Opinion ID: 269384
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Kohler's Compliance

Text: 21 The Master concluded, and we agree, that Kohler's offer failed to comply with the Board's order. An employer is not required to dismiss one replacement for every unfair labor practice striker reinstated pursuant to Board order. The purpose of the Labor Act is to remedy the effects of unfair labor practices, not to punish strikebreakers. But after an unfair labor practice strike, effective remedy requires that returning strikers be given a preference. N.L.R.B. v. Remington Rand, Inc., 2 Cir., 94 F.2d 862, cert. denied, 304 U.S. 576, 58 S.Ct. 1046, 82 L.Ed. 1540 (1938), 130 F.2d 919 (2d Cir. 1941) (on remand). The sanctioned purpose of a reinstatement order is 'to insure the returning strikers that the strike should not prejudice their position; that is, that they should have as good jobs as though there had been no strike.' N.L.R.B. v. Gianasca, 119 F.2d 756, 758 (2d Cir. 1941) (per L. Hand, J.). Here, economic factors had already diminished substantially the available work. Kohler diluted it further by deciding to add, rather than substitute, returning strikers. As the Master said, 'The strikers    had to take their chances on a work week adjusted    to (the Company's) business and its policy of reducing the work week rather than laying off employees, but not    based upon retention of employees hired on or after June 1, 1954.' When Kohler enlarged its work force in the face of economic trouble rather than break its promises to the replacements, it violated the Board's decree. 'The order secured (the strikers) the benefit of (Kohler's) judgment based upon the number of men who could efficiently do the work in hand,' N.L.R.B. v. Giannasca, supra at 758. Kohler denied them the benefit of that judgment. 13 The promises Kohler had made to their replacements do not excuse this denial. Consequently, there was no valid offer of a 'former or substantially equivalent position.' 14