Union of Professional Airmen v. Alaska Aeronautical Industries Inc‪.‬

Alaska Aeronautical Industries, Inc. (hereafter AAI) and its president, Houston D. Haynes, appeal from an order of the district court finding them in contempt for failure to comply with a preliminary injunction in this unfair labor practices action brought under the Railway Labor Act. The district court issued a preliminary injunction on June 6, 1977, ordering AAI to cease interference with the union's organizational activities and to cease undermining support for the union. It also ordered the appellant to reinstate seven pilots unconditionally. On August 18, 1977, the union moved for an order holding AAI and Haynes (who was not a named defendant), in ""civil contempt."" A hearing was provided, at which time counsel for the union urged the court to proceed in criminal contempt. The district judge declined to do so, saying he would consider the motion for civil contempt first. On October 4, 1977, he issued an order adjudging both the company and Haynes to be in ""civil contempt"" and ordered them to pay damages in the amount of $10,000 and attorneys' fees of $7500 to the union within seven days. He also ordered a report, within 30 days, as to the appellants' compliance with the preliminary injunction and to the order of civil contempt. The criminal contempt question was to be held in abeyance for thirty days.