Opinion ID: 29578
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Backpay Remedy

Text: 26 In its final ground of error Raven argues that even if it acted improperly in its October 1 changes, the NLRB erred in ordering backpay for the affected workers, or at the least in using the F.W. Woolworth, 90 N.L.R.B. 289 (1950), method of backpay calculation rather than the Ogle Protection Service, 183 N.L.R.B. 682 (1970), method. We find neither argument persuasive. 27 Raven claims the October 1 layoffs could not have been avoided through bargaining with the Union because the government required the company to take the actions in question in order to cut labor costs to meet the demands of a new contract. [A] back pay or restitution order will not be enforced where the result of the enforcement would be to put the worker in better position than he would have been without the violation. Gulf States Mfg., 704 F.2d at 1400-01. This rule applies where a company proves, layoffs would have occurred when and as they did even if there had been bargaining. Id. 28 Unfortunately for Raven it never made this argument to the ALJ or the NLRB. Therefore, this court lacks jurisdiction, absent extraordinary circumstances, to consider this argument on appeal. Detroit Edison Co. v. NLRB, 440 U.S. 301, 311 n.10, 99 S.Ct. 1123, 59 L.Ed.2d 333 (1979) ([NLRA] Section 10(e) precludes a reviewing court from considering an objection that was not urged before the Board.). Raven argues that because it lacked notice of the classification issue before the close of evidence, it lacked the opportunity to make this argument to the ALJ. As we noted above, however, not only was Raven on notice that the NLRB found the October 1 changes problematic, but it was given adequate opportunity to respond to the charge before the close of evidence. Under such circumstances, no extraordinary explanation for failure to exhaust this argument exists. 29 Raven next argues that the NLRB erred when it granted the General Counsel's Motion to Reconsider its holding as to the appropriate back pay computation method to be used in this case. Raven urges this court to find that the motion, filed as a § 102.49 Motion for Clarification or Modification, was actually a Motion for Reconsideration and thus was not timely filed under Section 102.48(d) of the Board's Rules and Regulations. 12 30 Section 102.48(d)(2) of the Board's Rules and Regulations provides that a party's request for reconsideration, rehearing, or reopening of the record must generally be filed within 28 days of the Board's decision. Section 102.49 states: 31 Within the limitations of the provisions of section 10(c) of the Act, and §§ 102.48, until a transcript of the record in a case shall have been filed in a court, within the meaning of section 10 of the Act, the Board may at any time upon reasonable notice modify or set aside, in whole or in part, any findings of fact, conclusions of law, or order made or issued by it. Thereafter, the Board may proceed pursuant to §§ 102.50, insofar as applicable. 32 29 C.F.R. § 102.49 (2002) (emphasis added). Raven argues that because § 102.49 makes no provisions for motions, the General Counsel's motion here must have been made pursuant to § 102.48(d). Cf. NLRB v. Selvin, 527 F.2d 1273, 1276 (9th Cir. 1975) (holding that motions made by parties to reopen record must be made within the parameters of § 102.48(d), rather than § 102.49). Because the motion here was filed 11 months after the original opinion, Raven reasons that it was untimely under § 102.48(d)(2) and should not have been considered. 33 In rejecting this argument the NLRB cited Dorsey Trailers, 322 N.L.R.B. 181 (1996), in which it denied an identical argument. There the NLRB reasoned that if it had the power under § 102.49 to modify its order sua sponte any time before the matter was filed with the circuit court, it could not lose that power simply because the General Counsel filed a motion for the change that he was not mandated to file. Cases like Selvin were inapposite, the NLRB concluded, because they dealt with a party's attempt to get an aspect of a decision reconsidered, rather than the General Counsel. 34 We need not address the merits of Dorsey Trailers because, assuming arguendo that the General Counsel's motion was a § 102.48(d) motion, it was within the NLRB's discretion to accept that motion beyond the 28 day deadline. In NLRB v. U.S.A. Polymer Corp., 272 F.3d 289, 296 (5th Cir.2001), we explained that the NLRB can, at its discretion, disregard the 28 day deadline of § 102.48(d)(2), and consider motions filed after the deadline. Thus, even if the motion here was filed pursuant to § 102.48(d), the NLRB was acting within its authority to consider the motion. Raven's point of error has no merit.