Opinion ID: 444418
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Approval of the Contract by the International

Text: 10 The Union argues that before any agreement can become effective it must be approved by the International. The International constitution provides that all local agreements be submitted to the International for approval and that any agreement not approved is void. International constitution, Art. XVII, Section 7. The Board found that while the language of the constitution created a condition precedent to the formation of a valid contract, that language could not bind the Company unless the Company had notice of the provision. The Board credited the testimony of Van Roy that he had no knowledge of the provision. Furthermore, the Board found that a past contract had been applied as of its effective date prior to International approval. The Board found that, in contrast to the language in the constitution, the subject to [International] approval language which appeared on past contracts and on the proposed contract created a condition subsequent, i.e., the contract would be effective until the International disapproved. We find that the Board correctly concluded that approval by the International was not a prerequisite for the Union to enter into a binding agreement. See NLRB v. Truckdrivers, 532 F.2d at 571 (court enforced Board order finding that union constitution insufficient to put company on notice of ratification provision); NLRB v. International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 8, 465 F.2d 974, 975 n. 1 (9th Cir.1972) (union cannot assert ratification requirements that are inconsistent with past practices).