Document: 353 U.S. 87 77 S.Ct. 643 1 L.Ed.2d 676 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v. TRUCK DRIVERS LOCAL UNION NO. 449, INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFEURS, WAREHOUSEMEN and HELPERS of AMERICA, A.F.L. No. 103. Argued Jan. 17 22, 1957. Decided April 1, [Syllabus from pages 87-88 intentionally omitted] Mr. Dominick L. Manoli, Washington, D.C., for the petitioner. Thomas P. McMahon, Buffalo, N.Y., respondent. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. The question presented by this case is whether nonstruck members a multi-employer bargaining association committed an unfair labor practice when, during contract negotiations, they temporarily locked out their employees as defense to union strike against one which imperiled employers' common interest in on group basis. 2 National Labor Relations Board determined that resort temporary lockout was not circumstances.1 Court Appeals Second Circuit reversed.2 This granted certiorari3 consider important construction amended Act,4 also alleged conflict with decisions Courts other circuits.5 3 Eight employers linen supply business around New York, comprise membership Linen Credit Exchange. For approximately 13 years, Exchange respondent Union, representing truck drivers employed members, bargained basis negotiated successive collective agreements signed Union eight employers. Sixth days before such agreement expire 30, 1953, gave notice its desire open negotiations changes.6 4 began some time but carried past date were continuing May 26, when put into effect 'whipsawing' plan7 striking picketing plant Frontier Supply, Inc. next day, 27, remaining seven laid off after notifying layoff action taken because strike, advising laid-off would be recalled if withdrew picket line ended strike. Negotiations continued without interruption, however, until week later reached upon new approved signed. Thereupon ended, recalled, normal operations resumed at plants all members. 5 filed charge employers, alleging interfered rights guaranteed § 7, thereby violating 8(a) (1) (3) Act.8 A complaint issued, and, hearing, trial examiner found guilty charged. overruled examiner, finding 'the more reasonable inference that, although specifically announced employer necessarily it implicit threat future any or Association,' 'calculated purpose' causing 'successive individual capitulations.'9 therefore 'in absence independent evidence antiunion motivation, * Respondent's (sic) shutting termination defensive privileged nature, rather than retaliatory unlawful.'10 Board, citing Leonard v. 9 Cir., 205 F.2d 355, concluded 'that employer-member multiemployer unit constitutes threat, per se, type economic operative problem legally justifies employees.'11 6 agreed reasonably inferred' there 'no peculiar facts concerning Union's relations single member.'12 thus implicitly only reason refusal meet demands. But court held 'mere of, anticipation strike,'13 could justified unusual hardship, stipulated show no justification lockout, nonstriking constituted interference statutory right engage concerted activity violation 8(a)(1) Act, discrimination hire tenure employment action, discouraging 8(a)(3) Act.'14 7 Although, correctly noted, express provisions law either prohibiting authorizing Act does make unlawful se. Legislative history Wagner 49 Stat. indicates intent prohibit strikes lockouts such.15 unqualified use term 'lock-out' several sections Taft-Hartley Act16 recognition are circumstances may lawful weapon. conclusion supported legislative Act.17 8 We concerned here cases has been designed frustrate organizational efforts, destroy undermine representation, evade duty bargain.18 Nor we called define limits legitimate lockout.19 narrow decided lawfully used tactic threatens destruction rejected preservation integrity lockout.20 founded interpretation history. After stating '(m)ulti-employer never received sanction Congress,' reasoned enactment had 'gone extreme lengths now seeks go order maintain 'stability unit," Congress cannot said have given approval present action.21 'Congress must intended radical innovation left consideration joint committee set up under 402 (29 U.S.C.A. 192) study, among things, methods procedures best carrying collective-bargaining processes, special attention effects industrywide regional national economy."22 10 subscribe interpretation. Multi-employer long antedated both industries like garment industry, characterized numerous small work forces, longshoring building construction, where workers change day week. greatest expansion since sought through match increased strength.23 Approximately four million governed unions thousands associations.24 At debates amendments, proposals made limit outlaw bargaining. These failed enactment. They met storm protest adoption tend weaken strengthen process policy promoting industrial peace effective bargaining.25 11 over demonstrate refused interfere cogent many vital factor effectuation strengthened inaction respect indicate intention leave resolution legislation. Rather, compelling should continue established administrative certifying units, Board's specialized judgment inevitable questions bound arise future.'26 12 Although protects support demands, protection so absolute deny self-help interests collide.27 Conflict arise, example, between preserving means equal large avoiding competitive disadvantages resulting nonuniform contractual terms. ultimate balancing conflicting interests. function balance effectuate often difficult delicate responsibility, primarily subject limited judicial review.28 recognized legitimately balanced permitting hardship shown.29 erred, too narrowly confining exercise discretion hardship. hold deciding preserve disintegration threatened lawful. 14 Reversed. 15 WHITTAKER took part decision case. 109 N.L.R.B. 447. 231 110. 352 818, 36, 44. 61 136, 29 U.S.C. 141 et seq., seq. Continental Baking Co., 221 427; Spalding Avery Lumber 220 673; 197 435; Id., 355; Morand Bros. Beverage Co. 190 576. contained automatic renewal clause requiring 60 odays expiration date. conformity 8(d) Act. 140, 158, 158. 'Whipsawing' association. Section provides pertinent part: 'Employees shall self-organization, form, join, assist organizations, bargain collectively representatives own choosing, activities purpose mutual aid *.' 157, 157. '(a) It employer— '(1) with, restrain, coerce section 7; '(3) regard condition encourage discourage organization N.L.R.B., 448. relied Ninth 357—358, wherein stated: '* lock call another (employers) whipsawing manner pp. 448—449. page 112. 113. 118. See, e.g., explanation bill Senator Walsh, Chairman Senate Committee Education Labor, 79 Cong.Rec. 7673. 16 157(d)(4), 158(d)(4) (no 'strike lock-out' 60-day period); 153, 173(c), 173(c) (Director Mediation Service seek induce parties settle dispute peacefully 'without lock-out, coercion'); 155, 176, 176 (appointment board inquiry President 'threatened actual creates emergency); 178, 178 (power enjoin emergency). H.R.Rep. 245, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. 21—22, 70, 82; S.Rep. 105, 24; pt. 2, 21; H.R.Conf.Rep. 510, 34—35. See also, 93 1827—1828, 3835. 18 E.g., Wallick, 198 477; Somerset Classics, Inc., 193 613; Olin Industries, Winchester Repeating Arms Division 191 cf. Associated Press 301 103, 57 650, 81 L.Ed. 953. 19 find unnecessary pass whether, general proposition, corllary employees' 20 As previously based solidarity whipsaw 21 117—118. 22 interpreted rejecting ground withdrawal unit. vigorously argued accorded same freedom voluntary case, expressly reserve properly us. clearly attempt withdraw On contrary, carry 23 Bahrs, San Francisco Employers' Council; Chamberlain, Collective Bargaining, 178—179, 180, 182; Freidin, Multi-Employer 4—5; Garrett Tripp, Management Problems Implicit In 2—3; Kerr Randall, Bargaining Pacific Coast Pulp Paper Industry, 3—4; Pierson, 35—36; Wolman, Industry-Wide Bargaining. 24 Monthly Review 805 (1956). Based file Bureau Statistics 1951, 80% unionized laundry industry represented B.L.S.Rep. (1953), Structures: Employer Unit, 10. 25 Hearings Public Welfare S. 55 al., 427—428, 1012—1017, 1032—1037, 1055—1057, 1162—1165, 2018—2019, 2370—2371; 6—8; House H.R. 552—553, 1552—1554, 3024—3026; 1834—1844, 4030 4031, 4443—4444, 4581—4587, 4674—4676. 26 121 (dissenting opinion). 27 Mackay Radio & Telegraph 304 333, 58 904, 82 1381; 576; Betts Cadillac Olds, 96 268; International Shoe 907; Duluth Bottling Association, 48 1335. 28 Babcock Wilcox 351 76 679, 100 975; Republic Aviation Corp. 324 793, 65 982, 89 1372; Phelps Dodge 313 177, 845, 85 1271. Dodge, said: There area plainly covered language less it. nature things catalogue devices stratagems circumventing policies whole gamut remedies these infinite variety specific situations. difficulties leaving adaptation end empiric administration. review. Because relation remedy peculiarly matter competence, courts enter allowable guard danger sliding unconsciously confines spacious domain policy. hand, power invested implies responsibility—the responsibility exercising employing powers.' 194, 852. Cadillace

Category: 6