Legal Document

404 U.S. 528 92 Supreme Court Reporter 630 30 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 686 TRBOVICH, Petitioner,v.UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA et al. Number 71—119. Argued Nov. 18, 1971. Decided Jan. 17, 1972. Syllabus Petitioner union member sought unsuccessfully to intervene pursuant Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 24(a) in litigation brought by the Secretary of Labor under Title IV Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act set aside an election officers for violations Act. Petitioner, who initiated entire enforcement proceeding with his complaint Secretary, present evidence argument support Secretary's challenge, urge additional grounds setting aside. Held: 1. There is nothing language or its legislative history bar intervention a post-election suit, so long as that limited claims illegality presented complaint. Pp. 530—537. 2. Intervention Rule warranted this petitioner, he may have valid about performance protects not only rights individual members but also public interest free democratic elections, two functions always dictate same approach conduct litigation. 537—539. Reversed case remanded District directions allow intervention. Joseph L. Rauh, Jr., Washington, D.C., petitioner. Solicitor Gen. Erwin N. Griswold, respondent, Labor. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 The instituted action § 402(b) 1959 (LMRDA), 73 Statutes-at-Large 534, 29 Code KF62 482(b), Mine Workers America (UMWA), held on December 9, 1969. He alleged was manner violated LMRDA numerous respects,1 order requiring new be supervision. 2 UMWA, filed initial eventually led him file suit. now seeks litigation, 24(a), (1) election,2 (2) seek certain specific safeguards respect any ordered,3 (3) challenge election. denied motion leave intervene, ground expressly stripped right courts, gave exclusively Secretary. Hodgson versus Workers, 51 F.R.D. 270 (1970). Appeals affirmed basis opinion, 77 L.R.R.M. 2496 (CADC 1971). We granted certiorari determine whether imposes 24, suit 880, 202, 160 (1971).4 conclude it does not, we remand permit 3 * first major attempt Congress regulate internal affairs labor unions.5 Having conferred substantial power organizations, began concerned danger leaders would abuse power, detriment rank-and-file members. saw principle democracy one most important against such abuse, accordingly included comprehensive scheme regulation elections. 4 statute establishes substantive rules governing 401, 481, provides procedure enforcing those rules, 402, 482. Any alleges violation initiate procedure. must exhaust remedies available constitution bylaws union. Then Labor, 'shall investigate' Finally, if finds probable cause believe has occurred, . bring civil organization' federal district court, already been held, direct supervise With elections yet conducted, existing apart from are affected. But '(t)he remedy provided subchapter shall exclusive.' 403, 483. 5 critical statutory provision purposes 483, making 'exclusive' IV. This 403 prohibits initiating private Calhoon Harvey, 379 134, 140, 85 292, 296, 13 190 (1964). case, petitioner participate pending plainly authorized statute; cannot said claim defeated bare relying history, argues should construed well initiation In view shows deliberately chose exclude entirely participation judicial proceedings rests largely fact alternative proposals figured significantly IV, each these rejected bills words Court: 6 'We think considered alternatives Secretary—and then latter labelled deprives jurisdiction former via route intervention.' F.R.D., at 272. 7 That misconceives misconstrues statute. A review made exclusive principal reasons: protect unions frivolous unnecessary interference their centralize single might enacted serves referring all complaints can screen out ones, consolidating meritorious proceeding, court. were simply because they failed accomplish objectives. no whatever opposed did interfere screening centralizing 8 provisions originated bill introduced Senator John Kennedy 1958. bill, S. 3751, relating described 'modest proposal,' which 'without undue what & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions essentially institutions is, American trade unions.' 104 Cong.Rec. 7954. Senate passed expanded version 3974, retained original scheme, reflected continuing minimizing See Rep. 1684, 85th Cong., Sess., 12—15 (1958). House Representatives, 18288, following year 1555, Kennedy-Ervin ultimately both Houses into law. 9 Senate, advocate authorizing Barry Goldwater. 748, endorsed Administration, enforce elections.6 During Hearings, number witnesses compared bills. primary objection suits Goldwater lead multiple forums, thereby impose severe burden mounting defenses. related interpose mechanism between dissatisfied courtroom, imposed responding complaints. 10 Perhaps vehement opposition came AFL—CIO. Its spokesman, Andrew Biemiller, testified result placing straitjacket since could haled virtually without limitation, defend policies programs them dissident (or) minority group.' Hearings 505 before Subcommittee Committee Public Welfare, 86th 1st 567 (1959); see id., 578—579 (analysis 748 Arthur Judge Goldberg, special counsel AFL—CIO). Multiple harassment, then, seen evils suits. And precisely draftsmen avoid. According Professor Archibald Cox, consultant draftsmen, proposal 'centralize control proceedings,' adjudicate validity 'once forum,' avoid 'unnecessary harassment side friendly aimed foreclosing other.' Id., 135. 11 Thus, when reported rather than competitor, reasonable infer Committee, later regarded device eliminating ones. further conclusion suggested form 12 Representatives even less position. initially members, title bill. H.R. 8342, H.R.Rep. 741, 15—17 (1959), Cong. Admin. News, Page 2424. Even Goldwater, leading suits, thought inferior regard, matter too left vagaries enforcement. 105 16489 (comparison Sen. Goldwater). Conference adopted Senate's provisions, affirming need H.R.Conf.Rep. 1147, 35 Dong. Admin, 2503. action, however, sense read rejection forms time possibility assist displace him. supports intended prevent pressing litigating forums times different chosen Only frustrate either objectives fairly prohibit II 14 unlike reparate subjects relatively little burden.7 intrusion accomplished, summoned court legality will subject burdensome nor compel respond potentially groundless least insofar complaint, there 15 question closer petitioner's add These presumably determined merit. Hence, require circumvent function assigned recognize context independent Nevertheless, insulate appear complaining Accordingly, hold member, complaint.8 III 16 intervention, terms 24(a). 24(a)(2) gives sufficient proceedings, 'adequately represented parties.'9 17 contend insufficient; argues, rather, adequately below reach question, light threshold determination 24 had application case. clear doubt adequacy representation warrant intervention.10 18 contends legally cognizable says identical Hence unless prepared find perform duty. disagree. 19 duty serve distinct interests, related, identical. First, union, 'the effect becomes member's lawyer' rights. 10947 (remarks Kennedy). second, obligation 'vital assuring transcends narrower member.' Wirtz Local 153, Glass Bottle Blowers Ass'n, 389 463, 475, 88 643, 650, 705 (1968). Both important, performing duties, broadly conceived, expected, 'his lawyer.' Such relief 24(a)(2). 20 judgment reversed accordance opinion. 21 So ordered. 22 Remanded directions. 23 POWELL REHNQUIST took part consideration decision DOUGLAS, dissenting part. 25 join extent holds Landrum-Griffin challenging differ majority, raise grounds* disputed my view, majority neither purpose liberalizing 1966 amendments twin IV—to preserve multiplicity challenges, 26 Here, served function. decided meritorious. concedes, moreover, particularly burdensome, onus action. Ante, 537. relate squarely whose defend. heard. Union by, inter alia, failing use secret ballots, permitting campaigning polls, denying candidates observers polling places counting subjecting reprisals connection activities, some locals, using assets promote candidacy incumbents. required vote composed pensioners, illegally constituted UMWA Constitution; incumbent president improperly influenced pensioners' bringing pension increase just asks disband pensioner publish ruling breached fiduciary increase, establish govern future expedited presently stayed. generally Aaron, 1959, Harv.L.Rev. 851 (1960); Internal Affairs Unions Under Reform 58 Mich.L.Rev. 819 (1960). Goldwater-Administration claimed It state courts. was, throughout debates, intertwined preserving pre-existing remedies, prior enactment illegal Pre-existing problem, relevant here, inconvenient conflict substance, state-defined defined LMRDA. debates reflect great concern proper relationship much See, e.g., S.Rep. 187, 19—22, 101—104 Admin.News, 2318 (majority views); 3540 Joint Education pt. 4, 1611 (1959) 1555 Goldwater), reprinted 10102. For origins development procedural Moore Levi, Federal Intervention, 45 Yale L.J. 565 (1936), 47 898 (1938); Developments Law Multiparty Litigation Courts, 71 874, 897—906, 988—992 distinction thoughtfully discussed Shapiro, Some Thoughts Before Agencies, Arbitrators, 81 721, 726—729 applies old election, proposed merit sets aside, requires conformity requirements Since regard reason intervenors assisting fashioning suitable remedial order. Cf. 6799, Steelworkers, 333, 344, 91 1841, 1848, 510 (White, J., dissenting). Fed.Rules 24(a): 'Upon timely anyone permitted action: applicant property transaction situated disposition practical impair impede ability interest, applicant's parties.' requirement satisfied 'may be' inadequate; showing treated minimal. 3B Moore, Practice 24.09—1 (4) (1969). manipulation pensioners One attacked so-called 'bogus' 'run' second attempted influence arranging increased benefits

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