Collective bargaining, union issues, due process, disparate treatment.

African-American members of a railroad workers' union appeal a lower court's ruling in their suit against the union. The workers filed suit, seeking a court order that would compel the union to represent the workers in pressing a grievance against the railroad. The African-American workers were dismissed from their positions and replaced with white workers. Some of the African-American workers eventually were rehired but at a loss of seniority. When their union refused to press the issue with the railroad's management, the workers filed suit to force the union to act on their complaint.

A U.S. District Court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over the case. The court ruled the case fell within the jurisdiction of the National Railroad Adjustment Board. An appeals court subsequently affirmed the district court's ruling. The workers now appeal.

The workers win. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the rulings of the lower jurisdictions and remanded the case for appropriate action. The Supreme Court ruled that the lower courts erred in ruling they lacked jurisdiction on the case. The court also noted that it had consistently ruled that unions must provide full and adequate representation to their members regardless of race.