Opinion ID: 595945
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Cards Objected to Because of Misrepresentations.

Text: 5 New Life objects to thirteen of the cards because it claims that the cards were solicited by misrepresentations. The cards circulated by the Union in this matter clearly indicate that the signer intends the union to represent him or her in collective bargaining. See NLRB v. Gissel Packing Co., 395 U.S. 575, 606-07 (1969); Sahara Datsun, 811 F.2d at 1321 n. 3. The normal presumption that an employee understands an unambiguous authorization card is not applied if the signer cannot read the language appearing on the card. NLRB v. Bakers of Paris, Inc., 929 F.2d 1427, 1442 (9th Cir.1991). We will, however, consider evidence that the message was translated or otherwise explained. Id. Nevertheless, a card solicited by misrepresentation is not valid. See Gissel, 395 U.S. at 601-10; NLRB v. South Bay Daily Breeze, 415 F.2d 360, 366 (9th Cir.1969), cert. denied, 397 U.S. 915 (1970) (card not valid if the employee is told that the only purpose of the card is to obtain an election); NLRB v. Savair Manufacturing Co., 414 U.S. 270, 277-81 (1973) (card not valid if the employee is told that his or her union fees will be waived if he or she signs the authorization card before the election is held). 6 Ignacio De La Fuente testified that he informed the employees that the purpose of the Union authorization cards was to give the Union authority to represent the employees for collective bargaining. Six of the employees directly corroborated his testimony. Several of the witnesses gave conflicting testimony regarding whether they were told that the authorization card would be used for Union representation. On direct examination, they stated that the purpose of the cards was to enable the Union to represent them. On cross-examination they testified that the cards would be used only for an election. The ALJ found, based on his observation of the demeanor of the testifying employees, that the employees did not understand the significance of New Life's counsel's use of the word only. He concluded that in some manner each employee indicated that he or she knew that the card was to be used for Union representation. Substantial evidence supports the ALJ's determination that De La Fuente did not misrepresent the purpose of the Union authorization cards was supported by substantial evidence. 7