Opinion ID: 458737
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Strike

Text: 22 Section 8(b)(4)(A) of the NLRA, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 158(b)(4)(A), prohibits strikes by labor organizations designed either to force a self-employed person to join a labor organization or to force an employer to enter into an agreement prohibited by Section 8(e). However, [o]nly 'secondary' conduct is proscribed.... George E. Hoffman & Sons, Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local No. 627, 617 F.2d 1234, 1241 (7th Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 937, 101 S.Ct. 335, 66 L.Ed.2d 160 (1980). The secondary purpose need not be the sole motivation of the strike to violate Sec. 8(b)(4)(A). NLRB v. Milk Wagon Drivers Union, Local 753, 335 F.2d 326, 329 (7th Cir.1964). 23 This Union violated Section 8(b)(4)(A) by striking to force Helmkamp to sign the prohibited agreements. 24 Furthermore, the ALJ found the strike was motivated, at least in part, to force the independent owner-drivers to join the Union. We find substantial evidence in the record to support this finding. The Union struck, after Helmkamp had sold or leased all its trucks and no longer employed any drivers. The Union's conduct throughout indicates that it was resigned to Helmkamp's decision, motivated by economic reality, to close down its trucking operation. The logical inference is that the subsequent strike was aimed at the independent owner-drivers.