Opinion ID: 301058
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure To Give Adequate Reasons For The Inconsistency.

Text: 33 Finally, the board did not even bother to give reasons why this departure from its earlier decision involving the same facility and from its many decisions in other comparable situations might be appropriate. Although the board has substantial discretion, it cannot arbitrarily make inconsistent decisions without setting forth rational reasons and guidelines. A careful reading of the Decision and Direction of Election of the regional director, affirmed by the board, is conclusive of the proposition that the only attempted explanation of the departure from the holdings in the Wasson, Famous Barr, and Macy decisions is contained in one sentence: 34 Thus, in each of these cases, the petitioner [union] sought a unit which included the workroom employees. 35 It is inescapable that the board was saying, in effect: In the Wasson, Famous Barr and Macy cases the petitioning unions wanted the workroom employees included in the bargaining unit, so the board included them; but in the instant case, the petitioning unit wanted the workroom employees excluded from the unit, so the board excluded them. 36 Giving the petitioning union precisely what it wants just because it asks for it is the same as giving controlling weight to the extent the union has organized a group of employees. We have already noted that this is prohibited by Section 9(c) (5) of the Act. Hence the one sentence statement of reasons by the board fails utterly to distinguish its other inconsistent decisions. 37 The board's decision and order give controlling weight in determining the bargaining unit to the extent of unionization, in violation of Section 9(c) (5) of the Act. The board's decision and order are arbitrary and unreasonable in that they are totally inconsistent with prior, and subsequent, decisions of the board. Hence the petition to set aside the order is granted and the cross-application to enforce the order is denied. 38