Opinion ID: 761805
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Bargaining Order as an Appropriate Remedy

Text: 94 ProGalv argues that even if the Board's finding that it violated § 8(a)(5) and (1) was correct, the bargaining order is not warranted. ProGalv also challenges the validity of the Board's remedial order because it directs ProGalv to make employees whole for any loss in wages and benefits due to its unlawful withdrawal of recognition, refusal to bargain, and unilateral changes in working conditions. We disagree. 95 Although we review the Board's order for an abuse of discretion, see [NLRB v.] Kentucky May Coal Co., Inc., 89 F.3d [1235,] 1243 [ (6th Cir.1996) ], we nevertheless apply close scrutiny to that decision. NLRB v. Taylor Mach. Prods., Inc., 136 F.3d 507, 519 (6th Cir.1998). As this Court has found: 96 It is for the Board and not the courts ... to make [the determination of what remedy is appropriate] based on its expert estimate as to the effects on the election process of unfair labor practices of varying intensity. In fashioning its remedies under the broad provisions of ... the Act the Board draws on a fund of knowledge and expertise all its own, and its choice of remedy must therefore be given special respect by reviewing courts.... [I]t is usually better to minimize the opportunity for reviewing courts to substitute their discretion for that of the agency. 97 Indiana Cal-Pro, Inc., 863 F.2d at 1300 (quoting NLRB v. Gissel Packing Co., 395 U.S. 575, 612 n. 32, 89 S.Ct. 1918, 23 L.Ed.2d 547 (1969)). This Court has held that a bargaining order is proper as a remedy for § 8(a)(1) violations where essentially three conditions occur: 98 1. The Union in fact has obtained authorization cards from a majority of employees in an appropriate bargaining unit without misrepresentations or other unfair practices on its part and has requested bargaining; 99 2. The employer has dissipated significantly the Union's majority by the commission of section 8(a)(1) violations; and 100 3. A fair election cannot be had under all the circumstances of the particular case. 101 863 F.2d at 1300 (quoting Priced-Less Discount Foods, Inc., 405 F.2d 67, 69-70 (6th Cir.1968)). In fashioning a remedy, the Board should take into account the extensiveness of the employer's unfair practices in terms of their past effect on election conditions and the likelihood of their recurrence in the future. Id. at 1301. If the Board determines that the possibility of erasing the past practices and of ensuring a fair election by the use of traditional remedies is slight, then a bargaining order should issue. Id. (quoting Gissel Packing Co., 395 U.S. at 614-15, 89 S.Ct. 1918). 102 In the instant case, a bargaining order was the proper remedy where the Board found several violations of § 8(a)(1) and, as such, the likelihood of ensuring a fair election was slight. See e.g., Indiana Cal-Pro, Inc., 863 F.2d at 1301 (finding that past threats of plant closure were particularly persuasive in establishing that a bargaining order was the appropriate remedy). In addition, because the Board supported its reason for the bargaining order by citing to the violations made by ProGalv, which were supported by testimony and facts, the Board's remedy should not be disturbed. See GES, Inc. v. NLRB, 697 F.2d 157, 159 (6th Cir.1983). 103 Furthermore, the Board properly ordered ProGalv to make its employees whole for any lost wages and benefits due to its unlawful withdrawal of recognition of the Union. This Court has stated that deference should be given to the Board's remedial orders, and that  '[b]ackpay can be an appropriate remedy for a § 8(a)(5) violation ... [and] is a proper remedy where it serves to make whole employees for losses suffered due to an employer's failure to bargain, and also where it creates an incentive for an employer to bargain in good faith with the union representing the employees.'  Adair, 912 F.2d at 865 (quoting NLRB v. Master Slack and/or Master Trousers Corp., 773 F.2d 77, 83 (6th Cir.1985)). 104 Accordingly, in the instant case, where it has been found by substantial evidence that ProGalv violated § 8(a)(5) and failed to bargain, the Board's remedial order should be enforced. Given the totality of the circumstances and the degree of deference that should be afforded to the Board's discretionary decisions regarding appropriate remedies, the order should not be disturbed.