§ 1231

Transportation of strikebreakers

Up to 2 years Civil Rights None sentenced (FY2025) Ch. 57 · Labor

Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term

Whoever transports in any person who is employed or is to be employed for the purpose of obstructing or interfering by force or threats with (1) peaceful picketing by employees during any labor controversy affecting wages, hours, or conditions of labor, or (2) the exercise by employees of any of the rights of self-organization or collective bargaining; or

Whoever is knowingly transported or travels in for any of the purposes enumerated in this section—

Shall be or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

This section shall not apply to common carriers.

History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 760 (PDF, 39 MB); May 24, 1949, ch. 139, §30, 63 Stat. 94 (PDF, 5.2 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)

2 crimes in this section

Transports in interstate or foreign commerce any person who is employed or is to be employed for the purpose of obstructing or interfering by force or threats with peaceful picketing or the exercise of rights of self-organization or collective bargaining
Mental state
- Willfully
Conditions
- The person transported is employed or is to be employed for the purpose of obstructing or interfering by force or threats with (1) peaceful picketing by employees during any labor controversy affecting wages, hours, or conditions of labor, or (2) the exercise by employees of any of the rights of self-organization or collective bargaining
Exceptions
- This section shall not apply to common carriers
Is transported or travels in interstate or foreign commerce
Ways to commit
- is transported · travels
Mental state
- Knowingly
- For the purpose of obstructing or interfering by force or threats with (1) peaceful picketing by employees during any labor controversy affecting wages, hours, or conditions of labor, or (2) the exercise by employees of any of the rights of self-organization or collective bargaining
Exceptions
- This section shall not apply to common carriers

Applies to all 2 crimes above

Federal basis

In interstate or foreign commerce

Penalty

A fine, up to 2 years in prison, or both

Simplified explanation

It is a federal crime to willfully transport someone across state or national lines who is hired to use force or threats to interfere with peaceful picketing or workers' rights to organize or bargain as a group. It is also a crime to knowingly travel for that purpose.

Official page on GovInfo ↗ PDF ↗