What Happened in Felix vs. Weber Metals Reconsideration?
The plaintiff, a motorman, sought an injunction against the Interborough Rapid Transit Company and the Transport Workers Union of America to prevent the enforcement of a contract provision from November 28, 1939. This provision, which attempted to determine seniority rights through a referendum, was challenged because it unfairly stripped the plaintiffs of their superior seniority, previously established and reaffirmed by a 1937 contract. The referendum was designed to benefit a specific class of employees (former strikers/switchmen) by allowing only them to vote, thereby granting them seniority over long-term motormen. Judge Cotillo found the referendum to be an unlawful means to negate the plaintiff's contractual rights, particularly without any corresponding benefit to them. Consequently, the court ordered the enforcement of the referendum results to be restrained and scheduled the case for trial.