Opinion ID: 444418
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: analysis

Text: 6 The Union argues that an agreement was not reached on June 24 because Oliver did not expressly inform Van Roy that the Union assented to the terms. The Union contends that Oliver did convey the employees' assent, but that, as the authorized union agent, only Oliver, not the employees, had the authority to enter into binding agreements. 1 7 Whether or not an agreement has been reached between two parties is a question of fact for the Board to determine[.] NLRB v. Truckdrivers, Local 100, 532 F.2d 569, 571 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 429 U.S. 859, 97 S.Ct. 160, 50 L.Ed.2d 137 (1976). Courts must  'uphold factual findings of the Board which are supported by substantial evidence on the record as a whole.'  Id. (Citation omitted). Furthermore, it is well established that technical rules of contract do not control whether a collective bargaining agreement has been reached. Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. v. NLRB, 659 F.2d 87, 89 (8th Cir.1981). Rather, the crucial inquiry is whether there is conduct manifesting an intention to abide and be bound by the terms of an agreement. Capitol-Husting Co., Inc. v. NLRB, 671 F.2d 237, 243 (7th Cir.1982). We find that the Board correctly found that on June 24 Oliver expressed sufficient assent to bind the Union. As noted by the ALJ, Oliver did not express any reservations regarding the terms nor did he attempt to disassociate himself or the Union from the employees' expression of assent. Furthermore, as an alternative holding, the ALJ credited Van Roy's testimony that Oliver stated that we, (the Union and the Company) had a contract. A fact-finder's credibility determinations should not be reversed absent extraordinary circumstances. Keokuk Gas Service Co. v. NLRB, 580 F.2d 328, 334 (8th Cir.1978). This is not such a case. Van Roy's testimony was corroborated by three employees.
8 The Union next argues that even if an agreement had been reached on June 24, the Company waived its right to enforce that agreement by engaging in further negotiations on July 26. The Board correctly rejected this contention. The record is clear that at all times the Company refused to negotiate because it believed it had a contract. The Company met with the Union on the 26th in an attempt to reduce the oral agreement to writing. 2 9
10 The Union argues that before any agreement can become effective it must be approved by the International. The International constitution provides that all local agreements be submitted to the International for approval and that any agreement not approved is void. International constitution, Art. XVII, Section 7. The Board found that while the language of the constitution created a condition precedent to the formation of a valid contract, that language could not bind the Company unless the Company had notice of the provision. The Board credited the testimony of Van Roy that he had no knowledge of the provision. Furthermore, the Board found that a past contract had been applied as of its effective date prior to International approval. The Board found that, in contrast to the language in the constitution, the subject to [International] approval language which appeared on past contracts and on the proposed contract created a condition subsequent, i.e., the contract would be effective until the International disapproved. We find that the Board correctly concluded that approval by the International was not a prerequisite for the Union to enter into a binding agreement. See NLRB v. Truckdrivers, 532 F.2d at 571 (court enforced Board order finding that union constitution insufficient to put company on notice of ratification provision); NLRB v. International Union of Elevator Constructors, Local 8, 465 F.2d 974, 975 n. 1 (9th Cir.1972) (union cannot assert ratification requirements that are inconsistent with past practices).
11 The Union contends that the bargaining process was tainted because Van Roy allegedly threatened employees with economic reprisals and because a supervisory employee, Loren Reining, participated in the employee ratification vote. We agree with the Board that it is unnecessary to address these allegations. Throughout this action, the Union has contended that the employee vote could not bind the Union and that only Oliver had authority to bind the Union. Therefore, because employee ratification was unnecessary, any alleged taint from Van Roy or Reining was irrelevant. 12 Accordingly, we enforce the Board's order.