Document: 369 U.S. 736 82 S.Ct. 1107 8 L.Ed.2d 230 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioners,v.Benne KATZ et al. No. 222. Argued March 22, 1962. Decided May 21, Solicitor General Archibald Cox, for petitioner. Sidney O. Raphael, New York City, respondents. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 It is a violation duty 'to bargain collectively' imposed by § 8(a)(5) National Labor Relations Act1 an employer, without first consulting union with which it carrying on bona fide contract negotiations, to institute changes regarding matters are subjects mandatory bargaining under 8(d) and in fact discussion?2 The Board answered question affirmatively this case, decision expressly disclaimed any finding that totality respondents' conduct manifested bad faith pending negotiations.3 126 N.L.R.B 288. A divided panel Court Appeals Second Circuit denied enforcement Board's cease-and-desist order, our v. Insurance Agents' Union, 361 477, 80 419, 4 454, broad rule statutory cannot be held violated, when being carried on, respondent's subjective negotiating. 2 Cir., 289 F.2d 700.4 said: 'We unilateral acts here complained of, occurring as they did during negotiating collective agreement, do not per se constitute refusal collectively violative 8(a)(5). While subject generally free from doubt, conclusion posture case necessary requisite Section employer failed good faith.' F.2d, at 702—703. 3 We granted certiorari, 368 811, 53, 7 20, order consider whether were contrary Agents. find nothing inconsistent Agents hold erred refusing enforce order. respondents partners engaged steel fabricating firm name Williamsburg Steel Products Company. Following consent election unit consisting all technical employees company's plant, Board, July 5, 1956, certified their representative Local 66 Architectural Engineering Guild, American Federation Technical Engineers, AFL—CIO. simultaneously similar units five other companies which, respondent company, members Hollow Metal Door & Buck Association. certifications related separate several plants purport establish multi-employer unit. 5 On 11, sent identical letters each six companies, requesting bargaining. Negotiations invited either individual or 'association wide'5 basis, reservation wage rates increases would have discussed separately. follow-up letter 19, repeated request negotiations enumerated proposed discussion. Included merit increases, geneal levels sick-leave proposal. 6 meeting between company took place August 30, 1956. occasion, ten conferences October 2, 13, 1957, attendance represented same counsel.6 undisputed was raised although there unresolved conflict agreement reached joint participation reviews, simply mentioned put off discussion later date. also clear proposals concerning sick leave made. Several meetings one November, raises least two occasions. appears, however, little progress December State Mediation attended mediator agency, who time mediating negotiation Aetna Corporation, member Association separately others; recess involved results negotiation. When called next 29, completed introduced into At resumption April 4, along employers, offered three-year certain initial prospective automatic increases. offer rejected. Further 1, produced no further held. Meanwhile, 16, had filed charge upon Counsel's complaint issued. As amended amplified hearing construed complaint's unfair labor practices particularly referred three company: unilaterally granting numerous 1956 January 1957; announcing change policy instituting new system 1957. ensuing litigation has developed, defended against charges fronts: First, asserts occurred after impasse developed through union's fault adopting obstructive tactics.7 According 'the evidence Respondent undertook its actions before discontinued before, we record, existence possible impasse.' N.L.R.B., 289—290. There ample support record considered whole fact, consistent Examiner's Intermediate Report, 295—296, question.8 9 second line defense could hinge been violated alone, making employer's table; merely relevant issue faith. This argument prevailed remanded cases saying: 10 'Although might * justified denying remand, since practice impliedly proceeds erroneous view specific acts, regardless faith, may violations 8(a)(5), should opportunity take additional evidence, make such findings warranted record.' 709.9 11 enjoined defined 'meet confer respect wages, hours, terms conditions employment.' Clearly, thus general failure faith; occasion if party refused even negotiate fact—'to meet confer'—about subjects.10 within 8(d), about seeks negotiate, violates though every desire reach over-all earnestly bargains end. employment similarly 8(a) (5), circumvention frustrates objectives much does flat refusal.11 12 illustrate practical considerations conclusion. 13 matter leave. plan effect allowed paid days annually accumulate half unused days, up year. Changes sought counterproposals come conferences. In notifying union, announced plan, reduced number year, but accumulation twice increasing over. action plainly frustrated objective establishing working Some diminution benefits. Others, more interested accumulating regard improvement. If clearly among employees, well mean uselessly dissipated trading material aggravated issue. hand, evenly merits changes, negotiators, beset conflicting factions, led adopt protective vagueness leave, inhibit useful contemplated Congress imposing obligation collectively. 14 Other appear consideration wages. employers offered, rejected, immediate across-the-board increase $7.50 week, followed end year again $5 earning less than $90 those times. Shortly thereafter, having advised consulted whereby months $74.99 week; $75 review over week. glance instituted considerably generous shortly theretofore rejected union. Such conclusively negotiations. Crompton-Highland Mills, 337 217, 69 960, 93 L.Ed. 1320, so Appeals' interpretation, appeared. An required lead his best offer; he bargain. But license grant greater ever table, necessarily sincere conclude union.12 15 third J. H. Allison Co., 165 766. final understanding reached. notice 20 out approximately 50 unit, ranging $2 $10.13 too must viewed tantamount outright subject, therefore unless long-standing quarterly semiannual reviews—in effect, mere continuation status quo—differentiates them plan. think does. Whatever so-called 'merit raises' already committed himself, sense automatic, infromed large measure discretion. way know substantial departure past practice, properly insist procedures criteria determining increases.14 16 apparent what said why see decision. whatever foreclosed issue, otherwise.15 consisted partial-strike tactics designed pressure negotiators. not, 8(b)(3), counterpart empowered pass judgment legitimacy particular economic weapon used genuine authorized cessation behavior engotiate, directly obstructs inhibits actual process discussion, reflects cast mind reaching agreement. Unilateral prior amount affected negotiation, necessity obstruct bargaining, congressional policy. will often disclose unwillingness agree rarely reason substance. follows guilty foreclose possibility circumstances accept excusing justifying action, presented here.16 17 reversed direction court ordered. 18 Reversed remanded. 19 FRANKFURTER part case. WHITE Act 49 Stat. 452, 453, amended, 29 U.S.C. 158(a)(5), U.S.C.A. 158(a)(5): 'It shall refuse representatives provisions section 159(a) title.' added 61 142, 158(d), 158(d): 'For purposes section, performance mutual reasonable times *.' See Wooster Borg-Warner Corp., 356 342, 348—349, 78 718, 722, 823. For earlier decisions accord, see, e.g., Chambers Mfg. 124 N.L.R.B. 721; Bonham Cotton Inc., 121 1235, 1236. herein, pertinent part, ordered '1. Cease desist from: '(a) Unilaterally changing pay, manner 66, AFL-CIO *. '(b) Refusing hours employment, Union Accord: Cascade Employers Assn., 296 42 (C.A.9th Cir.). By references wide bargaining' parties whose received concurrently represented. November conferred individually job classifications. Particularizations adamantly insisted entered because contained 'most favored nation' clause; evasively vacillated insistence group negotiations; created unrest impairing efficiency operations causing valued quit. found introduction create until adopted responsible confusion opposed association-wide seems concomitant assertion rights organize justify bargain, absence amounted practice. Examiner prove union-instigated slowdowns. proof Since, brand partial strike activity illegitimate forbid use resorts tactics. Engaging strikes inherently continued willingess negotiate; long willingness continues. Universal Camera Corp. 340 474, 71 456, 95 456. 8(a)(1), 158(a)(1), derivative conclusions them. need presents 8(a)(1). requires cease collectively, request. imposes broader language reference to, See, Compare Medo Photo Supply 321 678, 64 830, 88 1007; Department Stores 326 376, 203, 90 145; 1320. Medo, interfered employees' right chosen representative, 8(1), 452 (now 8(a)(1)), treated return promise repudiate designated representative. promise. 8(1) when, unequivocally ground inappropriate, applied War permission except wages fixed 'closed shop agreements.' 'Crompton-Highland Mills sustained substantially ended Of course, resemblance situation wherein consultation, 'unilaterally' institutes low. Bradley Washfountain 192 144, 150—152; Landis Tool 193 279. concluded 34 However, appears stipulation reply brief latter while instant issued thereafter. 10(b) Act, 146, 160(b), provides 'no based filing Therefore, disregard independently constituting Nor decide connection suggestion 1957 together amounting increase. Armstrong Cork Co. 211 843, 847; Dealers Engine Rebuilders, 199 249. isolated adjustments Superior Fireproof Sash 713, 720, White 255 564, 565. left open attempt impose unilaterally. U.S., 496—497, n. 28, 430, 431. urges that, lapse occurrence repudiated subsequently events recounted opinion, altogether conditioned holding determine still choice merit. Franks Bros. 702, 817, 1020; P. Lorillard 314 512, 62 397, 86 380; Mexia Textile 339 563, 568, 70 826, 829, 833, 94 1067. Inordinate delay regrettable, limitation 10(b).

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