Legal Document

416 U.S. 653 94 Supreme Court Reporter 2023 40 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 443 Ulysses Vernon BEASLEY et al., Petitioners,v.FOOD FAIR OF NORTH CAROLINA, INC., al. Number 72—1597. Argued Feb. 19, 1974. Decided May 15, Syllabus Following discharge of petitioners, managers meat departments in respondent Food Fair's stores, because their union membership, the filed unfair labor practice charges with National Labor Relations Board, which were dismissed on ground that protection Act (NLRA) did not extend to 'supervisors' like petitioners. Thereupon petitioners brought suit state court under § 95—83 North Carolina's right-to-work law. The trial granted respondents' motion for summary judgment. On enforcing law favor was barred by second clause 14(a) NLRA ('no employer . shall be compelled deem individuals defined herein as supervisors employees purpose any law, either national or local, relating collective bargaining'), State ultimately upheld ruling. Held: applies requiring an accord who are 'the front line management,' 'anomalous status employees,' and enforcement Carolina would thus flout policy against compulsion upon employers from federal authorities treat employees. Pp. 656—662. 282 N.C. 530, 193 South Eastern Reporter, 2nd 911, affirmed. BRENNAN, J., delivered opinion a unanimous Court. Larry L. Eubanks, Winston-Salem, N.C., Ralph Madison Stockton, Jr., respondents. Mr. Justice BRENNAN 1 Taft-Hartley amendments1 excluded protections freed without violating Act's restraints discharges account membership. question this case is whether those amendments also liability damages discharged §§ 95—81 provides such action membership.2 2 Respondent Fair Carolina, Incorporated (Food Fair), grocery chain, operates stores throughout Carolia. Petitioners Stores Winston-Salem area. When Local 525 Amalgamated Meat Cutters Butcher Workmen America, AFL—CIO, organized stores' meatcutters, joined union. them, allegedly immediately after won representation election conducted Board. claimed constituted Regional Director NLRB. refused issue complaint protection. appeal, NLRB General Counsel complaint, same ground.3 thereupon 95—83. contended successfully Act, 29 Code KF62 164(a)—'but no bargaining'—prohibited supervisors, Appeals reversed reliance Hanna Mining company versus District 2, Marine Engineers Beneficial Ass'n, 382 181, 86 327, 15 254 (1965). N.C.App. 323, 190 333 (1972). turn reinstated 911 (1973). We certiorari, 414 907, 217, 38 145 affirm. 3 concede exclude Act. And it undisputed petitioners' has been settled determinations See n. 3, supra; supra, U.S., at 190, S.Ct., 332; Brief Respondents 7. therefore protect solely membership 525. Oil City Brass Works NLRB, 357 Federal 466 (CA5 1966); Fullerton Publishing Co., 283 545 (CA9 1960). Inter-City Advertising 420 (CA4 1951); Griggs Equipment, Inc., 307 275 1962); Big Three Welding Equipment 359 77 8—9. 4 Our inquiry narrowed determination Congress, addition denying should taken having precluded affording its remedy discharges. Section does wholly foreclose regulations respecting but two clauses require individualized consideration view Appeals' Mining. Hanna, construing first clause—'Nothing prohibit individual employed supervisor becoming remaining member organization'—held 'certainly Congress made considered decision generally limitations supervisory organizing,' 332. accordingly held Wisonsin antipicketing statutes—that furthered, hindered, limitations—could applied activity supervisors. 5 That construction, course, consistent objectives section. But broad command 'any bargaining.' Consistently broader command, Hanna's further statement 'Congress' propelling intention relieve countenance bargain 189, 332, concluded State's contravened congressional objective. held: 'To permit deprive his right completely frustrate leave weapon self-help employer.' 541, S.E.2d, 918. 6 argue, however, must have meant reach limitation 'no bargaining' (emphasis supplied) bar remedies limited prohibition compel collectively unions include members. legislative history 14(a), read companion amendments, 2(3) 2(11), satisfies us embraced laws within (local) 7 before 1947 provided '(t)he term 'employee' employee ..' 49 Statutes-at-Large 450. much vacillation,4 interpreted including Packard Motor Car 330 485, 67 739, 91 L.Ed. 1040 (1947), sustained reacted amending enacting express relieving obligations when if focus concern. AFL CIO, 188, 331. Those product compromise H.R. 3020 S. 1126, 80th Cong., 1st Sess. (1947). There differences specific provisions addressed employees,5 difference Employers obliged recognize composed supervisors,6 management loyal employer's interests, identity interests rank-and-file might impair loyalty threaten realization basic ends legislation. Thus House Report stated: 8 'Management, labor, faithful agents.—If we produce goods competitively large quantities many can buy them low cost, then, just there people labor's side say what workers want expect, persons subject influence control unions, only assign work, see they keep work do well, correct fault, settle complaints grievances, determine how do, pay receive it, carry whole relations.' H.R.Rep.No.245, Sess., 16 Further: 9 'The bill forbid anyone organize. It foremen. who, past, bargained may continue so. What always said until exercise modestly calls 'expertness,' changed law: one, employee, need agent one obligated other side, whom, reason, he trust.' Id., 17 original). 10 theme—that unionizing threatened increase output commerce promoting peace—is repeated Senate Report. refers rulings included protected 11 '(a) recent development probably more than single factor upset real balance power collective-bargaining process .. 12 folly permitting continuation dramatically illustrated happened captive mines Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation since Mine Workers act. Disciplinary slips issued underground these fallen off two-thirds accident rate each mine doubled.' S.Rep.No.105, 13 This compels conclusion Congress' dominant redress perceived imbalance labor-management relationships found arise putting position serving masters opposed interests. Bell Aerospace 267, 1757, 134 (1974). conclude, therefore, requires 'to anomalous employees.' 5. Enforcement respondents plainly put pressure agencies Cf. 20 Teamsters, Chauffeurs Helpers Union Morton, 377 252, 258—260, 84 1253, 1257—1258, 280 (1964).7 14 Affirmed. Management 1947, chapter 120, 61 136. three relevant provide: 2(3). particular employer, unless explicitly states otherwise, whose ceased consequence of, connection with, current dispute practice, obtained regular substantially equivalent employment, agricultural laborer, domestic service family person home, parent spouse, independent contractor, supervisor, Railway amended time time, defined.' 137, 152(3). 2(11). 'supervisor' means authority, interest hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, discipline employees, responsibly direct adjust effectively recommend action, foregoing authority merely routine clerical nature, use judgment.' 138, 152(11). 14(a). 'Nothing organization, 151, 164(a). sections 95—81. Nonmembership condition employment prohibited.—No required abstain refrain organization employment.' N.C.Gen.Stat. Recovery denied employment. Any deprived violation 95—80, 95—82 sections, entitled recover person, firm, corporation, association acting concert him appropriate courts reason denial deprivation unequivocally set forth letter denial, quoted Appeals: 'Your appeal above matter duly considered. denied. four alleged discriminatees involved meaning 2(11) hence entitled, circumstances herein, Act.' 325, 333, 334 Board initially organize affiliated Collieries Coal 41 N.L.R.B. 961 (1942); Godchaux Sugars, 44 874 (1942). Then, following introduction proposed corrective legislation, announced find bargaining unit, Maryland Drydock 733 (1943). Finally, (1945), reverted initial position. Although lacked counterpart contained detailed, expansive, definition 'supervisor,' 'hire-and-fire' worked 'labor relations, personnel, police, time-study matters (are) act respects dealing employer,' access information 'of confidential nature.' 101, 2(12) NLRA, 3020, Aside Senate's proposals 2(3), final pertinent during passage words 'or responsibility them' floor Senate. 93 Cong.Rec. 4677—4678 determinative contention different rule entirely hand, rank file well other. emphatically 'If free manage American industry past depends our strength war standard living always, then foremen operation into file, claim file.' (1947) original.) displays equally careful firm rejection distinction: 'Before formulating (in 2(11)), committee proposal, occasionally advanced, joining organizing confined personnel major federations. After considerable discussion, decided unrealistic. nothing record developed justify thing really foremen's organization.' argue 14(b) supports contention. section '(n)othing construed authorizing execution application agreements Territory prohibited Territorial law.' obviously relevancy primarily 95—79, declares illegal certain making Retail Clerks Schermerhorn, 373 746, 83 1461, 678 375 96, 219, 179 (1963); Algoma Plywood Wisconsin 336 301, 69 584, 691 (1949).

Classification Label: 9