Principles in collision: Judicial authority vs. private adjudication of labor rights

along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico and the inland rivers of the southern United States, particularly in Alabama, transporting steel and hauling raw materials. At the time, the company’s maintenance employees were represented by the United Steelworkers of America. During the period of the layoffs, the company hired subcontractors to carry out the maintenance work. The subcontractors, in turn, hired a number of the laid off workers, at lower rates of pay and benefits. Not surprisingly, the union was upset at the turn of events.