Document: 460 U.S. 693 103 S.Ct. 1467 75 L.Ed.2d 387 METROPOLITAN EDISON COMPANY, Petitionerv.NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD et al. No. 81-1664. Argued Jan. 11, 1983. Decided April 4, Syllabus Despite a no-strike clause in the collective-bargaining agreement between petitioner employer and Electrical Workers union, which represented over half of petitioner's employees, union members participated four unlawful work stoppages 1970 1974, on each occasion disciplined local officials more severely than other participants. Twice filed grievance because disparate treatment accorded its officials, both cases arbitrators upheld actions, finding that have an affirmative duty to uphold bargaining agreement, breach justified imposition severe sanctions. Subsequently, 1977, unrelated Operating Engineers, set up informational picket line at entrance site where was constructing nuclear generating station. refused cross line. Eventually, after settlement Engineers reached, came down union's returned work. Petitioner then all employees who had by imposing 5- 10-day suspensions, but imposed 25-day suspensions two for failure attempt end strike crossing The unfair labor practice charge against petitioner, National Labor Relations Board affirmed Administrative Law Judge's holding selective discipline violated § 8(a)(3) Act, makes it "by discrimination regard hire or tenure employment any term condition encourage discourage membership organization." Court Appeals enforced Board's order, may impose greater only when specifies prevent illegal stoppages, if does not provide such duty, violates 8(a)(3). court rejected argument earlier arbitration awards were sufficient contractual Held: In absence explicit sanctions participating stoppage Pp. 699-710. (a) Section proscribes affects membership, also participate concerted activities protected 7 Act. Holding office clearly falls within activities, employer's unilateral inhibits qualified from office. While disruptive effect wildcat strikes important ensure compliance with clauses, follow assume official is required enforce complying directions penalty declining comply. decision here furthers Congress' policy seeking avoid dilemma presented whereby his comply direction would place job jeopardy might cause him take actions diminish respect authority necessary perform as official. 699-705. (b) waive protection afforded those stoppage, no waiver occurred here. Such must be clear unmistakable, prior did establish pattern decisions enough convert silence made into binding waiver. There showing parties intended incorporate subsequent agreement. 705-710. 663 F.2d 478 (3rd Cir.1981), affirmed. Donald F. Sileo, Philadelphia, Pa., petitioner. Norton J. Come, Washington, D.C., respondent N.L.R.B. Laurence Cohen, Local Union 563, IBEW. Justice POWELL delivered opinion Court. 1 issue whether stoppage. 2 * Metropolitan Edison Company began construction two-unit station Three Mile Island 1968. Over International Brotherhood Workers. Article XI company provided: 3 "The agree during this there shall walkouts members, agrees lockouts being desire uninterrupted continuous service public." App. Pet. Cert. A-32. 4 clause, 1974.1 On company's actions.2 They found 5 August 30, site. When line, spoke David Lang, president. told he Workers' complied clause. It view Lang could fulfill thereby inducing follow. 6 Although instructed repeatedly declined do so. He aware unlikely sought instead learn removed unless Engineers' business agent ordered it, attempted reach him. directed Gene Light, vice-president, continue efforts persuade pickets remove their After approximately hours, Light able negotiate Edison. separate done, suspensions. however, received warned future participation result immediate discharge. explained additional make "every bona fide effort stoppage," specifically line.3 8 charge, Regional Director issued complaint company. Judge concluded under Precision Castings Co., 233 183 (1977), §§ 8(a)(1) (3) 29 U.S.C. 158(a)(1) (3).4 conclusions findings. 252 1030 (1980). 9 petition review cross-petition enforcement, Third Circuit order. 478, 484 (1981). held stoppages. Id., 482. If reasoned requiring steps intolerable position. failed directions, jeopardy. demands crossed lose support members. 482-483. 10 bound these determining extent officials' obligations. 483. noted previous normally bind arbitrator later construing same Absent express provision making binding,5 give would. 483-484. 11 We granted certiorari consider recurring questions federal law. --- ----, 102 2926, 73 1327 (1982). now affirm. II 12 This case present question stricter penalties leadership role strike. neither nor acted leader.6 Nor right engage unprotected activity. Neither has argued fail honor are immunized manner narrow unilaterally define penalize 13 advances arguments justify Lang. contends first violate terms collective Breach justifies officials. Alternatively, statutory otherwise agreeing they will undertake specific action assure case, acquiesence harsher duty. examine turn. A. 14 158(a)(3). By terms, statute requires proof been likely activities. See NLRB v. Brown, 380 278, 286, 85 980, 985, 839 (1965). Congress, intend acts discouraging membership. American Ship Building Co. NLRB, 300, 311, 955, 963, 855 Rather, intention forbid motivated antiunion animus. See, e.g., Great Dane Trailers, Inc., 388 26, 33, 87 1792, 1797, 18 1027 (1967); U.S., 286-287, S.Ct., 985-86. 15 Edison's conduct constitutes violation, we guided well-established precedent. Where direct evidence motive, recognized legitimate constitute practices.7 Erie Resistor Corp., 373 221, 227, 83 1139, 1144-45, 308 (1963). Where, here, circumstantial intent discriminate, identification violation involves difficult inquiry. Intent inferred conduct. But course dispute possible complex motives, see id., 228, 1145, often identify true motive. 16 situations, divided classes. 33-34, 1797-98. Some so " 'inherently destructive employee interests' carries strong inference impermissible 1797 (quoting 287, 986). situation, even comes forward nondiscriminatory explanation "may nevertheless draw improper motive itself exercise proper balance asserted justifications invasion rights light Act policy." 1797. hand, adverse discriminatory 'comparatively slight,' motivation proved sustain come substantial conduct." 34, 1798 (emphasis original). Congress entrusted determination instance Board, 236, 1149, turn decisions. B 17 disciplining "is contrary plain meaning frustrate policies allowed stand." N.L.R.B., 184.8 conduct, view, "inherently destructive" individual discriminates solely basis status. Consolidation Coal 263 188 (1982); Indiana & Michigan Electric 237 226 (1978), enf. denied, 599 227 (CA7 1979). free unauthorized counterbalance "discriminatory effects singling out officers especially harsh treatment." ----. Disciplining discriminatorily indirect rank file's strike, well deter ibid. defer conclusion adversely interests. Radio Officers' 347 17, 39-40, 74 323, 335, 98 L.Ed. 455 (1954). 7, General Motors 218 472, 477 (1975), can little doubt office, Szewczuga 686 962, 973 (CADC 1982). 19 Determining interests conclude "strike rights." implied part Unquestionably proposition leaders file, legal obligation contract responsible example F.2d, 230-232. And strikes, importance ensuring clauses self-evident. Boys Market, Inc. Retail Clerks, 398 235, 248-249, n. 90 1583, 1591-92, 26 199 (1970); Complete Auto Transit, Reis, 451 401, 418-419, 101 1836, 1846-47, 68 248 (1981) (POWELL, J., concurring judgment). As concluded, 20 think consistent served entire process structured regulated assumption '[t]he . proceed antagonistic viewpoints concepts self-interest.' Contractors Association Pennsylvania, 3141, 835 (1982) Insurance Agents, 361 477, 488, 80 419, 426, 454 (1960)). integrity preventing management labor's representatives coerced performance duties.9 Florida Power Workers, 417 790, 810-811, 94 2737, 2747-48, 41 (1974); 814, 2749 (WHITE, dissenting). Cf. 158(a)(2) (specifying domination unions practice). If, urges, take, considerable leverage performs duties. Failure official's avoid. believe determination. III 21 argues prohibit waived statute. substance contention that, acquiescence corresponding met outset, response never waived. argument. 22 long member's statutorily rights, including "his term, refuse lawful line." Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing 175, 180, 2001, 2006, 1123 (1967) (footnotes omitted). waivers valid "rest 'the premise fair representation' presuppose selection representative 'remains free.' Magnavox 415 322, 325, 1099, 1102, 39 358 (1974) Mastro Plastics Corp. 350 270, 280, 76 349, 356, 100 309 (1956)); cf. supra, 180-181, 2006-07. Waiver should undermine premises. Thus bargain away members' economic surrender impair employees' choice representative. 1102. 23 "the representation."10 imposes constraints ability choose represent them. Imposition closely related waives merely ancillary promise provides means enforcing promise. 24 while nature, hold office.11 Ford Motor Huffman, 345 330, 681, 97 1048 (1953), securing good unit, some differences occur: 25 "Inevitably arise degree negotiated affect classes employees. mere existence them invalid. complete satisfaction hardly expected. A wide range reasonableness serving unit represents, subject always faith honesty purpose discretion." 338, 686. No-strike provisions, central national policy, proven enforce. Markets, 17; 423-424, 1848-49 reasonably secure Indeed, gains considers value Its obligations promotes peace representatives. 27 finally rights. general practice. reserving "explicitly stated," determined "there adequate implying [the] [of waiver] without compelling expression appears contract." 283, 358. Thus, infer undertaking stated." More succinctly, unmistakable.12 28 contend included Rather change relevant language face implicit Not effect, argues, effectiveness resolution bargained. grievance-arbitration procedure forms integral process. Clayton Automobile 679, 686-687, 2088, 2093-94, 538 (1981); Steelworkers Warrior Gulf Navigation 363 574, 578, 1347, 1350-51, 1409 (1960). relevant—both Board—in interpreting agreements.13 established unmistakably. inconsistent, sporadic, ambiguous, agreements. Assessing clarity party's duties defined require consideration circumstances case. Carbon Fuel Mine 444 212, 221-222, 410, 416, 62 394 (1979). 30 above, renegotiated, manifested acceptance During history parties, higher "[a] [by arbitrator] agreement." 5, supra added). IV 31 accept find Accordingly, judgment 32 Affirmed. applicable incident took May 1, 1976, remained unchanged times. 1972, instructing striking return arbitrator, "that protect illegitimate sanctity Agreement procedures." A-60 Two years again senior shop steward taking corrective arbitration. A-62, 71. Once 1973, suspended days respectively, chose 29, 32. stated "failure report scheduled stoppage." 1030, 1333 specified reason added: "In addition, you your elected 563 IBEW demonstrate Company, objective manner, officer to: (c) Make every effort, returning yourself, Your discharge." Ibid. Sections part: "(a) employer— (1) interfere with, restrain, coerce guaranteed section 157 title; (a)(3) coterminous, derivative 8(a)(1). 229, 1979); Gorman, Basic Text 137 (1976). Because suggested independent 8(a)(1), charge. provided (CA3 1981) (citing IX, 9.2, ¶ agreement). instigate Midwest 244 597, 598 (1979); Chrysler 232 466, 474 (1977). factual remark significance one rank-and-file member. Castings, 599. accepted leaders, finding. note disciplinary notices based perceived initiating maintaining 3, supra. allocation burdens order "mixed motive" act masks purpose. Transportation Management 674 130 (CA1) cert. granted, 459 372, 506 position entirely clear. early opinions noted, alternative rationales, file Compare University Overland Express, 129 82, 92 (1960); Stockham Pipe Fittings 84 629, 629 (1949), 475 (1977); Pontiac Division, 132 413, (1961). Note, Discriminatory Discipline Representatives "Higher Duty" Illegal Strikes, 1982 Duke L.J. 900, 904-912 (reviewing status-based responsibility). eliminated ambiguity, almost considered question. South Central Bell Telephone 688 345, 355 (CA5 1982); C.H. Heist 657 178, 182-183 (distinguishing (CA 1979)). Armour-Dial, 638 51, 55-56 (CA8 (upholding "fomented" stoppage). For example, foremen appropriate bargaining, Packard Car 330 485, 67 789, 91 1040 (1947), responded excluding supervisors coverage Aerospace 416 267, 279-284, 1757, 1764-67, 40 134 152(3). concerned "management deprived undivided loyalty foremen." 809-810, 2747, S.Rep. 104, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. (1947)). concern limited management's House Report "no one, need obligated side, whom, reason, trust." H.R.Rep. 245, (1947) original); id. (stating management, "as workers, entitled loyal plants"). consistent. Super Valu Xenia, 228 1254, 1259 (1977) expressly officials), Gould 881, 881 (1978) (discharge validated contractually duty), 612 728 Recently, (1982), ---- (Members Fanning Jenkins). Member Zimmerman explicit. absent (Chairman Van de Water, dissenting); (Member Hunter, To guidance views, suggests majority Courts agreed Bell, 356; Fournelle 670 331, 340-341 Gould, 728, 733 1979), 449 890, 247, 66 115 (1980); 183. Alexander Gardner-Denver 36, 1011, 1021, 147 (1974), demonstrates discriminated Gardner-Denver, inconsistent purposes there. discussed contemplates good-faith representation. expressed Chesapeake Potomac 687 633, 636 (CA2 Southern California 646 1352, 1364 (CA9 1981); Communication America, 1051 644 923, 927 (CA1 1981). Teamsters Lucas Flour 369 95, 82 571, 593 (1962), contrary. establishing settled exclusively compulsory dispute. 105, 577-78. situation unique conjunction clauses. Gateway 414 368, 382, 639, 38 583 (1974). An unmistakably statement, purport determine parties' intent. Even state still circumstances, said incorporated

Category: 6