Legal Document

440 U.S. 301 99 Supreme Court Reporter 1123 59 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 333 DETROIT EDISON COMPANY, Petitioner,v.NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. Number 77-968. Argued Nov. 6, 1978. Decided March 5, 1979. Syllabus Petitioner employer, in response to a request made by Union connection with arbitration of grievance filed on behalf employees bargaining unit, supplied the certain information pertaining petitioner's employee psychological aptitude testing program under which unit had been rejected for job openings because their failure receive "acceptable" test scores. However, petitioner refused release actual questions, answer sheets, and scores linked names who received them, maintaining that complete confidentiality these materials was necessary insure future integrity tests protect examinees' privacy interests. did offer turn over any signed waiver releasing psychologist from his pledge confidentiality, but union declined seek such releases. In unfair labor practice proceedings against petitioner—based union's charge violated its duty bargain collectively § 8(a)(5) National Labor Relations Act refusing provide relevant needed proper performance duties as employees' representative—the Board concluded all requested items were ordered directly union, subject restrictions use information. The that, order preserve secrecy, sheets be turned an industrial selected union. Appeals, decision enforcing Board's order, both claim professional obligations psychologists should outweigh Union's employee-linked Held: 1. abused remedial discretion ordering battery Pp. 312-317. (a) A bare assertion it needs process does not automatically oblige employer supply manner requested. turns upon "the circumstances particular case," NLRB versus Truitt Mfg. Co., 351 149, 153, 76 753, 756, 100 L.Ed. 1027, much same may said type disclosure will satisfy duty. 314-315. (b) Petitioner's interest secrecy has abundantly demonstrated record, established freedom collective-bargaining contract criterion promotion, empirical validity tests, relationship between validity. cited no principle national policy warrant remedy would unnecessarily disserve this interest. Pacific KF135 P2 315. (c) Board, barring taking action might cause fall into hands have taken or are likely take adequately security tests. There is substantial doubt whether party enforcement proceeding contempt citation ignore restrictions. Moreover, clearly accountable either most realistic vice inherent remedy—the danger inadvertent leaks. 315-316. 2. willingness disclose only receipt consents examinees satisfied statutory 8(a)(5). light sensitive nature information, minimal burden compliance placed total absence evidence fabricated concern frustrate discharge responsibilities, conclusion petitioner, resisting unconsented-to individual results, obligation good faith cannot sustained. Accordingly, requiring unconditionally erroneous. 317-320. 6 Cir., 560 Federal Reporter, 2nd 722, vacated remanded. John Atlantic McGuinn, Washington, D. C., petitioner. Norton Judge Come, respondent. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered opinion Court. 1 collectively, imposed Act,1 includes representative. 1027; Acme Industrial 385 432, 87 565, 17 495. case brought before complaint when about prepare grievance. requested, three items: them.2 concluding useful processing it, 218 N.L.R.B. 1024 (1975). divided Appeals Sixth Circuit without modification. 722 (1977). 2 We granted certiorari consider important question federal law. 435 941, 98 1520, 55 537. This apparently first held employer's representative achieved named statistically validated administered employer. Psychological widely used selection promotion device private industry government. Test concededly critical program, undeniably examinees. underlying enforced modification accommodated concerns. 3 * Detroit Edison company (hereinafter Company), public utility engaged generation distribution electric power Michigan. Since 1943, Utility Workers America, Local 223, AFL-CIO (Union) represented Company's employees. At time hearing case, one units operating maintenance at plant Monroe, Mich. certified exclusive agent 1971, agreed covered pre-existing agreement, provisions specified promotions within given based seniority "whenever reasonable qualifications abilities being considered significantly different." Management decisions bypass greater collective agreement's machinery, including ultimate arbitration, whenever arbitrary discriminatory. 4 issue Company screen applicants classification "Instrument Man B." An Instrument responsible installing, maintaining, repairing, calibrating, testing, adjusting powerplant instrumentation. position B, although lowest starting grade usually on-the-job training, regarded involved activities vital operation plant. 5 means predicting since late 1920's early 1930's.3 1950's, began set standardized (test battery) predictor B job. battery, "validated" classification,4 consisted Wonderlic Personnel Test, Minnesota Paper Form (MPFB), portions Engineering Physical Science Aptitude (EPSAT). All applied acceptance required battery. Three adjective possible: "not recommended," "acceptable," "recommended."5 1960's, technical engineers instrumentation department complained accurate screening device. psychologists, accordingly, performed revalidation study As result, dropped, scoring system changed. Instead former three-tier system, two possible revised battery: recommended" "acceptable." gross score rating raised 10.3, figure somewhat lower than "recommended" higher previously. 7 express commitment each applicant's remain confidential. Tests kept offices who, members American Association, deemed themselves ethically bound unauthorized persons.6 Under policy, reveal report numerical management representatives. would, however, if examinee so review questions answers individual. 8 present dispute beginnings 1971 invited bids fill six Monroe Ten applied. None designated basis rejected. jobs eventually filled outside unit. 9 applicants, claiming new procedure bypassed senior violation agreement. levels, took arbitration. preparation various related program. furnished copies test-validation studies consultant entire It refused, applicants' papers, scores, interests 10 then case. alleged withheld grievance, "including ascertainment criteria, veracity grading examination procedures, relatedness test(s) classification." 11 After filing charge, asked arbitrator furnish issue. He ground he authority do so. view pendency charges parties proceeded understanding could reopen ultimately prevail claims. During course raw those test, deleted. addition, provided sample indicative types appearing detailed procedures. also offered sign confidentiality. 12 arbitrator's found free agreement establish minimum measure qualifications; reliable fair sense administration standardized; "high degree validity" developed. 10.3 created "presumption significant difference contract."7 expressed impaired lack access 13 Several months later issued charge. outset Administrative Law Judge, independent evaluation, stating intermediary obligated direct inevitably result dissemination questions. compromise. 14 notwithstanding conceded statistical probable help agent. reasoned Union, having "deprived occasion check built-in bias, discriminatory tendency, opportunity argue well suited rights, accuracy scoring." insubstantial. recommended Union. did, accept suggestion disclosed expert intermediary. Disclosure lay representatives, reasoned, produce constructive properly analyzed professionals.8 right see tests," therein "to extent arbitrate grievances," third other arbitrator. 15 specifically adopt part requires qualified psychologist," excepted requirement contended reason asserted support scores—to arithmetical accuracy—was sufficient overcome underlay cross exception select psychologist, arguing forced "employ outsider what normal Labor-Management work." 16 material They able determine itself interpret sheets. Both recognized appropriate interest.9 Neither receptive II Because procedural posture preserved our relatively narrow. presented lengthy argument designed demonstrate misunderstood premises thus erred potential relevance duties. basic challenge, insofar concerns foreclosed, 10(e) raise Board.10 18 Two issues, then, record. choice second, related, propriety committed disclose, written consent employees, names. 19 deliver position, stripped materials, follows: urges carry risk disseminated. spent considerable money validating depend reliability Examinee's advance preparation, contends harm trivial. tied threaten investment leave valid measuring aptitude. maintains preserving consistent favoring validated, standardized, nondiscriminatory procedures reflected Civil Rights 1964.11 20 brief Solicitor General acknowledged existence strong employment and, least context civil service "[g]overnmental recruitment seriously disputed confidence eroded . compromised." Indeed, Service Commission "has zealous guard undue successfully protective orders limit exposure attorneys copying disseminating materials." urges, can justified grounds institutional militate improper disclosure, specific safeguard tests.12 emphasizes deference generally accorded judgment charged Congress special responsibility effectuating policy." find justifications persuasive. 21 U.S., S.Ct., See, e. g., Cyanamid 129 683, 684 (1960). Throughout proceeding, reasonableness essentially conceded. finding exploring fairness criteria legitimate substantial.13 record—which validity—the strength demonstrated. interest, we unable identify one. 22 obvious them effective sanctions available enforce them. instance, there scope limited Fed.Rule Civ.Proc. 65(d) making injunction binding "upon persons active concert participation ." See Regal Knitwear NLRB, 324 9, 14, 65 478, 481, 89 661. course, participate actively proceedings, debatable enough Rule. Further, regulations contemplate sanction respondent, 29 Code Regulations §§ 101.9, 101.14-101.15 (1978), initiation entirely Counsel. Consolidated 309 261, 269, 60 561, 84 738. Effective level similarly problematic. To sure, Counsel theoretically bring separate unreviewable refuse complaint. KF62 153(d); Vaca Sipes, 386 171, 182, 903, 912, 680. 23 mindful broad devising remedies undo effects violations Act, Seven-Up Bottling 344 344, 346, 73 287, 288, 97 377; Fibreboard Corporation 379 203, 216, 85 398, 405, 233, area law relation peculiarly matter administrative competence." Phelps Dodge 313 177, 194, 61 845, 852, 1271. Nonetheless, rule constitute blank action. role entrusted courts reviewing petitions passive conduit. supra, 405. identified justification granting scant protection undisputed hold 24 different posture, objections disclosure. argues even (which vigorously disputes), need sufficiently weighty require breach promise examinees, psychologists' code ethics, embarrassment harassment some responds standard "relevance," 495, "unilaterally" chosen make rely defend argues, must give way paramount Finally, dismisses speculative contention low embarrassed harassed. 25 sake discussion defeated ethical standards group. Cf. Nash Florida Comm'n, 389 235, 239, 88 362, 366, 438. Nevertheless agree appears rest proposition arguably always predominate interests, legitimate. But absolute never established,14 decline here.15 situations conditional warranted. believe 26 sensitivity human bear her competence known judicial notice.16 nothing record suggest promised confidential further parochial subsequent attempts grievances. And suggested point unilateral violative terms past resulted had, left Company. 27 circumstances, impairment function grievances more served conditioning very whose processed. instance minimal. founded. 28 sustain Company, faith. 1027. vacated, remanded opinion. 30 ordered. 31 STEVENS, concurring dissenting part. 32 close issues. With respect & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions WHITE, exercise discretion. On hand, permitted invade consent. join Part II-A Court's WHITE's dissent. 33 whom BRENNAN MARSHALL join, STEVENS joins I, dissenting. 34 today disapproves theory fails accommodate competing formerly stressed, " 'balancing conflicting effectuate often difficult delicate responsibility, primarily review.' Beth Israel Hospital 437 483, 501, 2463, 2474, 57 370 quoting Truck Drivers, 353 87, 96, 77 643, 647, 676 (1957). perceive disturb balance struck 35 holds, purposes press Board. Court, moreover, explicitly upset determination amounted practice. here regarding "whether sheets." Ante, 312-313 (emphasis added). If, impropriety divulge settled, compel clear. quite wrong holding exceeded agency's "broad discretionary [remedial power]." 233 (1964). For too decree fashioned "will disturbed 'unless shown patent attempt achieve ends fairly policies Act.' Ibid., Virginia Elec. Power 319 533, 540, 63 1214, 1218, 1568 (1943). 36 nevertheless asserts directing formal assurance afforded order. Release said, risks imminent general apparent justification. Presumably, ought divulged instead. concluding, majority—in my view—unduly discounts own appraisal jeopardy substantiality countervailing 37 condition secrecy. Specifically, admonished copy takers others advise content. scoffs "there restrictions." 315.1 reliance directed release, rejecting sort unnecessary. view, forceful due precautions exposure. 38 enjoyed long extensive employer2 loath jeopardize intentionally breaching conditions release. Fawcett Printing Corp., 201 964, 974 (1973). Even incentive publicize ardor dampened long-term consequences course; exercises continuing affairs, approve insistence rigorous delimiting latitude processing.3 impair qualify desired inviting disapprobation.4 39 acknowledges, event, Tr. Oral Arg. 12, agrees, ante, 316, real Yet assuming handle cavalierly chance accidental gravity treated concerned. Thus, ample expect cooperation. ill-equipped fault plainly summoning keen familiarity behavior. 40 Besides overrating hazards undervalues vindicated procedure. simply "Board [the secrecy], one." observed decision, "[a]s involved, entitled agreement." "accommodation"—releasing solely psychologist—which tacitly endorses, fundamentally odds structure process. conferred representational responsibilities freely alternative install third-party partner, primary actor, promotion-related proceedings. 41 services furthermore, totally Suspected difficulties necessitate consultation resort assistance foreordained justify compulsory retention availability pertinent fact, attendant expense encourage forgo requesting despite utility. Confronted concerns, reasonably undertook ensure evaluation remains where put unimpeded cumbersome prohibitive obstacles. 42 concludes associated names, absent themselves.5 majority's little weight results significance "minimal" requirement. respect, too, inappropriately substitutes 43 Preliminarily, notable compromised herein. generally, aware aggrieved below 10.3—the cutoff point. consequence ruling, became evident earned falling 9.3 remaining scored 9.3. N.L.R.B., 1032. unreasonable marginal intrusion confidentality accompanying full profound withholding 44 Significantly, actually oppose Nor palpable believing ridicule Aircraft 434 1198, 1207 (CA2 1970), cert. denied, 401 993, 91 1232, 531 (1971). notes Company." 319. isolated representation concerning events occurring "many, many years ago." App. 84. evidently dismissed account "produced probative sensitivities scores." 1035.6 When resists divulgence grievances, think establishing nondisclosure. presumes yet shown. 45 governing statute attributing ascendant importance Whether considerations is, majority agree, principally policy. gainsaid body task discerning congressional labor-management area. Its judgments regard lightly overturned. strikes according decisional foundation purports construe applicable legislation. 46 consent, declaring burdens "minimal." noted, "Union's represent whole[; Company] secure individuals exists benefit all." 1036.7 Were withhold prevent scrutinizing demographic occupational characteristics, inhibited efforts discern patterns anomalies indicating bias tests.8 enable effectively fulfill functions. Such intrusion, cf. Whalen Roe, 429 589, 602, 869, 878, 51 64 (1977), purpose vindicating grave policies, hardly signals intervention.9 III 47 sum, resolution sound Circuit's mean advanced substance "difficult delicate" balancing 2474. But, virtue precisely kind "considerable deference" owed Iron Workers, 335, 350, 651, 660, 54 586 (1978); Insurance Agents, 361 477, 499, 80 419, 454 (1960); 647. Importantly, "[h]ere, cases, recognize applying complexities life, '[appraising] carefully sides controversy diverse cases' 'the actualities relations.' Erie Resistor 373 221, 236, 83 1139, 1150, 308 (1963), Steelworkers, 357 357, 362-363, 78 1268, 1271, 1383 (1958). unjustified depart accustomed mode review. respectfully 151-158. subsequently stipulation award court materials. infra, 308. current knowledge skills job, but, instead, examinee's ability acquire skills. method validity; requirements developed objective measures supervisors rate classification. Incumbents preselected compared supervisory ratings. correlation ratings defendants lawsuit practices, classifications, violate Title VII 1964, 2000e et seq. Stamps 365 F.Supp. 118-119 (ED Mich.1973), rev'd remedy, EEOC 515 (CA6 1975), remanded, EEOC, 431 951, 2669, 53 267 superseding entered, E.P.D. ¶ 8583 1978), notice appeal filed, Aug. 24, issues litigation distinct, opinion, particularly words "valid" "validate," understood bearing Albemarle Moody, 422 425-436, 95 2362, 2375-2380, 280. decade use, involving filed. favor junior score. upheld. Assn., Standards Educational (1974). Standard J-2 prohibits individuals. Ethical Psychologists (1977 rev.). Principle imposes "information obtained teaching, practice, investigation." Subsection permits discuss evaluative data "data [is] germane evaluation" "every effort" "avoid invasion privacy." conclude, high eliminated probably succeed Based validation statistics, undermined unless they offset Arbitrator, promoted. consistently maintained serve purpose. depended predictors performance. Lay asserted, face incorporated reference Judge's restrictions, contained otherwise disclosing past, anyone (other arbitrator) contents tests." return "all tests" stated "restrictions enforce." 726. 160(e). Section precludes considering objection urged "unless neglect urge shall excused extraordinary circumstances." enforces similar limitation through providing "shall waived." 102.46(b) (1978). serves purpose, party's "extraordinary circumstances" patently excess authority, it. Ochoa Fertilizer 368 318, 322, 82 347, 312. object "no practical reason" challenge portion recommendation adopting If accepted circumstance," exception. "practical" disappeared again failed after urging relevancy findings prove little. interpretation relevance, condition, invoke jurisdiction terms. say arbitral irrelevant controversy. understand competence. 436-437, 568, places emphasis 703(h) VII, 2000e-2(h), agency guidelines promulgated thereunder. argued agree. "give act professionally designed, intended, discriminate race, color, religion, sex origin." Pursuant 703(h), programs issued. Equal Employment Opportunity Guidelines Employee Selection Procedures, 1607.1 state "properly contribute implementation non-discriminatory personnel policies." 1607.1(a). another section guidelines, "studies employing determining criterion-related validity, described 'Standards Texts Manuals' published Association." 1607.5. "[t]ests controlled conditions, safeguards 1607.5(b)(2). Contrary assertion, provisions, insulate most, n. supra. reasons eliminating statement "it assume intends utilize them." Consequently, "would rather submit let decide expertise required." Emeryville Research Center, Shell Development 441 880 (CA9 1971) (refusal salary precise form demanded company's proposed alternatives responsive need); Oil 457 615 1975) unlawful well-founded fear nonstriking harassed); Kroger 399 455 1968) (no ratio when, predominated); 192 382, 390 (1971) (employer acted honor generalized medical records employee's permission), modified grounds, Machinists 534 1975). Wyman-Gordon 394 759, 1426, 709, relied General, contrary. stake legal addresses organizing campaign, far here. person's files recognition legislation recordkeeping employers agencies. Privacy 1974, 552a (written disclosed, falls explicit exception); Colo.Rev.Stat. 24-72-204(3)(a) (1973) (regulating medical, psychological, scholastic achievement records); Iowa Ann. 68A.7(10)-(11) (West 1973) personal N.Y.Pub.Off.Law 89(2)(b)(i)-(c)(ii) (McKinney Supp.1978) (disapproving records). Protection Study Personal Information Society (1977) (recommending Family 1232g (explicitly recognizing, education, scores). ban construed defense pursuant Federation Govt. Employees Defense Supply 423 481 Va.1976), aff'd per curiam, 573 184 (CA4 1978). suggests Appeals' reach affects literally compass 65(d). Rule 'order[s] injunction[s] punishable conduct independently rights adjudged law.' Golden State 414 168, 180, 94 414, 423, 388 (1973), 13, 480, 661 (1945); Hall, 472 261 (CA5 1972). New York Tel. 159, 171-178, 364, 372-375, 376 Here, adjudicated therein, enforced, doubtless itself, extension cognizability fully respected. effect typical defendant heard avail opportunity. speculates, initiate event That observation assumes acquiesce disregard directives. approximately units. production Plant, wherefrom arose. 8(b)(3) 158(b)(3), Comment, Duty Information: Harv.L.Rev. 876 49 subjecting sanctions. By prejudicing eroding provoke ouster disgruntled invite unfair-representation suits disadvantaged assumption liberal "discovery-type standard." 437, 495 (1967). unquestionably standard, possess denied contractual appointed outshone less superior qualifications. police contract, 1024, 1034 detect abuses papers eliciting multiple-choice responses—were graded manually, errors improbable susceptible detection id., 1034. inspection unacceptable biases themselves. Inspection characteristics tested encountering unrelated Put way, margin error inhering assignable identifiable aid Harv.L.Rev., supra 3, 873-874. instances illustrated following colloquy witness employ: "THE ARBITRATOR: guess am wondering you these, just looking elements test. Is right? WITNESS: look parts sometimes segment indicate bad situation; person really didn't capable doing, out example, native language English peculiar thing perhaps How that? data? Well, has, several tapping kinds abilities, verbal heavily weighted direction, pronounced completely character. doesn't fit. "This normally happens overall engineering physical science aptitudes. closely-knit set, off, legitimately ask overall." 324-325. believe, generally. incentive, indeed foolish, wishes member Furthermore, read restrict Although [must be] adjustment." 9(a) 159(a). explain him cutoff, 307, inconsistent mandate 9(a). observed: "In essence, employer] voluntarily mechanism promoted, now precluded devices adopted dealing process, deal freezes seeks substitute therefor constitutes negation .." 1035. alone unsatisfactory. relegated 'to play[ing] game blind man's bluff.' 438 8, 569 Fafnir Bearing 362 716, 721 1966). contexts, claims Electric 466 1177 1972) (wage data); Frontier Homes 371 (CA8 1967) (selling-price lists); Curtiss-Wright 347 (CA3 1965) (job wage Item 220 956 (CA5) data), 350 836, 73, 746 (1955); (company physician's disclosable permission grievance), sub nom. 825 (1976); 615, 619 "establish[ed] beyond cavil clear violence"). Cowles Communications, Inc., 172 1909 (1968) (employees' salaries particularized employees); Auto-Lite 1192 (1950) R. Gorman, 417-418 873-874, 35. 709 (1969), setting, plurality "The [imposed addresses] furthers [statutory objectives] encouraging informed electorate allowing unions already possesses. weigh avoiding problems solicitation present." Id., 767, 1430. government support, 16, construction Act.

Classification Label: 6