Local 182, International Union of Electrical Workers, went on strike at the General Electric (GE) plant in Hickory, North Carolina, on October 24. The union immediately established a picket line in front of the plant and bordering a major intersection. One of the roads served as the principal approach route for a neighboring local hospital. The presence of the picketers snarled traffic and delayed medical personnel bound for the hospital.
Employees at GE who chose to work had their cars damaged and were subjected to thrown rocks and verbal insults as they passed through the group of 79 strikers. On November 3, GE obtained a preliminary injunction in state court enjoining Local 182 from assaulting GE employees, damaging property, and obstructing public roads and plant gates. The injunction also prohibited mass picketing by limiting the number of pickets at any one time to six.
The union claimed the state court had no power to grant this injunction because labor activity is under the exclusive jurisdiction of the NLRB. GE disagreed and wanted the injunction continued permanently in the event of any future labor strike. May the state court grant this injunction? If so, may GE extend the injunction to cover future disputes?