Legal Document

371 U.S. 94 83 Supreme Court Reporter 162 9 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 150 LOS ANGELES MEAT AND PROVISION DRIVERS UNION, LOCAL 626 et al., Appellants,v.UNITED STATES. Number 38. Argued Oct. 10, 1962. Decided Nov. 19, Charles K. Hackler, Los Angeles, Cal., for appellants. Robert baron Hummel, Cleveland, Ohio, appellee. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The appellants are a Angeles labor union, one its business agents, and four self-employed independent contractors, so-called 'grease peddlers,' who were members union. They appeal from judgment entered against them by Federal District in civil action brought to terminate violations § Sherman Act.1 was upon findings based detailed stipulation facts which admitted all allegations complaint agreed ultimate conclusion that they had unlawfully combined conspired unreasonable restraint foreign trade commerce yellow grease. In also issuance broad injunction them. Court's decree enjoined specific detail practices found be unlawful, addition ordered union membership grease peddlers. 196 F.Supp. 12. attack here single ground error ordering termination these businessmen.2 Consideration this claim requires somewhat review nature illegal conspiracy case concededly engaged. 2 During period between 1954 1959 there County eight firms engaged as processors production grease, an inedible produced removing moisture solid impurities restaurant grease—waste resulting preparation food restaurants, hotels institutions. A substantial part so sold overseas purchasers California prompt shipment overseas. 3 procured two separate ways. made direct purchases, usually large other institutions, transactions picked up sellers through employees Restaurant sources purchased peddlers, entrepreneurs whose earnings middlemen consisted difference price at bought various it processors, less cost operating maintaining their trucks. There some 35 45 peddlers are. 4 most became appellant instigation agent, purpose increasing margin prices paid processors. To accomplish purpose, fixed purchase sale enforced agents exercise or threatened economic power form strikes boycotts indicated any inclination deal with not members. union's agent allocated accounts territories both purchases sales among refrain buying soliciting customers agreement could result peddler's suspension event he was, course, prohibited carrying on his business. 5 From basic plan fixing allocation effectively carried out elimination few joined coercion threats 'union trouble' if did comply. 6 Within treated group, distinct 2,400 employee meetings always held apart regular meetings, 1955 on, special 'subdivision' union—Local 626—B. affairs subdivision administered officers, but originated scheme, together committee assist 'policing, enforcing program suppress eliminate competition.' 7 no showing actual potential wage job competition, interrelationship, It stipulated ever substituted employee-drivers acquiring do so. clear essentially different supply classes customers. Based facts, affirmatively 'there is competition (the peddler) groups because each line work * *.' 8 Pointing 'the clearly show before defendant Union, suppression them, only support Union powerful weapons command enabled destroy free waste grease,' concluded 'a terminating appears effective, only, means preventing recurrence defendants' unlawful activities.' court further nothing Clayton Act Norris-LaGuardia prevented divesting circumstances case. We agree conclusions. beyond question equity has appropriate order dissolution association businessmen, when have themselves others violate antitrust laws. Hartford-Empire company versus States, 323 386, 428, 65 373, 393, 89 L.Ed. 322. And present provided ample support, we think, dissolution, matter discreet equitable power. 10 anti-injunction provisions Act,3 nor exemption Act,4 insulates combination businessmen sanctions Allen Bradley Local 3, 325 797, 1533, 1939. Indeed, conceded propriety broadly enjoins 11 narrow emerges case, therefore, whether combine would otherwise properly subject under laws can immunize sanction simple expedient calling 'Local 626—B' union.5 think Act, federal policy statutes reflect, prevent dissolving ties bound 12 place severe limitations 'any involving growing dispute,' statute specifically forbids such prohibit anyone '(b)ecoming remaining member organization.' But, correctly found, 'involving restrain together, commerce. held, neither applicable. 13 This decision Columbia River Packers Assn. Hinton, 315 143, 62 530, 86 750, very much point. That private suit processor fish enjoin allegedly fishermen, Pacific Coast Fisherman's regulate terms sold. organization 'affiliated C.I.O.' 144, 520. defendants claimed Act. controversy 'labor dispute' within meaning pointing 'not intended application disputes over commodities.' U.S., 145, S.Ct., 521, 522. Here, Assn., commodities, 'members' bringing bear successful enforcement traffic grease.6 complete combination. 14 What been said remotely suggest might often legitimate interest Cf. Milk Wagon Drivers' Lake Valley Farm Products, 311 91, 61 122, 85 63; Bakery Pastery Drivers Helpers 802 International Brotherhood Teamsters Wohl, 769, 818, 1178; 24 Intern., etc. Oliver, 358 283, 79 297, 312. ensure cannot used vehicle stifle activities. But interrelationship kind If situation should change future, will amend decree.7 15 Affirmed. 16 GOLDBERG, whom BRENNAN joins, concurring. 17 & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions concur today's absence countervailing retaining coupled egregious conduct involved supports discretion imposing contested 'most effective Page 98 page 165 supra. As read record, act viewed participants normal activities designed better condition, instead beginning officials effect scheme control distribution processing 18 does mean, regard saying, may expelled pursuit genuine objectives collaterally resulted transgressions 19 relief given inconsistent expressions. order, however, must below reasoned expulsion justified because, members, proper subjects unionization. reaching conclusion, too narrowly circumscribed permissible area activity. believe interests extend mere ignore social realities obvious need mention, graphic lessons American history. 20 Today's thus notes 'often members' recognizes extends joy 'economic interrelationship(s).' 103 167 my view, therefore implicit rejection overly strict view sole measure organizational efforts. 21 Notwithstanding what take disapproval views district judge, sustains expelling absent erroneously considered crucial Court, appear record presently being served 22 required pass upon, existence violation, whether, original matter, associate affiliate sympathetic genuinely interested improve condition. Resolution issues require careful details consideration policy, scope afforded organizations §§ interpreted Hutcheson, 312 219, 463, 788, and, addition, applicability doctrines enunciated cases Association, Inc., 520, violated pattern remedial injunctive relief; offered justification admittedly conduct. These concessions necessarily forfeit attach. Consequently, having negatived stipulations exonerating interest, now complain judge abused fashioning remedy included, enjoining future similarly conduct, Although, indicated, views, exceed bounds framing decree. 23 particular challenged giving rise illegality (whether adjudicated after contest stipulated) is, immediately directly relevant decreed. Relief preclude same time, unduly penalize parties. Since goes recorded brief recital additional appropriate. violation depend fact bettering condition former limited use collective bargaining power—an affiliation standing alone proper. Though below, least purchasing co-conspirators. openly certain completely cut off supply. On occasion, submit information concerning volume data supplied basis equalizing shift owned member. Only month earlier, arranged competitor 'help out' favored selling trouble selling. accommodating undertook simply feared 'trouble' refused. 25 By virtue activities, peddlers' ultimately wholly diverted six originally dealing partner. course accomplishing business, noncooperative forced business.1 26 Such facts—all stipulated—demonstrate improper benefit financial interest. 27 Moreover, 'independent businessmen' 'employees' overlook force concessions. unlike National Labor Relations Board Hearst Publications, 322 111, 64 851, 88 1170, nonemployee status merely unconceded, contrary argued shown. paragraph describing overcome 'businessmen' 'employees.' Certainly not, mechanically affixing naked labels imported contexts, decide abstractions; impact unlimited, self-made categorizations applied lawsuit us.2 28 import entire factual pursued organizing Were otherwise, portion compelling stand. invoked extreme one, unless confined rarely then circumstances, become device unfairly improperly fractionalizing decimating unions. 29 presented affirmed. change, understand say hereafter arise, power, indeed duty, modify For reasons, join 30 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 31 took approach reverse judgment. 'newsboys,' (who mature men, id., 116, 851) compensation papers publisher purposes Code Annotated KF65 U5 151 seq. common-law standards contractors,' noted numerous types contractors' formed unions bargaining—musicians, actors, writers, artists, architects, engineers, insurance agents. Id., 127, n. 26, 851. pointed marginal who, though entrepreneurial form, lacked necessary obtain decent compensation, hours, working conditions. 126—128, emphasized relation' (id., 128, 859) make 'more nearly employment than enterprise respect ends sought accomplished legislation.' Ibid. 32 know our own (which closer Incorporated 750) owner-driver-peddler system transportation service trades led strife another. Senn Tile Layers 301 468, 57 857, 81 1229, sustained picketing tile contractor manual himself hired non-union helpers. Pastry Drivers, 1178, conflict arose small baked goods increased ranks security unemployment 770, 818. First Amendment See 33 Co., 63, even more point presented, Small milk wholesalers retailers grew fast dairy lost jobs started cutting prices. weakening position. Picketing issued. courts issue injunction. Federation Musicians, 318 741, 63 665, 87 1120. 34 'Grease buying, transporting, account. processors.' end problem. answer say, compete. indeed, denied shows drive trucks producers pick transport 36 Trucking Assns. 344 298, 304—306, 73 307, 312, 97 337, makes owner-drivers demoralize segments industry. stark here, 'newsboys' effort facts: 37 'These established places business; employees, except occasional loader; capital investment truck; skill qualifications ability load, unload truck. Their represent buy sell 38 When level dropped 1952—1954 half previous price, income substantially reduced. intensive result, unionization increase profits allocating routes receive. 39 many years age enlightenment rightfully concerned standard wages neighborhood.' Steel Foundries Tri-City Council, 257 184, 209, 42 72, 78, 66 189. underlies controversy. All haul 'peddlers,' boat. Protection protects all. plainly conditions industry reduce opportunities labor's rewards.* acts committed alter heart definition includes employment, representation persons negotiating, fixing, maintaining, changing, seeking arrange employment.' KF62 113(c), 113(c). extent tend those control. compel legal question. Estate Sanford Commissioner, 308 39, 60 51, 84 20. 'We accept, controlling, questions law.' 59. 40 overstepped set interlacing Sherman, Acts full array remedies insofar non-labor group. 812, 1541, Yet mean resign expressly bars 'Becoming 104(b), 104(b). 41 offenses shown lawless, law-abiding, way qualifies absolute supra, combines respects 'those Otherwise run 'directly counter' 1533. penalty membership, qualify decision. 'Every contract, trust conspiracy, several nations, declared 1, 1. Expediting Statutes-at-Large 823, amended, 29, 29. 4, 104, 104: '104. Enumeration restraining orders injunctions 'No shall jurisdiction temporary permanent dispute person participating (as herein defined) doing, singly concert, following acts: '(a) Ceasing refusing perform remain relation employment; '(b) Becoming employer organization, regardless undertaking promise described section title; '(c) Paying to, withholding from, dispute, strike benefits insurance, moneys things value; '(d) lawful aiding proceeded in, prosecuting, State; '(e) Giving publicity of, advertising, speaking, patrolling, method fraud violence; '(f) Assembling peaceably organize promotion dispute; '(g) Advising notifying intention heretofore specified; '(h) Agreeing '(i) Advising, urging, causing inducing without violence specified, title.' Mar. 23, 1932, chapter 90, 47 70. 20, 17, 52, 52: '17. Antitrust applicable 'The human commodity article Nothing contained construed forbid operation labor, agricultural, horticultural organizations, instituted mutual help, stock conducted profit, individual objects thereof; thereof, combinations conspiracies trade, laws.' 15, 1914, 323, 6, 731. '52. Statutory restriction granted judges employers employed involving, irreparable injury property, property right, party making application, adequate law, right particularity writing sworn applicant attorney. 'And persons, ceasing recommending, advising, persuading peaceful do; attending where lawfully be, peacefully obtaining communicating information, abstrain working; patronize employe paying assembling manner, purposes; doing thing done thereto; specified law States.' 738. urge violates freedom guaranteed Amendment. contention, logical render unconstitutional laws, general criminal well. explicitly rejected Giboney Empire Storage Ice 336 490, 69 684, 93 834. contend void defendants. divestiture ran union: directed: expel promptly peddlers; refuse time peddler; becomes furnish copy 626.' November 1954, known Grease Buyers Association. unsuccessful efforts market dissolved early meeting told choose association, stating do. Swift 286 106, 114, 52 460, 462, 76 999. Donaldson Read Magazine, 333 178, 68 591, 595, 92 628. owner 'if agent) learn name processor's) landlord buyers processor) bring pressure lease cancelled stop (it) 'want business.' plus objective negatives eliminates consider prohibitions relief. extension 1939, narrowing Norris-LaGuardia. Similarly obviated related substantive into coextensive Act's inhibitions, appellants' waiver challenged, see 105 168 waive latter. owner-operator 'gypsy' needs enough down payment truck offer services whatever rates willing accept. protect tends, competitive pressures, progressively lower until taking bare subsistence providing inadequate reserves repairs, maintenance, replacement. He works long attempts repair work, disregards health safety requirements load restrictions. difficult associations self-regulation standards; likewise loses inability maintain payments; wears funds accumulated new hopefuls replace him, especially considerable thirties), attempt create self-employment alternative whatever. Unless regulated constitutes menace conditions, standards, stability industry.' Gillingham, West Coast, Institute Industrial Relations, U. Calif. (1956), Pages 35—36.

Classification Label: 6