The labor union in question was seeking a higher-pay contract and other benefits from their employer, the Gulf States Utilities Company which is now part of Entergy.

The Court ruled that "The Hobbs Act, which makes it a federal crime to obstruct interstate commerce by robbery or extortion, does not reach the use of violence (which is readily punishable under state law) to achieve legitimate union objectives, such as higher wages in return for genuine services that the employer seeks.

The indictment argued that the union members obstructed commerce with their actions against the Utilities Company, and attempted to "obtain the property of [their employer] in the form of wages and other things of value" by using the wrongful use of force and the fear of economic loss.

[3] The National Right to Work Foundation characterizes United States v. Enmons as an example of several "extraordinary powers and immunities" enjoyed by American labor unions, declaring: "union violence is exempted from the Hobbs Act, which makes it a federal crime to obstruct interstate commerce by robbery or extortion.

"[4] However, Cohen and Yellig write: "The Enmons interpretation of extortion does not give carte blanche to hooligans and racketeers to threaten, destroy, or injure others under the protective shield of a labor dispute," and note that in such cases offenses are often charged under state and federal law.