Opinion ID: 463585
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reinstatement Rights of the Unfair Labor Practice Strikers

Text: 7 Bonanno asserts that the Board erred in ordering that it fire four employees hired after May 3 and replace them with four strikers because the strikers did not have reinstatement rights to those jobs. It argues that even if the twelve strikers became unfair labor practice strikers on May 3 their reinstatement rights remained fixed as those of permanently replaced economic strikers. It is undisputed that the twelve strikers were permanently replaced while they were still economic strikers and that with respect to the jobs still held by those permanent replacements the strikers have no rights to reinstatement. Under the Laidlaw doctrine, permanently replaced economic strikers who unconditionally request reinstatement have rights only to preferential hiring as positions reopen or are newly created, Laidlaw Corp., 171 N.L.R.B. 1366, 1367-70 (1968), enforced, 414 F.2d 99, 103-05 (7th Cir.1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 920, 90 S.Ct. 928, 25 L.Ed.2d 100 (1970). In contrast, unfair labor practice strikers have rights to their positions greater than any replacements hired during their strike, and must be rehired upon unconditional request for reinstatement. Mastro Plastics Corp. v. NLRB, 350 U.S. 270, 278, 76 S.Ct. 349, 355, 100 L.Ed. 309 (1956). Bonanno argues that when there is a conversion of an economic strike into an unfair labor practice strike settled principles of Board law dictate that strikers permanently replaced during the economic phase of the strike are not entitled to enhanced reinstatement rights. Thus, according to Bonanno, when the twelve applied for reinstatement they had rights only to preferential future hiring, and the Board's order that Bonanno fire four replacements hired after the conclusion of the lawful economic strike and during the unfair labor practice strike is inconsistent with prior law and should not be enforced. We find Bonanno's reading of prior Board cases to be seriously myopic. 8 It is well settled Board law that the conversion of a strike into an unfair labor practice strike, while not enhancing the strikers' reinstatement rights vis-a-vis permanent replacements hired during the preconversion economic strike, does give the strikers the right to force the dismissal of any replacement hired after conversion, upon an unconditional request for reinstatement. NLRB v. Plastilite Corp., 375 F.2d 343, 348 (8th Cir.1967); Philip Carey Mfg. Co. v. NLRB, 331 F.2d 720, 725, 729 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 379 U.S. 888, 85 S.Ct. 159, 13 L.Ed.2d 92 (1964); Gulf Envelope Co., 256 N.L.R.B. 320, 320 & n. 2, 332 (1981); Cavalier Div. of Seeburg Corp., 192 N.L.R.B. 290, 291 (1971), enforced sub nom. Allied Indus. Workers Local 289 v. NLRB, 476 F.2d 868, 882-83 & n. 23 (D.C.Cir.1973). This rule is consistent with the principles of Laidlaw and Mastro. There is no valid basis for denying enforcement of the Board order directing the Company to fire four replacements hired after May 3 and reinstate four strikers in their place.