NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

AN OUTLINE OF LAW AND PROCEDURE IN

REPRESENTATION CASES
N.L.R.B. AN OUTLINE

OF LAW AND

PROCEDURE IN

REPRESENTATION

CASES
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

AN OUTLINE OF LAW AND PROCEDURE IN

REPRESENTATION CASES

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

July 2005

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office

Washington, D.C. 20402-9328
Preface 

We are very pleased that the Agency is able to provide this updated 

edition of “An Outline of Law and Procedure in Representation Cases.” This is 

the second update of this book during my term as General Counsel. As I 

indicated in the preface to the 2002 edition, I was familiar with this book before 

my appointment as General Counsel and I know what a great asset it is for those 

involved in representation case work. Its availability on the Agency’s website 

(www.nlrb.gov) makes it particularly valuable to practitioners inside and outside 

the Agency. 

High quality casehandling has always been the hallmark of the Board. 

The Outline was a great contribution to quality case processing when it was first 

written by former Assistant General Counsel Elihu Platt in the early 1960’s and it 

continues to be so today. 

In 1992, John E. Higgins, Jr., updated the text after a 20-year hiatus in 

publication. Since then, he has revised and updated the text in 1995, 1997, 

1999, and again in 2002. In this new edition, Deputy General Counsel Higgins 

has brought the text through December 2004, has added a number of new topics 

and has updated the subject matter index. Any suggestions or corrections for 

future editions should be forward to Mr. Higgins at Board headquarters. 

I am grateful to Mr. Higgins for continuing this project. I also want to thank 

Lafe Solomon, Director of the Office of Representation Appeals, for reviewing the 

manuscript, as well as the dedicated employees in the Agency’s Editorial Section 

for their tireless work on this project. 

Arthur F. Rosenfeld 

General Counsel 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Jurisdiction.................................................................................................................................................................. 1 

1-100 Jurisdiction Generally ....................................................................................................................................... 1 

1-200 The Jurisdictional Standards .............................................................................................................................. 2 

1-201 Nonretail............................................................................................................................................................. 2 

1-202 Retail .................................................................................................................................................................. 3 

1-203 Instrumentalities, Links, and Channels of Interstate Commerce........................................................................ 5 

1-204 National Defense/Federal Funds........................................................................................................................ 4 

1-205 Plenary Jurisdiction............................................................................................................................................ 5 

1-206 Territories........................................................................................................................................................... 5 

1-207 Labor Organizations........................................................................................................................................... 6 

1-208 Multiemployer Groups and Joint Employers ..................................................................................................... 6 

1-209 Enterprises Falling Under Several Standards..................................................................................................... 6 

1-210 Postal Service Employees .................................................................................................................................. 7 

1-211 Jurisdiction in an 8(a)(4) Situation..................................................................................................................... 7 

1-212 Secondary Boycotts............................................................................................................................................ 8 

1-213 Indian Tribes...................................................................................................................................................... 8 

1-300 Miscellaneous Categories in Which Jurisdiction was Asserted ......................................................................... 8 

1-301 Architects........................................................................................................................................................... 8 

1-302 Amusement Industry .......................................................................................................................................... 9 

1-303 Apartment Houses.............................................................................................................................................. 9 

1-304 Art Museums, Cultural Centers, and Libraries................................................................................................... 9 

1-305 Bandleaders........................................................................................................................................................ 9 

1-306 Cemeteries.......................................................................................................................................................... 9 

1-307 Colleges, Universities, and Other Private Schools........................................................................................... 10 

1-308 Communication Systems.................................................................................................................................. 10 

1-309 Condominiums and Cooperatives .................................................................................................................... 11 

1-310 Credit Unions................................................................................................................................................... 11 

1-311 Day Care Centers ............................................................................................................................................. 11 

1-312 Financial-Information Organizations and Accounting Firms........................................................................... 11 

1-313 Gaming............................................................................................................................................................. 11 

1-314 Government Contractors.................................................................................................................................. 12 

1-315 Health Care Institutions.................................................................................................................................... 12 

1-316 Hotels and Motels ............................................................................................................................................ 13 

1-317 Law Firms and Legal Service Corporations..................................................................................................... 13 

1-318 Newspapers...................................................................................................................................................... 13 

1-319 Nonprofit Charitable Institutions...................................................................................................................... 14 

1-320 Office Buildings............................................................................................................................................... 14 

1-321 Private Clubs.................................................................................................................................................... 14 

1-322 Professional Sports........................................................................................................................................... 15 

1-323 Public Utilities.................................................................................................................................................. 15 

1-324 Restaurants....................................................................................................................................................... 15 

1-325 Shopping Centers............................................................................................................................................. 15 

1-326 Social Services Organizations.......................................................................................................................... 15 

1-327 Stock Brokerage Firms..................................................................................................................................... 16 

1-328 Symphony Orchestras ...................................................................................................................................... 16 

1-329 Taxicabs........................................................................................................................................................... 16 

1-330 Transit Systems................................................................................................................................................ 16 

1-400 Jurisdiction Declined for Statutory Reasons .................................................................................................... 16 

1-401 State or Political Subdivision ........................................................................................................................... 17 

1-402 Employers Subject to the Railway Labor Act .................................................................................................. 18 

1-403 Religious Schools............................................................................................................................................. 19 

1-500 Jurisdiction Declined for Policy Considerations.............................................................................................. 20 

i
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1-501 Foreign Flag Ships, Foreign Nationals, and Related Situations....................................................................... 20 

1-502 Horseracing and Dogracing.............................................................................................................................. 21 

1-503 Religious Organizations................................................................................................................................... 21 

1-600 Rules of Application......................................................................................................................................... 22 

1-601 Advisory Opinions........................................................................................................................................... 22 

1-602 Declaratory Orders........................................................................................................................................... 22 

1-603 Tropicana Rule................................................................................................................................................. 23 

1-604 Totality of Operations ...................................................................................................................................... 23 

1-605 Integrated Operations....................................................................................................................................... 23 

1-606 Computation of Jurisdictional Amount ............................................................................................................ 23 

1-607 Relitigation of Jurisdiction ............................................................................................................................... 24 

2. Regional Directors’ Decisionmaking Authority In Representation Cases ........................................................... 25 

2-100 Statutory and Administrative Delegation ......................................................................................................... 25 

2-200 Scope of Authority ........................................................................................................................................... 26 

2-300 Other Specific Powers Under the Delegation................................................................................................... 27 

2-400 Finality of Decisions........................................................................................................................................ 27 

2-500 Transfer and Review ........................................................................................................................................ 28 

3. Initial Representation Case Procedures................................................................................................................... 31 

3-100 Filing of Petition and Notification..................................................................................................................... 31 

3-200 Submission of Showing of Interest ................................................................................................................... 31 

3-300 Information Requested of Parties...................................................................................................................... 32 

3-400 Preliminary Investigation ................................................................................................................................. 32 

3-500 Dismissal or Withdrawal of Petition ................................................................................................................ 32 

3-600 Amendments to Petition................................................................................................................................... 32 

3-700 Consent-Election Agreements.......................................................................................................................... 32 

3-800 Notice of Hearing and Hearings........................................................................................................................ 33 

3-810 Nature and Objective........................................................................................................................................ 33 

3-820 Hearing Officer’s Responsibilities................................................................................................................... 33 

3-830 Intervention ...................................................................................................................................................... 33 

3-840 Conduct of Hearing .......................................................................................................................................... 34 

3-850 Hearing Officer’s Report.................................................................................................................................. 34 

3-860 Briefs................................................................................................................................................................ 34 

3-870 Posthearing Matters Prior to Decision.............................................................................................................. 35 

3-880 Regional Director’s or Board Decision and Request for Review..................................................................... 35 

3-900 Review of Representation Decisions................................................................................................................ 36 

3-910 Judicial Review - Generally ............................................................................................................................. 36 

3-911 Review by Employers ...................................................................................................................................... 36 

3-912 Review By Unions ........................................................................................................................................... 36 

3-920 Litigation of Unfair Labor Practice Issues in Representation Cases................................................................ 37 

 3-930 Effect of Violence on a Board Certification..................................................................................................... 37 

4. Types of Petitions ........ .............................................................................................................................................. 39 

4-100 Representation Petition Seeking Certification (RC)......................................................................................... 39 

4-200 Decertification Petition (RD) ........................................................................................................................... 39 

4-300 Employer Petition (RM)................................................................................................................................... 39 

4-400 Union-Security Deauthorization Petition (UD)................................................................................................ 40 

4-500 Petition For Clarification (UC).......................................................................................................................... 40 

4-600 Petition For Amendment of Certification (AC)................................................................................................ 40 

4-700 Expedited Elections-Section 8(b)(7)(C)........................................................................................................... 40 

5. Showing of Interest...... .............................................................................................................................................. 41 

5-100 Timeliness of Submission of a Showing of Interest......................................................................................... 41 

5-200 Nature of Evidence of Interest.......................................................................................................................... 42 

5-210 Construction Industry....................................................................................................................................... 42 
iii TABLE OF CONTENTS

5-300 Designee........................................................................................................................................................... 43 

5-400 Validity of Designations................................................................................................................................... 44 

5-500 Currency and Dating of Designations.............................................................................................................. 45 

5-600 Quantitative Sufficiency................................................................................................................................... 45 

5-610 No Showing of Interest in 8(b)(7)(c) Cases ..................................................................................................... 46 

5-620 A Specific 30-Percent Requirement in UD Cases............................................................................................ 46 

5-630 Employer Petitions........................................................................................................................................... 46 

5-640 Showing of Interest for Intervention ................................................................................................................ 46 

5-700 Relation to Bargaining Unit ............................................................................................................................. 47 

5-800 Date for Computation....................................................................................................................................... 47 

5-900 Investigations of Showing of Interest............................................................................................................... 48 

6. Qualification of Representative................................................................................................................................. 51 

6-100 The Statutory Definition of Labor Organization .............................................................................................. 51 

6-110 Application of the Statutory Definition............................................................................................................ 51 

6-120 Impact of Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 ............................................................ 52 

6-130 Public Policy Considerations ........................................................................................................................... 53 

6-200 Statutory Limitation as to “Guards”................................................................................................................. 53 

6-300 Administrative Policy Considerations.............................................................................................................. 54 

6-310 A Union’s Constitution and Bylaws................................................................................................................. 54 

6-320 Trusteeship ....................................................................................................................................................... 55 

6-330 Employer Assistance or Domination and Supervisory Involvement................................................................ 56 

6-340 Nature of Representation.................................................................................................................................. 57 

6-350 The Union as a Business Rival (Conflict of Interest)....................................................................................... 57 

6-360 The Union as an Employer............................................................................................................................... 58 

6-370 Joint Petitioners................................................................................................................................................ 59 

6-380 Effect of Union Violence ................................................................................................................................. 59 

7. Existence of A Representation Question .................................................................................................................. 61 

7-100 General Rules................................................................................................................................................... 61 

7-110 Prerequisite for Finding a Question Concerning Representation ..................................................................... 61 

7-120 The General Box Rule...................................................................................................................................... 61 

7-130 The Effect of Private Dispute Resolution Mechanisms.................................................................................... 62 

7-131 Grievances and Arbitration .............................................................................................................................. 62 

7-133 No-Raid Agreements........................................................................................................................................ 63 

7-140 Ability to Determine Unit as Affecting Representation Question.................................................................... 64 

7-150 Statutory Exemption Under Section 8(b)(7)(c) of the Act-Expedited Elections.............................................. 64

7-200 Rules Affecting Employer Petitions................................................................................................................. 65 

7-210 Union Claims or Conduct................................................................................................................................. 65 

7-220 Rm Petitions/Incumbent Unions ...................................................................................................................... 66 

7-230 Accretions ........................................................................................................................................................ 67 

7-240 Changes in Affiliation ...................................................................................................................................... 67 

7-250 Employer Waiver ............................................................................................................................................. 67 

7-300 Rules Affecting Decertification Petitions......................................................................................................... 68 

7-310 Who May File a Decertification Petition.......................................................................................................... 68 

7-320 The Unit in Which the Decertification Election is Held .................................................................................. 68 

7-330 Categories Which May not be Included in the Unit in a Decertification Election ........................................... 69

7-340 Certification not a Prerequisite......................................................................................................................... 70 

7-400 Effect of Delay and Turnover........................................................................................................................... 70 

8. Disclaimer of Interest and Withdrawal of Petition ................................................................................................. 71 

8-100 Disclaimer ........................................................................................................................................................ 71 

8-200 Withdrawal....................................................................................................................................................... 73 

8-300 Effect of Disclaimer or Withdrawal ................................................................................................................. 73 

9. Contract Bar ................ .............................................................................................................................................. 75 
iv TABLE OF CONTENTS

9-100 Adequacy of Contract....................................................................................................................................... 75 

9-110 Written Contract............................................................................................................................................... 75 

9-120 Signatures of the Parties................................................................................................................................... 76 

9-130 Substantial Terms and Conditions.................................................................................................................... 77 

9-140 Coverage .......................................................................................................................................................... 77 

9-150 Appropriate Unit .............................................................................................................................................. 78 

9-160 “Members Only” .............................................................................................................................................. 78 

9-170 Master Agreement............................................................................................................................................ 79 

9-180 Prior Ratification.............................................................................................................................................. 79 

9-200 Changed Circumstances Within the Contract Term......................................................................................... 79 

9-210 Change in the Size of theUnit........................................................................................................................... 79 

9-211 Prehire Contracts.............................................................................................................................................. 80 

9-212 The Yardsticks ................................................................................................................................................. 80 

9-220 Change in the Nature of the Unit...................................................................................................................... 80 

9-221 Merger.............................................................................................................................................................. 81 

9-222 Shutdown ......................................................................................................................................................... 81 

9-223 Relocation ........................................................................................................................................................ 81 

9-224 Assumption of Contract ................................................................................................................................... 82 

9-300 Duration of Contract......................................................................................................................................... 83 

9-310 Fixed-Term Contracts ...................................................................................................................................... 83 

9-320 Contracts With No Fixed Term........................................................................................................................ 84 

9-321 Indefinite Duration ........................................................................................................................................... 84 

9-322 Terminable at Will ........................................................................................................................................... 84 

9-323 Temporary Agreements.................................................................................................................................... 84 

9-324 Extensions........................................................................................................................................................ 84 

9-400 Representative Status of Contracting Union .................................................................................................... 85 

9-410 Schism.............................................................................................................................................................. 85 

9-411 Basic Intraunion Split....................................................................................................................................... 85 

9-412 Opportunity at a Meeting ................................................................................................................................. 86 

9-413 Reasonable Time.............................................................................................................................................. 86 

9-414 Other Schism Issues......................................................................................................................................... 86 

9-420 Defunctness and Disclaimer............................................................................................................................. 87 

9-500 Effect of Contract on Rival Claims or Petitions............................................................................................... 88 

9-510 Time of Filing of Petition................................................................................................................................. 89 

9-520 Amendment of Petition .................................................................................................................................... 89 

9-530 “Substantial Claim” Rule ................................................................................................................................. 90 

9-540 The “Insulated Period” ..................................................................................................................................... 90 

9-550 The Period for Filing........................................................................................................................................ 91 

9-560 The Impact of Bargaining History on Rival Petitions...................................................................................... 92 

9-570 Automatic Renewal Provisions........................................................................................................................ 92 

9-580 The “Premature Extension” Doctrine............................................................................................................... 93 

9-600 Private Agreements.......................................................................................................................................... 95 

9-610 Agreements not to Represent Certain Employees............................................................................................ 95 

9-620 Neutrality Agreements ..................................................................................................................................... 95 

9-700 Unlawful Union-Security and Checkoff Provisions......................................................................................... 96 

9-710 Union-Security Provisions ............................................................................................................................... 96 

9-720 Checkoff Provisions......................................................................................................................................... 98 

9-800 Racial Discrimination in Contracts .................................................................................................................. 99 

9-900 Contracts Proscribed by Section 8(e)............................................................................................................... 99 

9-1000 Special Statutory Provisions as to Prehire Agreements................................................................................ 100 

10. Prior Determinations and Other Bars to an Election.......................................................................................... 103 

10-100 Effect of Prior Election ................................................................................................................................ 103 

10-110 Board Elections............................................................................................................................................ 103 

10-120 Comity to State Elections............................................................................................................................. 104 

10-200 The 1-Year Certification Rule...................................................................................................................... 104 
v TABLE OF CONTENTS

10-210 Application of the 1-Year Certification Rule ............................................................................................... 105 

10-220 Exceptions to the Rule.................................................................................................................................. 106 

10-221 The Mar-Jac Exception................................................................................................................................ 106 

10-222 The Ludlow Exception ................................................................................................................................. 107 

10-300 Settlement Agreement as a Bar .................................................................................................................... 107 

10-400 Court Decree as a Bar................................................................................................................................... 108 

10-500 Lawful Recognition as a Bar/Reasonable Period of Time............................................................................ 108 

10-600 Expanding Unit ............................................................................................................................................ 109 

10-700 Contracting Units and Cessation of Operations ........................................................................................... 110 

10-800 Blocking Charges (Chm sec. 11730)............................................................................................................ 111 

10-900 Special Situations......................................................................................................................................... 113 

10-1000 Reasonable Period of Time ........................................................................................................................ 113 

11. Amendment, Clarification, and Deauthorization Petitions, Final Offer Elections and Wage Hour 

Certifications. ............................................................................................................................................ 115 

11-100 Amendment of Certification (AC) ............................................................................................................... 115 

11-200 Clarification of Certification (UC)............................................................................................................... 116 

11-210 Timing of UC Petition.................................................................................................................................. 118 

11-220 Accretion V. Question Concerning Representation ..................................................................................... 119 

11-300 Deauthorization Petition (UD) ..................................................................................................................... 120 

11-400 Final Offer Elections (Chm sec. 11520)....................................................................................................... 121 

11-500 Certificate of Representative Under FLSA (Chm sec. 11540)..................................................................... 121 

11-600 Revocation of Certification .......................................................................................................................... 121 

12. Appropriate Unit: General Principles.................................................................................................................. 123 

12-100 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 123 

12-110 Professional Employees ............................................................................................................................... 124 

12-120 Craft Units.................................................................................................................................................... 124 

12-130 Plant Guards................................................................................................................................................. 124 

12-140 Extent of Organization ................................................................................................................................. 125 

12-200 General Principles........................................................................................................................................ 125 

12-210 Community of Interest ................................................................................................................................. 125 

12-220 History of Collective Bargaining ................................................................................................................. 127 

12-221 Consent-Election Stipulation........................................................................................................................ 127 

12-222 Bargaining History Contrary to Board Policy .............................................................................................. 128 

12-223 Ineffective Bargaining History..................................................................................................................... 128 

12-224 Oral Contract................................................................................................................................................ 128 

12-225 Bargaining History of Other Employees...................................................................................................... 128 

12-226 Significant Changes...................................................................................................................................... 129 

12-227 Checkered Bargaining History ..................................................................................................................... 129 

12-228 Deviation From Prior Unit Determination ................................................................................................... 129 

12-229 Other Exceptions.......................................................................................................................................... 129 

12-230 Specific Unit Rules....................................................................................................................................... 130 

12-231 Size of Unit .................................................................................................................................................. 130 

12-232 Mode and/or Rate of Payment...................................................................................................................... 130 

12-233 Age ............................................................................................................................................................... 131 

12-234 Sex................................................................................................................................................................ 131 

12-235 Race.............................................................................................................................................................. 131 

12-236 Union Membership....................................................................................................................................... 132 

12-237 Territorial Jurisdiction.................................................................................................................................. 132 

12-238 Work Jurisdiction ......................................................................................................................................... 132 

12-239 Employees’ Desires...................................................................................................................................... 132 

12-300 Extent of Organization ................................................................................................................................. 133 

12-400 Residual Units.............................................................................................................................................. 134 

12-410 Residual Units in the Health Care Industry.................................................................................................. 135 

12-500 Accretions to Existing Units......................................................................................................................... 135 
vi TABLE OF CONTENTS

12-510 Interchange................................................................................................................................................... 136 

12-520 Supervision and Conditions of Employment................................................................................................ 137 

12-530 Job Classification ......................................................................................................................................... 137 

12-540 Integration of Units ...................................................................................................................................... 137 

12-550 Geographic Proximity .................................................................................................................................. 137 

12-560 Role of New Employees............................................................................................................................... 138 

12-570 Community of Interest ................................................................................................................................. 138 

12-580 Bargaining History ....................................................................................................................................... 138 

12-590 Skills and Education..................................................................................................................................... 139 

12-600 Relocations, Spinoffs, and Accretions.......................................................................................................... 139 

13. Multilocation Employers ....................................................................................................................................... 141 

13-100 Central Control of Labor Relations.............................................................................................................. 143 

13-200 Local Autonomy........................................................................................................................................... 143 

13-300 Interchange of Employees............................................................................................................................ 144 

13-400 Similarity of Skills ....................................................................................................................................... 144 

13-500 Conditions of Employment .......................................................................................................................... 145 

13-600 Supervision................................................................................................................................................... 145 

13-700 Geographical Separation .............................................................................................................................. 145 

13-800 Plant Integration and Product Integration..................................................................................................... 146 

13-900 Bargaining History ....................................................................................................................................... 146 

13-1000 Extent of Organization ............................................................................................................................... 147 

13-1100 Health Care................................................................................................................................................. 148 

14. Multiemployer, Single Employer, and Joint Employer Units ............................................................................ 149 

14-100 Multiemployer Units.................................................................................................................................... 149 

14-200 The General Rule ......................................................................................................................................... 150 

14-300 Exceptions to the General Rule .................................................................................................................... 152 

14-310 Agreement of the Parties.............................................................................................................................. 152 

14-320 Tainted Bargaining History.......................................................................................................................... 152 

14-330 Inconclusive Bargaining History.................................................................................................................. 152 

14-340 Employees In Different Category................................................................................................................. 153 

14-350 The 8(f) Relationships-Construction Industry.............................................................................................. 153 

14-360 Nonbeneficial Bargaining History................................................................................................................ 153 

14-370 Brief Duration of Multiemployer Bargaining............................................................................................... 153 

14-400 Employer Withdrawal From Multiemployer Bargaining ............................................................................. 153 

14-410 Adequate Timely Written Notice ................................................................................................................. 153 

14-420 Intent ............................................................................................................................................................ 154 

14-430 Where Actual Bargaining had Begun........................................................................................................... 154 

14-440 After Filing of Petition by Rival Union........................................................................................................ 155 

14-450 Consent of the Union.................................................................................................................................... 155 

14-460 Appropriate Unit After Withdrawal ............................................................................................................. 156 

14-500 Single Employer........................................................................................................................................... 156 

14-600 Joint Employer ............................................................................................................................................. 157 

14-700 Alter Ego ...................................................................................................................................................... 157 

15. Specific Units and Industries................................................................................................................................. 159 

15-100 Architectural Employees.............................................................................................................................. 159 

15-120 Banking ........................................................................................................................................................ 159 

15-130 Construction Industry................................................................................................................................... 160 

15-140 Drivers.......................................................................................................................................................... 162 

15-141 The Koester Rule.......................................................................................................................................... 162 

15-142 Scope of Driver Units................................................................................................................................... 164 

15-143 Local Drivers and Over-the-Road Drivers................................................................................................... 164 

15-144 Severance of Drivers.................................................................................................................................... 165 

15-145 Driver-Salespersons ..................................................................................................................................... 165 
vii TABLE OF CONTENTS

15-146 Health Care Institution Drivers .................................................................................................................... 166 

15-150 Funeral Homes............................................................................................................................................. 166 

15-160 Gaming Units............................................................................................................................................... 166 

15-170 Health Care Institutions................................................................................................................................ 167 

15-171 Acute Care Hospitals.................................................................................................................................... 167 

15-172 Other Hospitals............................................................................................................................................. 168 

15-173 Nursing Homes............................................................................................................................................. 169 

15-174 Application of the Health Care Rule ............................................................................................................ 169 

15-175 Registered Nurse Units................................................................................................................................. 169 

15-176 Other Health Care Issues.............................................................................................................................. 170 

15-180 Hotels and Motels ........................................................................................................................................ 170 

15-190 Insurance Industry........................................................................................................................................ 171 

15-200 Law Firms .................................................................................................................................................... 172 

15-210 Licensed Departments.................................................................................................................................. 172 

15-211 In General..................................................................................................................................................... 173 

15-212 Unit Composition-Licensed Departments.................................................................................................... 174 

15-215 Maritime Industry.......................................................................................................................................... 174 

15-220 Newspaper Units.......................................................................................................................................... 174 

15-230 Public Utilities.............................................................................................................................................. 175 

15-250 Retail Store Operations ................................................................................................................................ 177 

15-251 Scope............................................................................................................................................................ 177 

15-252 Selling and Nonselling Employees............................................................................................................... 177 

15-253 Bargaining History in Retail Industry .......................................................................................................... 178 

15-254 Retail Categories.......................................................................................................................................... 179 

15-260 Television and Radio Industry ..................................................................................................................... 180 

15-270 Universities and Colleges............................................................................................................................. 181 

15-271 Faculty.......................................................................................................................................................... 181 

15-272 Other Categories........................................................................................................................................... 183 

15-280 Warehouse Units.......................................................................................................................................... 184 

15-290 Research and Development Industry............................................................................................................ 186 

16. Craft and Traditional Departmental Units......................................................................................................... .187 

16-100 Severance ..................................................................................................................................................... 187 

16-110 The Mallinckrodt Criteria............................................................................................................................. 188 

16-111 True Craft or Functionally Distinct Department .......................................................................................... 188 

16-112 History of Collective Bargaining of Employees Sought to be Represented................................................. 188 

16-113 Separate Identity........................................................................................................................................... 188 

16-114 Degree of Integration of the Employer’s Production Processes................................................................... 188 

16-115 Qualifications of the Union Seeking Severance ........................................................................................... 188 

16-120 Application of Severance Principles ............................................................................................................ 189 

16-130 Severance of Maintenance Departments...................................................................................................... 192 

16-140 Construction Industry................................................................................................................................... 192 

16-200 Initial Establishment of Craft or Departmental Unit .................................................................................... 192 

16-300 Skilled Maintenance-Health Care ................................................................................................................ 194 

17. Statutory Exclusions . ............................................................................................................................................ 197 

17-100 Agricultural Employees................................................................................................................................ 197 

17-200 Domestics..................................................................................................................................................... 199 

17-300 Individuals Employed by Their Parent or Spouse ........................................................................................ 199 

17-400 Independent Contractors .............................................................................................................................. 199 

17-410 Trucking Industry......................................................................................................................................... 201 

17-420 Newspaper Industry...................................................................................................................................... 201 

17-430 Taxi Industry ................................................................................................................................................ 203 

17-440 Other Industries............................................................................................................................................ 203 

17-500 Supervisors................................................................................................................................................... 204 

17-501 Supervisory “Authority” as Defined in Section 2(11).................................................................................. 205 
viii TABLE OF CONTENTS

17-502 Assignment/Responsible Direction/Independent Judgment......................................................................... 207 

17-503 Power Effectively to Recommend................................................................................................................ 209 

17-504 Limited, Occasional or Sporadic Exercise of Supervisory Power................................................................ 209 

17-505 Substituting for a Supervisor........................................................................................................................ 210 

17-506 Promotions to Supervisory Positions and Management Trainees ................................................................ 210 

17-507 Secondary Indicia......................................................................................................................................... 211 

17-508 Ostensible or Apparent Authority ................................................................................................................ 212 

17-509 Supervision of Nonunit Employees.............................................................................................................. 213 

17-510 Supervisory Issues Affecting Educational Institutions................................................................................. 213 

17-511 Health Care Supervisory Issues.................................................................................................................... 214 

17-600 Railway Workers.......................................................................................................................................... 215 

17-700 Employees of “Nonemployers”.................................................................................................................... 216 

18. Statutory Limitations ............................................................................................................................................ 217 

18-100 Professional Employees ............................................................................................................................... 217 

18-110 The Statutory Mandate ................................................................................................................................. 217 

18-120 Professionals Defined................................................................................................................................... 218 

18-130 Previously Established Units........................................................................................................................ 219 

18-200 Plant Guards................................................................................................................................................. 220 

18-210 The Statutory Mandate ................................................................................................................................. 220 

18-220 Guards Defined ............................................................................................................................................ 220 

18-230 Guards Unions.............................................................................................................................................. 222 

18-240 Scope of Unit................................................................................................................................................ 223 

19. Categories Governed by Board Policy.................................................................................................................. 225 

19-100 Confidential Employees............................................................................................................................... 225 

19-110 Status of Confidentials................................................................................................................................. 227 

19-200 Managerial Employees................................................................................................................................. 227 

19-300 Relatives of Management............................................................................................................................. 229 

19-400 Office Clerical and Plant Clerical Employees.............................................................................................. 230 

19-410 Definitions.................................................................................................................................................... 230 

19-420 Clerical Units Generally............................................................................................................................... 231 

19-430 Clericals-Warehouse Units........................................................................................................................... 231 

19-440 Self-Determination Elections-Clericals........................................................................................................ 232 

19-450 Multiplant Clerical Units............................................................................................................................. 232 

19-460 Business Office Clerical-Health Care .......................................................................................................... 232 

19-500 Technical Employees ................................................................................................................................... 233 

19-510 Technical Employees-Health Care............................................................................................................... 234 

19-600 Quality Control Employees.......................................................................................................................... 234 

20. Effect of Status or Tenure On Unit Placement and Eligibility to Vote.............................................................. 235 

20-100 Part-Time Employees................................................................................................................................... 235 

20-110 Generally...................................................................................................................................................... 235 

20-120 “On-Call” Employees................................................................................................................................... 237 

20-130 Part-Time Faculty Members......................................................................................................................... 237 

20-140 Irregular Part-Time Employees.................................................................................................................... 238 

20-200 Temporary Employees ................................................................................................................................. 238 

20-300 Seasonal Employees..................................................................................................................................... 240 

20-310 Same Labor Force ........................................................................................................................................ 240 

20-320 Former Employees....................................................................................................................................... 240 

20-330 Similarity of Duties, Etc............................................................................................................................... 240 

20-340 Transition ..................................................................................................................................................... 240 

20-350 Timing of Seasonal Elections....................................................................................................................... 241 

20-400 Student Workers........................................................................................................................................... 242 

20-500 Dual-Function Employees............................................................................................................................ 243 

20-600 Probationary Employees, Trainees, and Clients (Rehabilitation)................................................................. 244 
ix TABLE OF CONTENTS

20-610 Probationary Employees .............................................................................................................................. 244 

20-620 Trainees........................................................................................................................................................ 244 

20-630 Clients (Rehabilitation) ................................................................................................................................ 245 

21. Self-Determination Elections................................................................................................................................. 247 

21-100 Several Units Equally Appropriate............................................................................................................... 247 

21-200 Craft and Traditional Departmental Severance ............................................................................................ 248 

21-300 Self-Determination Election For Craft or Traditional Department Employees Where No Prior 

Plantwide Bargaining History Exists........................................................................................................... 248

21-400 Professional Employees ............................................................................................................................... 249 

21-500 Inclusion of Unrepresented Groups.............................................................................................................. 250 

21-600 Pooling of Votes........................................................................................................................................... 252 

22. Representation Case Procedures Affecting the Election..................................................................................... 253 

22-101 The Election Date......................................................................................................................................... 253 

22-102 The Ballot..................................................................................................................................................... 253 

22-103 The Question and Choices on the the Ballot ................................................................................................ 253 

22-104 Withdrawal From The Ballot ....................................................................................................................... 253 

22-105 The Polling Place ......................................................................................................................................... 254 

22-106 The Notice of Election ................................................................................................................................. 254 

22-107 Voting Eligibility ......................................................................................................................................... 254 

22-108 Observers...................................................................................................................................................... 254 

22-109 Closing of the Polls...................................................................................................................................... 254 

22-110 Mail Ballots.................................................................................................................................................. 255 

22-111 Challenges.................................................................................................................................................... 255 

22-112 The Count..................................................................................................................................................... 256 

22-113 The Tally of Ballots...................................................................................................................................... 256 

22-114 Runoff Elections........................................................................................................................................... 256 

22-115 Resolution of Challenges ............................................................................................................................. 256 

22-116 Objections to Election-Filing Requirements................................................................................................ 257 

22-117 Investigation of Objections .......................................................................................................................... 257 

22-118 Hearing on Objections.................................................................................................................................. 258 

22-119 The Decision ................................................................................................................................................ 259 

22-120 Rerun Elections............................................................................................................................................ 259 

22-121 The Certification .......................................................................................................................................... 260 

22-122 Expedited Elections Under Section 8(b)(7)(c) ............................................................................................. 260 

23. Voting Eligibility ....... ............................................................................................................................................ 263 

23-100 Eligibility in General.................................................................................................................................... 263 

23-110 The General Rule ......................................................................................................................................... 263 

23-111 Newly Hired or Transferred Employees....................................................................................................... 264 

23-112 Voluntary Quits............................................................................................................................................ 264 

23-113 Discharged Employees................................................................................................................................. 264 

23-114 Employees on Sick Leave ............................................................................................................................ 265 

23-115 Laid-Off Employees..................................................................................................................................... 265 

23-116 Retirees/Social Security Annuitants............................................................................................................. 266 

23-120 Economic Strikers, Locked-Out Employees, and Replacements ................................................................. 266 

23-125 Prisoners and Work Release Inmates........................................................................................................... 268 

23-200 Eligibility Dates ........................................................................................................................................... 269 

23-210 Initial Elections ............................................................................................................................................ 269 

23-220 Runoff Elections........................................................................................................................................... 269 

23-230 Rerun Elections............................................................................................................................................ 269 

23-240 Seasonal Operations..................................................................................................................................... 270 

23-300 Alleged Discriminatees................................................................................................................................ 270 

23-400 Special Formulas for Specific Industries...................................................................................................... 270 
x TABLE OF CONTENTS

23-410 Longshore..................................................................................................................................................... 270 

23-420 Construction ................................................................................................................................................. 270 

23-430 Oil Drilling................................................................................................................................................... 271 

23-440 Taxicabs....................................................................................................................................................... 271 

23-450 On-Call Employees...................................................................................................................................... 271 

23-460 Entertainment Industry................................................................................................................................. 272 

23-470 On-Call Teachers ......................................................................................................................................... 272 

23-500 Eligibility Lists and Stipulations.................................................................................................................. 272 

23-510 Voting List (Excelsior)................................................................................................................................. 272 

23-520 Stipulated Eligibility Lists (Norris Thermador)........................................................................................... 273 

23-530 Construing Stipulations of the Parties in Representation Cases................................................................... 274 

24. Interference with Elections.................................................................................................................................... 277 

24-100 Objections Procedures.................................................................................................................................. 277 

24-110 Objections Period ......................................................................................................................................... 277 

24-120 Time for Filing Objections........................................................................................................................... 278 

24-130 Duty to Provide Evidence of Objections...................................................................................................... 278 

24-140 Scope of Investigation of Objections ........................................................................................................... 279 

24-150 Estoppel in Objection Cases......................................................................................................................... 279 

24-200 Legal Background of the “Free Speech” Issue............................................................................................. 280 

24-210 The Early Cases............................................................................................................................................ 280 

24-220 Intervening Period and Gissel (Sinclair)...................................................................................................... 281 

24-230 The Later Cases............................................................................................................................................ 283 

24-300 Preelection Campaign Interference .............................................................................................................. 285 

24-310 Interference Which May Also Violate the Unfair Labor Practice Provisions.............................................. 286

24-311 De Minimis or Isolated Conduct .................................................................................................................. 287 

24-312 Litigation of Unfair Labor Practice Issues in Representation Cases............................................................ 287 

24-313 Narrowness of the Election Results.............................................................................................................. 288 

24-314 Dissemination............................................................................................................................................... 288 

24-320 Types of Interference Under the General Shoe Doctrine ............................................................................. 288 

24-321 Assembly of Employees at a Focal Point of Authority and Home Visitations............................................. 291 

24-322 Misrepresentation......................................................................................................................................... 292 

24-323 Racial Appeals ............................................................................................................................................. 293 

24-324 The Excelsior Rule....................................................................................................................................... 296 

24-325 The Peerless Rule......................................................................................................................................... 300 

24-326 Third Party Conduct..................................................................................................................................... 302 

24-327 Offers to Waive Union Initiation Fees ......................................................................................................... 307 

24-328 Prounion Supervisory Conduct .................................................................................................................... 308 

24-329 Videotaping.................................................................................................................................................. 308 

24-400 Interference with the Conduct of Elections.................................................................................................. 309 

24-410 Board Agent Conduct................................................................................................................................... 310 

24-420 Mechanics of the Election ............................................................................................................................ 313 

24-421 The Polling Place ......................................................................................................................................... 313 

24-422 Opening and Closing of the Polls................................................................................................................. 314 

24-423 Notice of Election ........................................................................................................................................ 315 

24-424 Observers...................................................................................................................................................... 316 

24-425 Opportunity to Vote and Number of Voters................................................................................................. 318 

24-426 Secrecy of the Ballot .................................................................................................................................... 320 

24-427 Mail Ballots.................................................................................................................................................. 322 

24-428 Foreign Language Voters............................................................................................................................. 323 

24-429 Ballot Count ................................................................................................................................................. 324 

24-430 Payments to Off Duty Employees to Encourage Voting.............................................................................. 324 

24-440 Electioneering .............................................................................................................................................. 325 

24-441 Ballot Reproduction ..................................................................................................................................... 325 

24-442 The Milchem Rule ........................................................................................................................................ 326 

24-443 Raffles, Gifts, and Contests.......................................................................................................................... 328 
xi TABLE OF CONTENTS

24-444 Campaign Insignia ....................................................................................................................................... 330 

24-445 Checking Off Names of Voters.................................................................................................................... 331 

24-446 Filing Lawsuits............................................................................................................................................. 331 

24-500 The Lufkin Rule............................................................................................................................................ 332 

24-600 Postelection Unit Modifications................................................................................................................... 332