Legal Document

331 U.S. 416 67 Supreme Court Reporter 1274 91 L.Ed. 1575 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARDv.JONES & LAUGHLIN STEEL CORPORATION. Number 418. Argued March 7, 1947. Decided May 19, Rehearing Denied June 16, See 868, 1725. Ruth Weyand, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. John C. Bane, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa., respondent. [Argument Counsel from page 417 intentionally omitted] Justice MURPHY delivered the opinion Court. 1 Like National Labor Relations Board versus Atkins Co., 398, 165, this c ase involves rights militarized plant guards under Act, 29 United States Code KF62 § 151 et seq., Annotated KF65 U5 seq. But certain problems are raised here which not present in case. 2 Respondent owns and operates several large steel manufacturing works was engaged production war materials during recent war. At respondent's Otis at Cleveland, Ohio, about 4,700 individuals employed. Production maintenance employees constitute great bulk these workers. there is also included total a group watchmen, numbering sixty men normally. 3 A union affiliated with Steelworkers America, C.I.O., has been exclusive bargaining agent employees. Under contract made respondent late 1942, disclaimed any representation 'Foremen or Assistant Foremen charge classes labor, salaried nurses.' On 15, 1943, filed petition investigation certification representatives pursuant to 9(c) it sought be certified as collective representative guard force. hearing then held. claimed that unit composed inappropriate because they 'perform assigned work strictly management.' allegation by including watchmen appropriate 'a direct contravention' 1942 contract. And further alleged unionization particularly time war, their duties 'do differ greatly performed members city, county state police force' had sworn auxiliary military Army. 4 The testimony showed were currently 72 protection Of these, 58 patrolmen whose sole duty protect Works; firemen maintain fire equipment; dump laborers refuse while watching section plant; 8 lieutenants captains supervising others. All them carried on payroll control pay, benefits conditions employment. And, alleged, civilian auxiliaries Army, same manner detailed Takins 5 3, issued its decision direction election. 49 N.L.R.B. 390. It found 'all patrolmen, firemen, laborers, employed Company Works, but excluding lieutenants, supervisors' constituted an election should held determine if desired represented union. rejected all contentions, pointing out among other things union, representing employees, intended bargain separate unit. 6 resulted selection question. unit, refused complaint based upon refusal. December 2, reaffirmed appropriateness committed unfair labor practices refusing bargain. usual order entered. 53 1046. 7 Sixth Circuit Appeals denied Board's decree enforcing order. 146 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 718. While upholding determination militarizedguard forc es within meaning court felt selected purposes reflected disregard national welfare. In eyes court, fatal error authorizing join 'when inducted into Unions became subject orders, rules decisions, assumed obligations fellow workers, might well given circumstances bring conflict obligation employers, paramount Government.' 722. writ certiorari. As case, pointed demilitarized date (May 29, 1944) subsequent refusals bargain, urged fact did make case moot. We granted certiorari we vacated judgment below remanded cause 'for consideration changed respect demilitarization involved, effect thereof orders.' 325 838, 65 1413, 89 1965. 9 entered stipulation relative dates guards. From appeared qualifications, strength, functions continued after before. Also facts showing both before period militarization, August 5, 1944, commissioned, bonded private policemen City Cleveland exercised 'the legal powers peace officers guards.' stipulated magnitude characteristics ordinary practical feasible; and, result, many years, Works enforcement law, good therein delegated wholly For similar reasons, preventing extinguishing fires part responsibility force, rather than municipal department.' 10 motion That concerning deputization considered though presented Board; basis, belief concluded view 'drastic powers' guards, 'improper permit organization represents employees.' Cir., 154 932, 934. 11 Our makes clear render continuing command may effectuated future. unless valid when issued, no basis whatever can Hence validity must judged still militarized. This say, however, events irrelevant deciding whether enforced. hold itself enough 12 Atk ins likewise disposes issues relating militarization status 2(3) Act. To extent, plainly valid. Unanswered decision, question precluded grouping permitting choose issue, primary one now turn. 13 Board, course, wide discretion performing statutory function 9(b) bargaining.' Pittsburgh Plate Glass company 313 146, 61 908, 85 1251. place limitations choice find public policies so dictate. Its determinations respects binding reviewing courts grounded reasonableness. Dept. Stores 326 376, 380, 66 203, 206, 90 145. proper matters, necessarily implies due relevant factors correlated Act interests allegedly actually conflict. 14 Thus, determining permitted guided alone wishes what non-militarized give possible relationships employees; consider limitations, any, normal freedom desire necessitated effort. 15 matters consideration. acted Sanctioning creation select own choosing, happened indicative considered, mature part. problem cases conclusion accord reached War Department. 16 Chrysler Corp., 44 881, Dravo 52 322, Armour 63 1200, spelled various considerations have led adopt policy applied Those reveal includes right different principle safely opinion, since process flexible allow increased responsibilities placed remedy inefficiency wilful neglect such lies power employer discipline discharge authorities take steps necessary interest. Moreover, discovered serious between loyalties Army finding assume membership tends undermine patriotism loyalty would e secondar y minds restriction insists units better able sphere exercise greater over them. 17 coincides expressed regulations supra, full sanction provided only action does interfere obligations. Paragraph 6h(2) Circular 17, Headquarters, Service Forces, acknowledges approval miliitarized management even organization. clarifying memorandum Department, dated July 10, reiterates Department attitude further: 'In event enrolled Auxiliary Military Police management, However, event, trade-union local, are, fact, units.' 18 unable say formulated without reason. When retains unfettered fix wages, hours working stand relation regarding those do disputes suffer inequality suffered unorganized need through freely chosen equally great. prevent choosing distinctly second-class. Such willing deal employer. experience acquaintance specially qualified thus deprived effective Freedom choose, setting, mean complete limited contrary adopted Board. 19 After deliberation, recognized fullest extent units. cannot lacking appreciation necessities situation voice our disapproval substitute views policy. significant weighing requirements against arrived result latter agency satisfied unions impairing ability perform satisfactorily. necessities, peculiarly competence knowledge light impossible agenc erred failing insist experts unnecessary. prohibit joining workers grounds necessity erect most familiar thought essential desirable. nation, citizens readily cut down pleas necessity, especially unsupported authorities. Certainly more speculation theories advanced foundation 20 revealed none dire consequences feared flow application pages 722, 723. brief us, stated 105 cases; 80 cases, Employer recognition unions, contractual relations instances. Yet states received 'no indication source dangers interest effort inhere materialized case.' 21 One final matter remains. demilitarized, deputized Cleveland. claims it, 10(e) considering properiety Newport News 308 241, 249, 250, 60 207, 208, 84 219; Marshall Field 318 253, 585, 87 744; Cheney Lumber 327 385, 553, 739. 22 provision 10[e], 'No objection member, agency, shall failure urge excused extraordinary circumstances,' quite obviously refers objections original proceeding occurred first enforce could raise non-existent issue deprive once come existence. Blanton 121 564, 571. 23 arise affect propriety order, decide remand example, where become moot, deny ado; involving complicated disputed questions policy, ordinarily inconsistent guarantees Boar's r efused. normally determined instance, being initially correlate conflicting interests. believe special 24 frequently who deputy sheriffs police. Where uniform retain e.g., Luckenbach Steamship 181, 189; American-Hawaiian 1355, 1363-1364; American Brass 41 783, 785; Bethlehem-Fairfield Shipyard, Inc., 901, 905-906; Standard Steel Spring 62 660, 662-663. evidence engage honesty, authorities, execute satisfactorily undermined. sufficient, judgment, segregating 25 wrong adopting common practice country vested policemen, property employers. functions, acting liabilities attaching thereto. Thornton Missouri Pacific R. 42 Mo.App. 58; Dempsey New York Central Hudson River N.Y. 290, 40 Northeastern KF135 N59 867; McKain Baltimore Ohio W.Va. 233, 64 Southeastern S6 18, L.R.A., N.S., 289, 131 Am.St.Rep. 964, Ann.Cas. 634; Neallus Hutchinson Amusement 126 Me. 469, 139 Atlantic 671, 55 Law Reports 1191. never thereby cease concerned purposes. Chicago N.W.R. McKenna, 74 155. Wages, hours, remain least Walling Merchants Service, 59 F.Supp. 873. Hearst Publications, 322 111, 851, 88 1170. 26 Deputized bear relationship non-deputized bear, discussed adequate existence employer-employee status. Likewise, Union capable molded fit assume, proposition will molded. If danger particular faithfully public, wholesale denial agents. short, means punishing infidelity assuring protection. 27 nothing intant inapplicable argued us. commissioned 188 Municipal (1924), force They captain his directly responsible director security executive officer general Works. sheriff Cuyahoga County, Ohio. continue paid 28 law rule noted. words, duties. York, St. Louis Fieback, 254, 100 889, 43 N.S. 1164; Pennsylvania Deal, 116 408, 156 502. attempts destroys completely individual companies. Nor intimation incompatible therefore conclude sufficiently justify despite policemen. much applicable. obvious apply making mere formality needless addition already over-prolonged proceeding. circumstances, 30 follows enforced 31 Reversed. 32 CHIEF JUSTICE, FRANKFURTER, JACKSON BURTON dissent substantially reasons set forth below, 932.

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