Legal Document

336 U.S. 226 69 Supreme Court Reporter 541 93 L.Ed. 638 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARDv.STOWE SPINNING CO. et al. Number 46. Argued Dec. 9 and 10, 1948. Decided Feb. 28, 1949. Mr. Mozart G. Ratner, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Paul C. Whitlock, Charlotte, N.C., respondents. Justice MURPHY delivered the opinion Court. 1 The principal question decision is whether circumstances justified finding an unfair labor practice. A union organizer was refused use a company-owned meeting hall, complained to Board. After usual proceedings, Board found practice had been committed, 70 N.L.R.B. 614. Appeals enforce Board's order, 165 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 609, case her on certiorari. subsidiary problem breadth order we are asked enforce. 2 First. We overrule that it practice1 discriminate against by denying only available hall in company town when finds 'sole purpose' discriminatory denial 'to impede, prevent, discourage self-organization collective bargaining (company's) employees within meaning Section 7 Act (29 United States Code Annotated KF65 U5 § 157).' 3 North Belmont, Carolina, home four respondents' mills. Interlocking directorates family ties make equal one our purposes.2 Each mills owns large number houses Belmont which rented employees. At central location school, theatre, building housing post office, all owned or controlled mill owners. In sum, town. 4 December, 1944, Harris, organizer, appeared began first organization drive since textile strike ten years earlier. He decided begin with respondent Stowe. needed activity, office choice open organizer—he permission school building, told theatre could be used motion pictures. Most erected respondents Patriotic Order Sons America, 'patriotic secret any male citizen good moral character' can belong. Many members; check off monthly dues. 5 Order's president, Baxter Black, Harris proposed might held payment janitor's fee. emphasized he willing pay hall. It clear not asking special favors. Circulars were printed announcing time place meeting. Thereupon D. Pacific KF135 P2 Stowe, employer-owners, rescinded granted—because organizer. While seems have understanding it, condition never enforced until Harris' affiliation reached ears Until then handled its own affairs; Black sure his final word matter. 6 refusal permit * under constituted unlawful disparity treatment discrimination union.' union's complaint also charged several discharged because again union. reinstatement but enforcement relating On latter determination granted certiorari3 resolve asserted conflict prior decisions this Company rules Republic Aviation Corporation versus National Labor Relations Le Tourneau Georgia, 324 793, 65 982, 89 1372, 157 American Law Reports 1081, forbade solicitation property. Under these offended Act, upheld Stowe tells us far removed from principles established those decisions: now invading private property unconnected plant, purpose, very teeth Fifth Amendment. 'From Magna Charta down,' warned, 'the individual has guaranteed disseisin property.' privately different parking lot involved Tourneau's case. 8 sense suggested goes further than previously But larger does not. mention nothing new notice must depend, even more usual, handsoff attitude part management.4 And management's chief weapons, attempting stifle organization, meet.5 cannot equate company-dominated Carolina vast metropolitan centers where halls easy reach prospective members. would ignoring obvious hold common important company's business. course degree. isolated plants draw labor, element drawing power community some kind.6 background case, say conclusion should upset.7 As will point out below, may weigh employer's expressed motive determining effect otherwise equivocal act. contends facilities accord 8(2) prohibiting employer interference formation administration organization. One member agreed, citing cases made grant basis findings. they do. each them, granting such facet pattern domination Board.8 states 'mere conditions present here itself constitute assistance *' said Wagner 'left work applying Act's general prohibitory language light infinite combination events as violative terms.' Board, supra, at page 798, 985, 1081. Sections 8(1) seem run into other situation before us, forget agency weighs relevance factural data. Presumptions employed Peyton Packing 49 828, pages 843, 844,9 like one. ask punishment evil intent, repeated acts establish natural tendency view justifications prac ices skepticism. Calculating cumulative job wrong matter law setting. 10 philosophy Amendment affect take. adopted pursuant commerce clause, certainly authorize stop considering. Respondents unquestionably engaged interstate Act. "every rights Inconvenience dislocation rights, necessary safeguard right bargaining." 802, 987, 1081.10 11 Accordingly, think charge. 12 Second. Stowe's contention, too broad, serious. ordered 'cease desist refusing America (the respondents) Textile Workers Union C.I.O., purpose bargaining.' There none qualifications face order;11 construction unions times, whatever legitimate activity Order. 13 read decree background, reject what called strained construction. Implicit told, 'reasonable.' Perhaps true. words judicial their violation brings swift retribution contempt, without normal safeguards full-dress proceeding. Some proceeding taken contempt action—the 'reasonable' invites glance gone before. great dependence former action places defendants restraint makes useless formality. Again 14 however, did find unreasonable given freely others, no Now asks simply mean says. require explicit making mere subject contempt. What found, considering here, discrimination. modified refrain cause application treated others similarly situated. 15 therefore direct remand amendment conform findings opinion. 16 Reversed remanded. 17 JACKSON, dissenting part. 18 & N Immigration Nationality Decisions myself unable join Court's nature leads me remedy prescribe. 19 employers' plant located contained three buildings suitable public sought three. 20 picture theater employers operated lessee. upon ground 21 Another publicly board composed entirely officers employers. schoolhouse but, after negotiations, custodian officer issued instructions use. 22 third employers, occupied grocery store floor second. This quarters fraternal exercised full control over permitted various organizations purposes. Its consented Union's nominal Before scheduled meeting, head allowed caused withdrawn. tenure somewhat shadowy, appears least consent license so trespassing. 23 either obtained. agree preventing obtaining assembly do based having properly interfere command reversal Sons' approval application. facts, conduct amount practice, though ever oust enough discrimination, hardly occur unless Consequently, notify objections heretofore future, free allow temporary if see fit. 24 beyond this. take affirmative disposal Union. thing forbid bring pressure shut Union; another them admit Union, repossess turn If controlling directly, serious doubts equally it. Neither complaining nor yet chosen agent For provide indirect Sons, readily convey impression favoring thus indulged. court below pointed out, policy applied extending financial aid support longrun interpretation complete hands-off better effectuate purposes occasional departure kind expedient correcting punishing 25 imposing penalty perhaps appropriate compel lieu kept obtaining. However, well 10(c) 29 160(c), remedial, punitive. Consolidated Edison New York 305 197, 59 206, 83 126; Steel 311 7, 61 77, 85 6. both cases, Chief Hughes 'this authority go confer punitive jurisdiction enabling inflict choose practices, policies effectuated order.' 235, 219, 126, 11, 79, 26 shall cease interfering manner discretion respect notices posted. 27 REED, whom CHIEF JUSTICE joins, dissenting. 28 concluding companies interfered provides 'Employees self-organization, form, join, assist *.' Statutes-at-Large 452. 7. form jointly self-organization. violated redress entering 1(b) 2(c) similar orders respondents? 'Refusing Acme Spinning Company, Perfection Linford Mills, Inc., bargaining;' 'Upon request, 30 concluded law: '3. By with, restraining, coercing exercise engaging practices Act.' accurately summarized words: 'It Board) owner's self Union.' foremost among methods universally utilized constitutional peaceable assembly. sole prevent basic community, fact deprived right.' Co., Cir., 611. 31 reversing said: '* restrained coerced rights. Even evident workers owners inspired hostility union, interference, coercion.' Id., 32 refuse decide 33 show center village approximately 1/2 miles Belmont. there about belong corporations respective village, assume roads streets, theater, combined store; above question. These facilities, except record realty belonging mills, none. 34 provided America. 614, 621, 'As arrangements P.O.S. Atlantic property, credibly testified contradiction 'it built especially meetings anybody else.' testified: 35 going let rent, (other) purposes." 36 arrangement members licensees, who virtue consent. statement, quoted hall.1 37 appear how clear, connected operations, employment distinct line cleavage between means production through contract person owner contract, license, permission, contract. undisputed evidence discloses membership restricted includes others. 38 error fell concerning is, thought 'disparity Union' employees' 'right organizations'.2 restraining coercion predicated acts. required organize. forbids interference. 39 Employment business enterprise gives employee disconnected enterprise. stands same footing owner. indicated above, hall's §§ be. concerned, relation employer-employee exist workers. applicable sections 40 Perh ps ruling Marsh State Alabama, 326 501, 66 276, 90 265, approaches closer Alabama punished distributor religious literature trespass she insisted passing pamphlets sidewalk, owners' enter stores office. reversed state Fourteenth held, 509, 280: 'Insofar attempted impose criminal appellant undertaking distribute town, stand.' Certain expressions, set below,3 speech, press facts So read, however construed holding expression assembly, Constitution, delusion organizers evangelists commandeer propagation ideas. my view, discussion sidewalks towns municipalities. 41 indicates exists employer-owned lumber camps mining properties. Where maintains living, recreation premises employment, exclusion contact ordering representatives access non-working hours reasonable regulations proper Lake Superior Lumber Corporation, 167 147. live admitted premises. p esent differs employer-controlled areas solicit streets homes few employment. Employees denied convinced value discuss relations fellow-employees during mill. opportunity proliferation. 42 concerned maintain discipline forbidding foster personal grounds time. that, particular regulation secure production, discussion. supra. 43 seeks extension rule. argued piece employer, him presentation arguments unionization. statute guaranteeing organize extension. furnishes construe raises problems Would proprietors, user? particularly earlier deprive just compensation force devote purposes, i.e., organization? Definite legislative statute. 335 106, 120, 121, 68 1349, 1356. 44 utilize directly has. furnished terms To space extravagant believe Congress. 45 affirm Appeals. 449, KF62 151, 158(1), 158(1). 'A. Lineberger president Perfection, Linford; Judge Harold vice Linford, secretary-treasurer Acme; Perfection. T. president; R. L. secretary-treasurer, cousins Stowe.' petition denied, 334 831, 1344; being reviewed See Laine, Cotton Mill Worker (New York, 1944), Pages 50 51. MacDonald, Southern Hills 1928), Page 34; Blanshard, Mills 1927), 64. notes 5. contest antiunion bias activity. shown. 797, 801, See, example, Berkshire Knitting 139 134 (company outside union); Carlisle 94 138 preference Board-certified representative); Norfolk Shipbuilding Drydock 109 128 (recognition inside ascertaining wishes—inside rooms); Lane 111 814 (refusal bargain certified coupled room union). Cudahy 118 295; Matter Standard Oil California, 1251; Virginia Electric Power 404, 319 533, 63 1214, 87 1568. Cited U.S., 803, 804, 988, neither 'is camp pass rest premises, proceed seriously handicapped.' 799, 986. Compare 147, 150, recognized 'lawful conditions'. 1937, used, according credible testim ny numerous occasions meetings. Various churches banquets; 'Ladies Aid' societies gathered there; School Christmas party; weeks attended 'Safety school' That met explained fact, testimony, Furthermore, Black's testimony wanted 'lodge' request. respondent.' 621. 'Moreover, irrespective motive, convinced, consideration stated meet forth placed impediment freedom communication essential revoking privilege Acme, restrained, thereof.' 624. 'Ownership always absolute dominion. owner, advantage, opens up general, become circumscribed statutory Had corporation segment four-lane highway runs parallel 'business block' franchise, doubtless contended corporation's interest gave obstruct traffic commerce. express franchise acquiescence highway, operation including corporation, still performance function illegal. 'We significant difference relationship State, instead permitting operate street sidewalk block.' 506, 507, 278, 265. 'In circumstance deprivation liberty, involved, took place, public, sufficient justify State's govern citizens restrict fundamental liberties statute.' 280.

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