Legal Document

343 U.S. 768 72 Supreme Court Reporter 1022 96 L.Ed. 1283 BROTHERHOOD OF RAILROAD TRAINMEN et al.v.HOWARD al. Number 458. Argued and Submitted April 22, 1952. Decided June 9, by Mr. Charles R. Judge, St. Louis, Mo., for petitioners. Messrs. Joseph C. Waddy, Washington, D.C., Victor Packman, respondent, Howard. Eugene G. Nahler, James L. Homire, New York City, Cornelius or Haw. Hawai‘i Reports KFH45 A2 Skinker, Jr., Alvn Judge Baumann, Louis-San Fr ancisco Ry. company Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This case raises questions concerning power courts to protect Negro railroad employees from loss their jobs under compulsion a bargaining agreement which, avoid strike, made with an exclusively white man's union. Respondent Simon Howard, Frisco1 train employee nearly forty years, brought this action on behalf himself other colored similarly situated. 2 In summary complaint alleged: such as respondent constituted group called 'train porters' although they actually performed all duties 'brakemen'; Brotherhood Railroad Trainmen, representative 'brakemen' Railway Labor Act,2 had years used its influence in attempt eliminate trainmen get men who, unlike porters,' were could be members Brotherhood; March 7, 1946, finally forced Frisco agree discharge fill agreement, would do less work but more pay. The charged that Brotherhood's 'discriminatory action' violated porter's rights Act Constitution; was void because against public policy, prejudicial interest, designed deprive right earn livelihood race color. prayers court adjudge decree contract unenforceable reasons stated; 'enjoined discontinuing known Train Porters' 'from hiring Brakemen replace displace plaintiff Porters planned accordance said agreement.' 3 facts found District Court, affirmed emphasis Appeals, substantially established truth complaint's material allegations. These showed porters great many served loyalty, integrity efficiency; brakemen;3 Government administrator railroads during World War & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions classified them brakemen required paid just like brakemen; when went back owners, redesignated these 'left untouched,' accept wages far below those who members; than quarter century rail unions continually carried program aggressive hostility employment Negroes train, engine yard service; here attack, provides shall no longer any 'generally recognized brakeman's duties'; while did not express words compel economic unsoundness keeping after transfer functions complete abolition porter' inevitable; two days 'the Carriers, reluctantly, result strike threats' signed notified 'Under we will, effective 1, discontinue porter positions.' Accordingly, others, personally turn switch keys, lanterns, markers brakemen's equipment, notices job vacancies posted bid only. 4 held raised which Congress subject exclusive jurisdiction National Mediation Board Adjustment Board. F.Supp. 695. Appeals reversed holding.4 It construed acted upon Railroad, 'attempted predatory appropriation' porters" jobs, extent illegal unenforceable. therefore ordered must keep employees; it permitted treat valid condition recognize craft fairly represent such. 191 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 442. We granted certiorari. 342 940, 551. 5 While different some respects, basic pattern racial discrimination is much same consider Steele versus Louisville N.R. Co., 323 192, 65 226, 89 173. case, acting agent has been hostile employees, discriminated them, make help take over porters.' 6 There difference circumstances cases, however, contended requires us deny judicial remedy accorded case. That this: admittedly locomotive fireman member Locomotive Firemen Enginemen entire firemen. language imposed duty exercise conferred whom acts, without them. Failure give rise cause Act. locored have treated carriers separate class representation purposes fact represented another union own choosing. Since instead minority 'craft,' argued owed at refrain using statutory so abolish drive railroads. think argument unsound points breach Brotherhood. 7 As previously noted, are threatened reason. hold old name abolished agreement; color alone disqualify new name. end transactions doubt; precisely rasons 'discriminations based obviously irrelevant invidious. plainly undertake authorize discriminations.' supra 203, page 232, 173, cases there cited. Cf. Shelley Kraemer, 334 68 836, 92 1161. thus prohibits agents authorizes position destroy workers' order bestow workers. And can unlawful use federal act. 8 Here, workers look prevent sacrifice obliteration For adequate administrative afforded claims cannot resolved interpretation our holding Slocum Delaware, W.R. 339 239, 70 577, 94 795. dispute involves validity contract, meaning. Nor does hinge proper classification call settlement Switchmen's Union Board, 320 297, 64 95, 88 61. contention practiced unlawful, whether 'brakemen,' something else. Our conclusion issue necessary injunctive orders notwithstanding provisions Norris-LaGuardia Act.5 need add nothing what about inapplicability Graham Firemen, 338 239—240, 14, 18, 22. 9 Bargaining enjoy advantages Act's execute trust lawless invasions On remand, should permanently enjoin similar discriminatory device oust jobs. fashioning left free afford full protection future practices However, drawing decree, bear mind disputed reclassification committed supra. 10 judgment reversing affirmed, remanded further proceedings opinion. 11 ordered. 12 MINTON, CHIEF JUSTICE REED join, dissenting. 13 existed before passed. simply protects exercised. If labor organization designated majority carrier, good faith craft. 202, 231, complainant fireman; his duies wholly fireman. 'firemen's craft,' admit he Negro. legal firemen, carrier him race. invalid. if ground, unrelated 'to act virtue statute, undertakes represent.' Steele, supra, 199, 230, 14 instant never purported porters. requested Classification ago disputed. At time, principal cleaning cars, assisting passengers, helping load unload baggage; only small part brakemen, higher educational qualifications. early 1921, organized unit through continuously bargained involved; now existing carrier. Although gradually until today most brakemen. 15 say fairly, Steele. Whether belong determinative latter's representation, represents race—the reason Trainmen. But fireman, 16 stoutly opposes fly face statute (45 United States Code KF62 § 152, Ninth, 45 Annotated KF65 U5 152 Subd. 9) General Committee Missouri-K.-T.R. 323, 334—336, 146, 151—152, 76.* avoids terms embraces saying passing contract. true, done instance persons contracting duly elected representative, operated exclude representing 200, Virginian System Federation, 300 515, 548, 57 592, 599, 81 789. 17 reaches out invalidate entitled fair Brotherhood, behest understand private parties may discriminate ground Neither state government nor so, know applicable law says not. whose problem underlying proposed Fair Employment Practices Code. Of course, sheer even lay down code practices. sheerpower substitute legality. indulged question legality today's decision. 18 between porters, matter courts. remand dismissed nonjusticiable. Francisco Company subsidiary Texas Company. 44 Statutes-at-Large amended, 48 1185, 151 seq., seq. addition doing ordinary sweep coaches assist passengers off trains. 'These aisle-sweeping passenger-assisting tasks, minor incidental, occupying only, record shows, approximately five per cent time.' 442, 444. One Court's affirmed. properly enjoined abolishing given, insufficient meet requirements 2, Seventh, view makes unnecessary question. 47 70, 29 101 * 'Nor Second justiciable otherwise 'All disputes considered, and, possible, decided, expedition, conference representatives authorized confer, respectively, thereof interested dispute.' already pointed out, providing certification particular states certified purpose Act.' 'It clear legislative history Ninth influence, coercion control also resole wide range jurisdictional tween groups employees. H.Rep.No.1944, Page 2; S.Rep.No.1065, 73d Cong., 2d Sess., 3. However embraced within select resolve them.'

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