Opinion ID: 1477516
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Kokomo, Indiana and Huntington, West Virginia.

Text: In its decision the Board made separate findings with reference to each of these plants. It has considered them together in its brief. Petitioner complains that by doing so, deficiencies in proof at one plant are supplied by evidence as to the other. We do not think this is a valid criticism for the reason that the findings and evidence in support thereof are quite similar as to each of these plants. Of course, evidence as to one plant should not and, we understand, has not been considered in connection with the other. As to each plant, the Board found that petitioner had violated 8(1), (2) and (3) of the Act. At each of these plants, the International commenced organizational activities in June, 1937. Here again petitioner's argument is predicated largely upon the theory that it was not responsible for certain employee activities, including some of its supervisory officials, against the International. In its decision, as well as in its brief, the Board stresses the activities of members of the Employees' Mutual Benefit Societies at each plant. A number of supervisory officials were members of these societies. It is not necessary to detail the activities of the societies in combatting the International and the assistance rendered the formation of an independent union at each plant. It is sufficient to state that they constituted a marked interference with the organization drive of the International and with the formation of the independent unions. We also are of the opinion that petitioner was properly held responsible for such activities. We think it is more than a fair inference that petitioner utilized these societies to interfere with the rights of their employees just as it utilized the Citizens' Committee for a like purpose at other plants. There is evidence that petitioner, acting through these societies, as well as by supervisory officials, carried on an active campaign against the International and in behalf of the independent at each of the plants. At Kokomo, 16 employees were included in the charge of discrimination as to hire and tenure. The Board exonerated petitioner as to 10 and sustained the charge as to 6. At Huntington, petitioner was charged with discrimination as to 31 employees and found guilty as to 4 [2] only. At each of these plants, as well as other plants of petitioner, the number of employees, for business reasons, was greatly reduced in the latter part of 1937. By spring of the following year, business was such as to necessitate an increased force. Instead of taking back its old employees, however, petitioner hired new ones. Included in the former are those found to have been discriminated against. What we have said concerning a similar situation at Michigan City is applicable. We see no reason to disturb the findings of the Board as to the discriminatory conduct of petitioner in violation of 8(3) at each of these plants. The Board's order required that petitioner reimburse members of the Huntington Independent Union for dues and assessments deducted from their wages. Petitioner contends that this order is beyond the power of the Board. We have so held in N. L. R. B. v. J. Greenebaum T. Co., 7 Cir., 110 F.2d 984, 988, and in A. E. Staley Mfg. Co. v. N. L. R. B., 7 Cir., 117 F.2d 868. Thus, at the time of the Board's decision, it was the law of this Circuit and we think the Board should have followed it. Our holding on this question has been approved in Western Union Tel. Co. v. N. L. R. B., 2 Cir., 113 F.2d 992, 997, and N. L. R. B. v. Continental Oil Co., 10 Cir., 121 F.2d 120, 125.