Opinion ID: 360904
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Secondary Intent

Text: 32 The Union argues that the facts are insufficient to establish secondary intent. We disagree. 33 Intent is inferred from the nature of acts performed. Compliance with the Moore Dry Dock standards would not prevent a finding of secondary intent. Lawhon Construction Co. v. Carpet, Linoleum & Resilient Floor Decorators, Local 1179, 394 F.Supp. 520 (W.D.Mo.1974), Aff'd, 513 F.2d 723 (8th Cir. 1975) (Lawhon). 34 Assuming one object of the picket was to produce Morris' compliance with area standards, secondary intent is present if another object was that of forcing Pickens or Horton to cease doing business with Morris. See Wilson v. Milk Drivers and Dairy Employees Union, Local 471, 491 F.2d 200 (8th Cir. 1974). 35 The evidence indicates, however, that the Union's interest in setting the picket was not directed to area standards. It refused Morris' offer of a contract guaranteeing compliance with those very standards at the First National jobsite. It insisted on a contract covering all Morris' other jobs as well. It remained ignorant of the location of Morris' other jobs. It did not change its conduct when Morris denied its allegations respecting area standards. 36 The conclusion is inescapable that the Union sought Morris' removal from the First National job if he did not accept its contractual demands. The Union did not inquire into wages paid by Morris and had no basis for believing that Morris was breaking down area standards. The Union told Pickens the picket would end upon Morris' removal from the job. These facts alone establish secondary intent. See Lawhon, supra. 8 But there is more. The Union picketed only at the First National site, where Morris was willing to pay standard wages. It made no attempt to locate Morris' other jobsites, which were the only sites at which Morris was unwilling to enter a contract. That selective picketing is evidence that the picket here was not set as merely a means of publicizing substandard wages. 37