252
Opinion of the Court
did not require interpretation of a CBA, but depended upon purely factual questions concerning the employee's conduct and the employer's motive. Because the same was true in this action, said the Supreme Court of Hawaii, respondent's state tort claims were not pre-empted.
We granted certiorari in these consolidated cases, 510 U. S. 1083 (1994).
II
A
Whether federal law pre-empts a state law establishing a cause of action is a question of congressional intent. See Allis-Chalmers Corp. v. Lueck, 471 U. S. 202, 208 (1985). Pre-emption of employment standards "within the traditional police power of the State" "should not be lightly inferred." Fort Halifax Packing Co. v. Coyne, 482 U. S. 1, 21 (1987); see also Hillsborough County v. Automated Medical Laboratories, Inc., 471 U. S. 707, 715 (1985) (a federal statute will be read to supersede a State's historic powers only if this is " 'the clear and manifest purpose of Congress' ").
Congress' purpose in passing the RLA was to promote stability in labor-management relations by providing a comprehensive framework for resolving labor disputes. Atchison, T. & S. F. R. Co. v. Buell, 480 U. S. 557, 562 (1987); see also 45 U. S. C. § 151a. To realize this goal, the RLA establishes a mandatory arbitral mechanism for "the prompt and orderly settlement" of two classes of disputes. 45 U. S. C. § 151a. The first class, those concerning "rates of pay, rules or working conditions," ibid., are deemed "major" disputes. Major disputes relate to " 'the formation of collective [bargaining] agreements or efforts to secure them.' " Conrail, 491 U. S., at 302, quoting Elgin, J. & E. R. Co. v. Burley, 325 U. S. 711, 723 (1945). The second class of disputes, known as "minor" disputes, "gro[w] out of grievances or out of the interpretation or application of agreements covering rates
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