Legal Document

348 U.S. 96 75 Supreme Court Reporter 176 99 L.Ed. 125 Ray BROOKS, Petitioner,v.NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. Number 21. Argued Oct. 18, 1954. Decided Dec. 6, Mr.Erwin Lerten, Los Angeles, for petitioner. Mr. David Pacific KF135 P2 Findling, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The National Labor Relations Board conducted a representation election in petitioner's Chrysler-Plymouth agency on April 12, 1951. District Lodge 727, International Association Machinists, won by vote eight to five, and certified it as exclusive bargaining representative 20. A week after day before certification, petitioner received handwritten letter signed 9 13 employees unit stating: 'We, undersigned majority * are not favor being represented Union Local 727 agent.' 2 Relying this decision Appeals Sixth Circuit versus Vulcan Forging Co., 188 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 927, refused bargain with union. found, 98 N.L.R.B. 976, that had thereby committed an unfair labor practice violation §§ 8(a)(1) 8(a)(5) amended Act, 61 Statutes-at-Large 140—141, 29 United States Code KF62 158(a)(1), (a)(5), Annotated KF65 U5 § 158(a)(1, 5), Ninth enforced Board's order bargain, 204 899. In view conflict between Circuits, we granted certiorari, 347 916, 74 517. 3 issue us is duty employer toward duly agent if, shortly which resulted union has lost, without employer's fault, from its membership. 4 Under original Wagner was given power certify when determined or 'any other suitable method', commanded support. 9(c), 49 453. exercising authority evolved number working rules, following relevant our purpose: 5 (a) if based Board-conducted election, must be honored 'reasonable' period, ordinarily 'one year,' absence 'unusual circumstances.'1 6 (b) 'Unusual circumstances' were found at least three situations:2 (1) dissolved became defunct;3 (2) result schism, substantially all members officers transferred their affiliation new local international;4 (3) size fluctuated radically within short time.5 7 (c) Loss support period could questioned two ways: refusal petition rival election.6 8 (d) If initial 'no union,' election—unlike certification—did bar second year. uniformity where, during so-called 'certification ground no longer possessed majority. While courts main decisions,7 they did commit themselves one year determinate content reasonableness. proceeded along line reasoning: 10 political business spheres, choice voters binds them fixed time. This promotes sense responsibility electorate needed coherence administration. These considerations equally healthy relations. 11 Since solemn costly occasion, under safeguards voluntary choice, revocation should occur procedure less than designation. public meeting—in those voting against unionism disclosed management, influences mass psychology present—is comparable privacy independence booth. 12 ample time carrying out mandate behalf members, exigent pressure produce hot-house results turned out. It scarcely conducive good faith know that, he dillydallies subtly undermines, strength may erode relieve him his statutory duties any time, while works conscientiously agreement, rank file may, last moment, repudiate agent. 14 (e) situation, wholly rare, where unions competing, raiding strife will minimized elections hazard informal short-term recall. 15 Certain aspects procedures came Taft-Hartley Act 1947, 136. Congress mindful once chosen union, revoke refrain activities, voted having first place, begin agitate election.8 provide decertification would have opportunity choose 144, 159(c)(1)(A)(ii), 159(c)(1)(A)(ii); employer, doubt claimed formal beset conflicting claims unions, likewise 159(c)(1)(B), 159(c)(1)(B); valid certification been conducted, hold same until elapsed, 159(c) (3), 159(c)(3); only 159(c)(1), though presumably still uncertified clear majority, see Kobritz, Cir., 193 8. 16 continued apply 'one-year certification' rule into force,9 except even left free taken place preceding months.10 Conflicting views manifest Courts sought enforce orders rule. Some Circuits sanctioned position.11 denied enforcement.12 Third held depended facts particular case.13 17 open here. No case touching problem directly presented it. Franks Bros. company Board, 321 702, 64 817, 88 1020, union's dissipated refusing appropriately find such conduct undermined prestige require reasonable despite loss And Mexia Textile Mills, Inc., 339 563, 70 833, 94 1067, claim intervening defense proceeding enforcement cease desist certain practices. 18 Petitioner contends whenever evidence deserted forthwith refuse bargain. effect, seeks vindicate rights select representative. dissatisfied submit own grievance Board.14 doubts about continue bargaining, relief, continuing some indication merit.15 Although warrant, agree pursue charge practice, these matters Board; do justify self-help judicial intervention. underlying purpose statute industrial peace. To allow employers rely employees' formally designated end, inimical devised mode selection rejection agents spacing elections, furthering stability due regard administrative prudence. 19 We wanting arguments controlling considerations. placing nonconsenting minority selected workers, discarded common-law doctrines agency. contended since ascertained methods supervised repudiation also another precluded. make situation different appear same. Finally, suggested, small like involved case, exacted enterprise many employees.16 20 sure, what said special pertinence impossible. But one-year run date rather seems allowable area discretion congressional policy. See Phelps Dodge Corporation 313 177, 192—197, 845, 85 1271; Seven-Up Bottling 344 344, 73 287, 97 377. Otherwise, encouragement management delay spurious objections diminish duration Furthermore, ruled can ask election17 or, fair further it.18 This, too, matter authority. 21 conclude judgment enforcing affirmed. 22 Affirmed. E.g., Kimberly-Clark Corp., 90. Trackson 56 917. cases certification. Public Service Electric & Gas 59 325; cf. Nashville Bridge 629. Brightwater Paper 54 1102; Carson Pirie Scott 69 935; Great Lakes Carbon 44 70. Westinghouse Mfg. 38 404, 409. Tabardrey 51 246, there Century Oxford 140 541 (six weeks); Botany Worsted 133 876 (repudiation months certification). Contra: Inter-City Advertising 154 244. Committee reports floor statements show awareness prior but afford guidance solution problem. Senate Report declared: 'In impress upon solemnity Government goes expenses conducting secret ballot, bill provides more frequently year.' S.Rep.No.105, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. 12. further, 'At present, loses, presentation additional membership cards secure wins cannot challenged Id., 25. Senator Taft, authoritative expounder measure, does give much help: 'The shall year, so constant stirring up excitement continual elections. men He remains end 93 Cong.Rec. 3838. House decided reverse inserting provision limited 12-month intervals permitted expression prevailing mood assure workers freedom well right join one. rejected Conference. Globe Automatic Sprinkler 95 253; Celanese America, 664, 672—674. Both collective relationship established election. Joe Hearin, 66 1276 (card-check); Mayer, 196 286 (card-check; Squirrel Brand 104 289 (order bargain). For example, Swift 917, applying exception schism occurred fact direct passed. Feders-Quigan 512. Brooks, 899; Sanson Hosiery 195 350; Geraldine Novelty 173 14, 16—17. 927 (five Mid-Continent Petroleum 613 (two months). 199 (refusal weeks practice). Hughes Tool 318; Clarostat 1954, 216 525. Henry Heide, 107 N.L.R.B., 258 (claim actual evidence); Borden 108 116; Telegraph Publishing 102 1173. Wilson-Oldsmobile, 110 74, applied jurisdictional yardsticks now brought, outside them. Whitney's, 81 75; Ny-Lint Mfg 77 642. 664. several occasions intimated passed, better keep relief. 674; Gypsum 90 964, 966—968; Judge O'Neil Lumber 1299.

Classification Label: 6