Document: 516 U.S. 85116 S.Ct. 450133 L.Ed.2d 371 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v.TOWN & COUNTRY ELECTRIC, INC., and Ameristaff Personnel Contractors, Ltd. No. 94-947. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Oct. 10, 1995. Decided Nov. 28, Syllabus * In course holding that respondent company committed "unfair labor practices" when it refused to interview or retain 11 job applicants because their union membership, National Labor Relations Board determined all were protected "employee[s]" as word is defined in Act, 29 U.S.C. § 152(3), even though they intended try organize if hired would have been paid by while set about organizing. The Eighth Circuit reversed, statutory "employee" does not cover (and therefore Act protect from antiunion discrimination) those who work for a simultaneously pays them company. Held: A worker may be company's "employee," within terms if, at same time, help Pp. 453-457. (a) lawfully interpret 152(3)'s language i.e., "[t]he term 'employee' shall include any employee, limited employees particular employer, unless this subchapter explicitly states otherwise"—to workers are also organizers. Board's broad, literal reading entitled considerable deference interpretation agency created Congress administer Act. See, e.g., Sure-Tan, Inc. v. NLRB, 467 883, 891, 104 2803, 2808, 81 732. Moreover, several strong general arguments favor position. First, decision consistent with Act's language, particularly "any employee" phrase, which broad enough include, under ordinary dictionary definitions whom Second, purposes—such protecting employees' right mutual aid without employer interference encouraging collective-bargaining process—and legislative history. Third, Court's decisions. ibid. Finally, 186(c)(1) seems specifically contemplate possibility employee might union. 453-455. (b) Respondent law argument—that organizer controlled must considered servant (i.e. "employee") alone fails common agency, recognizes person two masters one time act. practical could meant organizers "employees" light potential harm an such pose—suffers serious problems thus unconvincing. 455-457. 34 F.3d 625 (CA 8 1994), vacated remanded. BREYER, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. Lawrence G. Wallace, Washington, DC, petitioner. James K. Pease, Jr., Madison, WI, respondent. Justice BREYER 1 Can 151 et seq., company? We agree answer "yes." 2 relevant background following: Town Country Electric, Inc., nonunion electrical contractor, wanted hire licensed Minnesota electricians construction Minnesota. (through employment agency) advertised applicants, but, 10 (including professional staff) responded advertisement. Its applicant interviewed, but he was dismissed after only few days on job. 3 members Union (the International Brotherhood Electrical Workers, Locals 292 343) filed complaint claiming had (or retain) membership. See (Act) §§ 8(a)(1) (3), 49 Stat. 452, amended, 158(a)(1) (3) (1988 ed.). An administrative judge ruled members, affirmed ruling. Elec., 309 N.L.R.B. 1250, 1258, 1992 WL 390106 (1992). 4 its decision, officials member briefly hired) defines word. Ibid. recognized well-established law, made no difference simply never hired. Phelps Dodge Corp. 313 177, 185-186, 61 845, 848-849, 85 L.Ed. 1271 (1941) (statutory includes otherwise prohibition " 'discrimination regard hire' "serve function"). Neither, view, did matter (with respect meaning secured jobs, nor pay then rejected fact-based explanations refusals these held discriminating basis supra, n. 3, 1256, 1258. 5 Appeals reversed Board. It incorrectly interpreted "employee." court's key 625, 629 (1994). H.B. Zachry Co. 886 F.2d 70, 75 (C.A.4 1989). For threshold reason court enforce order. 6 Because other Circuits differently, see, Willmar Elec. Service, 968 1327, 1330-1331 (C.A.D.C.1992), cert. denied, 507 909, 113 1252, 122 651 (1993) (paid can Act); NLRB Henlopen Mfg. Co., 599 26, 30 (C.A.2 1979) (same), we granted certiorari. now resolve conflict favor. II 7 seeks improve relations ("eliminate causes certain substantial obstructions free flow commerce," ed.)) large part granting specific sets rights employers employees. This case grows out controversy grants "employees," namely, "to self-organization, form, join, assist organizations, bargain collectively . engage concerted activities purpose collective bargaining protection." 157. certiorari decide focuses upon statute, since belong qualify ("unfair practice" "interfere exercise guaranteed section 157 title") (emphasis added). 9 "The otherwise, individual whose has ceased consequence of, connection with, current dispute unfair practice, obtained regular substantially equivalent employment, employed agricultural laborer, domestic service family his home, parent spouse, having status independent supervisor, subject Railway amended herein defined." 152(3) whether put question lawful authority decisions recognize often possesses degree legal leeway interprets governing where likely understanding guide application. 732 (1984) (interpretations Board, 'created Act,' will upheld "reasonably defensible") (internal citation omitted); Curtin Matheson Scientific, 494 775, 786, 110 1542, 1549, 108 801 (1990) (Congress delegated "primary responsibility developing applying national policy"); ABF Freight System, 510 ----, 114 835, 839, 127 152 (1994) views "the greatest deference"). Chevron U.S.A. Natural Resources Defense Council, 837, 842-843, 2778, 2781-2782, 694 (1984). add, however, needs very little here convince us correctness decision. 12 Several thing, itself—language definition "person works another return financial compensation." American Heritage Dictionary 604 (3d ed.1992). Black's Law 525 (6th ed.1990) (an contract hire, express implied, oral written, power control direct material details how performed"). phrasing reiterate breadth definition, says employee." ed.) Of course, contains list exceptions, example, contractors, laborers, workers, Rail way 45 seq; exception applies here. 13 purposes, interference," Republic Aviation 324 793, 798, 65 982, 985, 89 1372 (1945); see ed.); "encouraging process." 892, S.Ct., 2808. And, insofar infer congressional Reports floor statements, sources too fairly easy find statements effect "means someone hire," H.R.Rep. 245, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., 18 (1947), "every man payroll." 79 Cong. Rec. 9686 (1935) (colloquy between Reps. Taylor Connery). S.Rep. 573, 74th (referring "worker"); 969, (same); 972, 1147, (same). At contrary suggesting narrow qualified view word, scarce, nonexistent except, (here inapplicable) exclusions written into statute. 14 Further, statute cases as, say, supra covers undocumented aliens), wrote "breadth 2(3)'s striking: squarely 'any employee.' U.S., Hendricks County Rural Membership Corp., 454 170, 189-190, 102 216, 228-229, 70 323 (1981) (certain "confidential employees" fall "employees"); 848-849 (job "employees"). Cf. Chemical Workers Pittsburgh Plate Glass 404 157, 166, 92 383, 391, 341 (1971) (retired persons do "work hire"). Hearst Publications, 322 111, 131-132, 64 851, 860-861, 88 1170 (1944) (independent contractor-like newsboys Packard Motor Car 330 485, 488-490, 67 789, 791-792, 91 1040 (1947) (company foremen But 137-138, (amending overrule excluding contractors supervisory employees). 15 least provision 1947 Management forbids (say, company) making payments union, exempts ban wages organization, ed., Supp. V) If right, there seem many any) human beings last phrase apply. III 16 believes overcome considerations, favoring through argument rests primarily agency. first argues our prior resort common-law principles defining Nationwide Mut. Ins. Darden, 503 318, 323, 112 1344, 1348, 117 581 (1992) (using test distinguish "independent contractor" Employee Retirement Income Security 1974, 1001 seq.); Community Creative Non-Violence Reid, 490 730, 739-740, 109 2166, 2172-2173, 811 (1989) Copyright 1976, 17 101 America, 390 254, 256, 988, 989-990, 19 1083 (1968) NLRA). And points itself, found "no bar determination 'employee,' N.L.R.B., 1254. goes argue application requires excludes Restatement (Second) Agency (dealing respondeat superior liability torts), says: "Since relation master dependent conduct performance service, giving normally involves breach duty both them. [A person] cannot doing act intent serve necessarily other." 226, Comment a, p. 499 (1957). that, serves union—at times ways —the acting adversely Indeed, says, stand ready desert request case, company, servant." Thus, concludes, (i.e., alone. id., 1, ("agent" agrees "subject [a principal's] control"). 20 As correctly notes, context reviewing lower courts' interpretations terms, said occasions uses define term, courts interpreting 'must infer, dictates, means incorporate established th[at] ter[m]. past, used it, concluded describe conventional master-servant relationship understood doctrine.' Mutual 322-323, 1347-1348 (quoting 2172-2173). NLRA, repeatedly "[s]ince task 'has assigned deference. ." 2808 130, 860); 177-190, 222-229. some cases, departure questions context, renders unreasonable. 989-990 ("independent exclusion). presented law. 21 Country's fails, quite simply, because, lacks sufficient support Restatement's hornbook rule (to quoted commentary appended) 22 act, involve abandonment 498 23 quoting rule, "involve service" 24 conclusion correct. Common sense suggests tasks during working day, wiring sockets laying cable, she worker. worker, expect so. being so, interests sometimes differ should make difference. Prof. Seavey pointed years ago, "[o]ne acts acts, done time," "a city detective, search clues, finds waiter and, serving meals, searches customer's pockets." W. Seavey, Handbook 85, 146 (1964). detective "of restaurateur" (as table waiting) city" pocket searching). How Seavey's example work, him organizing? limit organizing nonwork hours. supra; Beth Israel Hospital 437 483, 492-493, 98 2463, 2469-2470, 57 370 (1978). organizing, hours, simple moonlighting, practice wholly over duties. 25 "abandonment" yet weaker activity constitutes "abandonment," activity, itself 2469-2470 (employer restrictions solicitation nonworking areas presumptively invalid Act). true perceives disloyal. After all, require her refrain engaging activity. 26 Neither convinced considerations adds argument. refers resolution permitting firms, which, reflects effort "salt" companies seeking Supported amici curiae, "salts" perhaps quitting them, disparaging others, sabotaging firm products. Therefore, included 27 suffers problems. nothing record disloyalty present, kind degree, point lose worker's normal workplace tasks. Certainly Union's sug gests, requires, encourages, condones impermissible unlawful App. 256-258. proves much. quit, leaving lurch, so unpaid organizer, better job, wants move elsewhere. overly zealous hurt zealot (who know less law), dissatisfied lack outlet grievances). mean "employees." 28 offers alternative remedies concerns, short protection disturbed undesirable notice, offer fixed-term contracts, rather than hiring "at will" before us; negotiate notice period. faced possibly unlawful) discipline dismiss file notify enforcement authorities. 346 464, 472-478, 74 172, 176-180, 195 (1953); Service F.2d, 1330 (arsonist still discharged). Budd 138 86, 89-90 (C.A.3 1943) (worker intoxicated duty, "came chose left plant shift pleased," utterly failed perform duties, Act), 321 778, 619, 1071 (1944). access non property. Lechmere, 502 527, 538, 841, 848, (1992); Babcock Wilcox 351 105, 112, 76 679, 684, 100 975 (1956). say treats like every context. instance, sometimes, share "community interest" wages, conditions) warrant inclusion unit. Brief 33, 14. 190, 228-229 (some confidential although excluded unit). need matter. Nor matters raised Appeals, (in refusing interview, retain, union's payroll) amounted practice. F.3d, 629. hold lawful; exclude IV reasons judgment vacated, remanded further proceedings opinion. 31 ordered. syllabus prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber 200 321, 337, 282, 287, 50 499.

Category: 6