Document: 373 U.S. 734 83 S.Ct. 1453 10 L.Ed.2d 670 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v.GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. No. 404. Argued April 18, 1963. Decided June 3, Sol. Gen. Archibald Cox, for petitioner. Harry S. Benjamin, Jr., Detroit, Mich., respondent. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The issue here is whether an employer commits unfair labor practice, National Labor Relations Act s 8(a)(5),1 when it refuses to bargain with a certified union over union's proposal adoption 'agency shop.' More narrowly, since not obliged that he commit question agency shop practice under § 8(a)(3) or else exempted from prohibitions section by proviso thereto.2 We have concluded this type arrangement does constitute and prohibited 8. 2 Respondent's employees are represented United Automobile, Aerospace Agricultural Implement Workers America, UAW, in single, multiplant company-wide unit. 1958 agreement between company provides maintenance membership shop.3 These provisions were operative, however, such States as Indiana where state law making condition employment. 3 In 1959, intermediate appellate court held would violate right-to-work law. Meade Elec. Co. v. Hagberg, 129 Ind.App. 631, 159 N.E.2d 408. As defined opinion, term shop' applies which all required employment pay dues initiation fee, but they need actually become members. thereafter sent respondent letter proposing negotiation contractual provision covering plants 'generally similar set forth' case. Continued be conditioned upon payment sums equal fee regular monthly paid intent proposal, Board concluded, was require make available at employees' option on nondiscriminatory terms. Employees choosing join payments and, accordance custom, share expenditures strike benefits, educational retired member publications promotional activities, entitled attend meetings, vote ratification agreements negotiated union, voice internal affairs union.4 made no counterproposal, replied proposed must therefore 'respectfully decline comply your request meeting' proposal. 4 thereupon filed complaint against its alleged refusal good faith. Board's view record, 'the Union seeking clause requiring nonmember fees while same time maintaining closed-union policy respect applicants membership,' contemplated 'all given becoming, refraining members Union.' Proceeding basis putting aside consequences legality shop, assessed comporting fully congressional declaration favor union-security contracts mandatory subject At time, stated had 'no doubt agency-shop permissible form within meaning Sections 7 Act.' Accordingly, ruled committed refusing faith bargaining representative employees,5 ordered arrangement; back-pay award involved 133 N.L.R.B. 451, 456, 457. 5 Respondent petitioned review Court Appeals, cross-petitioned enforcement. Appeals order grounds tolerates only 'an organization employment' do laws, authorize lieu membership, It §§ 7, 8(a)(1), it. 303 F.2d 428 (C.A.6th Cir.). granted certiorari, 371 908, 253, 9 168, now reverse decision Appeals. 6 Section 8(3) Wagner predecessor present Like 8(a)(3), forbade employers discriminate compel them union. Because feared if nothing added qualify them, might outlaw arrangements closed see 79 Cong.Rec. 7570 (statement Senator Wagner), 7674 Walsh); H.R.Rep. 972, 74th Cong., 1st Sess. 17; 1147, 19, expressly declaring: 'Provided, That * any other statute States, shall preclude therein, provided 9(a) *.' 8 prevailing administrative judicial came covered both well less onerous arrangements, otherwise legal. construed shielding charge severe forms than shop,6 including Public Service Colorado, 89 418,7 nonunion $2 month 'for support unit.' And Algona Plywood Wisconsin Board, 336 301, 307, 69 584, 93 L.Ed. 691, involed agreement, Court, commenting petitioner's contention affirmatively protected scope, cf. Garner Teamsters Union, 346 485, 74 161, 98 228, said purpose: 'The short answer merely disclaims national hostile agreement.' (Emphasis added.) When Congress enacted Taft-Hartley Act, following language original 8(3): 'on after thirtieth day beginning effective date whichever later *. Provided further, justify discrimination employee non-membership (A) has reasonable believing terms conditions generally applicable members, (B) denied terminated reasons failure tender periodic uniformly acquiring retaining membership.' 29 U.S.C. 158(a)(3). 11 additions intended accomplish twin purposes. On one hand, most serious abuses compulsory unionism eliminated abolishing shop. recognized absence 'many sharing benefits what unions able collective will refuse their cost.' S.Rep.No.105, 80th Sess., p. 6, Leg.Hist.L.M.R.A. 412. Consequently, new 'employers still permitted enter into unit 30 days being hired,' 'expulsion cannot ground discharge worker delinquent paying his dues.' 413. amendments 'remedy yet give who feel promoted stability eliminating 'free riders' right continue arrangements.' Ibid. far federal concerned, could way. bill 'abolishes permits voluntary 409. 12 find legislative history indicating amended validate simultaneously abolish, addition There much that, desired permit then also preserve status vigorous, demanded adherence 13 Respondent, relies express words allow 'membership': actual demands dues, saved proviso. This position, course, reject decisions concerning scope e.g., supra, reaffirmed amendments, American Seating Co., 800.8 Moreover, 1947 abolished significant alterations 'membership' purposes contracts. Under second burdens may limited dues. insofar significance rights, turn 'Membership' whittled down financial core. before Radio Officers' 347 17, 41, 323, 336, 455: 14 'This clearly indicates prevent utilization security purpose fees. Thus validity unions' concern about riders,' i.e., receive representation unwilling contribute fair gave power contract meet problem withholding cause reason. *' 15 confident practical equivalent 'membership,' used 8(a)(3).9 imposes imposed compels performance those duties enforceable arrangement. If union-imposed obligations duty fees, terminated, nevertheless satisfied discharged nonmembership even though formal member.10 Of chooses extend minimum burden, 'join' affirmative way, 'member' contract, sense place him rolls.11 removes choice places monetary Such difference great importance some contexts, more real. To extent serves, rather violates, desire reduce evils allowing agent.12 16 short, categorically refused lawful By token, derivatively 8(a) (1), deemed forbid agreements, too hold excused theory acceding necessarily involve practice. Whether different result obtains declared unlawful resolved Retail Clerks Ass'n Schermerhorn, 746, 1461, relevance because context case, then, bargain. He violated 8(a)(5), properly return table. 17 Reversed remanded. 18 GOLDBERG took part consideration 'SEC. (a) employer— '(5) collectively representatives employees, 9(a).' '(3) regard hire tenure encourage discourage organization: Provided, therein 'Union Security Check-Off Membership Dues '(4) An employe Agreement becomes duration Union. '(4a) 60 (30th) employment, later, remain whenever employed under, of, Agreement. '(4b) Anything herein contrary notwithstanding, in, prohibits, makes unlawful, '(4c) accept each tenders '(4f) 'Member Union' paragraphs (4) (4a) above means sixty (60) arrears vice-president so explained seems accepted view. n. 12. respondent's interfered with, restrained, coerced exercise 8(a)(1). See, M. & J. Tracy, Inc., 916, 931—934; E. Pearce Contracting Stevedoring 20 1061, 1070—1073. memorandum printed Senate committee, final bill, indicated exemption shop: 'Unless change S.1958, strikes preferential act illegal purpose. 'As (N.I.R.A. s) 7(a) demonstrates, deprive existing rights many No reason appears here.' Leg.Dist.N.L.R.A. 1354—1355. case decided 1950, governed saving Management 102, N.L.R.B., 419 420. stated: requirement paragraph religious objectors Intervenor closed-shop providing 'support money' did Act. precise continued certain qualifications pertinent here, illegalize obtaining we instant exceed authorized 802. Referring Canadian Taft rule adopted Conference Committee 'is substantially effect Canada' must, nevertheless, union' pays without joining employed. 4887, Leg.Hist.L.R.M.A. 1422. Starch Ref. 186 1008 (C.A.7th See Food Fair Stores, 307 (C.A.3d Cir.); Local 815, International Brotherhood Teamsters, 290 99 (C.A.2d 450, Operating Engineers, 281 313, 316—317 (C.A.5th Automotive Fibres, 277 779 (C.A.9th Die Tool Makers Lodge, 231 298 Mechanics Educational Society 222 429 Pape Broadcasting 217 197 Philadelphia Iron Works, 211 937 Eclipse Lumber 199 684 Utley Company, 108 295, enforced, 885 Washington Waterfront Employers, 284, 946 Electric Auto-Lite 92 1073, 196 500 Cf. 800, 802, quoted note 8, approving protecting object conscientious 'members' conventional term. Also wide mark further suggestion obligation connection insure enjoyment whom money extracted. Congress, said, open door extract exclude contributing membership. But, analyzed comes us, there asspect remains optional desired, unavailable, contracts, leave another purposes, say neither nor unavailable vitiates valid

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