Opinion ID: 379143
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Impossibility of Rebutting the Presumption

Text: 43 Finally, the respondents contend that the Board has in effect created a presumption that is impossible to rebut. Respondents argue that the burden is placed upon them to rebut the presumption, but they are denied the means to do so. Further, the respondents contend that the Board has demanded more evidence than should be required to rebut the presumption. 44 We find no merit to the respondents' first argument. As we discussed in the previous section, the Board's rulings regarding Board field examiner Sargent and union agent Lawrence did not improperly deny the respondents access to information. 45 As to the respondents' second argument, we recognize the force of their contention that the Board has accorded too much weight to the presumption in these cases. This issue involves an important and difficult question which is of current national interest in the labor relations field. Respondents cite cases in other circuits which may have found the presumption rebutted upon similar or even weaker evidence than was presented in these cases. 9 Accepting, arguendo, that a conflict exists on this issue, we nevertheless adhere to the views expressed in this and our previous opinions. While we find that there is substantial evidence on the record as a whole to support the Board's decision in each of these cases, we also believe that the policies and goals of the Act will be best served by the enforcement of the Board's orders on the respondents' refusal to bargain.