulletined during absence.' 3 The alleges was employed relief clerk-chief caller, classified 2. On September 26, 1950, left employment induction Armed Forces States. Petitioner still respondent, pursuant procedure set forth agreement, filled. 8, 1952, bill clerk nonemployee assigned it 15. 10, assistant cashier 22. separated from military service 25, October applied respondent. He placed date 7, 1952. Subsequently this abolished reduced position. Respondent refused allow claimed place himself who had 15, 4 In contended him re-employment, erroneous, Act, supra, 8 dates which, if then could have positions. Such date, petitioner, would replace abolished, thus avoided reduction 5 prayed order assign requested earlier permit clerk, addition sought compensation wages lost result being dismissed failure state cause action Appeals Tenth Circuit affirmed. 240 Federal Reporter, 2nd 8. Because importance question presented administration protection veterans' thereunder, we granted certiorari. 353 948, 77 860, 858. 6 correctly held not obliged, before bringing suit 9(d) 616, 459(d), pursue remedies possibly grievance National Railroad Adjustment Board. See 48 1189—1193, 45 Code KF62 153, Annotated KF65 U5 153. asserts created federal even though their determination necessarily involve interpretation agreement. Although does itself create system, but accepts requires application principles system manner deprive benefits, terms restoration advancement status, Congress provided. sues simply an employee asserting special bestowed furtherance policy protect those served Forces. 7 For effective these distinctively rights, provided 9(d)1 Act fails comply statute, Court, filing petition person benefits jurisdiction compel compliance compensate loss wages. court enjoined speedy hearing advance calendar, Attorney must appear act prosecution reasonably satisfied Nowhere suggested can obtain benefit expeditious exhaust other avenues open tribunal contrary, statutory scheme contemplates vindication veteran's brought immediately advanced calendar litigation, prosecuted assistance Attorney. Only thus, evidently thought, adequate assured veteran, since delay might often hardship defeat, all practical purposes, give him. To insist first lengthy doubtful procedures ground different ignore actual character asserted defeat liberal procedural clearly manifested rights. Section relies, conditions restored like seniority, pay. disadvantaged serving country. 9(c) (1) shall 'without seniority.'2 Fishgold versus Sullivan Drydock & Repair Corp., 328 275, 284—285, 66 1105, 1110—1111, 90 L.Ed. 1230, Oakley Louisville N.R. Co., 338 278, 283, 70 119, 122, 94 87, same provision interpreted mean step back at exact point employment, rather 'a moving escalator affecting particular comparable remained continuously civilian employment.' page 122. now embodied present Act.3 However, guarantee serviceman perfect reproduction called colors. Much there flowed experience, effort, chance cannot lay statute. assure past possibilities betterment recalled. Its very important limited purpose changes advancements status occurred virtue continued denied because service. manifests no attained right, inducted employment. Thus, demand higher than formerly promotion depends, some form automatic progression, discretion employer. service, demanded Promotion 2, employed, dependent seniority. Under discriminating managerial choice. Collective agreements include familiar presupposed context placed. Aeronautical Industrial Lodge Campbell, 337 521, 527, 69 1287, 1290, 93 1513. bulletined, it, found possessed requisite ability. envisage overriding employer's discretionary choice mandatory promotion. Nor sanction interfering disrupting usual, carefully adjusted among themselves regarding opportunities advancement. 11 precise essentially different. not, fact absence, re-employment. returns 'exercise But alone 1(3)(A), entitle move 1; also relevant. through mistake law. Whatever reason, did enlarge petitioner's either Since obligated all, so bound similarly promoted entitled. pay commenced, month bulletined. 12 argues summarily motion opportunity prove custom practice respondent's employ. parties frequently most reliable bases determining arise it. Accordingly, affirm judgment, amend allege, fact, automatic. 13 judgment 14 Affirmed. BLACK DOUGLAS dissent merits. 'In private refuses subsection (b), (c)(1) (g) section, district maintains business power, motion, petition, appropriate pleading provisions, specifically require suffered reason unlawful action: Provided, That deemed diminish provisions. calendar. Upon attorney official business, claiming official, applying amicable adjustment thereof provisions: fees costs taxed against apply benefits: Provided further, only necessary party action.' 459(d). 'Any accordance paragraph (A) (B) (b) considered having furlough period training armed forces, without participate insurance offered established rules practices effect time discharged year restoration.' 615, 459(c)(1), 459(c)(1). 'It hereby declared sense should enjoyed entering forces until 615—616, 459(c)(2), 459(c)(2).

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