---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 1231"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "1231"
heading: "Transportation of strikebreakers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/1231"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 57 — Labor"
---

# §1231. Transportation of strikebreakers


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) willfully transports in [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) any [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) 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](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) during any labor controversy affecting wages, hours, or conditions of labor, or (2) the exercise by [employees](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) of any of the rights of self-[organization](/usc/18/2256.md?p=4) or collective bargaining; or

[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1) is knowingly transported or travels in [interstate or foreign commerce](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-2) for any of the purposes enumerated in this section—

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than two years, or both.

This section shall not apply to common carriers.


## Source credit

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

## Notes

### Historical and Revision Notes

### 1948 Act

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 407a (June 24, 1936, ch. 746, 49 Stat. 1899; June 29, 1938, ch. 813, 52 Stat. 1242).

Language designating offense as felony was omitted in uniformity with definitive section 1 of this title. (See reviser’s note under section 550 of this title.)

Words “and shall, upon conviction” were omitted as surplusage since punishment cannot be imposed until a conviction is secured.

Reference to persons aiding, abetting or causing was omitted as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.

Changes were made in phraseology and arrangement, but without change of substance.

### 1949 Act

This section [section 30] corrects a typographical error in section 1231 of title 18, U.S.C.

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000” in third par.

1949—Act May 24, 1949, substituted “or travels in” for “in or travels” in second par.