NLRB v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp.

301 U.S. 1 (1937)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

In a proceeding under the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, the National Labor Relations Board found that Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation (D), had violated the Act by engaging in unfair labor practices affecting commerce. D was discriminating against members of the union with regard to hire and tenure of employment and was coercing and intimidating its employees in order to interfere with their self-organization. The discriminatory and coercive action alleged was the discharge of certain employees. The National Labor Relations Board (P) ordered D to cease and desist from such discrimination and coercion, to offer reinstatement to ten of the employees named, to make good their losses in pay, and to post for thirty days notices that the corporation would not discharge or discriminate against members, or those desiring to become members, of the labor union. D failed to comply. P then petitioned the Circuit Court of Appeals to enforce the order. The court denied the petition, holding that the order lay beyond the range of federal power. The Court granted certiorari. D claimed that P's actions were unconstitutional since D's plants were dealing with manufacturing, not interstate commerce and that Congress had no power to regulate its industry. The court of appeals upheld D's claim, stating that P's order was beyond the range of federal power, and refused to enforce the order. P appealed.