Document: 380 U.S. 263 85 S.Ct. 994 13 L.Ed.2d 827 TEXTILE WORKERS UNION OF AMERICA, Petitioner,v.DARLINGTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY et al. NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner, v. DARLINGTON Nos. 37, 41. Argued Dec. 9, 1964. Decided March 29, 1965. [Syllabus from pages 263-264 intentionally omitted] Dominick L. Manoli, Washington, D.C., and Irving Abramson, New York City, for petitioners. Sam J. Ervin, Jr., respondents. Mr. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 We here review judgments Court Appeals setting aside refusing to enforce an order National Labor Relations Board which found respondent Darlington guilty unfair labor practice by reason having permanently closed its plant following petitioner union's election as bargaining representative Darlington's employees. 2 Manufacturing Company was a South Carolina corporation operating one textile mill. A majority stock held Deering Milliken, 'selling house' marketing textiles produced others.1 Milliken in turn controlled Roger president Darlington, other members family.2 The that family, through operated 17 manufacturers, including whose products manufactured 27 different mills, were marketed Milliken. 3 In 1956 Textile Workers Union initiated organizational campaign at company resisted vigorously various ways, threats close mill if union won representation election.3 On September 6, 1956, narrow margin. When advised victory, he decided call meeting board directors consider closing testified before Board: 4 'I felt result had been conducted promises statements made these letters distributed (favoring unionization), we some hope, possible hope achieving competitive (costs) * taking advantage new machinery being put in, this diminished because employees voted favor *.' (R. 457.) 5 met on 12 liquidate corporation, action approved stockholders October 17. ceased operations entirely November, all equipment sold piecemeal auction December. 6 filed charges with claiming violated §§ 8(a)(1) (3) Act plant,4 § 8(a)(5) bargain after election.5 Board, divided vote, antiunion animus be violation 8(a)(3).6 also part single integrated employer group family Milliken; therefore could liable practices Darlington.7 Alternatively, since enterprise, business discriminatory purpose. ordered back pay until they obtained substantially equivalent work or preferential hiring lists mills. Respondent regard details compliance order. 139 N.L.R.B. 241. 7 review, Appeals, sitting en banc, set denied enforcement vote. 325 F.2d 682. even accepting arguendo Board's determination status employer, has absolute right out regardless motives. court did not finding employer. granted certiorari, 377 903, 84 1170, 175, important questions involved. hold so far is concerned, terminate his entire any pleases, but disagree such includes ability no matter what reason. conclude cause must remanded further proceedings. 8 Preliminarily should observed both petitioners argue well 8(a)(3) Act. think, however, correct treating only under 8(a)(3).8 Section provides it 'to interfere with, restrain, coerce exercise of' rights.9 Naturally, certain decisions will, degree, concerted activities But when interference rights outweighs justification employer's violated. See, e.g., United Steelworkers, 357 357, 78 1268, 1383; Republic Aviation Corp. 324 793, 65 982, 89 L.Ed. 1372. alone presupposes act unlawful absent motive. Whatever may limits 8(a)(1), are peculiarly matters management prerogative would never constitute violations whether involved sound judgment, unless 8(a)(3). Thus questioned case business, whatever impact activities, decision motivated than reasons.10 action, discriminatorily motivated, encompassed within literal language deal section. I. 9 first argument, advanced rejected go completely without running afoul prompted desire avoid unionization.11 Given findings issue motive, acceptance contention carry day conclusion practice, assumption regarded independent unrelated proposition businessman cannot choose wants represent startling innovation entertained clearest manifestation legislative intent unequivocal judicial precedent construing find neither. 10 So sufficient say there slightest indication history Wagner Taft-Hartley Congress envisaged either statute. 11 As precedent, recognized '(t)here directly dispositive claim mill, irrespective motive.' N.L.R.B., 250. way adverting problem Southport Petroleum Co. 315 100, 106, 62 452, 86 718, where stated: 'Whether bona fide discontinuance true change ownership—which duty reinstatement created order—or merely disguised continuance old does clearly appear courts appeals have generally assumed complete cessation will remove future coverage said cases: 'does compel person become remain employee. It Either withdraw immunity, long obligations employment contract met.' 685. Eighth Circuit, Madrid Mfg. Co., 215 908, 914, equally explicit: 14 'But none can taken mean right, times, choose, animosity anything else, thereby left subject remedial liability Management committed except up time actual permanent occurred.'12 15 AFL-CIO suggests amicus brief similar lockout, prohibited "because designed frustrate efforts, destroy undermine representation, evade bargain."13 One purposes prohibit use economic weapons effort obtain benefits. lockout union, like 'runaway shop,' lever used discourage collective employee future. liquidation yields benefit termination fide.14 more spite against reasons, type discrimination personal satisfaction derive standing beliefs mere possibility employers follow example surely too remote considered dangers statutes aimed.15 Although engaging strike conditions, same quit their masse, ruin very permanence negate different. 16 presented shop,'16 whereby transfer another open locality replace plant.17 Nor concerned shutdown employees, renouncing reopen.18 Such cases involve purpose obtaining future.19 closes vindictiveness toward practice.20 II. While thus agree viewing accept lower court's view necessarily follows integral enterprise. 18 though discriminatory, ends employer-employee relationship; force spent enterprise takes place. hand, partial repercussions remains affording leverage discouraging free among remaining much kind exist shop' 'temporary closing' cases. See supra, pp. 272-273. Moreover, remedy case, remedies available cases, discharged parts business.21 No terminated. By analogy those involving continuing constrained hold, disagreement chill unionism plants reasonably foreseen likely effect. 19 spoken terms 'partial context larger do suggest integration corporations necessary prerequisite establishment If persons exercising control over reasons (1) interest affiliated engaged line commercial activity plant, substantiality give promise reaping discouragement unionization business; (2) producing result; and(3) occupy relationship makes realistically foreseeable fear down persist think out. 20 embraced which, sustained satisfy elements 'interest' 'relationship' respect fall short establishing factors 'purpose' 'effect' vital requisites general principles govern kind. 21 Thus, effect pertained comprising group. suffice establish charged adverse upon plants. heretofore consequence generally22 amount absence showing motivation aimed Local International Brotherhood Teamsters 365 667, 81 835, concurring therein, 677, 840. area trenches closely otherwise legitimate prerogatives, score fatal defect decision. question all, concluded distaste unionism, motivated. 22 Apart this, holding accepted finding, judged, accordance forth above. Review unnecessary cause, now becomes light our opinion, task devolves instance. Universal Camera 340 474, 71 456, 95 456. 23 circumstances, proper disposition require afford opportunity make Virginia Elec. & Power 314 469, 479—480, 344, 349, 348. This particularly appropriate issues impression. made, then posture issues. Accordingly, intimating how eventuate, vacate remand instructions them proceedings consistent opinion. ordered. 24 Judgments vacated instructions. 25 STEWART took 26 GOLDBERG consideration owned 41% stock. Cotwool Corp., manufacturer, 18% 1960 merged into Cotwool, survivor named Inc. 6% stock, see n. 1, supra. interrogated threatened election. After (see infra), told caused election, encouraged sign petition disavowing union. These violate 8(a) Act, 4, infra, challenged here. (3), amended, 61 Stat. 140 (1947), 29 U.S.C. 158(a)(1) (1958 ed.), provide pertinent part: '(a) shall employer— '(1) guaranteed section (section 157 title); '(3) hire tenure term condition encourage membership organization asked conference 12, (the liquidate), await certification Board. certified 24, meet officials 8(a)(5). based argument requires concerning purely Cf. Fibreboard Paper Products 379 203, 398, 233. Since illegal, gradual discharges during November December constituted violations. propriety depends Members Leedom Rodgers agreed trial examiner Member dissented arguing closing. 8(a)(1). NLRA 7, provides: 'Employees self-organization, form, join, assist organizations, collectively representatives own choosing, engage mutual aid protection, refrain extent affected agreement requiring authorized 158(a)(3) title).' clear ambiguous not, obsent inquiry inherently discriminatory. confronted situation 'must intend consequences foreseeably inescapably flow actions (National Erie Resistor 373 221, 228, 83 1139, 1145, 308), examination Radio Officers 347 17, 42—43, 74 323, 336, 337, 98 455; Teamsters, etc. 674—676, 839, 840, 11. predicates reasons. Brief p. 3, 2. transferred predecessor itself practice. AFL—CIO, quoting Truck Drivers Local, 353 87, 93, 77 643, 646, 676. incorporated reference Point I property unit, eventually auctioned off piecemeal. sale going concern, might present considerations (5). John Wiley Sons, Livingston, 376 543, 909, 898; Deena Artware, Inc., 361 80 441, 400. 8(c), 158(c) ed.). Different arise acting pursuant arrangement understanding businesses. E.g., Preston Feed Cir., 309 346; Wallick, 198 477. An analogous department continued contractors. Kelly Picerne, 298 895; Jays Foods, 292 317; R. C. Mahon 269 44; Bank America, 130 624; Williams Motor 128 960. orders, fill pending orders. 244. Norma Mining 206 38. Similarly, continues personnel, activities. Waterman S.S. 206, 60 493, 704; Garment 166 233; Stremel, 141 317. All cited closings least part, expectation notes 16, 18, two urged indistinguishable Savoy Laundry, 327 370, Missouri Transit 250 261. Laundry laundry processed retail pickups wholesale laundering. Once marked, together. organized, discontinued most service, thereafter There separate department, motive obviously plant. presents situation. bus interstate intrastate shuttle service connecting military base terminal. attempted organize drivers, drivers discharged. services treated departments, facts attempting service. Nothing justify interfering threatening distinguished announcing already reached authority empowered recognize safeguard wholly deterrent arising itself. definitive theory announcement voting implemented. occur, marginal solidly successful apt hazard bluff organize. practical eliminating allowing who chooses gamble announced intention close. significance overall labor-management relations picture made. take reach challenges afforded 10,

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