Legal Document

331 U.S. 398 67 Supreme Court Reporter 1265 91 L.Ed. 1563 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARDv.E. C. ATKINS & CO. Number 419. Argued March 7—10, 1947. Decided May 19, Rehearing Denied June 16, See 868, 1725. Ruth Weyand, of Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Mr. Frederic D. Anderson, Indianapolis, Ind., respondent. Justice MURPHY delivered the opinion Court. 1 The problem posed by this case is whether private plant guards, who are required to be civilian auxiliaries military police United States Army, employees within meaning § 2(3) National Labor Relations Act, 29 Code KF62 152(3), Annotated KF65 U5 152(3). 2 At all material times, respondent corporation was engaged in manufacture saws, tools and armor plate. It employed more than 1,200 production maintenance at its two plants Indiana. Before it began produce plate defense war purposes, about six watchmen or guards. When entered upon production, however, War Department that an auxiliary force sixty-four members established guard plants. 3 In1943, afte r necessary additional guards had been recruited, a union1 petitioned Board investigation certification representatives pursuant 9(c) 159(c). alleged union represented moved dismiss petition on ground not employer 2(2) were as defined 2(3). A hearing thereupon held evidence concerning status introduced. 4 On October 1943, concluded from thus submitted these despite their police. 52 N.L.R.B. 1470. respondent's plants, excluding chief lieutenants other supervisory with authority hire, promote, discharge, discipline, otherwise effect changes employees, effectively recommend such action, constituted unit appropriate collective bargaining. An election therefore directed held, which resulted question being chosen bargaining representative. certified exclusive representative 5 Subsequently, filed charges refused bargain collectively. complaint issued Board, followed regarding refusal 30, 1944, decision latter committed unfair labor practices refusing union. 56 1056. 6 accordingly order requiring cease desist collectively union, commanding request, respect rates pay, wages, hours employment conditions employment. Seventh Circuit Appeals declined enforce Board's order, holding (1) Act since they militarized, (2) even if militarized considered respondent, enforcement should allowed because do so would likely inimical public welfare. 147 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 730. 7 In filing writ certiorari, noted forces demilitarized early but urged thereby rendered moot. We granted vacated judgment below remanded 'for further consideration changed circumstances demilitarization involved, thereof orders.' 325 838, 65 1413, 89 1965. 8 into stipulation relative dates most released service only eleven them retained February 23, 1946; those 'sworn Deputy Policemen City Indianapolis.' then motion decree enforcing order. This denied prior reaffirmed, court stating demilitaization irrevelant issue time when Cir., 155 567. importance raised case, together conflict over answer between Sixth Appeals, versus Jones Laughlin Steel Corp., 146 718, prompted us grant review case. 9 agree did render moot no prime based practice recognize selected And occurred still militarized. determination statutory duty essential validity fact subsequently affect crucial juncture; nor relieve any might have point. 10 moreover, continuing direction designated Demilitarization has dispensed whatever may now future comply If entitled benefits during period militarization, fortiori connections Army severed; rights continue full respect. Respondent's remains existence, although considerably reduced size, presumably continues Under circumstances, Pennsylvania Greyhound Lines, 303 261, 271, 58 571, 576, 82 831, 115 American Law Reports 307; J.I. Case company 321 332, 334, 64 578, 88 762. also Trade Commission Goodyear Tire Rubber Co., 304 257, 260, 863, 864, 1326. 11 As merits, elementary determining first instance employee purposes must accepted reviewing courts reasonable basis inconsistent law. Hearst Publications, 322 111, 851, 1170. Realizing disputes industrial strife confined fall ordinary legal classifications. Congress attempted spell out detailed rigid definition employer. relevant portion simply provides 'The term 'employee' shall include employee, * *.' contrast, states 'employer' includes person acting interest employer, directly indirectly, we recognized terms statute carry technical traditional common law definitions. They draw substance policy background particular relationships, hard facts life. 12 performing delegated function defining applying terms, bring task appreciation economic realities, well recognition aims sought achieve statute. does mean disregard concepts 'employer.' But thos concepts. free take account considerations. whole part considerations great court, due familiarity problems experience administration Act. 13 Laying aside moment matter cannot say legally unjustified rank file bear essentially same relation management employees. fact, indistinguishable watchmen, gatemen, patrolmen, firemen guards—persons universally regarded treated membership benefits. perform duties inspecting persons, packages vehicles, carrying cash various parts plant, generally surveying premises detect fires, suspicious sabotage. Moreover, supervisors; possess power working Without bargaining, subject unilateral hours, seniority, tenure work. Individually, suffer inequality need action parallels From standpoint, warranted treating Even under conventional standards, controlled extent sufficient justify designating 14 Nor can say, law, permitting make less loyal tasks. guarding personnel against physical danger, represent management's legitimate protection. necessarily organizing matters affecting own conditions. lose right serve themselves respects merely separate independent management. foremen, see denying protect interests. Packard Motor Car 330 485, 789. 15 assume, organizations will demands extract concessions employers decrease loyalty efficiency performance obligations employers. There always possibility, qualify taking away rights. words, unionism capable adjustments accommodate special functions 16 militarization prohibit extending have. short change change, depending circumstances. qualified one; retain fix work; desirability exist retains control; guars e ntirely consistent obligations. remain transfer normally control, form contemplated purview 17 type alter tested applicable regulations introduced before Board. result evidence, sustained. 18 enrolled Executive Order 8972, dated December 12, 1941. That authorized Secretary establish maintain patrols, measures, certain strategic premises, materials utilities injury destruction. organization important prosecution war, directive Adjutant General July 2, 1942. Supplementary contained Circular 15, 17, Headquarters, Service Forces.2 19 stated regulations, purpose 'to increase authority, efficiency, responsibility through training provide throughout supplement wartime emergency situations.'3 made clear, managements relieved providing adequate protection times hazards.'4 wished obtain government contracts 'adequate protection' where produced; existing inadequate, recruited original 20 authorities reserved veto hiring firing impair force.5 officers 'through management' correct 'defective inadequate protective duties.'6 21 twofold: '(1) To internal external sabotage, espionage, natural hazards. army environs situations.'7 call emergencies arose places worked. ends, militay gu ard exercise direct control 'only relating instruction Auxiliary Military Police.'8 orders 'will after consultation and, possible, concurrence Control, therefore, exercised heretofore except drill situations. Although command supplant officers, unless expediency chain management.'9 provided exceed one hour per week 'except approval management.'10 22 employer's relations force, explicit recognizing remained there militarization. According 15: 'Basically, systems hiring, compensation, dismissal; primarily managements. Guards employ may, heretofore, he dismissed employer.'11 dismissal, course, military. provided: changed. For example, social security, workmen's liability provisions unaffected.'12 expected train furnish uniforms weapons.13 23 paragraph 6h(2) 'Auxiliary Police permitted collectively, activity tolerated interfere Police. view recent decisions (see re Lord Mfg. Workers America, CIO, R—4826, 1943) (Lord Manufacturing 47 1032), composed workers, both units affiliated organization. Where included unit, mandatory; serious given conform foregoing policies.' Provision agreements covering clause nothing relationship imposed police.14 24 sign States.15 Each agreement individual, agreed support defend Constitution, true faith allegiance faithfully discharge his He acknowledged Articles read explained him could martialed effective punishment effective. 'Unlike court-martial service, martial punish member reduction grade forfeiture pay allowances. Analogous punishments imposed, temporary suspension duty. fine, distinguished forfeiture, punishment.'16 respects, civil courts. 25 testimony confirmed accordance regulations. each supervision several lieutenants—all whom civilians like superior District Plant Guard Officer stationed Continuous Security Office Department, Cincinnati, Ohio, officer charge district. general office repeated many 15.17 name Chief 'after indicated signing lower left hand corner.' received three ones signed Officer, All specific ever emanated About contact weekly period. 26 Respondent channels initiate dismissals force. Such actions, carried regular rolls, determined rate compensation paid wages making deductions. operate cost-plus basis, actually bore cost guards' wages.18 attempt give suggestions worked close cooperation manager friction developed. determine promotion policies regard them. Finally, maintained security obliged obey minimum wage maximum requirements. 27 foregoing, ample evident destroy actual assumption rather soldiers States. unmistakable normal, employer-employee substantially intact. Especially clear join unions respected. took attributes effectuate limited program, aspects transferred exercisable gravest emergencies. 28 without warrant concluding 'a residual measure fairly described respondent.19 incidents employee-employees relationship—wages, promotion—remained Army. settle vital unilaterally negotiate individually items. precisely situation applicable. objectives achieved limitations properly find exists setting, deprived some usual powers absolute hire fire activities service. Those indicia seen, existence mind. spring readily another, coupled obligation financial burden receipt worked, worker. process appropriately utilized found present. Publcations, upra, page 129, 859, 30 deserving reflect isolated careless reconciliation guaranteed course faced times.20 acquainted complex inherent situation. representing reaching giving weight factors lay Southern Steamship 316 31, 47, 62 886, 894, 86 1246. absence compelling failed up responsibility, reluctant overturn substitute ideas interest. 31 Here safely thereby. viewpoint agency concerned problem. Its directives clearly feasibility wartime, encroachment necessities. experience. 105 cases, none danger effort resulted. 32 folly our upset applied case.21 Since accord substantial roots enforced Appeals. objections language scope either merit removed issues subsequent deputization policemen answered 416, 1274. reversed. 33 Reversed. 34 THE CHIEF JUSTICE, FRANKFURTER, JACKSON dissent reasons set forth below, Local 1683 International Association Machinists, 90. admit proceeding vested 8972 judicial notice it. Standard Oil California Johnson, 481, 483, 484, 1168, 1169, 1611. par. 1a. 1b. 6b(2). 2a. 5a(2). pars. 5c(2) 6a(1). 7g(1). 6b(1). 6f. salute arrest anyone identification cards wore arm bands appeared words Police.' 7. 6h(1). agreement, be, temporarily understanding soon replaced, event time. 5b(1). 8d. directive, omitted dealing argues forced Department's enter Government. voluntarily Government saw fit impose. One condition expand peacetime men complement sixty-four. So far concerned, different requirement chemists experts facilitate execution contracts. conclusion results reached statutes. Militarized Fair Standards 201 et seq. Walling Lum, Wage Hour Rep. 570. consistently Detroit Products Lab.Rep. 495; Brewster Aeronautical 286, 239, 240—243; Great Industries, 287; Youngstown Sheet Tube 500, 813; Motors 541. See, e.g., Chrysler Corporation, 44 881; Budd Wheel 666; Dravo 322. Annual Report (1943), Page 63; Eighth 57. adopting Disputes 57 Statutes-at-Large 163, 50 U.S.C.A.Appendix, 1501 seq., 7(a)(2) actions Act—an indication deemed preservation industries.

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