Opinion ID: 431101
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Unit Stipulation

Text: 23 Sonoma contends that the unit stipulation was unambiguous and clearly compelled inclusion of the disputed mail order employees in the bargaining unit. Alternatively, Sonoma argues that even if the stipulation was ambiguous on its face, the Board should have held a hearing to determine the intent of the parties before deciding the eligibility of the employees based on traditional Board principles. 24 When a union and an employer enter into a stipulation of this sort, the Board is bound by the stipulation's terms unless the stipulation violates applicable statutes or settled Board policy. NLRB v. Mercy Hospitals of Sacramento, Inc., 589 F.2d 968, 972 (9th Cir.1978), cert. denied, 440 U.S. 910, 99 S.Ct. 1221, 59 L.Ed.2d 458 (1979); NLRB v. Detective Intelligence Service, Inc., 448 F.2d 1022 (9th Cir.1971). No one contends that the stipulation at issue violated Board policy or the law. Instead, the Board found the stipulation was ambiguous, and therefore was not determinative of the eligibility of the disputed employees. 25 The ambiguity arose because the stipulation included within the unit mail order processing employees, but excluded office clerical employees. 4 Although these terms appear clear on their face, they become less clear when the job duties of the disputed employees are considered. The employees were termed mail order processing employees. Their job station, however, was separated from other mail order processing employees, and, unlike other mail order employees, their duties included significant amounts of clerical tasks. The stipulation did not state how employees with such mixed duties were to be classified. We find substantial evidence supports the Board's conclusion that the stipulation was ambiguous with regard to the disputed employees. 26 Assuming the stipulation was ambiguous, [T]he primary question ... is what the parties meant. NLRB v. Joclin Mfg. Co., 314 F.2d 627, 633-34 (2d Cir.1963). Sonoma contends the Board erred by failing to hold a hearing to determine the intent of the parties before applying its community of interest test. 27 Throughout the proceedings before the Board, however, Sonoma contended that no hearing was necessary, because the stipulation was unambiguous. At no time did Sonoma request a hearing to introduce parol evidence of an understanding by the parties outside of the written agreement; Sonoma's unwavering position was that no evidence of external agreements was necessary or relevant. 5 28 In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, no objection may be raised on appeal if it has not been urged before the Board. 29 U.S.C. Sec. 160(c). See NLRB v. Sambo's Restaurant, Inc., 641 F.2d 794, 796 (9th Cir.1981). We find no extraordinary circumstances justifying Sonoma's failure to request a hearing on intent. Consequently, we find Sonoma has failed to preserve its objection to the Board's failure to hold such a hearing.