Opinion ID: 781207
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board

Text: 9 On May 14, 1997, the union filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board (the Board) alleging unfair labor practices by Sorrento in violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), including unlawful withdrawal of recognition, refusal to bargain in good faith, refusal to execute the CBA extension, and making various statements to workers to encourage decertification of the union. 2 The union alleged that Sorrento management had sponsored the decertification effort. On November 6, 1997, the Board issued a complaint against Sorrento based on the union's charges. 10 On August 22, 1997, counsel for the workers filed a petition with the Board on behalf of two workers, appellants Tauni Simo and Maria Ramirez, seeking a decertification election for the Sorrento workers. On December 4, 1997, the Board's regional director dismissed the decertification petition, noting that the unfair labor practices alleged in the complaint against Sorrento tainted the evidence supporting the allegation that the workers no longer wanted the union (the showing of interest). 11 On March 16, 1998, the union and Sorrento stipulated to a settlement of the Board's complaint, in which Sorrento would refrain from withdrawing recognition of the union, promising benefits to its workers if they rejected the union, or threatening its workers, and would begin bargaining with the union in good faith and implement the CBA extension. The Board approved the settlement in an order dated September 16, 1998. 12