Becker-Durham, Inc.

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Aug 21, 1961

132 N.L.R.B. 1131 (N.L.R.B. 1961)

BECKER-DURHAM , INC. 1131
including the responsible officials of the Respondent Union , in the course and con-
duct of their daily affairs; and quite naturally were familiar with the language and
phraseology used in the discussion of labor matters . In the circumstances they
would have been most naive indeed to have "mis-interpreted" Seibel 's statements to
them as regards the consequences that would ensue if they failed to heed his de-
mands that Thorpe cease doing business with Holland . That they were not so
naive is amply demonstrated by the action they took as to Holland.
The same reasoning applies to Henry J. Stager who had been plant manager for
McCourt Construction Company for 25 years , and at the time of the hearing herein
was its vice president while it is true that Seibel raised the "knife incident" in his
conversation with Stager about Holland , nevertheless he did tell him to ". . . lay
him off, or he would make us trouble ." 14 Stager clearly understood what Seibel
meant , and as a result Holland was laid off shortly thereafter.
While the Trial Examiner is not unmindful of the "knife incident ," he is convinced
that in the final analysis it was used by Seibel merely as an excuse to cover up the
real reason for his demands that the employers herein cease doing business with
Holland . The Trial Examiner 's reasoning in this regard is predicated upon the un-
disputed fact that Seibel made his first demand upon Thorpe to cease doing business
with Thorpe , on September 15, 1960 , the day before the "knife incident " occurred.
As a matter of fact it was this action on the part of Seibel that provoked the incident
itself.
In the circumstances the Trial Examiner concludes and finds that by the acts and
conduct described above that the Respondent Union did engage in and is engaging
in conduct violative of Section 8(b) (4) (ii ) (A) of the Act.
IV. THE EFFECT OF THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES UPON COMMERCE
The activities of the Respondent set forth in section III, above , occurring in con-
nection with the operations of the Charging Party, Jesse Holland , as set forth in
section I , above , have a close , intimate , and substantial relation to trade , traffic, and
commerce among the several States , and tend to lead to labor disputes burdening
and obstructing commerce and the free flow of commerce.
V. THE REMEDY
Having found that the Respondent has engaged in certain unfair labor practices,
the Trial Examiner shall recommend that it cease and desist therefrom and take
certain affirmative action which he finds necessary to effectuate the policies of
the Act.
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact , and upon the record in the case,
he makes the following:
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. Local 348 , International Brotherhood of Teamsters , Chauffeurs , Warehouse-
men and Helpers of America , is a labor organization within the meaning of the Act.
2. Jesse Holland is a person engaged in commerce or in an industry affecting
commerce within the meaning of Section 8 (b)(4) of the Act.
3. McCourt Construction Company and Thorpe Construction Company are en-
gaged in commerce within the meaning of Section 2(6) and (7) of the Act.
4. By the unfair labor practices as found above , the Respondent has thereby vio-
lated Section 8 (b) (4) (ii ) (A) and Section 2(6) and (7) of the Act.
[Recommendations omitted from publication.]
is Quotes from Stager's credible testimony.
Becker-Durham , Inc. and International Union of Electrical,
Radio and Machine Workers, AFL-CIO. Case No. 3-CA-1525.
August 21, 1961
DECISION AND ORDER
On May 3, 1961 , Trial Examiner Stephen S. Bean issued his Inter-
mediate Report in the above-entitled proceeding finding that the Re-
132 NLRB No. 95.
1132 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
spondent had not engaged in the unfair labor practices alleged in the
complaint and recommending that the complaint be dismissed in its
entirety, as set forth in the Intermediate Report attached hereto.
Thereafter, the General Counsel filed exceptions to the Intermediate
Report and a supporting brief.
The Board has reviewed the rulings made by the Trial Examiner at
the hearing, and finds.that no prejudicial error was committed. The
rulings are hereby affirmed. The Board has considered the Intermedi-
ate Report, the exceptions and brief, and the entire record in the case,
and hereby adopts the Trial Examiner's findings, conclusions, and
recommendations.
[The Board dismissed the complaint.]
INTERMEDIATE REPORT
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
This proceeding came on to be heard before me at Catskill, New York, March 7
and 8 , 1961, on issues of whether Becker-Durham, Inc., herein called the Respondent,
has violated any of the provisions of Section 8(a)(3), (4), and (1 ) of the National
Labor Relations Act, herein called the Act, by alleged failures and refusals to reemploy
Martha Hillicoss and to recall Helen Forma, production employees . At the outset
of the hearing Trial Examiner Stephen S . Bean granted a request to take official
notice of the evidence recorded in Case No. 3-CA-1428, in the matter of Becker-
Durham , Inc., to the extent of agreeing to give appropriate consideration to those
portions therein which the parties might call to my attention either during the presen-
tation of evidence , in argument or in briefs. This has been done with equal treatment
accorded the Decision and Order (130 NLRB 1356) which toned down the Inter-
mediate Report (IR-294) and was issued March 15, 1961, 8 days after the grant of
request but 13 days prior to the closing date of the hearing-a time period amply
affording opportunity for admonitory convergence thereon.
During the week before this hearing, there was served upon Respondent a subpoena
duces tecum requiring the production of employment records with particular reference
to so-called leaves of absence granted to any or all of Respondent's employees over
a substantial period of time. For reasons appealing to me as being adequate, Re-
spondent did not comply with this subpena. However, as a result of discussion
among counsel and the Trial Examiner it was arranged and agreed on March 8, 1961,
that on or before March 18, 1961 , Respondent would supply the General Counsel,
for incorporation into this record, with the employment records of 11 named em-
ployees, and that the hearing should be closed on March 28, 1961, unless on or before
that date, either party should request a continued hearing for the sole purpose of
presenting oral evidence pertaining to said particular records. Counsel for Respond-
ent orally argued the case at the close of the reception of evidence on March 8, 1961.
Counsel for the General Counsel, hereinafter called the General Counsel, waived
argument . The Trial Examiner announced that upon final closing of the hearing he
would fix the time within which the parties might file briefs . The employment
records in question not having been submitted for incorporation into this record
and no request for a continuance having been made by March 28, 1961, the hearing
was then closed and the last date for submitting briefs set for April 10, 1961. A
brief has been received from the General Counsel.
Upon substantial , reliable evidence "considered along with the consistency and
inherent probability of testimony" (Universal Camera Corporation v. N.L.R.B:, 340
U.S. 474, 496), upon the record as a whole, from my observation of the witnesses and
their demeanor, and in careful consideration of the able argument of counsel for
Respondent and the skillful brief of the General Counsel , I make the following:
BECKER-DURHAM, INC. 1133
FINDINGS OF FACT I
1. RESPONDENT 'S BUSINESS
It is agreed, and I find, that Respondent is engaged in commerce within the mean-
ing of Section 2(6) and (7) of the Act.
II. THE LABOR ORGANIZATION INVOLVED
It is agreed and I find, that International Union of Electrical, Radio and Machine
Workers, AFL-CIO, herein called the Union, is a labor organization within the
meaning of Section 2(5) of the Act.
III. THE ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
A. Martha Hillicoss
Hillicoss first entered Respondent's employ on or about September 25, 1956, and
worked with interruptions for a total of some 39 months until May 27, 1960. Her job
was mainly that of a coil worker. Around April 22, 1960, she signed a petition op-
posing the unionization of the employees in the plant. The following month because
of the recurrence of difficulty in procuring help to care for her children during the
summer school vacation which had resulted in her being "off" the previous year
from April 20, 1959, to September 18, 1959, she planned to give 2 weeks' notice that
she had to leave again . Edward McQuillen, Respondent's plant manager, had re-
employed her in September 1959 in reliance upon her assurance that she would not
leave again the following summer. ' Before she actually gave such notice, however,
McQuillen told her he had heard she would be leaving and asked her when she ex-
pected to quit .2 Hillicoss replied that she would have to, the middle of June when
school closed. McQuillen then asked her if she would mind leaving during the last
week of May in order that he might arrange for her replacement before the boarding
house season opened Up .3 Hillicoss agreed that she would do so. McQuillen asked
her to see him in September about her possible readiness for employment then and
told her be would-take her back if he had a job for, her, provided her summer absences
were not to recur.4
Thereupon on May 16, 1960, 11 days before Hillicoss left, Linda Pohler was
permanently hired to take the former's place, working on the' job of coil winding.
When Pohler started breaking in on the job, Hillicoss asked lead coil winding girl,
Elizabeth Crotty, if she was the person who was going to, fill her job. Crotty replied
in the affirmative. - - • " -
- On July 26, 1960, Hillicoss, as a witness }under subpena by the General Counsel,
gave evidence in Case No. 3-CA-1428, to-which previous allusion had been made.
Among other things, she testified there that she had decided to quit in May-1960, that
McQuillen found out she was going to quit and asked her to leave earlier than she
had planned to.5
I Insofar as there may appear to, be any testimony at variance with these findings, it Is
regarded as being of insufficient weight to be controlling or-unworthy of credence.
2 John Jay, a fellow employee who was present during the conversation, testified
credibly that McQuillen said "I heard,you're quitting',' and, Hillicoss said "Yes."- Mar-
garet Pierson, a fellow employee testified credibly that Hillicoss told her personally so,
and out of her own knowledge she, knew, that Hillicoss,quit and that she would not be
back that fall
8It appears that .in.the Catskill ,rsummer ,resort area Respondent and other employers
experience a labor-market problem during the summer , a usually busy period , due, to a
heavy competitive drain ,away at the hands of the seasonal , proprietors of establishments,
locally, called "boarding houses," catering to tourists , and vacationers.
*Hillicoss testified that McQuillen asked her if she would be.,taking the.1961 summer
off and she replied she could not tell. ; ,
S Much of Hillicoss ' testimony in that case ,,,including her unwillingness to, be inveigled
into answering leading questions , propounded , by,the General Counsel and finally excluded
by the Trial Examiner , discloses , little to Incur Respondent' s resentment , Indeed .she
could scarcely be categorized as a hostile witness, testifying for example as,she did, that
McQuillen made neither (promises nor threats , nor , interfered in any . way,, and, in March
1960 told a group of 35 to 40 employees that he was through with opposing union activity
and that they could have a union if they wanted it, it was up to them
1134 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
On September 16, 1960, Hillicoss talked with McQuillen about returning to work
and, although experienced coil winders were then needed, was told there was no
place for her, for the reason that she could not give him assurance that she would not
yet again stop working the following summer.
B. Helen Forma
Forma first entered Respondent's employ on or about August 29, 1957, and worked
with interruptions for a total of some 22 months until October 31, 1960, when she
was laid off at inventory time with all except possibly one 6 of the production workers.
As was Hillicoss', her job was mainly that of coil winder although she had consider-
able experience as a coner in the general assembly department.? On July 26, 1960,
Forma, as a witness under subpena by the General Counsel gave evidence 8 in Case
No. 3-CA-1428, to which previous allusion has been made.
On the morning of August 9, 1960, Forma, with a nonemployee distributed near
the entrance in the back of the plant 30 or 40 leaflets issued by " IUE-AFL-CIO,
Becker-Durham Organizing Committee" "betting on Uncle Sam" with respect to
some of the charges aired before the Trial Examiner 2 weeks earlier in Case No.
3-CA-1428 and referring to McQuillen in unflattering terms. Other persons dis-
tributed the leaflets in front of the plant. A foreman named "Dick" declined her
proffer of the leaflet. Forma does not know if McQuillen saw her. She also dis-
tributed about the same number of leaflets around September 28, 1960.
The plant was completely closed down the last of October 1960. As was the
case in 1957 and 1958, but not in 1959, Forma was not called back early in Novem-
ber 1960 when, as was the invariable fiscal yearend practice due to reduction from
4 to 2 "lines," only approximately one-half of the some 100 who had been working
previously to October 31 were employed. On December 19, 1960, one of the two
remaining lines was discontinued with a consequent layoff for 2 days down to about
25 percent of the normal. The plant was again completely closed from December
21, 1960, until January 3, 1961, when one line was started up. A second line went
into operation shortly before this hearing.9 On November 4, 1960, while in the
plant picking up her paycheck, Forma asked McQuillen when she could return to
work and was told that as soon as business picked up and warranted such action she
would be called back. Forma referred to Juanita and Yvonne Terrell and Schuessler
(previously mentioned in the footnote) who had been recalled and whom she claimed
were less senior than herself. In her department, Forma was the less senior but
one.10 The Terrell women were not in her department. Schuessler, referred to above
in footnote 6 worked only until November 4, 1960, when she was joined in the general
layoff. McQuillen explained these matters to Forma. She asserted she thought she
would be able to do Yvonne Terrell's job of soldering and Juanita Terrell's job on
the eyelet machine if given a reasonable time to, learn the operations. To acquire
O Adele Schuessler was asked to do 2 or 3 days' special work after October 3, in finish-
ing transformers.
7 Basically Respondent 's production process is divided into an assembly department, a
testing area, and a coil winding department . Employees moving from one to another
such division do not "bump" those there having less seniority.
8 None of Forma's testimony there clearly bears upon the 8(a) (3) allegation in the
instant case As to the 8(a) (4) allegation, considerable evidence she gave there, testify-
ing for example as she did, that McQuillen on March 30, 1960 , told a group of em-
ployees that if they wanted a union to go ahead and have one, that the company had
been planning a pay raise which it would give in spite of what might happen that he
had no "jurisdiction " over his employees , if they decided to do a thing, they could do it,
they could do what they wanted, and that McQuillen did not make any threats or promises
to her or anybody before a poll which she helped to count was taken , gives rise to little
indication of management animus on Forma's part or occasion for belief of arousal of
resentment on Respondent 's part.
9 The record is not clear on the probably immaterial point ' as to when the four lines
existing before October 31, 1960, may all be expected again to be in operation.
10 Linda Pohler , who it will be recalled became Hillicoss' replacement , to whose tempo-
rary reinstatement Forma raised no objection on November 4. Pohler's situation which
the General Counsel apparently points as an example of disparate treatment tending to
support the contention of unlawful discrimination' against Forma will be adverted to
infra, in appropriate chronology.
BECKER-DURHAM, INC. 1135
production speed or quota as a solderer requires approximately 3 months; as an eyelet
machine operator, a few months. McQuillen told Forma he could not go into
restraining employees at that time. The conversation ended by Forma saying she
was going to see the Labor Board.
Facts regarding Pohler and Betty Messina, whose names did not enter the Novem-
ber 4 conversation, but whose employment was stressed by the General Counsel 11
deserve brief mention. Pohler, a young mother, was treated as a "hardship case."
In late October 1960 her husband faced the likelihood of incarceration. She was
returned to work on about November 4, 1960, was laid off on December 19 or 21,
1960, after Mr. Pohler had received a suspended sentence, and not since then rein-
stated. Messina possessed exactly the same seniority in the coil winding department
as Forma. Messina was selected for work for the period from November 4 to
December 19, 1960 (when she too was laid off) because of her superior productive-
ness. Comparative production records of the 2 for 12 weeks before November 1960
show that Messina produced 2,386 rods and 47,720 pieces as against Forma's 1,975
rods and 39,500 pieces.
Conclusions
Familiarity with the above facts convinces me that no more probatively appears,
than that Martha Hillicoss was not rehired after her resignation in May 1960 because
of her inability or unwillingness to give Respondent assurance that she would not for
a third time leave during the summer, when the need for her services was likely to be
the greatest. I am unable to believe that she, a known opponent of the Union, was
discriminated against for having testified in the earlier case when employees such as
Catherine Cummings, for example, who may have or may not have favored the
Union and who also testified in that case, continue in Respondent's employ.
Helen Forma's prounion attitude was known to Respondent, who was equally
aware of the antiumon inclinations of Joyce Fortunate and Helen Greer both of
whom had signed the antiunion petition. None of the three were called back at the
time of the November 1960 reopening of the plant. There is a dearth of evidence
in this case to justify the conclusion that the unwillingness of Respondent, so shortly
before the loser in a Federal unfair labor practice proceeding 12 to include Forma
among the 50 percent of the employees, soon to be reduced to about 25 percent,
who were given work for a maximum of about a month and a half in November and
December until the plant was completely shut down, was occasioned either by her
having testified the previous July, as did others, or having passed out leaflets on two
occasions the previous August and September. Indeed, upon the facts found in this
case, it appears to me that Forma's failure to return to her job as early as some others
after the November shutdown was due primarily to her lack of seniority and less
than superior productiveness, causes entirely unrelated to management conduct the
Act interferes with or protests.
But straining at a gnat, one bids us swallow a camel. Likely tongue in cheek, there
is declaimed the thesis that because of the evidence of remote events for which Re-
spondent was once taken to task, there is warrant for finding here that the resigned
and known antiunion Hillicoss and the less than fully efficient Forma were victims of
unlawful discrimination.i3
11 During the course of the hearing the work situation of 23 other female employees,
Alyce Burke, Kathrine German, Florence Hunt, Evelyn Ondrek, Leta Pagne, Ellen Potter,
Alice Kirlander, Otrod Boyle, Doris Faoro, Coroleann Lucas, Ethel Ackerman, Josephine
and Henrietta Wilk, Edna Goodfellow, Virginia Roe, Ellen J. Kudlack, Eileen Schultzen-
berger, Eileen Ballou, Estelle Cooper, Mary Scott, Anna Hi111coss (not the claimant in
this case), Martha Starr, and Alice de Franciso were the subject of inquiry. The evi-
dence adduced covering these 23, although resourcefully labored by the General Counsel,
was unpersuasive of indication that the treatment accorded by any of them, vis-a-vis that
received by either Hillicoss or Forma, should lead to a conclusion that the 2 latter were
objects of unlawful discrimination
U IR-294 was issued September 8, 1960.
' It appears probable from the tone of the General Counsel 's statement on April 7, 1960,
that ". . . the amount of backpay remedy to Forma may be small," and McQuillen's un-
denied testimony that on November 4, 1960, she was told that as soon as business picked
up she would be called back that Forma returned, or could have returned , to work among
others in substantially regular order.
1136 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Without reiterating the facts, it seems to me it should be evident to anyone ac-
quainted with them-as well as to those whose unhappy lot the ever exasperating
footnotes become required reading-that they do not make out a case . Nor can
one reasonably , I believe, recommend by means of a process of boosting, boot-
strapping , bolstering, and borrowing from 130 NLRB 1356 , that a second restrain-
ing or constraining order should issue . Sufficient unto that case is the evil thereof.
The way to industrial peace and prosperity is not found paved with litigious stum-
bling blocks on suspicion of malign intent whenever an already chastened employer,
once called to account for having slipped over the metes and bounds of fair practice,
thereafter exercises his legitimate managerial prerogatives.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW.
Respondent , an employer engaged in commerce within the meaning of the Act,
has not engaged in conduct in violation of Section 8(a)(3), (4), or (1) of the Act.
[Recommendations omitted from publication.]
Avis Rent-a-Car System , Inc.' and Auto Transportation, New
Trailer & Armored Car Drivers , Garagemen , Gas Station &
Parking Lot Operators Union , Local No. 964, International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs , Warehousemen and
Helpers of America , Petitioner. Case No. 8-RC-4263. August
01, 1961
DECISION AND DIRECTION OF ELECTION
Upon a petition duly filed, a hearing was held before a hearing
officer of the National Labor Relations Board. His rulings made at
the hearing are free from prejudicial error and are affirmed.
Pursuant to Section 3 (b) of the National Labor Relations Act, the
Board has delegated its powers herein to a three-member panel [Mem-
bers Leedom, Fanning, and Brown].
Upon the entire record, the Board finds:
1. The Employer is engaged in commerce within the meaning of the
Act.
2. The labor organization named below claims to represent certain
employees of the Employer.
3. A question affecting commerce exists concerning the representa-
tion of certain employees of the Employer within Section 9(c) (1) and
Section 2 (6) and (7) of the Act.
4. The following employees of the Employer constitute a unit ap-
propriate for the purposes of collective bargaining within Section
9(b) of the Act:
All garage employees, including garagemen, mechanics, mechanics
helpers, lotmen, lubrication men, tiremen, and gasmen, at the Em-
ployer's Cleveland, Ohio, truck rental agency, excluding all rental
i The name of the Employer appears as amended at the hearing.
132 NLRB No. 114.