Legal Document

380 U.S. 278 85 Supreme Court Reporter 980 13 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 839 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, Petitioner,v.John BROWN et al. Number 7. Argued Jan. 19, 1965. Decided March 29, [Syllabus from pages 278-279 intentionally omitted] Norton Judge Come, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. William L. Keller, Dallas, Tex., respondents. Mr. Justice BRENNAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The respondents, who are members a multiemployer bargaining group, locked out their employees in response to whipsaw strike against another member group. They and struck employer continued operations with temporary replacements. National Labor Relations Board found that employer's use replacements was lawful under versus Mackay Radio & Telegraph Co., 304 333, 58 904, 82 L.Ed. 1381, but respondents had violated § 8(a)(1) (3) Act1 by locking regular using carry on business. 137 N.L.R.B. 73. Appeals Tenth Circuit disagreed refused enforce Board's order. 319 Federal Reporter, 2nd We granted certiorari, 375 962, 84 484, 11 413. affirm Appeals. 2 Five operators six retail food stores Carlsbad, New Mexico, make up bargained successfully group basis many years Local 462 Retail Clerks International Association. Negotiations new collective-bargaining agreement replace expiring one began January 1960. Agreement reached mid-February all terms except amount effective date wage increase. Bargaining without result, informed employers been authorized. responded any would be regarded as all. On 16, union Food Jet, Inc., four operating five stores, immediately represented Local, telling them they recalled work when Jet ended. including business management personnel, relatives such few employees; were expressly told arrangement discontinued ended.2 until April 22 an reached. released restored strikers locked-out jobs. 3 agreed case decided light our decision so-called Buffalo Linen case, Truck Drivers Union, 353 87, 77 643, 676. There we sustained finding that, absence specific proof unlawful motivation, lockout unit did not violate either or 8(a)(3). held although tended impair effectiveness strike, right 'is so absolute deny self-help legitimate interests collide. * ultimate problem is balancing conflicting interests.' U.S., at 96, 647. concluded correctly balanced those upholding lockout, since it nonstruck resorted preserve disintegration threatened strike. But present held, two dissenting, respondents' constituted 'critical difference' Linen—where shut down operations—and this circumstance reasonable infer act protect 'for purpose inhibiting strike.' N.L.R.B., 76. Thus both coercive practice condemned discriminatory conduct violation 4 does rest upon independent evidence acted hostility toward reprisal It rests appraisal carried its own indicia intent, thereby establishing, more, unfair labor practice. disagreement appraisal, which share, led refuse 5 true need inquire into motivation support where demonstrably destructive employee rights justified service significant important ends. See, e.g., Erie Resistor Corp., 373 221, 83 1139, 10 308; Burnup Sims, 379 21, 171, 1. agree setting Jet's operations, replacements, viewed separately single act, do constitute conduct. 6 begin proposition Act 'arbiter sort economic weapons parties can seeking gain acceptance demands.' Insurance Agents, 361 477, 497, 80 419, 454. In there may interfere some measure concerted activities, degree discourage membership, yet within prohibition supra; Dalton Brick Tile Cir., 301 886, 896. Even concedes legitimately blunt anticipated stockpiling inventories, readjusting contract schedules, transferring plant another, even if he makes himself 'virtually strikepproof.'3 As general matter completely liquidate his violating 8(a)(3), whatever impact action activities. Textile Workers Darlington Mfg. 263, 994. Specifically, various circumstances weapon. Leonard Board, 9 205 355; Betts Cadillac Olds, 96 268; Shoe 93 907; Pepsi-Cola Bottling 72 601, 602; Duluth Assn., 48 1335; Link-Belt 26 227. And American Ship Building company 300, 955, hold simply because used bring pressure bear position after impasse negotiations has 7 see how imply hostile more than itself; nor inherently rights. Rather, compelling inference part parcel defensive face Since only regard evincing concern integrity unless also managed stay open during lockout. For closed, prospect succeed breaking association fanciful. industry very competitive repetitive patronage highly important. Faced loss logical should have concerned number might bolt come thus destroying common front essential bargaining. pictured dilemma saying, 'If choose operate other cannot advantage passes member, deterred exercising enjoys almost inescapable success.' 11. Clearly following wholly consistent purpose. 8 Nor persuaded argument justification appears rather employees. commonsense, think, say 'willing employers' terms.' seems probable 'willingness' motivated much understandable desire further objective strike—to break through united forcing accept Local's terms—as existing unacceptable terms. dissenting put it, 'These willing receive wages while brethren associationwide exerting benefits will ultimately accrue unit, here out.' 78. Moreover, course limit force aiding abetting success consequently render 'largely illusory,' 78—79, recognized Linen; meaningless barred find necessary store so. emphasized no doubt collective strength resist maintained, increased, pressures necessarily greater none working remain open. these result inability tactic. effects different weapon employer. Continued failure mean devoid end tolerated consistently Act. Certainly then, evidentiary findings motive, conclusion 8(a)(1). record show concluding Under section discrimination resulting discouragement membership necessary, added element intent required. itself treated less favorably rejected notion statute. intended prejudice employees' union; antiunion animus necessary. See Officers' Union 347 17, 42—44, 74 323, 98 455; Jones Laughlin Steel 1, 46, 57 615, 81 893. determined 'real motive' alleged 8(a)(3) decisive, Associated Press 103, 132, 650, 953; still persisted, laid supra, reviewed legislative history provision Congress clearly discriminating controlling. Id., 44, 323. 275, 276, S.Ct., 1002; 311—313, 963—965; 357, Brotherhood Teamsters 365 667, 674—676, 835, recognize analogous determination practices 8(a)(1), ends, establish This principle, said, 'but application common-law rule man intend foreseeable consequences conduct.' 45, example, awarding superseniority worked improper intent. could drawn award superseniority—balancing prejudicial effect asserted purpose—was directed striking membership; saved illegality overriding pursued good faith. where, here, tendency comparatively slight, reasonably adopted achieve ends deal exigencies enter area must established evidence. When established, convert otherwise ordinary 227, cases cited. 12 fits latter category, actual subjective determinative, mere involved primarily animus. While nonunion personnel preference discriminatory, think remote, constitutes adapted effectuation end. Here discontent likelihood attributable largely fact strategem. concededly Linen. dissatisfaction, resultant insubstantial. First, duration dispute only; thus, displaced looked threatening At most forced capitulate return which, desirable hoped for, better old contract. Second, control policy, terminate time agreeing returning basis. Third, union-shop forward agreement, appear nothing lose, quitting union. circumstances, great membership. Not attempt help achievement end—preserving unit.4 harm substantial served, prima facie lawful. requires showing Here, assertion animus, case. contrary, background association's relations behavior tend contrary conclusion: between divulges relationship always amicable; provisions incorporated years; negotiations, waived give timely notice bargain over employment consented hear claims table; contains undisputed testimony owners bone pick thought unions thing, felt take order save considerable stock perishable produce. resort permanent workers, though Mackay; sought ride avoid depriving Thus, absent positive sum, required conclude sufficient gathered whole violates Universal Camera Corporation 340 474, 71 456, 95 456. 14 argued, finally, expert judgment aside, exceeded authorized scope judicial review. statement reconciling subjected 'limited review.' 643. phrase review' balance immune examination reversal proper cases.5 Courts empowered enforce, modify set part, orders, respect questions fact, supported considered whole, shall conclusive. Act, amended, §§ 10(e), (f), 29 Code KF62 160(e), (f) (1958 ed.). 'slow overturn administrative decision,' Babcock Wilcox 351 105, 112, 76 679, 100 975, left 'to 'sheer acceptance' conclusions,' Republic Aviation 324 793, 803, 65 982, 89 1372. Reviewing courts obliged stand aside rubberstamp affirmance decisions deem inconsistent statutory mandate frustrate congressional policy underlying Such review properly province, abdicate responsibility fully decisions. Of due deference rendered agency determinations long whole. question interests, '(t)he owed tribunal allowed slip inertia results unauthorized assumption major made Congress.' 318, 967. 15 must, course, 'erroneous legal foundation.' 112—113, 679. given untrammelled authority catalogue devices deemed freighted 498, 419. determining badge decision, reasons stated, misapplied criteria governing (3). therefore rested erroneous foundation, it.6 16 Affirmed. 17 GOLDBERG, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE joins, concurring. 18 N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions applying actualities industrial relations, shown unit. After attempted To then same. During period employers, well nonstruck, and, reached, dismissed returned 19 recognize, ante, Page 292, n. 6, entirely hired exercised hire doctrine 904. If interference employer, my concurring 327, 972. Cf. 1139. grave doubts whether hiring interest clear test situation parity achieved but, rather, actions counteract activity counter whipsawing Linen, affirmed. 20 WHITE, dissenting. 21 severe restrictions imposes role banned NLRA. '(a) statute expressive large public based broadly phrased carries task application,' Phelps Dodge 313 177, 194, 61 845, 852, repeatedly sufficiently activities fall broad language notwithstanding actions. 982; 643 (Buffalo Linen); 1139; holds together decides holding 'unauthorized Congress,' 'proper interests' denial enforcement represents departure primary weigh business, Dodge, 845; 95, 643; Resistor, 221; 121. discretion sections limits imposed requirement 'disclose order' 'give indication it.' 197, 854; cf. Burlington Lines States, 371 156, 168, 239, 207. view requisite power replacement gave 'right' lock whenever disadvantage maintained. maintain hires free lest illusory. offer jobs desiring work, lost meaningless. reasoning sound, belong require. reasoning. 23 One, unqualified out. Rather members' ceasing employers. Although ban lockouts protected rights, union-imposed others maintained full operations. require contribute maintaining 24 Two, threat consideration decisive obviously continues replacements; certainly assumed same vis-a -vis whose totally Indeed, substantially disadvantaged all, 'no necessity shutting down.' 73, 77. irrelevant Linen—the unit—on faulty premise Neither said ineluctably follows 25 Three, disparity resumes caused unilateral union's important, surely justify tandem activity. Four, asserts men, concomitant sanctification ignores fundamental displace solely account prototype retain nonstriking members, workers continue does, affiliated union, explicitly unequivocally protects engage prohibits discourages Firth Carpet 129 633 (C.A.2d Cir.); Shenandoah-Dives Mining 145 542 (C.A.10th Clausen, 188 439 (C.A.3d Cir.), cert. denied, 342 868, 108, 653; Anchor Rome Mills, 228 775, 780 (C.A.5th Robinson, 251 639 (C.A.6th Cir.). dismissing replacing interferes fail understand plant, name unity, reasons, alter facts. finds unnecessary explain removed explicit protections assume conclusively share Membership never quite meant before. Court's invasion burden fund Unfortunately, equal, greater, partial situation. 27 Finally, founded: followed men 'slight' includes participation 23, impinge generally. overturns longheld views dismissal members. difficult fathom logic experience hand dictates guarantee off 'inherently interests,' justification, refusal struck, slight unimportant affiliation burdens far realities. Hence opting limited privilege allowable exceptional unbroken line inception 28 'Although demands, protection Conflict arise, small preserving multi-employer *. interests. function effectuate national often delicate responsibility, committed subject especially principal factor 'the 'intended leave specialized inevitable concerning bound arise future." Ibid. now repudiates assumes 'delicate weighing particular manner.' 229, 1145. adhere prior Board. 8(a), Statutes-at-Large 140, 158(a) ed.) provides: 'It employer— '(1) with, restrain, coerce exercise guaranteed 157 title; '(3) tenure term condition encourage organization *.' 7, 'Employees self-organization, form, join, assist organizations, collectively representatives choosing, mutual aid proection, refrain extent affected requiring supervisory 'sack boys'; respondent Safeway Stores, operated closed transferred managerial other; Thrifty Way Stores wives part-time 'box Brown Store relied relatives, boy' out-of-town branch store; Cashway transferees branches. brief 955. Harv.L.Rev. 1494, 1497. rejection proposals outlaw 95—96, evident authorities cited 28, resting allow distribution literature company-owned parking lot 1372, contemplated 799, 982. 1271, remedy grants authority, 160(c). numerous orders outside authority. 454; 362 274, 706, 710, 11; Fruit Vegetable Packers, 377 58, 1063, 129. sustained, analysis full, supra. decide prerogative locked-our

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