Strong v. Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination

Strong, a Negro, was employed as a railroad dining car attendant. At a time on April 6,1964, when his duties involved preparation of the dining car in the yard for service to patrons, he was observed smoldng in an adjacent coach. As a consequence of an altercation with a ‘‘superior employee,” he left the train and went home. Charges were preferred and Strong was discharged on April 24, 1964, after a hearing on April 15, in accordance with an applicable labor agreement between Strong’s union and the railroad. The discharge was upheld upon appeal under the appropriate procedures within the…