Document: 341 U.S. 675 71 S.Ct. 943 95 L.Ed. 1284 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARDv.DENVER BLDG. & CONST. TRADES COUNCIL et al. No. 393. Argued Feb. 27, 1951. Decided June 4, [Syllabus from pages 675-676 intentionally omitted] Mr. David P. Findling, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. William E. Leahy, respondents. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The principal question here is whether a labor organization committed an unfair practice, within meaning § 8(b)(4)(A) National Labor Relations Act, 49 Stat. 449, 29 U.S.C. 151, U.S.C.A. as amended by Management 1947,1 engaging in strike, object which was to force general contractor on construction project terminate its contract with certain subcontractor that project. For reasons hereafter stated, we hold such practice committed. 2 In September, 1947, Doose Lintner commercial building Denver, Colorado. It awarded subcontract electrical work building, estimated amount $2,300, Gould Preisner, firm 20 years had employed nonunion workmen city. latter's employees proved be only Those and other subcontractors were members unions affiliated respondent Denver Building Construction Trades Council (here called Council). November representative one those told he did not see how job could progress Gould's men it. insisted they would complete unless bodily put off. replied situation difficult both Preisner Lintner. 3 January 8, 1948, Council's Board Business Agents instructed 'to place picket stating unfair' it.2 keeping practice,3 each affiliate notified decision. That notice signal nature order leave remain away until otherwise ordered. Representatives visited reminded said union men. They further advised if Preisner's job, affiliates it notify their working unfair. All parties stood ground. 4 9, posted at carrying placard 'This Job Unfair Council.'4 He paid his picketing continued 9 through 22. During time persons who reported electricians Preisner. 22, before completed subcontract, get off so continue 23, removed shortly thereafter resumed protested this treatment but denied entrance job. 5 On charges filed Regional Director issued complaint case against unions.5 alleged engaged strike or caused action taken subcontractors, cease doing business 6 Between Board's receipt filing based upon them, petitioned United States District Court Colorado injunctive relief.6 petition dismissed jurisdictional ground activities complained affect interstate commerce. Sperry v. Const. Council, 77 F.Supp. 321. Such will discussed later under heading res judicata. Hearings held trial examiner merits complaint. adopted examiner's findings, conclusions recommendations, minor additions modifications material. attached intermediate report decision ordered respondents desist charged. 82 N.L.R.B. 1195. Respondents Appeals Columbia Circuit review 10(f).7 answered asked enforcement order. court held, judge dissenting, conduct affected commerce sufficiently give jurisdiction over it, unanimously set aside said: 'Convinced circumstances primary secondary are obliged refuse enforce 8(b)(4) (A).' 87 U.S.App.D.C. 293, 304, 186 F.2d 326, 337. claimed conflict between conclusion reasoning Second 108, International Brotherhood Electrical Workers Board, 181 34, Sixth 85, Local 74, Carpenters, 126. We granted certiorari case, 340 902—903, 281, all argued 313, Rice Milling Co., 665, 961.8 another companion 387, Carpenters decided Tenth Circuit, 184 60, has been day, 947, 1011. 7 I. Res Judicata.—Respondents attack actions commerce, contend rendered point supra, made issue judicata.9 do agree. have record merits. proceeded 10(l)10 designed assist preliminary investigation If officer regional attorney whom matter referred reasonable cause believe charge true should issue, statute says shall appropriate relief, pending final adjudication Board. proceeding independent 10(a)—(d). There separate provision securing relief after 10(j). authorized 10(e) (f). As 1203—1204, below, 297, 299, 330, 332, very scheme accordingly contemplates interlocutory 10(l), foreclose now us.11 8 II. Effect Interstate Commerce.—The must bring them Board.12 found effect sufficient sustain satisfied. no justification reversing conclusion. that, purchased $86,560.30 raw materials, $55,745.25, about 65%, outside Also, most merchandise produced State. While performed services Colorado, shipped $5,000 products Up when discontinued instant project, expended $315 $350 materials. 65% basis, $225 materials out finding any widespread application practices charged might well result substantially decreasing influx into State recognized annual purchase $55,000 negligible. 10 also close, intimate substantial relation trade, traffic among states tended lead, led, disputes burdening obstructing free flow fact completion, used local purposes does alter construction, distinguished use, 11 Even enable take complaint, sometimes properly declines so, policies Act effectuated assertion case. Here, however, upheld sustained 12 same language appeared 193513 connection: 'Examining light purpose applied can perceive basis inferring intention Congress make operation depend particular volume more than courts apply maxim de minimis.' Fainblatt, 306 601, 607, 307 609, 59 668, 672, 83 1014; Jones Laughlin Steel Corp., 301 1, 57 615, 81 893. 13 minimis non curat lex require case.14 14 III. Secondary Boycott.—We reach study objectives determination came definition stated 8(b)(4)(A). 15 section essential follows: 16 '(b)) * 17 '(4) engage where thereof is: (A) forcing requiring employer person person; *.' 61 141, (Supp. III) 158(b) (4)(A), 158(b)(4)(A). 18 expressly mention 'primary' 'secondary' disputes, strikes boycotts, often Act's legislative history 'secondary boycott sections.' 303, 158, U.S.C.(Supp.III) 187, uses defining private damages these proscribed activities. 19 Senator Taft, sponsor bill Senate Chairman Committee Public Welfare bill, said, discussing section: '* provisions Norris-LaGuardia (29 101 seq.), became impossible stop kind unlawful may common law. reverse law boycotts. forth there good boycotts bad Our committee heard evidence weeks never succeeded having anyone tell us difference different kinds So broadened dealing practice.' 93 Cong.Rec. 4198. Conference Report House 'Under clause (of 8(b)(4)) attempts induce encourage action, using, selling, handling, transporting, another, person. Thus A B. Similarly lawful because deals goods of, with, B.' H.R.Rep. 510, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. 43.15 21 At §§ 1316 safeguard collective bargaining, concerted dispute, restricts agents use economic pressure someone else. 22 A. first determine object. condemned readily distinguishable declined condemn 961. accused sought merely obtain own recognition operator mill, union's pickets near mill influence two customer cross line. supported traditional permissible strike. customer. customer's mill. commit 8(b)(4). 23 background longstanding dispute due employing jobs Denver. organizations alone, simply all-union substance contention involved boycott. If, example, employees, replaced thus disposed dispute. However, existence presented materially situation. way attain itself This, turn, done Lintner's termination subcontract. ultimate purpose, included objects point, following finding: 'That object, what transpired respect seems scarcely open question, view facts. And clear least Lintner, achieved.' (Emphasis supplied.) 1212.17 24 accept crucial finding. 25 26 necessary find sole subcontractor's contract. This emphasized section.18 See also, Wine, Liquor Distillery Union, Cir., 178 584, 586, A.L.R.2d 762. 27 agree some supervision work, eliminate status other. relationship contractors too established overridden without so. 'doing business' adequate reason upsetting conclusion.19 28 Finally, 8(c)20 safeguarding freedom speech significant picket's Section 8(c) mere members, affiliates, signal, tantamount direction issues turn acts directions instructions action. protection afforded expression 'any views, argument opinion' pertain where, here, raised official members.' 1213.21 immunize specific announced cases. 694, 954.22 30 Not findings conclusive questions field whole,23 interpretation doubtful situations entitled weight. views conformity dual congressional preserving right bear offending employers shielding unoffending others pressures controversies own. 31 conclude constituted judgment reversed remanded procedure inconsistent opinion. 32 33 Reversed directions. 34 JACKSON affirm Appeals. 35 DOUGLAS, REED joins, dissenting. 36 employment basic protest trade history. here. destroy antiunion attitude. pursuing jobs. compelled alongside Judge Rifkind analogous 'the extending activity front remote immediate intimately indeed inextricably united it.'1 37 undoubtedly legal involved—if presence whit realities situation; precisely same. trying protect employed. forbidden, Taft-Hartley makes guaranteed 13, dependent fortuitous arrangements significance far evils concerned. I scope reading restrictions industrial spreads front.2 'Sec. 8. '(b) agents— in, refusal course manufacture, process, transport, handle goods, articles, commodities perform services, self-employed join producer, processor, manufacturer, 140—141, 158(b)(4)(A), 1195, 1210. by-laws provided part: 'Article I—B 'Section 1. duty stand absolute closed shop conditions City surroundings. original.) 2. power declare remove back satisfactory made. 3. Any craft refusing declared returning being tried, guilty, fined sum $25.00. 4. Refusal pay fine followed expulsion Council. An expelled quarter dues per capita reinstated. XI—B Strikes Article I—B, Sections 1—2. When full same, contractor, works struck employs non-union shop. Agents. Agent settlement made, ordered.' 1214—1215. 1211. Originally directed incidents projects subcontracted work. recommended incidents, except us. Under 149—150, 160(l), 160(l). 148—149, 160(f), 160(f). collection lower cases related 8(b)(4), Dennis, Boycott N.Y.U. Third Annual (1950), 367—460. appeal court's consent. '(l) Whenever paragraph (B), (C) 8(b), forthwith given priority like character office referred. investigation, shall, behalf district (including Columbia) occurred, wherein resides transacts business, matter. Upon grant temporary restraining deems just proper, notwithstanding law: 149, See, 126, affirmed 707, 966; 93. 10(a) empowered prevent (listed 8) affecting *' 146, 160(a), 160(a). Act— '(6) term 'commerce' means traffic, transportation, communication several *. '(7) 'affecting commerce' led tending lead 137—138, 152(6)(7), 152(6, 7). 450, 152(6) (7), gave authority 'tending commerce.' therefore left ascertain particlar adversely judged constitutional Congress. Whether deemed determined confining quantitative immediately Appropriate many throughout country, total incidence unchecked become far-reaching harm Polish Alliance 322 643, 648, 64 1196, 1199, 88 1509. Sperry, 170 863, 867—868. current Mimeograph Release dated October 6, 1950, 'N.L.R.B. Clarifies Defines Areas Which Will Exercise Jurisdiction.' Hotel Assn. St. Louis, 92 1388, L.R.R.M. 1243. S. 55 S.J.Res. 14, 568, 688, 983, 1614, 1814, 1838; S.Rep. 105, (Pt. 1) 3, 54, 2) 19; 4844, 4845, 4858. 140, 157, 163, 163. stated: '2. Trial Examiner three Respondents, thereby causing quit violation merit Respondents' exceptions (not here), Trial's Examiner's finding.' 1196. supplementary analysis passed: relating illegal conference striking words 'for of' inserting 'where is." 6859. note 17, also: 'What really boils down this: Does normal dealings subcontractor, aid contractor? Clearly wording statute.' Metal Polishers 86 1243, 1252. 584. 'The expressing argument, opinion, dissemination thereof, written, printed, graphic, visual form, constitute contains threat reprisal promise benefit.' 142, 158(c), 158(c). integral inseparable part, planned expected denying while utilize Yet soon objective achieved, picket, progress, removed. Thereupon again available joint enterprise accomplished framework intent bylaws Act.' 1216. reference Workers, 1028, 1046, n. 55. 'We prohibits peaceful picketing, inducement encouragement, furtherance therein conduct.' 802, 815; pp. 807—816; day 868—869; Printing Specialties 271, 290; Bricklayers 228; 1796, 211. Universal Camera Corp. 474, 456; Pittsburgh Steamship 498, 453. Douds Metropolitan Federation, 75 677. Fahy 326; dissenting Clark, 40.

Category: 6