Opinion ID: 379317
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Offer to Waive Fees

Text: 4 Masonic contends that the Union improperly offered to waive union initiation fees. A union may not offer to waive the initiation fee only of those employees who sign recognition slips before a representation election. NLRB v. Savair Manufacturing Co., 414 U.S. 270, 94 S.Ct. 495, 38 L.Ed.2d 495 (1973). Because such inducement creates a false image of employee support and impairs the right to a fair election of those employees who may oppose unionization, setting aside the results may be justified. Id, at 278, 279-80, 94 S.Ct. at 499, 500-501. 5 Even where a fee waiver offer is not explicit as to time limitations, if a responsible interpretation of the offer is contrary to the requirements of Savair, then the election should be set aside. NLRB v. Aladdin Hotel Corp., 584 F.2d 891, 893 (9th Cir. 1978). 6 Employee Izquierdo's affidavit said that a Union representative told me to sign the (authorization) card right away because if I did I would not have to pay any initiation fee. This is prima facie proof of an illegal fee waiver offer. A responsible interpretation is that if Izquierdo waited until after the election she would have to pay an initiation fee. Masonic should have an evidentiary hearing on the issue.