THE COURT: Well, I have not been convinced by the evidence here to the extent by which I could possibly grant injunctive proceedings now. I don't have anything here upon which I could' rest it. I could not make findings of fact that would satisfy me, first of all, that the injunctive However, I have this feeling: That if the case had been factually filled out -- and I realize that this is a preliminary injunctive hearing, not a final hearing -- had it been properly filled out rather than by conclusions and possible opinions or rumors, as the case may be, that there would be a showing of harmful action on the part of the union leaders. That is very possible, but I don't have that kind of evidence here. I only have the conclusory evidence which is not sufficient for an extraordinary writ. Now, my feeling here is that I should not grant any injunction, but retain jurisdiction to ascertain whether or not the union, the international, the district will pursue its way lawfully, fairly, evenly, so that the congressional Act may be executed for the purposes for which OFFICIAL REPORTERS, U. S. DISTRICT COURT, PITTSBURGH 19, PA. it is intended. As of now, there is a suspicion that that 2 is not being done, and if it is not being done, then I 3 4 can't have any equitable inclination toward either the district or the international for its failure to do those things which it ought to do by law and which it itself 5 6 assumed to do by its own rules or constitution. 7 That is the best I can do now. 8 MR. YABLONSKI: If it please the court, if I 9 10 11 may just address myself to one other thing, I would feel this is what the court- any status quo at this time. MR. YABLONSKI: May I suggest this: The alternatives of what may happen in the event there is no action taken by us- THE COURT: If I retain jurisdiction and it does prove that certain things which you attempted to prove but did not prove were true, my jurisdiction continues through the election. There is every possibility that that election may be affected some way - I don't know how at this moment; it would take a little bit of thinking and a little 23 bit of research, but I believe that the members' rights must be protected within their classes. If a person is incapacitated and is not an active member of a union, OFFICIAL REPORTERS, U. S. DISTRICT COURT, PITTSBURGH 19. PA. 4 1 I can understand that he does not have the same interests 2 as an active member of the union, one who goes down into the 3 mines and actively risks his life or risks his earning power 4 in the same way as does one who has already spent his life 5 in the mine and is no longer required to risk either his 6 life or limb. There is a difference. There is a class 7 there. There is a classification, but each of these classes 8 belongs some place in line with what these rules and regulations have provided, but I cannot make a determination on that unless I have facts to bear them out. I must make findings of fact. I don't have them here. I have a suspicion that they may exist, but suspicion is not enough for a decree of this court, is it? MR. YABLONSKI: No, your Honor. Would your Honor agree that in the event that you ultimately make such THE COURT: I would have to check into the law. I would have to make research and I would have to get the cooperation of counsel, I suppose, as well, in an effort to see to it that justice is done in line with my jurisdictional powers. I couldn't do anything beyond that; I will not. You wouldn't want me to try and do some thing I can't do. MR. YABLONSKI: Well, if I may, your Honor, OFFICIAL REPORTERS. U. S. DISTRICT COURT, PITTSBURGH 18, PA. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 then I would like to at this time propose a possible the action of the National Labor Relations Board in such matters, the district officers in the conduct of their 5 8 seal, labeled, and then subject to the ruling of this court, they would be either counted or not counted. THE COURT: I will not give them instructions 9 10 on how to do it. I will merely put them on the alert that as I may exercise as of the proper time. I think that this would be propor notice, and I think under these circumstances here, the right thing will be done, but I also believe that Now, that is, I think, a pretty big remedy where you are now put in a position to ascertain and procure, perhaps, evidence that you don't have now. I believe that the District and the International itself will be anxious to be guided by its own laws rather than have a court come in and tell it how it should guide. 23 itself when it doesn't guide itself by the constitution, or by its respective constitution. Thus, you are being helped in that way without an actual decree, aren't you? OFFICIAL REPORTERS, U. S. DISTRICT COURT, PITTSBURGH 19, PA. |