Document: 466 U.S. 720 104 S.Ct. 2081 80 L.Ed.2d 715 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD,v.INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BRIDGE, STRUCTURAL & ORNAMENTAL IRONWORKERS, LOCAL 480, AFL—CIO. No. 83-1202. Supreme Court of the United States May 14, 1984. PER CURIAM. 1 This case presents question whether Appeals may modify an award backpay by National Labor Relations Board on grounds that failed promptly to specify amounts award. As decision apparently is inconsistent with this Court's precedents, we grant petition for writ certiorari and reverse. 2 * Respondent, Local 480 International Association Bridge, Structural Ornamental Ironworkers, AFL—CIO, operates a hiring hall construction workers in northern New Jersey. The lengthy procedural history present begins 1978 Board's finding had violated §§ 8(b)(1)(A) (2) Act, 29 U.S.C. 158(b)(1)(A) (2), discriminating against nonmembers its referral practices.1 ordered compensate five charging parties other "similarly situated" employees earnings lost because discrimination. Ironworkers v. 235 N.L.R.B. 1511 (1978). were be calculated according formula established Board.2 On 11, 1979, Third Circuit granted enforcement order. 598 F.2d 611. 3 then began preparation specification.3 To identify who been subject discrimination, Regional Office employed General Services Administration conduct computer analysis respondent's records. was perform laborious task comparing sign-up dates qualifications nonunion members those all union referred ahead them.4 Until October 1980, slowed process refusing permit photocopying relevant Preparation specification further delayed when February 1981 discovered substantial error would require entire performed again at great expense Board. After settlement negotiations proved fruitless, authorized reanalysis data. 4 In April 1982, as no yet issued, filed motion seeking relief from part order directed nonmember applicants parties. urged delay issuance demonstrated impossible implement. Further, contended it ceased discriminatory activity, come forward allege resolving impaired Local's operations. 13, denied "without prejudice renew such after 90 days." App. Pet. Cert. 7a-8a. 5 renewed September 29, 1982. Counsel time estimated specifications similarly situated discriminatees completed 1983. Appeals, however, enter formal December 31, 6 comply order, set about preparing separate list suffered discrimination hall. estimating amount due each employee, necessary obtain information available only Pension Welfare Fund. Fund refused provide without subpoena or court Uncertain litigation successfully could concluded meet deadline prepared based upon projections records available. submitted Specification Notice Hearing 21, 16, later obtained Fund's pursuant investigatory revised incorporate complete actual earnings. revision decreased one-fourth liability. 7 25, 1983, respondent third original judgment, requesting named terminate proceedings altogether. not earnings, rules argued "punitive" total liability exceeded ability pay. July 27, modified tender 1982.5 II 8 gave justification modifying "the length elapsed since entry [the court's] judgment." 1a. It well established, refuse enforce merely subsequent formulating specification. NLRB Rutter-Rex Mfg. Co., 396 258, 417, 24 405 (1969). 9 some respects differs Rutter-Rex. Rutter-Rex, cut off accrual earlier date than Id., 263, S.Ct., 420. case, has limited class whom awarded prohibited amending regulations permit, see CFR § 102.57 (1983). Nonetheless, principle remains applicable: "[T]he required place consequences own delay, even if inordinate, wronged employees. . ." U.S., 265, 421. By restricting beneficiaries remedy abridging procedures lawfully determining backpay, under review punishes nonfeasance.6 forbids.7 10 entirely clear premised simply delay. text hints court's reasoning. Respondent before long impossibility identifying performing calculations formula. also showed "confiscatory." 63a. We do consider these judgment enforcing Nor foreclose challenges might raised outcome supplemental proceedings. 11 But appears have rested failure act promptly, must reversed remanded consistent opinion. 12 so ordered. 13 Justice MARSHALL dissents opinion deciding briefing merits oral argument. Section 158(b) prohibits various unfair labor practices organizations. That subsection provides pertinent part: "It shall practice organization agents— (1) restrain coerce (A) exercise rights guaranteed section 157 title. "(2) cause attempt employer discriminate employee violation (a)(3) respect membership terminated ground his periodic dues initiation fees uniformly condition acquiring retaining membership." 158(a)(3) "discrimination regard hire tenure employment any term encourage discourage organization." 157, here, protects right refrain activity. A 1972 consent decree generally obligates refer jobs registration unlawfully discriminated favor referring them steward positions instead equally qualified previously registered nonmembers. Under formula, overall applicants, nonmembers, through [the] system divided number ironworkers worked out hall, taking into account net individual during period." 21a-22a. prepares awards backpay. shows detail how computed serves initiate administrative giving notice allegedly due. See 102.52-102.59 complicated consolidate four similar cases Jersey locals Association. stated: "[A]fter orders entered matter, Court, that: "1. Any made are hereby barred considered. dated 1, "2. Payment full Union claims asserted behalf parties] considered compliance paragraph order." 1a-2a. Such result anomalous where there suggestion, wrongdoing itself contributed obstructing processes. Yet, acknowledge one sympathetic union's loss patience what serious here issued recognized power courts appeals compel action "unreasonably delayed." 266 n. 3, 421 3. Cf. Silverman NLRB, 543 428 (CA2 1976) (order mandating timely completion proceedings). complied deadline. does appear Board, subsequently specification, came noncompliance. did limit way authority amend course sufficient initiated

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