Gibbons v. Bhd. of Railway

In July, 1978, the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers and Express and Station Employees (BRAC) commenced a legal strike against the Norfolk & Western Railway Co. (N & W). As a part of their striking activities BRAC established picket lines around the premises of the Rock Island Railroad which were removed from, and no part of, the property occupied by N & W. The Rock Island filed suit to enjoin such secondary picketing under the provisions of K.S.A. 44-809(13) and (14). After a hearing the trial court denied the request for an injunction holding that the matter was controlled by federal law and that federal law as enunciated in Railroad Trainmen v. Terminal Co., 394 U.S. 369, 22 L.Ed.2d 344, 89 S.Ct. 1109 (1969), prevented state proscription of the picketing by BRAC. It is conceded that while jurisdiction to hear the action is vested in the state courts, federal law must be applied by the court. It is further conceded that no labor dispute now exists between BRAC and N & W and no picketing is being done by BRAC on Rock Island property. Any opinion rendered at this time would be advisory only as the issues between the parties are moot. This court has held that even though the issues in a particular appeal may be moot if the issues are capable of repetition and are of extreme public importance then the appeal may be considered and an opinion rendered. Reece Shirley & Ron's, Inc. v. Retail Store Employees Union & Local 782, 225 Kan. 470, 592 P.2d 433 (1979).