Legal Document

456 U.S. 212 102 Supreme Court Reporter 1656 72 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 21 INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN'S ASSOCIATION, AFL-CIO, et al., Petitioners,v.ALLIED INTERNATIONAL, INC. Number 80-1663. Argued Jan. 18, 1982. Decided April 20, Syllabus Respondent is an American importer of Russian wood products and had contracts with shipper for shipment the from Soviet Union to ports. The in turn employed a stevedoring company unload its ships. stevedore's employees were members petitioner longshoremen's union (hereafter petitioner). Petitioner, as protest against invasion Afghanistan, refused handle cargoes arriving or destined Union. As result respondent's shipments business disrupted completely. then brought action Federal District damages under § 303 Labor Management Relations Act, claiming that petitioner's refusal constituted illegal secondary boycott 8(b)(4)(B) National Act. Section prohibits labor engaging activities designed influence individuals by "any person engaged commerce industry affecting commerce," inducing such refuse goods object forcing any "to cease using, selling, handling, transporting, otherwise dealing" of, doing business" with, another person. dismissed complaint, holding was purely political, primary thus not within scope 8(b)(4)(B). Appeals reversed. Held : Petitioner's Pp. 218-227. (a) activity "in commerce" Its no way affected maritime operations foreign ships, aimed at altering terms employment crews, did seek extend bill rights workers employers seamen shipowners. Accordingly, longstanding tradition restraint applying laws ships irrelevant. Benz versus Compania Naviera Hidalgo, 353 138, 77 699, 1 709; Windward Shipping (London) Limited Radio Assn., 415 104, 94 959, 39 195; Assn. Mobile S.S. 419 215, 95 409, 42 399, distinguished. 219-222. (b) By terms, 8(b)(4)(B)'s prohibition boycotts applies facts this case. sole complaint Union's military policy, however commendable objectives might have been, effect impose heavy burden on neutral employers. It just provisions prevent. 222-224 (c) That specific purpose halt between respondent, shipper, stevedore, but free handling objectionable source, does place outside boycotts. When reasonably can be expected threaten parties ruin substantial loss, pressure those must viewed least one objects statutory would rendered meaningless. Pacific KF135 P2 224. (d) Neither it defense application reason dispute employer political nation. contains exception "political" boycotts, legislative history indicate disputes should excluded scope. Pp.224-226 (e) respondent has alleged violation infringe First Amendment members. Conduct communicate coerce merits little consideration Amendment. 226-227 1st Cir., 640 Reporter, 2nd 1368, affirmed. Ernest L. Mathews, Jr., New York City, petitioners. Duane R. Batista, Boston, Mass., respondent. Lawrence G. Wallace, Washington, D. C., U. S. amicus curiae, special leave Court. Justice POWELL delivered opinion question our decision whether shipped 8(b)(4) Act (NLRA), 61 Statutes-at-Large 141, amended, 29 Code KF62 158(b)(4). 2 * On January 9, 1980, Thomas Gleason, president International Longshoremen's Association (ILA), ordered ILA stop Gleason took Afghanistan.1 In obedience order, longshoremen up down east gulf coasts service carrying cargoes.2 3 Allied International, Incorporated (Allied), imports resale States. Waterman Steamship Lines (Waterman), corporation operating registry, Leningrad ports Waterman, turn, employs John T. Clark & Son (Clark), docking Boston. Under collective-bargaining agreement Local 799 Boston Association, which member, obtains longshoring through hiring hall.3 4 boycott, Allied's Ultimately, forced renegotiate contracts, substantially reducing purchases jeopardizing ability supply own customers. App. 24a-28a. March 31, after officials informed continue cargo, Massachusetts. Claiming violated NLRA, 158(b)(4),4 sued 1947 (LMRA), 158, 187,5 creates private remedy victims boycotts.6 At about same time, filed unfair practice charge Board 10(b) 160(b).7 5 Finding 8(b)(4)(B), complaint. 492 F.Supp. 334 (1980). court characterized goods.8 So described, 8(b)(4).9 6 Circuit reversed dismissal remanded further proceedings. 1368 (1981). initial matter, Court, found effects meaning NLRA interpreted long line decisions Court.10 held described averments, 8(b)(4)'s despite purpose, resort behavior protected Amendment.11 7 We granted certiorari determine coverage setting. 454 814, 90, 70 83 affirm. II 8 Our starting point case kind language statute. exact appear precisely sort governs commerce."12 Certainly Allied, alleges obstruct coasts.13 Just plainly, fell cargoes, force dealing in" products. 9 Notwithstanding statute, petitioners argue their conduct term. They well even if jurisdictional 8(b)(4), Congress intended proscribe. address these arguments turn. Atlantic 10 cases beginning 709 (1957),14 "maritime foreign-flag employing alien are 'commerce' " term used NLRA.15 Thus, picketing support striking crewmembers vessel governed Relying upon principles comity treatment vessels, resolve nationals other countries laws." Id., 143, S.Ct., 702.16 11 More recently Shipping, 195 (1974), Assn 399 again identified limits reach context vessels. Windward, unions picketed vessels call attention lower wages paid adverse seamen. raise costs "more than negligible impact 'maritime operations' ships," U.S., 114, 965, union's laws. 115, 965. 12 Facing identical Mobile, reached conclusion. complainants shipowners, feeling protest—American companies shipper. change complaining alter permit "a bifurcated view single group pickets site." supra, 222, 414. stevedores cross picket lines "was crucial part mechanism affected." 224, 415. 13 Applying developed circumstances here, we find ILA's NLRA. Unlike situation every here aim crews country country—a lies heart subsequent decision—therefore irrelevant case.17 explained, drama "played out all-American cast." F.2d, 1374. "[A]n work stevedore contracted ship importer." 1372. circumstances, clear statute needs explication. B 14 prohibit person.18 undisputed Clark. objective employers.19 policy understandable ultimate may be, certain And burden, widening industrial strife, prevent.20 NLRB explained ruling Regional Director's ILA: 15 "It difficult imagine falls more squarely before us today. Here, USSR over Afghanistan. nothing do dispute. Yet actions furtherance disagreement direct economic all three resulted cessation business. type regulate." AFL-CIO (Allied Inc.), 257 N.L.R.B. 1075, 1078-1079 (1981) (footnote omitted). 16 Nor argued because Clark, respect goods, simply morally repugnant duty goods. Such argument misses point. Undoubtedly many freeing source. Nonetheless, when "reasonably loss," Retail Store Employees, 447 607, 614, 100 2372, 2377, 65 377 (1980), meaningless.21 take responsibility "foreseeable consequences" conduct. n. 9; see Operating Engineers, 400 297, 304-305, 91 402, 407-408, (1971). Here fully aware losses inflicting Allied. endeavored persuade leaders allow fulfill contracts. basis record it, correctly concluded 8(b)(4).22 17 limitation. plainest "forcing . producer person." 8(b)(4). drafted broadly protect parties, "the helpless quarrels concern them all." H.R. Rep. 245, 80th Cong., Sess., 23 (1947). Despite criticism President Truman some legislators provision too sweeping, narrow Recognizing "[i]llegal forms," id., 24, broadly.23 18 create large undefinable accepted exempt provision. distinction draw cases. absence limiting history, conclude potentially expansive purposefully broadest terms. 19 agree rather less national chosen marshal considerable powers derived locals itself federal aid random far removed what traditionally been thought realm legitimate activity." 1378. light decline far-reaching exemption boycotts.24 III 20 Application will consistently rejected claim See, e.g., 616, 2378; 229-231, 417-418. Cf. Fruit Packers, 58, 63, 84 1063, 1066, 129 (1964).25 seem clearer still Amendment.26 reflect careful balancing interests. See 617, 2378 (BLACKMUN, J., concurring). There ways individual express opposition without infringing others. judgment Affirmed. directive provided: "In response overwhelming demands rank file Union, leadership today immediate suspension Maine Texas Puerto Rico where employed. "This order effective across board cargoes. Grain foods high valued general freight. However, now process loading discharging waterfront worked until completion. "The apparent international events relations "However, made necessary workers. present conditions world. "People upset they usual Russians insist being bully boys. concurs." 10a-11a. Several lawsuits boycott. Baldovin 626 445 (CA5 1980); Orleans General Longshore Workers, ILA, 455 1980), cert. sub nom. Jacksonville Bulk Terminals, Inc., Longshoremen, 450 1029, 101 1737, 68 223 Article 40 broad no-strike, no-lockout clause: Employers there shall lockout stoppage Employers, agrees strike employees. right bona-fide recognized Employers." 29a. 8(b) provides relevant part: organization agents— (4)(i) engage in, induce encourage course his use, manufacture, process, transport, articles, materials, commodities perform services; (ii) threaten, coerce, restrain commerce, either thereof is— "(B) requiring producer, processor, manufacturer, ." LMRA, amended set forth 187, pertinent "(a) unlawful, section only, defined 158(b)(4) title. "(b) Whoever injured property [of] subsection sue therefor district recover him sustained cost suit." also Sherman 1, amounted tortious interference relationships admiralty law. affirmed Court's claims, now. 1379-1382 (CA1 1981). 26, Director issued request preliminary injunction denied injunction. Walsh 488 524 (Mass.1980). different theory. 630 864 1980). denial Board's earlier injunctive relief Civ. 80-259 (SD Tex. Feb. 15, aff'd, preclusive effect. suit consolidated supra. dismissing damages, relied characterization law F.Supp., 336. 'The induced .; nor deal another. No established prevented work. This incidental who such, respondents prohibited §§ 8(b)(4)(i), (ii)(b).' Ibid., quoting 530-531. so holding, differed conclusion Fifth supra.. ILA. 7, 8(b)(4)(i) (ii)(B). cease-and-desist shipments. 1075 Petitions review both pending Columbia Circuit. "commerce" "affecting 2(6) (7), 152(6) follows: "(6) means trade, traffic, transportation, communication among several States, Territory State Territory, State, Columbia, points country. "(7) 'affecting commerce' burdening obstructing flow having led tending lead commerce." "At first blush, plain discussion affects commerce. union. All regularly transportation states. Indeed, instant arose allegedly impeded move along East coast, contends continues frustrate transport into country." 1371. McCulloch Sociedad Nacional, 372 10, 671, 547 (1963); Incres Maritime 611, 557 Longshoremen Ariadne Co., 397 195, 90 872, 25 218 (1970); (1974); (1974). 27, 613. noted later "term 'in commerce,' obviously self-defining." 112, 964. adhered similar approach companion jurisdiction representation crew aboard vessel. organizational seeking organize jurisdiction. Jurisdiction consistent two considerations. throughout Were could state courts. possibility conflicting multitude courts frustrates basic purposes NLRA—to establish uniform policy. Moreover, commenced few days Carter exports significant respects embargo. Weekly Comp. Pres. Doc. February 16, Legal Adviser Department Attorney "that believes conflicts interests." Supplementary Memorandum Support Motion Preliminary Injunction, Attachment supported interests 1077 ("this presents novel establishing contravening policy"). Carpenters NLRB, 357 93, 98, 78 1011, 1015, 1186 (1958), elements threefold: "Employees induced; concerted refusal; require third "We think 'calculated satisfy elsewhere.' concedes suggestion seeks affect 'unoffending employers' embroiled 'controversy own' 'reasonably expected' 'threaten party loss.' 1377. Frankfurter "aimed restrict area conflict insofar achieved prohibiting most obvious, widespread, and, evidently judged, dangerous widen conflict: coercion employers." 100, 1016. frequently twofold: preservation organizations whom protection Denver Building Trades Council, 341 675, 692, 71 943, 953, L.Ed. 1284 (1951) (noting "dual congressional preserving bring bear offending shielding unoffending others pressures controversies own"). case, however, only second relevance. 19, object" disruption parties. 689, 951. 22 noted, particularly appropriate since arguable 1376, 6; N.L.R.B., 1082. faced often task characterizing activity. Electrical Workers 366 667, 673-674, 81 1285, 1289-1290, 592 (1961). Responding "good bad boycotts," Senator Taft stated: "Our committee heard evidence weeks never succeeded anyone tell difference kinds broadened make practice." 93 Cong.Rec. 4198 (1964), intend bar "all peaceful consumer sites" (emphasis added). 24 Plumbers Pipefitters 334, 452 615, 2546, 69 280 (rejecting 301(a) LMRA local parent concerning labor-management relations). 694, 705, 954, 960, 1299 (1951), held: inducement encouragement 8(b)(4)(A) carries unconstitutional abridgement speech. form [W]e constitutional states proscribe comparably unlawful objectives. why likewise" 26 619, (1980) ("The ban aspect efforts views calls automatic signal, reasoned idea") (STEVENS, concurring); O'Brien, 391 367, 376, 88 1673, 1678, 672 (1968) ("This 'speech' 'nonspeech' combined conduct, sufficiently important governmental interest regulating nonspeech element justify limitations freedoms").

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