Legal Document

362 U.S. 411 80 Supreme Court Reporter 822 4 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 832 LOCAL LODGE NO. 1424, etc., et al., Petitioners,v.NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. Number 44. Argued Jan. 11, 1960. Decided April 25, Mr. Bernard Dunau, Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Norton Come, respondent. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question we decide in this case is whether unfair labor practice complaints, whose charges against petitioners were sustained by National Labor Relations Board, barred six-month statute limitations contained § 10(b) Act, as amended, 61 Statutes-at-Large 146, 29 Code KF62 160(b), Annotated KF65 U5 160(b). That section reads pertinent part: 2 'Provided * no complaint shall issue based upon any occurring more than six months prior to filing charge with Board and service a copy thereof person whom such made *.' 3 On August 10, 1954, Bryan Manufacturing Company International Association Machinists, AFL, entered into collective bargaining agreement unit Bryan's employees. agreement, later supplemented certain respects not material litigation, conventional provisions, which two are relevant here: 'recognition' clause, Union was recognized 'the sole excusive agency all employees' unit; 'union security' employees required, subject 45-day grace period, become remain members Union. 30, 1955, new into, Bryan, Union, petitioner Local Lodge IAM, signatories, replacing old applying additionally at newly opened plant well those covered original agreement. When executed on did represent majority it.1 Under §§ 7 8 Act2 has evolved principle, drawn here, that it an employer organization enter contains union security if time execution does unit.3 maintaining force continuing violation 'majority status' subsequent date—including date renewals agreement—is immaterial, presumed acquisition status attributable earlier unlawful assistance received from agreement.4 5 In June 10 12 after filed served petitioners, alleging Union's lack consequent illegality continued enforcement Complaints thereafter issued Board's General Counsel Company. Petitioners contended before complaints proviso 10(b), set forth above. dissenting, held limitations, 119 N.L.R.B. 502, Appeals affirmed, one judge dissenting. 105 U.S.App.D.C. 102, 264 Federal Reporter, 2nd 575. We granted certiorari, 360 916, 79 1432, 1532, because importance proper administration Act. For reasons given hold these time.5 6 first note opposing contentions parties. starts premise clause valid its face, but when have status, gives rise independent practices, being other arising enforcement. Conceding predicated here challenged contends nonetheless timely since 'based upon' parties' enforcement, within period clause. It then said even though former itself time-barred, nevertheless 'relevant determining conduct 6-month unlawful,' N.L.R.B., 504; evidence admissible rule evidence. hand, contend that, standing alone, wholly innocent; they tainted only virtue agreement; event could be utilized infuse otherwise legal or They say, short, apply situation doctrine evidence, circumvent purposes section, acceptance position would mean never run kind. think petitioners' represents correct view matter. doubtless true prevent use relating events transpiring charge. However, rules admissibility past events, due regard requires different kinds situations distinguished. where occurrences themselves may constitute, substantive matter, practices. There, shed light character matters period; purpose ordinarily bar evidentiary anterior events.6 second can charged through reliance practice. There merely 'evidentiary,' simply lay bare putative current Rather, serves cloak lawful. And permit so used effect results reviving legally defunct 9 us latter variety, entire foundation time-barred signed. absence fact benign.7 Trial Examiner, findings adopted observed: 'The concedes limitation Section Act precludes currently finding execution8 1954 practice, also periods beginning *. concession way detracts crucial nature core Counsel's practices his fundamental circumstances prevailing made, union-security been legal, met overriding requirements 8(a)(3) Act.' 530. (Emphasis added, except indicated.)9 11 Where, both perfectly lawful face things, cannot out agreement's execution, which, complaint, permitting resort principle order convert what something illegal, vitiate policies underlying section. These litigation over 'after records destroyed, witnesses gone elsewhere, recollections dim confused,' H.R.Rep.No. 245, 80th Cong., 1st Sess., Page 40,10 course stabilize existing relationships. Our matter lent support attitude itself, previous decisions, albeit always unanimity among perhaps perfect consistency, must regarded differently already depicted. Compare, e.g., Potlatch Forests, Inc., 87 1193, during illuminate claimed practice,11 Bowen Products Corp., 113 731, Greenville Cotton Oil Co., 92 1033, affirmed sub nom. American Federation Grain Millers, A.F.L. versus Cir., 197 451, gravamen complained period.12 13 Indeed, some cases further when, although none elements need necessarily proved reference period—so utilization ostensibly giving color involved complaint—yet marshalled substantial, merit allegations shown largely events. See, News Printing 116 210, 212; Universal 108 68; Tennessee Knitting Mills, 88 1103.13 express problem raised cases, go beyond saying inescapably grounded predating directly odds proviso.14 14 applicability principles avoided invoking violation. conceded constitutes logically separate violations, sense described discrete terms. Nevertheless, vice manifestly legality case, example, invalid validly executed, unlawfully administered. As dissenting recognized, dealing void reason union's 15 '* cause existed point repeated. reason, therefore, invalidity related solely initial invalidity, basis.' 516. 16 real sense, then, continuing, execution. To justify ground maintenance lifting characterization becomes apt lifted. Put another way, effect, distinguished suable following making agreement.15 17 ruling sought supported rest formal constituted Appeals, while stating draw 'any conclusion outside statutory period,' decision resting 'mere existence (of facts surrounding contract) rather ascribing significance alone.' page 108, 581 (emphasis court). This distinction sacrifices policy procedural formalities. If, disputable, prompted 'complaint people brought book stale charges,' Pennwoven, 194 521, 524, particular prelimitations aimed, hardly thought proscribed labeled such. Millers supra, anything acts condemned without declaration (see 12, ante), greater there 'finding' manifest carry taint illegality. availability repose assured turn vagaries hypertechnical distinctions, bearing relation legislation. 18 apparently disputed withdraw virtually protection agreements attacked asserted here. For, once below rests accepted, long contract—or renewal thereof—is still begin run. Cf. 732. Lively Photos, 123 1054, unhesitatingly applied attack three one-half years cease-and-desist directed severance relationship had initiated five earlier. A disservice stability relationships upheld, language evident convincing showing Congress intend provision attacks unions lacking unless their Far providing showing, legislative history affirmative specifically advertent minority unions, previously pains protect belated attack, manifested intention, enacting protection. 19 Four enactment Taft-Hartley amendments, one, proceeding, under conditions relevant, 'arising between management longer filed.' Appropriation 1944, 57 515. legislation enacted specific unions,16 re-enacted each succeeding session 1947.17 At Senate Committee Public Welfare reported S. 1126 (the version proposed Management 1947), rider appropriations bill fiscal year 1948 (H.R. 2700, Sess.) pending Appropriations Committee, having House identical predecessors. Committee's discussion amendment illuminating: 20 principal change charges. adopting laches extent discouraged dilatory charges, (which necessary) 3-month respect practices.' S.Rep.No.105, Cong. 26. added.) 21 squared interpretation ascribe Congress, general provision, eliminate then-existing all-embracing applicable unions.18 22 sustaining position, relied public right vindicated limited scope judicial review determinations. Observing 'in interpreting, administering prescribed context field relations), Board—and courts—are confronted precisely same considerations statutes affecting private rights individual litigants,' reasoned '(t)he interests (employee) self determination outweighed important competing burying disputes.' pages 108—109, F.2d, 581—582. analysis inadmissible accommodation factors Congress. commonplace, too easily lost sight of, traditionally entails adjustment compromise abstract purely partisan seem irreconcilable. 'police Act' embodied totality adjustment, single demand figured, however weightily, it. 7, ante. asserted, fear contradiction, interest employee freedom choice large recognition amended. But neither disregard 'industrial peace overall secure.' Childs 195 617, 621—622 (concurring L. Hand, J.). Colgate-Palmolive Peet company 338 355, 362—363, 70 166, 170, 94 L.Ed. 161. expositor national interest, judgment 'not unreasonable,' 40, run, expense vindication rights.19 'It necessary enough find statute. defeated 363, 171. Southern S.S. 316 31, 47, 62 886, 894, 86 1246. 23 Reversed. 24 FRANKFURTER, 25 While agreeing my Brother WHITTAKER'S grounds & N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions should like add confirming conclusion. employees, containing compelling union. accepted Court, 'unfair practice,' tended 'to restrain coerce exercise bargain collectively representatives own choosing.' terms illicit Specifically, purported act authorized agent, dues collected 'check-off' th employer, compelled forty-five days. Court's recognizes interference free therefore 26 Ten actively carried out, Board. Plainly, illegally occur accepts true. holds time-barred. 27 provides: 'no Board.' relies active carrying concededly months, revealed inception, specifically, time. concludes action inception period. 28 Such interpretation, respectfully submit, enforce congressional legislation, our task, fashion linguistic Instead barring charge,' read charge.' Thus barred, occur, conveyed word. is, mere inert continuity consequences antecedent action; pass conscious human intervention see justification rewriting wrote. recited makes demand. doubt wanted put claims rest, relatively short litigation. If allowed filed, end thereafter. say occurrence halted, proceeded against, before. contrary, deem controlling analogy leads me it, falling treatment kind conspiracy kept alive 30 essence illegal employee. Suppose defined subjected civil remedies misdemeanor. means fanciful supposition. federal antitrust prominent instance criminal law, law conspiracy, part scheme industrial regulation. charge, now civil, suppose very case. conspired deprive freely choose representatives, overt committed pursuance 31 cognate ignore precedents. clearly otherwise. See Kissel, 218 601, 124, 54 1168; Hyde States, 225 347, 367—370, 32 793, 802—803, 56 1114; Brown Elliott, 392, 400—401, 812, 815, 1136; Fiswick 329 211, 216, 67 224, 227, 91 196; Grunewald 353 391, 396—397, 77 963, 969—970, 931. suspended, runs last conspiracy.' 227. show applies derive interpreted bringing Certainly, illegalities six-months degree formed, 'a renewed affirmation purpose,' expressed outlawed dogmatic postulate conspiracies, result reasoning limitations. equally hand. am baffled understand why present prosecution proceeding 33 WHITTAKER, FRANKFURTER joins, 34 correctly (1) violative guaranteed 8(a) 8(b), contract either representative union, time, represented unit, (2) Act,' (3) exclusive required unit.* 35 Despite foregoing, holds, think, deference, quite inconsistently erroneously, issuance employee's contract, throughout preceding and, caused sums deducted wages paid authorization 36 noting employer-union contention 'tainted' 'unlawful execution,' 'since (would be) barred' enforcement,' adopts argument presenting 'correct view.' 37 Surely 'infuse' legality. Moreover, submit illegality.' deprived them resulting 8; wrong, with' enforcement.' 38 carefully bars. says, part, 'complaint' 'occurring more' plainest possible rested acts. 39 inadmissible, serve lawful,' (as revive) practice.' hip heed incompetent adduced prove 'continuing violation.' contrary decisions every attention directed. 40 Trade Comm. Cement Institute, 333 683, 68 1010, be: 41 'well established testimony transactions, forming basis suit, introduced tends reasonably transactions scrutiny. Standard 221 1, 46 510—518, 55 619; Reading 253 26, 43, 44, 425, 427, 428, 64 760.' 705, 805. 42 Paramount Cap Mfg. 260 109, 112—113; Gaynor 719, 722, nom., Radio Officers 347 17, 74 323, 98 455; Katz 196 411, 415; Shoe 192 504, 507; Clausen, 188 439, 443; Superior Engraving 183 783, 791. 43 almost issue, rejected inasmuch expired saying: 44 'While December 1948, continuous shop limitations.' 415. 45 pointing punishment observed offense,' lawfully valid.' 722. Although recognizing 'is violation' says 'solely execution'; punish plain negates offense.' reasoning, inconsistently, recognize, deny proving, 47 Analytical curiosity provokes query openly posted effective until day seventh month, 'infused' unassailable employees—not but, rather, because, rule, competent so, offense' utterly destroyed. not, give way. theories diametrically opposed self-destructive. deal competency Surely, cited hold, shows offense law. 48 consideration me, settles controversy. burden he do, initially least, make prima facie He do this, present, putting deduction asking election, certification alone raise issue: By done? call defense, producing defense fall will elsewhere might meet action. denied, offered likewise elects, Here, violations effort of. 49 attributes virtues quieting 'stale claims' 'stabiliz(ing) relationships.' agree either, rights, claims,' deprivation said, 'rankles least month mind employees) offended,' conducive not—certainly legally—'stabilize be, Congress; cardinal guarantee join assist organizations 'of choosing' refrain activities. enforcing 'own choosing,' intended left remedy. create (employees) illusory denying remedy.' Graham Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen, 232, 240, 14, 18, 22. right(s) (under) explicit clear restrict most needed.' Mastro Plastics Corporation 350 270, 287, 76 349, 360, 100 309. Lion 352 282, 289, 330, 334, 331. 50 Believing decided affirm judgment. found finding. (61 140, 157, 157) 'Employees self-organization, form, join, organizations, repre- sentatives choosing, engage concerted activities mutual aid protection, affected requiring membership condition employment 8(a)(3).' 158, 158) '(a) employer— '(1) interfere restrain, 7; '(2) dominate formation contribute financial it: '(3) discrimination hire tenure term encourage discourage organization: Provided, nothing preclude (not established, maintained, assisted practice) require therein thirtieth whichever later, provided 9(a), appropriate collective-bargaining made; '(b) agents— (A) 7: attempt discriminate subsection (a)(3) agent Bernhard-Altmann Texas 122 1289; Charles W. Carter 115 251, 262; Metal 104 1076; John baron Shriver 103 23, 38; Examiner's 555, n. 98. convenience alone. 546, 548. petition certiorari propriety relief ordered Because unnecessary reach question. frequently expression Axelson 761, 766: 'As interpret however, enacts forbids consequently, months' construe forbid introduction occurred Events obscure, ambiguous, meaningless viewed isolation may, component parts equation, clear, definitive, informative considered Conduct, language, takes meaning occurs. scarcely performance duty validity reliable, probative, substantial conduct. Had intent, seems reasonable assume stated.' developed limits principle. 421, 829, 13. member presumption attend sufficient proof operative, thus parties defend proving compliance 158(a)(3), 2, ante, including 510. reached below, concurring acknowledged. Id., 511. reject mistaken permits inclusion provisions derogation definitive statement police 7,' id., 510, exoneration types clauses proviso, proviso's him asserting detain us; insights derived syntactical form hazardous explication major enactments. proviso. (See ante.) More heart portion embodies policy.' known, 1947 amendments plainly shows, proviso—represented Congressional response demands security. overriding, words adequate so; accommodated interests, manner unsatisfactory extreme partisans each, drawing line reasonable. administrators mandate approach side grudgingly. Emphasis Examiner. observations Appeals. 503—504; 106, 579. 1054. Report pertinency many testifying numerous matters, protract report greatly summarize testimony, spell fully confusion inconsistencies therein, much surprising, 'at core' illegality), lapse November 1955.' 529. explaining evidence' antedating confirmed said: Respondent's clearer focus issue. Even consideration, amply undisputed record bear layoffs period).' 1211. 1418, Longshoremen's Ass'n, 102 720, 729—730, 439; recalled layoff discriminatorily placed bottom seniority list. unsuccessfully attempted obtain rating, several included economic reduction force. originally properly computed, laid off layoff, status. Finding holding dismissed complaint. (American Millers) dealt alleged discriminatory refusal reinstate strikers. respondent engaged permanent replacements, strikers demanded reinstatement strike prolonged hiring replacements. taken place reinstatement. grant wage increases motivated displeasure allegation turned respondent's motive refusal, unable produce motive, refused referred inference 'pattern . situation' rejected. 211. Compare 785, 786, 799, granted, presence post-limitations Mills concerned employers dominated organizations. Here again, respondents involved, Yet sketchy warrant conduct, declining rely continued. Paint, Varnish Lacquer Makers (Andrew Co.), 120 1425, picketing undertaken obtaining recognition, done inconsistent, far presently discussed Substantial unchanged. 1428, 1438. permissibility inquire seeming disparity treatment, affects minor only, impair accuracy proposition marshalled, yield dissent arose (§ 8(a)(3), 140), repealed (65 601), permitted possessed certificate special election involved. approach, inconsistent governing difficulty. Proof nonexistence certificate, fact, about events; difference instrument begins commission furtherance thereof, furnish useful bars practice' charge; proceedings commenced committed. 3282, 3282. necessity statute's history, assert universal resolution presented decision. event, pursuant conspiratorial conspiracy. constituting characterized. Beyond appropriateness analogizing situation, application involves taking account values, unreservedly condemned, undoing undiluted advanced notes 13, immediate impetus pendency involving closed-shop Kaiser shipbuilding yards Portland, Oregon. 66 workers employed, 20,000-man work debates representation forefront concern. 89 Cong.Rec. 6950 (remarks Reps. Smith Tarver), 6953 (Rep. 7029 (Sens. Truman Ball), 7031—7032 (Sen. Wagner). 1945, 58 568, designed render inapplicable company-dominated provide additional three-month commencement filed. N.L.R.B.Ann.Rep. (1944), Pages 5—6. Subsequent re-enactments change. 59 378, 60 698. vitiated Report, amended susceptible unions. S.Rep. 6, Nor explain away riders immunized (1943), 7—8, narrowly framed, broad 8(3) 452, common problem, expected primarily seen, direct relevance evident. Adoption criticized opponents shortest known law,' S.Rep.No. (pt. II), (Minority Report), resisted gave 'unjust commit concealed difficult detect.' 93 4905 Sen. Murray). pointed fraudulent concealment toll 110, 583 (dissenting opinion). acceded 'over barrel.'

Classification Label: 6