United States v. National Maritime Union of America

196 F. Supp. 374, 48 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2630, 1961 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5265
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedJuly 10, 1961
StatusPublished
Cited by4 cases

This text of 196 F. Supp. 374 (United States v. National Maritime Union of America) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. National Maritime Union of America, 196 F. Supp. 374, 48 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2630, 1961 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5265 (S.D.N.Y. 1961).

Opinion

RYAN, Chief Judge.

This suit filed by the United States on July 3,1961 arises out of a pending strike affecting the maritime industry and seeks to invoke injunctive remedies of the “National Emergencies” provisions of The Labor Management Relations Act as amended [§§ 206-210, 29 U.S.C.A. §§ 176-180].

It first came on to be heard on July 3, 1961, when the Government applied for a temporary restraining order ond for an order citing the defendants to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not issue. At that time a hearing was held; attorneys for the Government and the defendants were heard and affidavits were submitted. The notice of the hearing, given to the defendants by telephone by direction of the court, was but a few hours; this was because it was represented that prompt and immediate relief was required by the situation existing in the shipping industry due to the pending ship strike affecting the United States Merchant Marine Fleet.

At 8:00 p. m. on July 3, 1961, this court issued a temporary restraining order enjoining the defendants from continuing the strike. The court then found from affidavits submitted by the Government and by some of the defendants that “sufficient basis and evidence has been presented to support a finding that irreparable harm and injury will result unless a temporary restraining order is issued and that the dispute does presently imperil the national health and safety.” Further findings were then made to comply with the provisions of Rule 65, F.R. Civ.P., 28 U.S.C.A., and a memorandum opinion was filed.

Later, on the evening of the same day, attorneys for parties to the suit appeared before Circuit Judge Clark of this Circuit. Defendants National Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, Seafarers International Union, and International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots were heard on an application for a stay of the restraining order until a hearing of the appeal which had been filed by these defendants from that order. Circuit Judge Clark denied the stay, rendering later a written opinion. United States v. National Marine Engineers Beneficial Ass’n, 2 Cir., 292 F.2d 190.

The restraining order of July 3, 1961 directed the defendants to show cause on. July 7, 1961 why a preliminary injunction should not issue continuing in effect for the statutory period the provisions of the temporary restraining order and of appropriate additional provisions.

All parties were heard on July 7, 1961 and further affidavits were submitted by the parties. Decision was then reserved to afford an opportunity to consider the affidavits and memoranda of law submitted.

The restraining order was continued until 4:00 p. m., July 12, 1961.

The parties have stipulated that the suit be heard and determined upon the affidavits submitted. We have had no oral testimony.

*376 We have concluded that the injunctive relief prayed for by the United States should immediately issue and we have so ordered and decreed.

The preliminary injunction may not issue unless this court has found that the existing strike involves a substantial part of an entire industry and that it threatens and imperils the national health and safety.

We are satisfied and find from the evidence that the strike does involve a very substantial part of the entire United States maritime industry with respect to trade, transportation and commerce among the several states and with foreign nations. This has been abundantly and overwhelmingly established.

We have before us the affidavit of Ralph E. Casey, President of the American Merchant Marine Institute, a defendant. Casey is also the Chairman of the Committee for Companies and Agents, Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. It was sworn to on July 7, 1961 and speaks of conditions in the industry “as of 12:00 o’clock noon, July 7, 1961.” It states that as to the companies his Committee represents, the Colliers Owners Association and Alcoa Steamship Company, Inc. and the Unions, the status of bargaining negotiations is:

National Maritime Union of America

“A memorandum of understanding has been signed and x-atified by the membership.”

National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association

“No agreement has been reached. Two or three companies may have signed separately after withdrawing from the Committee.”

International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots

“A memorandum of understanding has been signed. * * * The officers of the union have announced that the total vote cast on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts indicate ratificatioxi. * * *”

American Radio Association

“A memorandum of understanding has been signed which will be submitted to the membership for ratification on July 18, 1961.”

This affidavit of Casey further states that as to the Unions and the Pacific Maritime Association, he is informed the status is:

“A memorandum of understanding has been signed and submitted to the membership of the union for ratification. To date the agreement has been ratified by the Seattle and Portland locals. * * * ”

International Organization of Masters,. Mates and Pilots

“No agreement has been reached. The union has rejected an offer of the same form of agreement accepted by the Marine Engineers on the West Coast and has also rejected an offer of the same form of agreement accepted by the Masters, Mates and Pilots on the East and Gulf Coasts.”'
“No agreement has been reached' and no meetings have been held.”

The affidavit also states that as tor Colliers Owners Association

“No agreements have been reached with any of the four unions with which this defendant has contractual relations.”

Alcoa Steamship Company, Inc.

“No agreement has been reached with the National Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association or the Seafarers International Union.”

This affiant [President of American. Merchant Marine] summarizes the present condition of the industry in the following language:

“ * * * but for the injunction, 230 ships on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, owned and operated by employer companies represented by the-Committee and a total pf 617 ships, or approximately two-thirds of all' the ships in the American Merchant. *377 Marine, including all ships on the West Coast, would not be operating.”

We have read the affidavit of Edward Silver, counsel to Tankers Labor Services •Committee. This affidavit, sworn to July 7, 1961, states that as of 12:00 noon on that day, 120 of the 140 tankers operated by the twenty tanker companies listed in an affidavit of Stewart R.

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196 F. Supp. 374, 48 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2630, 1961 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 5265, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-national-maritime-union-of-america-nysd-1961.