Opinion ID: 272543
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Union Authorization

Text: 5 It is urged that the authorization card used by the Union is ambiguous and does not constitute an unequivocal designation of the Union as the representative of the signer for collective bargaining purposes. It is further contended that the Trial Examiner erred in not permitting the Company 'to determine from all alleged card signers the purpose for which the card was executed.' We find these contentions without merit. 6 The card 4 specifically states that it is an 'Authorization to UAW,' and its first sentence reads: 'I, the undersigned employee of ---------- (name of company) authorize UAW to represent me in collective bargaining.' To be sure, the fine print at the bottom of the card says that it is for use in support of a demand for recognition, 'or for an NLRB election.' But we agree with the Board that notwithstanding the fine print the overall purpose of the card is clear. 7 The Company relies on NLRB v. Peterson Bros., Inc., 342 F.2d 221 (5th Cir. 1965). We approve the reasoning of the Seventh Circuit in NLRB v. C. J. Glasgow Co., 356 F.2d 476, 478 (1966), which rejects the Peterson case and points out that the card-- 8 expressly confers the requisite authority. The recital of alternate methods by which the card might be used to make the authority operative with respect to the employer in our opinion neither negates the grant nor beclouds it with ambiguity. 9 It was therefore proper to refuse to permit the employer to inquire into the subjective understanding of the employee who signed the card. At oral argument, counsel conceded that the Company had been permitted to inquire as to the representations made at the times the cards were distributed, i.e., to question whether there were misrepresentations. That is all that need be allowed. Joy Silk Mills, Inc. v. NLRB, 87 U.S.App.D.C. 360, 185 F.2d 732 (1950), cert. denied, 341 U.S. 914, 71 S.Ct. 734, 95 L.Ed. 1350 (1951); NLRB v. C. J. Glasgow Co., supra. 5