Legal Document

385 U.S. 432 87 Supreme Court Reporter 565 17 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 495 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v.ACME INDUSTRIAL CO. Number 52. Argued Nov. 14, 1966. Decided Jan. 9, 1967. Norton Judge Come, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. E. Allan Kovar, Chicago, Ill., respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 In NLRB versus Contract & Plywood Corp., 421, 559, 486, decided today, we dealt with one aspect an employer's duty to bargain during term a collective bargaining agreement. this case deal another—involving obligation furnish information that allows union decide whether process grievance. 2 April 1963, at conclusion strike, respondent entered into agreement which was certified representative its employees. The contained two sections relevant case. Article I, § 3, provided, 'It is Company's general policy not subcontract work normally performed by employees in unit where will cause layoff or prevent recall who would perform * *.' VI, 10, agreed '(i)n event equipment plant hereafter moved another location Company, working are subject reduction classification as result thereof may transfer new full rights and seniority, unless there then existence covering such location.' A grievance procedure culminating compulsory binding arbitration also incorporated 3 present controversy began January 1964, when discovered certain machinery being removed from respondent's plan. When asked representatives about movement, foremen replied had been no violation company, therefore, obliged answer any questions regarding machinery. After rebuff, filed 11 grievances charging violations above quoted clauses president wrote letter respondent, requesting 'the following earliest possible date: 4 '1. approximate dates each piece out plant. 5 '2. place facility operated controlled Company. 6 '3. number machines 7 '4. What reason purpose moving 8 '5. Is used production elsewhere.' 9 company it since layoffs reductions job occurred within five days (the time limitation set contract filing grievances) prior union's formal request information. 10 This refusal prompted file unfair labor practice charges National Labor Relations Board. complaint issued, Board, overruling trial examiner, held violated 8(a)(5) Act1 refusing good faith. Accordingly, issued cease-and-desist order. Board found requested 'necessary order enable Union evaluate intelligently filed' pointed 'clause waives statutory right information.' Appeals Seventh Circuit refused enforce Board's 351 Federal Reporter, 2nd 258. It did question relevance nor finding expressly waived ruled, however, provision differences concerning meaning application foreclosed exercising power. court cited Steelworkers Warrior Gulf Navig. Co., 363 574, 80 1347, 1409, American Mfg. 564, 1343, 1403, articulating national favoring requiring deference arbitrator construction issue. We granted certiorari consider substantial federal law thus presented. 383 905, 86 893, 15 662. 12 There can be employer provide needed proper performance duties. Truitt 149, 76 753, 100 L.Ed. 1027. Similarly, unquestionably extends beyond period negotiations applies labor-management relations 486; KF105 F3 W. Woolworth 352 938, 77 261, 235. only real issue case, must await arbitrator's determination relevancy before under 8(a)(5). 13 cases upon below relied, third trilogy, America Enterprise Wheel Car 593, 1358, 1424, do throw light on problem. For those relationship courts arbitrators award review arbitrate question. weighing greater institutional competency, so vital decisions, evaluated context. U.S., 567, 581—582, 596—597, 1352, 1360—1361. quite different See Cary Westinghouse 375 269—272, 84 401, 407—409, 320. Moreover, assessing power practices, provisions Act apply 301,2 considered. Section proscribes failure collectively most terms, but 8(d) amplifies defining 'to collectively' including mutual meet reasonable times confer faith respect arising (under agreement) *.'3 And 10(a)4 provides: 'The empowered person engaging *. shall affected other means adjustment prevention has established agreement, law, otherwise Thus, view decisions automatically defer primary arbitrator5 overlook important distinctions between one. 14 But even if Cases were thought same vigor courts, require abstain here. ordered union, making contract. acting probability desired relevant, use carrying duties responsibilities. discovery-type standard nothing merits contractual claims.6 furnishes information, appear subcontracting occurred, and, accordingly, without merit. On hand, appears activities have taken place, might uphold contention breach because laid off reduced grade Such conclusions clearly precluded thresh-old potential assertion jurisdiction way threatens parties given make interpretations agreement.7 Far intruding preserve arbitrator, action aid arbitral process. Arbitration function properly procedures leading sift unmeritorious claims. all claims originally initiated processed through arbitration, system woefully overburdened. Yet, precisely what restrictive require. force take providing opportunity claim.8 expense placed learn relegated junk heap. Nothing requires result. 16 hold consistent both express terms our discerned underlying law. reverse judgment remand directions Reversed remanded. Act, amended, 61 Statutes-at-Large 141, 29 Code Annotated KF65 U5 158(a)(5). Management 1947, 156, KF62 185. Cf. 581, 1409; is, words, part continuous process.' 146, 160(a). Sinclair Refining N.L.R.B., 306 569, 570 (C.A.5th Cir.). Moore, Practice 26.16(1), 1175—1176 (2d ed.): '(I)t borne mind determining discovery examination well defined trial. Since matters dispute determined examinations trial, necessity follow more liberal relevancy.' Id., 1181: 'Examination should allowed theory sound facts, proved, support relief sought.' differs N.L.R.B. institute premium pay plan merits. Plywood, 426 563 n. 10. Fafnir Bearing Cir., 362 716, 721: 'By preventing conducting these studies (for intelligent appraisal grieve), Company was, errence, play game blind man's bluff.'

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