United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Order of Railway Conductors v. Southern Ry. Co., 339 U.S. 255 (1950)

Order of Railway Conductors v. Southern Railway Co.

No. 43

Argued February , 1950

Decided April 10, 1950

339 U.S. 255

Syllabus

A dispute arose between a railroad and a labor union as to the railroad's obligation under their collective bargaining agreement to give conductors extra pay for certain services. The railroad refused the demand of the union and commenced a declaratory judgment action in state court. The union thereafter filed a petition for hearing and award before the Adjustment Board under the Railway Labor Act.

Held: the state court was without power to interpret the terms of the agreement and adjudicate the dispute. Slocum v. Delaware, L. & W. R. Co., ante p. 339 U. S. 239. Pp. 339 U. S. 255-257.

215 S.C. 280, 54 S.E.2d 816, reversed.

In a declaratory judgment action brought b a railroad against a labor union, for adjudication of a dispute arising out of a collective bargaining agreement between them, a state court interpreted the agreement and entered a declaratory judgment. The State Supreme Court affirmed. 215 S.C. 280, 54 S.E.2d 816. This Court granted certiorari. 338 U.S. 899. Reversed and remanded, p. 339 U. S. 257.