Legal Document

391 U.S. 492 88 Supreme Court Reporter 1743 20 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 763 W. Willard WIRTZ, Secretary of Labor, Dept. Petitioner,v.HOTEL, MOTEL AND CLUB EMPLOYEES UNION, LOCAL 6. Number 891. Argued April 29, 1968. Decided June 3, Harris Weinstein, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Sidney E. Cohn, New York City, respondent. Laurence Gold, American Federation Labor and Congress Industrial Organizations, as amicus curiae. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion Court. 1 This action was brought by petitioner, in District Southern a judgment declaring void May 1965 election officers conducted respondent Local 6, ordering new under Secretary's supervision. The is authoritzed § 402(b) Labor-Management Reporting Disclosure Act 1959, 73 Statutes-at-Large 534, 29 Code KF62 482(b). charged that bylaw which limited eligibility major elective offices to union members who hold or have previously held office1 not 'reasonable qualification' within intendment provision 401(e) Act, 481(e), 'every member good standing shall be eligible candidate office (subject * reasonable qualifications uniformly imposed) *.'2 He further enforcement 'may affected outcome' meaning 402(c), 482(c).3 2 Court, after hearing, entered declared prior-office requirement reasonable, but also it could found its violation election. court therefore refused set aside order supervision, did grant an injunction against future elections. 265 F.Supp. 510. Appeals Second Circuit reversed violative 401(e), injunction.4 unnecessary circumstance decide whether at may outcome. 381 Federal Reporter, 2nd 500. We granted certiorari. 390 919, 852, 19 979. restriction outcome entitled directing his I. 3 Title IV one seven titles (LMRDA). Earlier this Term, we observed 'Title IV's special function furthering overall goals LMRDA insure 'free democratic' legislative history shows weighed how best legislate revealed abuses elections without departing needlessly from long-standing policy governmental intrusion into internal affairs.' Wirtz versus 153, Glass Bottle Blowers Assn., 389 463, 470 471, 643, 647—648, 705. Appeals, however, considering reasonableness bylaw, emphasized only congressional concern intervene unnecessarily affairs, stating '(i)n deciding issue must keep mind fact purport take away labor unions governance their own affairs hand over either courts Labor. strictly limits official interference unions.' F.2d, 504. But emphasis overlooks avoid intervention balanced expressed protect public interest assuring would accordance with democratic principles. As said supra, 473, 649, decided case, '* Congress, although committed minimal intervention, obviously equally making once warranted, effective carrying out basic aim IV.' Thus, 'the freedom allowed run reserved those conform principles written 401.' Id., 648. In companion Union 125, Laborers' international Union, etc., 477, 483, 639, 642, 716, provisions 401 are 'necessary protections well rights interests members.' sum, emphatically asserted vital free transcends narrower complaining member.' 475, 650. 4 A pervasive theme debates about revelations corruption, dictatorial practices racketeering some investigated Congress5 indicated need rank-and-file participate fully operation through processes self-government, and, process, leadership responsive membership. made explicit reports Committees both Houses Congress.6 It reflected discrete I, 'Bill Rights' members. 411. IV, particularly 401, vehicle policy. That section prescribes standards govern conduct elections: International least every five years local three years. Elections secret ballot. Specific equality treatment mailing campaign literature; require adequate safeguards fair election; guarantee opportunity' nomination candidates, right vote, subject imposed,' concerned case. 481(a)—(e). Furthermore, gave primary responsibility enforcing compliance settled authority on serious violations go unremedied unvindicated. See supra; Calhoon Harvey, 379 134, 85 292, 13 190.7 5 plainly intend authorization imposed' should given broad reach. contrary implicit wording *.' conclusion buttressed other stress nominate candidates office.8 Unduly restrictive candidacy can result entrenched expressly enacted curb. check preventive measure seriously impaired substantially deplete ranks might opposition incumbents. 6 follows measured terms consistency Act's command II. 7 has 27,000 members, assets $2,300.000, welfare, pension, medical funds $30,000,000. represents bartenders, maids, dining room employees, kitchen employees hotels, motels, private clubs York. structured six geographic districts, each craft departments, hotel motel seventh district clubs. various crafts representatives hotel, motel, club. An Assembly, composed 372 meets four times year representative body. delegates elected among units districts basis delegate 75 craft. Assembly turn elects membership Executive Board board 500 augmented principal nonvoting business agents, 31 whom others appointed Assembly. monthly. There Administrative up of, addition general officers, vice-presidents Hotel Motel Trades Council. Finally there paid full-time officers—President, Secretary-Treasurer, General Organizer, Recording Secretary, all large. Terms practice administered Board. 8 challenge9 positions officer, vice-president agent who, 'at time past, served term Board, old Shop Delegates Council.' Council abolished 1951 replaced These apply, stand office. Vacancies always filled such cases fill vacancies appointment prior office-holding experience, approval 9 By 1,725 were Of these, 1,182, 70%, because service had been 14 earlier. 543 eligibles, 2% membership, designated bylaws highest body Union,' since creation 1951. 10 Five between 1965. All them won 'Administration Party,' whose slates largely Until token slates. Early 1965, 'Membership Party' organized. attempted field slate oppose for, others, 27 posts. disqualified Secretary-Treasurer eight offices.10 Other nominees lack standing. result, reduced president, organizer, two districts. ran full margins 1. Following election, protested validity unsuccessfully exhausting remedies required 402(a) (1), filed complaint authorized due course led filing action. 11 Plainly, objective limitation renders 93% ineligible hardly qualification.' practical effect described Court: 12 'In possible except blessing Administration Party conferred selection Row (of voting machine). doubtless large part never opposing selected incumbent group put caucuses invited attended officers. natural supporters administration. pledged support other. Dissidents 'Since way become win period A, administration ticket. dissidents thus sharply curtailed.' F.Supp., 516, 520. attempts defend citing concededly impressive record running Local's no reason doubt enjoyed enlightened aggressive leadership. does sustain burden. designed curb possibility abuse benevolent malevolent leaderships. 15 argues high annual turnover diverse multimillion-dollar finances justify limit holding important acquired familiarity problems lesser offices. argument persuasive said: 16 '(I)t self-evident minimum democracy entrust untrained inexperienced rank file Seem us surprising hesitate permit cook waiter dishwasher any training experience management complex difficult union. 17 'We do believe unreasonable condition greater upon (sic) kind will acquire position 6's Assembly.' 505. 18 not, us. assumes unable distinguish qualified unqualified particular demonstration candidate's performance Congress' model political country, they based assumption. Rather, assumption voters exercise common sense casting ballots. showing citizens assumed make discriminating judgments cannot relied when Indeed faithful premise. vacancy Also, many powerful appointments Council, another example service. Moreover, found, 'once officer appointed, he automatically becomes immediately thereafter enables qualify procedure available dissidents.' virtually unique trade practice. counterpart locals all; included International's constitution. Among Ladies Garment Workers similar restriction, provides alternative union-conducted management. 66 reporting receipts $1,000,000 1964, ILGWU reported having requirement. Control incumbents devices operate manner precisely what legislated LMRDA. Cf. 474—475, 649—650, Accordingly, 401(e). III. 21 supervised unless affected' 482(c). language appeared bill passed Senate, S. 1555.11 House, H.R. 8342, Kennedy-Ervin introduced 505, more stringent actually 'affected' difference resolved conference adoption language.12 Senator Goldwater explained, 22 finding 'upon preponderance evidence' left undisturbed change made. readily satisfied, purpose changing rendering proposed 'remedy practically worthless,' ascribing proved establishing prima facie case met evidence supports affect result. construction peculiarly appropriate here, takes form substantial exclusion adopt reasoning Unions 410, IUOE, 366 438, 443: 23 'The proviso intended disruptive voided meaningful relation results For example, if investigation percent votes tampered with, 8—1 margin, prevent upsetting bar, alleged caused willing circumstances, tangible different depends suppressed potent vote-getters, voted suppressed, so forth. Since proof relating necessarily speculative, think meant place burden imposed here.' 24 acknowledged 'governed teaching etc.' correctly principle 'a disqualification affected.' 520—521. court's opinion, regarded affected. assume accorded effect, disagree cited defeat run, proven vote-getter, grievance incumbents, overwhelming advantage candidates. 521. these considerations constitute supporting conclusion. None factors wholesale Nothing contradicts logical inference permitted run. sufferee few proves nothing not. properly perceived inhibited generally race, disproved heavy vote favor Ibid. invalid impossible know attracted bylaw. short, pure conjecture, evidence. conclude established Court's 25 remanded direction 26 ordered. Reversed directions. 28 MARSHALL took consideration decision provided: possess following qualifications: (1) continuous preceding nomination; (2) else, department delegate, nomination.' Section pertinent part: ballot opportunity 504 title otherwise choice, being penalty, discipline, improper reprisal organization thereof. *' 481(e). 402(c) provides: 'If, trial merits, finds— '(2) 481 declare any, direct supervision far lawful practicable, conformity constitution organization. Judge Dimock dissented reversal declaratory concurred setting injunction. However, join majority power enjoin violations; concurrence 'based concession court.' 507. before consider first invoked redress pursuant 402(a). light our member's protest triggers 402 challenge discovered attention 481—482, 641—642, 716. Report Senate Committee Improper Activities Management Field, S.Rep. 1417, 85th Cong., Sess. (1958). discussion 469—470, 647—648. Like institutions impersonal; bureaucratic tendencies characteristics; like Americans sometimes apathetic personal affairs. (E)ffective measures stamp crime corruption democracy, applied coercive powers government *. policies To extent procedures individual share formulation say democratically unions, necessary decisions detail England town meeting. What influence periodic 'It needs demonstrate importance Government gives obligation officials wield desires men women represent. assurance legal guaranty responsiveness frequency elections, honest count Guaranties fairness preserve confidence integrity elections.' 187, 86th 1st Sess., 6—7, (1959); & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions Leg.Hist. 402—403, 416. And see H.R.Rep. 741, 15—16 764—765, 773—774 Congressional News, Page 2336. See, e.g., n. 34; 26—27; 430, 784—785. background Aaron, Harv.L.Rev. 851 (1960); Cox, Internal Affairs Under Reform 58 Mich.L.Rev. 819 Levitan Loewenberg, Politics Provisions Landrum-Griffin Regulating (M. Estey, Pacific KF135 P2 Taft, M. Wagner eds. 1964); Rezler, Elections: Background LMRDA, Symposium 475 (R. Slovenko ed. 1961). 481(e): *'; id., 411(a)(1): 'Every equal privileges amended liberalize requirements (making years' standing) scheduled 16, unreasonable, ruling 522—523. event, respondent's amendment moot foreclosed 475—476, 650—651. 479, 640. nominee vice presidencies (or shop steward) active council meetings; ruled Kennedy introduced, passed, legislation died House. Kennedy's bill, 3751, language. introducing measure, noted '(i)f agrees then 104 Cong.Rec. 7954. (Emphasis supplied.) Senate-passed version, 3974, retained report sais this: technical probably probable cause satisfied. After hearing merits determine occurred election.' 1684, Why modified 505 explained. Conference follows: subsection (c) 402, substitute adopts directs have' House outcome.' H.R.Conf.Rep. 1147, 35 939. (S. 505), rather than difficulty proving actuality great render professed remedy worthless. Minority committee secured correcting glaring defect contained report.' 105 19765.

Classification Label: 6