Local 3489, United Steelworkers of America v. Usery
United States Supreme Court
429 U.S. 305 (1977)
- Written by Tammy Boggs, JD
Facts
Local 3489, United Steelworkers of America (the union) (defendant) limited eligibility for local union office to members who had attended at least one-half of the regular union meetings for the three years prior to an election, unless prevented by union activity or work (meeting-attendance rule). Regular meetings were held monthly. Of about 660 union members in good standing, 96.5 percent of them were ineligible to hold office due to failure to satisfy the meeting-attendance rule. Of the 23 eligible members, nine were incumbent union officers. The secretary of labor (plaintiff) filed suit against the union in district court to invalidate the most recent election of officers due to the meeting-attendance rule. The district court dismissed the complaint, but the Seventh Circuit reversed. The matter came before the Supreme Court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Brennan, J.)
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