Document: 380 U.S. 438 85 S.Ct. 1061 13 L.Ed.2d 951 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v.METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY. No. 98. Argued Jan. 21, 1965. Decided April 5, Daniel M. Friedman, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Burton A. Zorn, New York City, respondent. Mr. Justice GOLDBERG delivered the opinion of Court. 1 On petition Insurance Workers International Union, AFL CIO, and over protest respondent, Metropolitan Life Company, as to appropriateness bargaining unit, National Labor Relations Board, in a proceeding under § 9(c) Act, 49 Stat. 453, amended, 29 U.S.C. 159(c) (1958 ed.), certified union representative all debit insurance agents, including canvassing regular office account at respondent's district Woonsocket, Rhode Island.1 Respondent deliberately refused bargain with order challenge employee unit by Board. See Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. v. 313 146, 61 908, L.Ed. 1251. The thereupon filed unfair labor practice charges adhering its prior determination, held that respondent violated §§ 8(a)(1) (5) 452, 158(a)(1) directed union. 142 N.L.R.B. 491. Court Appeals First Circuit enforce on grounds light 'Board's failure articulate specific reasons determination,' 327 F.2d 906, 909, Board's apparently inconsistent determinations appropriate units employees other cities or regions, see 138 565 (Delaware); 734 (Sioux City); 144 149 (Chicago); 512 (Cleveland),2 discuss these cases what weight, if any, it gave factor extent organization, fact Board consistently requested union, could 'only conclude * has indeed (regarded) organization controlling violation 9(c)(5) Act.' F.2d, 911. We granted certiorari because an aparent conflict between this decision decisions Third Ins. 328 820, pending, 56 Term (granted, 1325), which sustained determination Delaware case, 565, Sixth Circuit, 330 62, 229 1326), Cleveland 512. also Western & Southern Co., 891 (C.A.3d Cir.), 91 1326). 2 Section 9(b) 159(b) ed.) provides: 3 'The shall decide each case whether, assure fullest freedom exercising rights guaranteed subchapter, purposes collective be employer craft plant subdivision thereof *.' 4 This broad delegation authority, supra, was limited 1947 enactment 144, 159(c)(5) provides '(i)n determining whether is specified subsection (b) section have organized not controlling.' 5 Although clear passing amendment Congress intended overrule where determined only supported basis both language legislative history3 demonstrate provision prohibit from considering one factor, though determination.4 6 here properly recognized effect 9(c)(5), but held, unarticulated bases decision, appeared approving conclusion reach made congressional mandate. agree enforcing court should overlook ignore evasion command. further there been such evasion, results recent are relevant. cannot, however, possible (5). Cf. (Cleveland), supra; (Delaware), supra. 7 hand, due lack articulated distinctions among cases,5 action cannot reviewed. When so exercises discretion given Congress, must 'disclose order' 'give indication exercised empowered it.'6 Phelps Dodge Corp. 177, 197, 845, 854, 1271. Burlington Truck Lines United States, 371 156, 167—169, 83 239, 245—246, 9 207; Interstate Commerce Comm'n J—T Transport 368 81, 93, 82 204, 211, 147. counsel his brief argument before rationalized different variant factual situations criteria than being integrity administration process requires 'courts may accept appellate counsel's post hoc rationalizations agency 168, 246; Securities Exchange Chenery Corp., 332 194, 196, 67 1575, 1577, 1995. For reviewing courts substitute rationale their incompatible orderly function judicial review. Such would vindicate, deprecate administrative 'propel into domain set aside exclusively agency.' 1577. 8 Accordingly, judgment vacated remanded instructions remand proceedings consistent opinion. It ordered. Judgment instructions. 10 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 11 A reading Court's reveals fallacies proceeded. sought review order, asking aside. Concededly be. But we need act amicus telling do. powerful resourceful can start again wish. How stale record do know. Neither parties asks remand. They willing stand fall present record; resolve controversy posture. Decision Direction Election issued October 24, 1962, unreported. In two three offices State; Sioux City single Iowa, together detached control Fargo, North Dakota, Falls, South 284 120 miles distant, respectively, City; Chicago within city limits Chicago, although some had territories extending suburbs suburban offices' extended city; consisted six well suburbs; finally, instant Island, out eight State 75 'New England Territory.' addition 538; (Meriden London), 147 69; (Holyoke), 688; (Chicago Heights), 148 145. (Detroit), 146 1577; (Toledo), 967; Equitable 529. H.R.Rep.No.245, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., 37—38; H.R.Conf.Rep.No.510, 48, U.S.Code Congressional Service, 1947, p. 1135; 93 Cong.Rec. 6444, 6860. Twenty-Eighth Annual Report 51 (1963), states statutory test: 'Although evaluated, weight.' entire issue forth following footnote decision: Employer Woonsocket. nearest located 12 away Pawtucket. Case 4—RC—4865, based same incorporated reference herein, found Employer's individual separate entity through conducted business operations, therefore inherently bargaining. NLRB . (565). Applying tests therein, find that, since no history bargaining, seeking larger distinct geographical area, Woonsocket constitute unit. (138) (734).' cited discussed appear, circumstances, direct authority case. Moreover, attempt distinguish cases, particularly types units. added nothing analysis, trial examiner did issue, he felt 'bound ruling representation proceeding,' N.L.R.B., 492, affirmed examiner's without discussion, id., Of course, general policies laid down rules annual reports, reflecting 'cumulative experience,' Seven-Up Bottling 344 344, 349, 73 287, 290, 97 377, long action, whatever manner chooses formulate it, meets Swayne Hoyt, Ltd. 300 297, 299, 304, 57 478, 479, 481, 81 659; Radio TV Local 1264 Broadcast Serv., 255, 876.

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