Maintenance of Way Employees v. United States, 366 U.S. 169 (1961)

Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees v. United States


No. 681


Argued March 28, 1961
Decided May 1, 1961
366 U.S. 169

APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN

Syllabus

As a condition of its approval of any merger of two or more railroads, § 5(2)(f) of the Interstate Commerce Act provides that the Interstate Commerce Commission "shall require a fair and equitable arrangement to protect the interests of the railroad employees affected," including a requirement that, for at least the length of his prior service up to four years, such merger shall not result in any employee’s "being in a worse position with respect to" his employment.

Held: this does not require that all employees remain in the employ of the surviving railroad for at least the length of their previous employment up to four years; it is satisfied by a requirement that discharged employees receive adequate compensation benefits. Pp. 169-179.

189 F. Supp. 942, affirmed.