Legal Document

341 U.S. 694 71 Supreme Court Reporter 954 95 L.Ed. 1299 INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS, LOCAL 501, A.F. L. et al.v.NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. Number 108. Argued Feb. 26, 27, 1951. Decided June 4, Mr. Louis Sherman, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Mozart G. Ratner, respondent. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This is a companion case to 393, National Labor Relations Board versus Denver Building and Construction Trades Council (the case), 675, 943, 85, Local 74, United Brotherhood Carpenters Chattanooga 707, 966. 2 The principal question here whether labor organization its agent committed an unfair practice, within meaning § 8(b)(4)(A) Act, 49 Statutes-at-Large 449, 29 States Code KF62 151, Annotated KF65 U5 as amended by Management 1947,1 when, peaceful picketing, induced employees subcontractor on construction project engage in strike course their employment, where object such inducement was force general contractor terminate contract with another subcontractor. For reasons hereafter stated, we hold that practice committed. 3 In December, 1947, Giorgi Company, partnership (here called Giorgi) having place business at Port Chester, New York, contracted build private dwelling Greenwich, Connecticut. price $15,200. did part work own but subcontracted electrical Samuel Langer carpentry Nicholas Deltorto, each whom also Chester. Langer's subcontract $325. 4 past had employed union men but, prior this project, become involved dispute petitioner, International Electrical Workers, L., Electricians Union, because his employment nonunion men. By middle April, 1948, two electricians, neither member completed roughing which necessary before walls house could be completed. At point, days when no were present completion subcontract, William Patterson, other petitioner herein, visited capacity representative Union. only workmen then Deltorto carpenters, 543, & Joiners America, Patterson informed one or both job being done expressed ignorance fact, second day visits, repeated statement proceeded picket premises himself, carrying placard read 'This organized labor: I.B.E.W. 501 A.F.L.' thereupon stopped left project. promptly telephoned Giorgi, contractor, carpenters walked off delegate picketed it. saying 'unfair' would have replace order complete job. He added if not Langer, he receive any skilled trades finish rest work. 5 No communication either next day, recited these circumstances latter released from step aside so take over. further trouble been straightened out, latter's returned 6 On charge filed based upon events, Regional Director issued complaint against Union Patterson. It alleged they encouraged concerted refusal perform services him, thereof require cease doing violation 8(b)(4)(A).2 7 With consent petitioners, restraining them District Southern pursuant 10(l).3 referred same trial examiner who heard case, 943. distinguished action petitioners found constitute signal, recommended dismissal ground petitioners' permissible under 8(c), despite provisions 8(b)(4)(A). Board, members dissenting, upheld jurisdiction claim actions complained sufficiently affect interstate commerce. majority holding affirmed rulings made during hearings, adopted certain findings, conclusions recommendations, attached intermediate report decision, declined follow recommendation dismiss complaint. expressly held 8(c) immunize conduct proscriptions 82 N.L.R.B. 1028. ordered to—'Cease desist inducing encouraging employer, picketing related conduct, services, company employer person Langer.' Id., 1030. 8 Petitioners asked Appeals, 10(f),4 review set order. answered enforcement judge court below enforcement. 181 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 34. We granted certiorari. 340 902, 278. See Council, 9 1. contest insufficiency effect facts, detail report, approved below, are our sufficient sustain grounds stated addition, subcontractors instant places York. performance contractual obligations Connecticut accordingly emphasizes movement materials supplied. 10 2. secondary character activities objectives come pattern case. pending some time between demands him directly connection There findings aimed employ contrary, demonstrate directed Deltorto's induce thus subcontractor, subcontract. 11 3. covers point it objective although necessarily uncompleted 12 4. feature squarely covered there finding mere signals starting stopping accordance by-laws controlling practices Unions. like themselves engaged Here rather than prearranged (or Deltorto) Giori, 13 While 8(c)5 application considerations enter into decision here. what effect, any, shall given conducted agents merely encouragement boycott. contend immunizes even though induces boycott unlawful 8(b)(4). reached opposite conclusion Board's applied facts recognized amounting 'bare instigation' boycott.6 agree Board. 14 a. To exempt condemnation means bringing about contrary language purpose section. words 'induce encourage' broad enough include every form influence persuasion.7 legislative history justify interpretation Congress those terms has limited proscription boycotting cases amount 'threat reprisal promise benefit.' Such give more significance used end sought. If little need 8(b)(4) defining proscribed objectives, use 'restraint coercion' prohibited whole field 8(b)(1)(A). 15 'Induce appear context 303. 303 basis recovery damages civil action. Because proceedings refers damages,8 seems clear does apply That section mention through alone can applicable. urge, limit different think entitled §§ 16 b. intended breadth emphasized contrast restricted phrases parts 8(b). example, described 8(b)(1) 'to restrain coerce' employees; 8(b)(2) 'cause attempt cause employer'; 8(b)(5) 'require employees'; 8(b) (6) employer'. scope 'induce' especially 'encourage' goes beyond them. 17 chapter reach open door customary enlisting support bring economic pressure bear employer. quickly do destructive said 'To find thereby impute incongruous intent permit, indirection, accomplishment forbade accomplished directly.' Carpenters, 81 802, 811. Also—'It unions' * quality accomplish objective, dominant factor motivating enacting provision. circumstances, construe Section qualified practically vitiate underlying imputing unrealistic approach problem.' (Emphasis original.) 812. 18 congressional outlaw boycotts yet sanction 8(c). 19 d. indication thought kind encourage less objectionable engaging strike. after appeal reason 'the expressing views, argument, opinion,' traced development doctrine provokes instigates wrong makes himself party 'highly unlikely meant abolish doctrine, deeply embedded criminal law.' page 39. 20 e. remedial function protect noncoercive speech alike furtherance lawful object. serves adequately without extending protection defined appropriately way specific 21 5. prohibition carries unconstitutional abridgment free speech. took followed telephone call emphasizing purpose. constitutionality questioned possible relation freedom guaranteed First Amendment. provision sustained several Courts Appeals.9 substantive evil condemned recently constitutional right states proscribe comparably objectives.10 why may likewise. 22 6. 1030, supra, 698—699, 957. They prohibits strike, Langer. confine solely leave employers exposed type comparable channels. properly enjoins exerting employers, well Deltorto. principle Salt States, 332 392, 400, 68 12, 17, 92 20: 'When trade appears law, all untraveled roads worn closed.' And see Gypsum Co., 76, 90, 160, 170. 23 judgment Appeals affirmed. 24 Affirmed. 25 REED, Mr DOUGLAS JACKSON reverse Appeals. 61 140—141, (Supp. III) 158(b)(4)(A), 158(b)(4)(A). text note originally considered coercion 8(b)(1)(A), threats addressed employers. Those charges dismissed us. 149—150, 160(l), 160(l). 10. 148—149, 160(f), 160(f). 'The opinion, dissemination thereof, written, printed, graphic, visual form, evidence expression contains threat 142, 158(c), 158(c). issue extensively reviewed determined favor view otherwise (A) 807—816. affirming Tenth Circuit said: 'They established building Klassen. placed Klassen so-called blacklist gave wide circulation fact among particularly interested industry, compelling Wadsworth. nothing indicates persuasively Congressional create asylum immunity acts kind.' 184 60, 62. Petition certiorari petition withheld cases. brief amicus curiae hearings denied. 947, 1011. also, Sperry, Cir., 170 863, 868—869; Printing Specialties 271; Bricklayers 228; 1796, 211; Dennis, Boycott Under Taft-Hartley N.Y.U. Third Annual Conference (1950), 367, 382—386. Induce: '1. lead on; influence; prevail move persuasion influence.' Encourage: courage to; inspire courage, spirit, hope; raise confidence of; animate; hearten; *. '2. embolden, incite, inspiration, recommendation, etc., hence, advise; '3. help patronage to, industry; foster; *.' Webster's international Dict., Unabridged (2d ed. 1945). 'Sec. (a) unlawful, purposes only, industry activity affecting commerce, in, use, manufacture, process, transport, handle goods, articles, materials, commodities is— '(1) forcing requiring self-employed join using, selling, handling, transporting, dealing products producer, processor, manufacturer, person; '(b) Whoever injured property subsection sue therefor district subject limitations 301 (hereof) respect controversy, parties, recover cost suit.' 158—159, 187, 187. 62, denied 387, 1011; 126, 132, 966; Wine, Liquor Distillery Workers 178 584, 587—588, American Law Reports, 762; Paper Converters Le Baron, 171 331, 334—335; 868—869. 8(b)(4)(C), Douds 1250, Retail Wholesale Dept. Store 700, 701. Service Employees Gazzam, 339 532, 70 784, 94 1045; Teamsters Hanke, 470, 773, 995; Hughes Superior Court, 460, 718, 985; Giboney Empire Storage Ice 336 490, 69 684, 93 834.

Classification Label: 6