Orr v. Brame

**What Happened** Employees at American Smelting & Refining Company refused to cross a picket line set up by the Switchmen's Union and stayed home from work. When these workers applied for unemployment benefits, the state denied their claims. The workers challenged this decision in court, arguing they should receive unemployment compensation. **What the Court Decided** The court sided with the state and upheld the denial of unemployment benefits. The court found that the employees' decision to stay away from work was voluntary - they chose not to cross the picket line on their own. Under Utah's unemployment insurance law, workers who voluntarily stay away from work without "good cause" cannot collect unemployment benefits. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling shows that workers who refuse to cross picket lines may not be eligible for unemployment benefits, even if they're supporting union activity. The decision means that choosing to honor a picket line is considered a voluntary act, not a forced situation. Workers considering whether to cross picket lines should understand they might not have unemployment benefits as a financial safety net if they decide to stay home from work.