Legal Document

350 U.S. 299 76 Supreme Court Reporter 400 100 L.Ed. 335 UNITED STATES of America, Petitioner,v.Joseph Pacific KF135 P2 RYAN. Number 281. Argued Jan. 19, 1956. Decided Feb. 27, Mr. Oscar or Haw. Hawai‘i Reports KFH45 A2 Davis, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Louis Waldman, New York City, respondent. Justice CLARK delivered the opinion Court. 1 The question decision in this case is whether president and principal negotiator a labor union 'representative' employees within meaning § 302(b) Labor Management Relations Act 1947, 61 Statutes-at-Large 136, 29 United States Code KF62 141, Annotated KF65 U5 §§ 186(b). That section makes it unlawful 'any representative any employees' to receive money other thing value from employer. District Court, 128 F.Supp. 128, held that respondent Joseph Ryan was 302(b), but Appeals Second Circuit reversed, Judge Hand dissenting. 225 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 417. Because importance administration Act, we granted certiorari, 860, 103. 2 International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) during years 1950 1951. ILA its affiliated groups were recognized collective-bargaining agents longshore Port York, bargained through wage scale committee which member. He signed agreements negotiated period. Arthur Kennedy & Son, Inc., Daniels Kennedy, concerns engaged stevedoring operations; their members ILA, they bound by netotiated with Shipping Association. found James C. both companies, had given $1,000 December each year 1946 1951, $500 April These findings are not disputed. indicted under accepting one two 1951 payments.1 guilty sentenced six months' imprisonment on three counts, sentences run concurrently, fined $2,500. 3 reversed solely interpretation term LMRA. It concluded (225 421) technical legislation limited 'the exclusive bargaining representative' employees, itself. Since applied only 'representative,' payments individually covered even though as union, he member all agreements. We do decide official ex officio 302. believe, however, respondent's relationship brings him term. 4 LMRA provides shall have same when used National amended Act.' 501(3), 142(3). pertinent definition appears 2(4) NLRA: 'The 'representatives' includes individual organization.' 49 449, 450, 151, 152(4), 152(4). 5 Board has may choose elect an sole representative.2 Appeals, laying much stress these holdings, assumes possibility such one-man representative, extremely rare,3 reason inclusion word 'individual' definition. cannot accept anomalous view. obvious organization, serving can negotiate, speak, act individuals. All collective conducted individuals who represent management. Many limitations prohibitions upon organization action be effective if there corresponding organization. Congress, placed identical organizations terming 2(4), agree using Congress intended include person authorized them dealings employers. 6 Considering precise words statute—'any employees'—it plain literal strongly suggests meant someone position represented negotiator. And strengthened consideration full text 302.4 Paragraphs (a) (b) 302 make employer offer, accept, value. Paragraph (c) lists five exceptions broad prohibitions. first exempts compensation services 'to employee' Thus clear anticipates individual. Of remaining four exceptions, could apply unions readily individuals.5 7 Further, narrow reading would substantially defeat congressional purpose. In disturbed demands certain employers contribute 'welfare funds' control officers saw fit. Mine Workers' demand mine operators create welfare fund contributing 10 cents ton coal mined, caused act. Case Bill, N.R.4908, 79th Cong., 2d Sess., regulated funds manner similar 302, enacted 1949, vetoed President. following Taft-Hartley containing passed over another veto. But, means 'exclusive representative', explicit 302(c)(5) easily evaded. Payments made directly officials, trustees, apparently excluded Thus, construction frustrate primary intent Congress. 8 Nor contended aiming at problem. Such suggestion supported neither legislative history nor structure section. arrangement reference contained 302(c)(5). If deal problem alone, done so directly, without writing prohibition subsections specific thereto subsection (c), last covers funds. As statute reads, criminal provision, malum prohibitum, outlaws payments, stated between representative. 9 supports conclusions. House Representatives, Hartley Bill forbade contributions funds, unfair practice give favors trust * *.' H.R.3020, 80th 1st 8(a)(2). scope bill enlarged reached Senate include, Senator Taft, 'case where shaking down 93 Cong.Rec. 4746. resulting amendment engage practices. disputed language version brought coverage dealt behalf more latter's concerning employment matters. Senate, special 'representative.'6 Joint Conference Committee substituted NLRA, amended. 501(3). This substitution among those secribed Report 'minor clarifying changes.' H.R.Conf.Rep. 510, 67. 11 read supporting conclusion employees. change drastically reduced section, hardly described clarifying' change. Certainly, face history, should reduce practical nullity. 12 insisted clashes use various sections NLRA. majority examples given, provisions themselves.7 But further, provision NLRA no applicable than LMRA, several patent construed For example, 204(a), 174(a), refers 'employers representatives,' 211(a), 181(a), 'interested representatives employers, general public'. There examples, sufficient. severely restricted inapplicable compulsion 13 conclude, therefore, prohibits relations judgment remanded. 14 Reversed 15 HARLAN took part case. previous 302(a), pay deliver, his employed industry affecting commerce.' record does disclose Government taken against involved. See Robinson-Ransbottom Pottery Co., 27 N.L.R.B. 1093; Louisville Sanitary Wiper 65 88. Statistics supplied NLRB show constitute less 0.1% certified Board. fiscal 1955, 2,904 elections chosen. petitions certification filed 4,372 elections. 1954, 3,108 total 4,813 'Sec. commerce. '(b) commerce '(c) (1) respect payable employee former employer, for, of, employer; (2) payment delivery satisfaction court award arbitrator impartial chairman compromise, adjustment, settlement release claim, complaint, grievance, dispute absence fraud duress; (3) sale purchase article commodity prevailing market price regular course business; (4) deducted wages membership dues organization: Provided, received employee, whose account deductions made, written assignment irrevocable period year, beyond termination date agreement, whichever occurs sooner; (5) paid established benefit families dependents (or families, jointly making dependents): (A) purpose paying, either income both, dependents, medical hospital care, pensions retirement death injuries illness occupational activity insurance provide foregoing, unemployment benefits life insurance, disability sickness accident insurance; (B) detailed basis specified agreement equally fund, together neutral persons event deadlock empowered break deadlock, umpire dispute, failure reasonable length time, shall, petition group, appointed district office, also contain annual audit statement results available inspection interested office places designated agreement; (C) providing annuities separate therein paying annuities. '(d) Any willfully violates conviction thereof, misdemeanor subject fine $10,000 both. *' 157, 186, 186. Subsection (4), relating check-off dues, presupposes Subsections (2), judgments arbitration awards, (3), goods ordinary business, (5), consistent 'representative.' Section 302(g) stated, 'For purposes which, who, purports grievances, disputes, wages, rates pay, hours employment, conditions work Examples are, 1, 'designation own choosing, negotiating terms employment,' 7, bargain collectively choosing,' 8(b)(4)(B) (C), 158(b)(4)(B, C), 'a employees', 8(b)(4)(D), 'bargaining employees.'

Classification Label: 6