Hodgson v. Steelworkers, 403 U.S. 333 (1971)

Hodgson v. Local Union 6799, United Steelworkers


of America, AFL-CIO
No. 655


Argued March 23, 1971
Decided June 14, 1971
403 U.S. 333

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

Syllabus

Failure of labor union member’s election complaint to include an objection to meeting attendance rule during his pursuit of internal union remedies when the member was aware of the existence of the rule bars the Secretary of Labor from later challenging that rule in an action under § 402 of the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, which provides that, once a member challenging an election has exhausted his internal union remedies and filed a complaint with the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary

shall investigate such complaint and, if he finds probable cause to believe that a violation . . . has occurred and has not been remedied, he shall . . . bring a civil action against the labor organization.

Pp. 336-341.

426 F.2d 969, affirmed.

MARSHALL, J., wrote the opinion of the Court, in which BURGER, C.J., and BLACK, DOUGLAS, HARLAN, STEWART, and BLACKMUN, JJ., joined. BRENNAN, J., post, p. 341, and WHITE, J., post, p. 343, filed dissenting opinions.