Opinion ID: 379143
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Presumption of Majority Support

Text: 7 The General Counsel is assisted by a presumption of majority union support in its attempt to meet its burden of proving that the employer unlawfully refused to bargain. For a reasonable time, usually one year, after certification or voluntary recognition, majority support is irrebuttably presumed absent 'unusual circumstances.' After one year, the presumption becomes rebuttable. Id. Where sufficient proof to rebut the presumption is not presented by the employer, the presumption carries the General Counsel's burden of proof regarding the unfair labor practice charge. Id. 8 An employer may rebut the presumption by presenting sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the union was actually in the minority or that the employer had a good faith reasonable doubt of the union's majority support at the time of the refusal to bargain. Id. If the presumption is deemed rebutted, then the General Counsel must come forward with evidence to satisfy its burden of proof. National Cash Register Co. v. NLRB, 494 F.2d 189 (8th Cir. 1974). 9 The rebuttable presumption was applied by the Board in these cases. The Board determined that the respondents had not rebutted the presumption and found that they had committed unfair labor practices by refusing to bargain with the Union. 10 The respondents challenge that determination on the grounds that: 11 a. the presumption should not be applicable in a situation where employers have withdrawn from a multi-employer unit; 12 b. an employer's good faith belief is all that is required to rebut the presumption of majority support for the union; 13 c. the objective factors considered by the respondents were sufficient to rebut the presumption of majority support for the union. 14 d. the respondents were improperly precluded from showing that only a minority of employees supported the union. 15 e. the Board has made it impossible to rebut the presumption under the circumstances.