Carpenters Local 43 (McDowell Building & Foundation)

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Dec 31, 2009

354 N.L.R.B. 1013 (N.L.R.B. 2009)

354 NLRB No. 122
1
NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the bound
volumes of NLRB decisions. Readers are requested to notify the Executive Secretary,
National Labor Relations Board, Washington, D.C. 20570, of any typographical or
other formal errors so that corrections can be
United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 43 and New
England Regional Council of Carpenters
(McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc.) and
Kevin Lebovitz. Case 34–CB–3047
December 31, 2009
DECISION AND ORDER
BY CHAIRMAN LIEBMAN AND MEMBER SCHAUMBER
On July 7, 2009, Administrative Law Judge Wallace
H. Nations issued the attached decision. The Respon-
dents, the New England Regional Council of Carpenters
and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 43,
jointly filed exceptions, a supporting brief, and a reply
brief. The General Counsel filed an answering brief.
The National Labor Relations Board1 has considered
the decision and the record in light of the exceptions and
briefs, and has decided to affirm the judge’s rulings,
findings,2 and conclusions only to the extent consistent
with this Decision and Order.3

1 Effective midnight December 28, 2007, Members Liebman,
Schaumber, Kirsanow, and Walsh delegated to Members Liebman,
Schaumber, and Kirsanow, as a three-member group, all of the Board’s
powers in anticipation of the expiration of the terms of Members Kir-
sanow and Walsh on December 31, 2007. Pursuant to this delegation,
Chairman Liebman and Member Schaumber constitute a quorum of the
three-member group. As a quorum, they have the authority to issue
decisions and orders in unfair labor practice and representation cases.
See Sec. 3(b) of the Act. See Narricot Industries, L.P. v.
NLRB,___F.3d___, 2009 WL 4016113 (4th Cir. Nov. 20, 2009); Snell
Island SNF LLC v. NLRB, 568 F.3d 410 (2d Cir. 2009), petition for
cert. filed 78 U.S.L.W. 3130 (U.S. Sept. 11, 2009) (No. 09-328); New
Process Steel v. NLRB, 564 F.3d 840 (7th Cir. 2009), cert. granted
___S.Ct.___, 2009 WL 1468482 (U.S. Nov. 2, 2009); Northeastern
Land Services v. NLRB, 560 F.3d 36 (1st Cir. 2009), petition for cert.
filed 78 U.S.L.W. 3098 (U.S. Aug. 18, 2009)(No. 09-213); Teamsters
Local 523 v. NLRB, ___F.3d ___, 2009 WL 4912300 (10th Cir. Dec.
22, 2009). But see Laurel Baye Healthcare of Lake Lanier, Inc. v.
NLRB, 564 F.3d 469 (D.C. Cir. 2009), petition for cert. filed 78
U.S.L.W. 3185 (U.S. Sept. 29, 2009) (No. 09-377).
2 The Respondents have excepted to some of the judge’s credibility
findings. The Board’s established policy is not to overrule an adminis-
trative law judge’s credibility resolutions unless the clear preponder-
ance of all the relevant evidence convinces us that they are incorrect.
Standard Dry Wall Products, 91 NLRB 544 (1950), enfd. 188 F.2d 362
(3d Cir. 1951). We have carefully examined the record and find no
basis for reversing the judge’s findings.
In the absence of exceptions, we adopt the judge’s finding that the
Respondents’ maintenance of the union-security clause in the relevant
collective-bargaining agreement violated Sec. 8(b)(1)(A) because the
clause requires compliance with the Respondents’ constitution and
bylaws as a condition of employment.
3 We modify the judge’s recommended Order to reflect the viola-
tions found and to conform to the Board’s standard remedial language.
We also substitute new notices to conform to the Order as modified.
The Respondents are parties to a collective-bargaining
agreement with the Employer, which includes a provi-
sion known as the “mobility clause.” The mobility
clause provides that an employer “shall have the right to
employ any carpenter who is a member in good standing
of any local affiliate of the New England Regional
Council of Carpenters” if the carpenter “has worked a
minimum of three (3) weeks for the employer in the pre-
vious five (5) months.” It is undisputed that Respondent-
Local 43 enforces the mobility clause against any indi-
vidual who is not a member of Local 43. As relevant
here, in December 2007, Respondent-Local 43 invoked
the mobility clause to request that the Employer termi-
nate employee Kevin Lebovitz, a member of Council
Local 24, Local 43’s sister local in Connecticut, and also
directly asked Lebovitz to leave the Employer’s jobsite.
The Employer did not terminate Lebovitz. However,
Lebovitz left his employment with the Employer after a
Respondent-Local 43 official told him to do so.
The judge found that the Respondents’ maintenance of
the mobility clause violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) of the
Act. We agree with the judge’s finding, although our
decision is based on a narrower ground. Simply put, on
its face, the mobility clause encourages membership in a
Council local by restricting an employer to hiring only
those carpenters who are members in good standing of a
Council local. Thus, the Respondents’ maintenance of
the provision restrains and coerces employees in the ex-
ercise of their Section 7 rights. Accordingly, we find that
by maintaining an agreement containing such a provi-
sion, the Respondents have violated Section 8(b)(1)(A)
of the Act. See Bricklayers Local 1 (Denton’s Tuck-
pointing), 308 NLRB 350, 356 (1992); and Carpenters
Local 2396 (Tri-State Ohbayashi), supra, 287 NLRB at
764. Moreover, insofar as Respondent-Local 43 invoked
the unlawful mobility clause to request that the Employer
terminate employee Kevin Lebovitz and to cause him to
leave his employment with the Employer, Respondent
violated Section 8(b)(2) and 8(b)(1)(A), respectively.4

We find without merit the Respondents’ argument that they cannot
revise the relevant collective-bargaining agreement to remedy the
unlawful union-security and mobility clause provisions, as ordered by
the judge, and can only be ordered to remove the provisions during
negotiations for a successor agreement. As set forth in the Order and
consistent with Board remedies, the Respondents are required to cease
and desist, in a timely manner, from maintaining these unlawful provi-
sions and to notify affected employers that the provisions will be given
no further force or effect. See Carpenters Local 2396 (Tri-State Ohba-
yashi), 287 NLRB 760, 764 (1987), enfd. 878 F.2d 1439 (9th Cir.
1989).
4 Chairman Liebman finds it unnecessary to pass on the judge’s ad-
ditional findings that Respondent-Local 43 violated Sec. 8(b)(2) and
8(b)(1)(A), respectively, by invoking the unlawful mobility clause to
request that the Employer discharge Lebovitz and cause Lebovitz to
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD2
ORDER
The National Labor Relations Board orders that the
A. The Respondent, New England Regional Council of
Carpenters, Boston, Massachusetts, its officers, agents,
and representatives, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Maintaining in its collective-bargaining agreements
a union-security clause requiring employees to comply
with the Respondent’s constitution and bylaws as a con-
dition of employment.
(b) Maintaining in its collective-bargaining agreements
a “mobility clause” restricting employers to hiring car-
penters who are members in good standing of any local
affiliate of the New England Regional Council of Car-
penters.
(c) In any like or related manner restraining or coerc-
ing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed
them by Section 7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action deemed nec-
essary to effectuate the policies of the Act.
(a) Notify all employers bound by the Respondent’s
2006-2010 collective-bargaining agreement with Con-
necticut Construction Industries Association, Inc. and the
AGC/CCIA Building Contractors, Labor Division of
Connecticut, Inc. (the 2006-2010 Connecticut Contract),
by mailing each employer a signed copy of the attached
notice marked “Appendix A” that:
(i) Article V, Section 1 in the 2006–2010 Connecticut
Contract, requiring members to comply with the Re-
spondent’s constitution and bylaws as a condition of
employment, will be given no further force or effect;
and
(ii) Article VI, Section 3 in the 2006-2010 Connecticut
Contract, the “mobility clause,” restricting employers
to hiring carpenters who are members in good standing
of any local affiliate of the New England Regional
Council of Carpenters, will be given no further force or
effect.
(b) Within 14 days after service by the Region, post at
its union offices located in Boston, Massachusetts, copies
of the attached notice marked “Appendix A.”5 Copies of

leave his job because of his prior protected activities, as such additional
findings would be cumulative and would not materially affect the rem-
edy. Member Schaumber would adopt the judge’s findings in this
regard, but agrees with Chairman Liebman that doing so is unnecessary
here.
5 If this Order is enforced by a judgment of a United States court of
appeals, the words in the notice reading “Posted by Order of the Na-
tional Labor Relations Board” shall read “Posted Pursuant to a Judg-
ment of the United States Court of Appeals Enforcing an Order of the
National Labor Relations Board.”
the notice, on forms provided by the Regional Director
for Region 34, after being signed by the Respondent’s
authorized representative, shall be posted by the Respon-
dent immediately upon receipt and maintained for 60
consecutive days in conspicuous places including all
places where notices to members are customarily posted.
Reasonable steps shall be taken by the Respondent to
ensure that the notices are not altered, defaced, or cov-
ered by any other material.
(c) Sign and return to the Regional Director for Region
34 sufficient copies of “Appendix A” for posting at the
premises and projects of McDowell Building & Founda-
tion, Inc., if it is willing.
(d) Within 21 days after service by the Region, file
with the Regional Director a sworn certification of a re-
sponsible official, on a form provided by the Region,
attesting to the steps that the Respondent has taken to
comply.
B. The Respondent, United Brotherhood of Carpenters,
Local 43, Hartford, Connecticut, its officers, agents, and
representatives, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Maintaining in its collective-bargaining agreements
a union-security clause requiring employees to comply
with the Respondent’s constitution and bylaws as a con-
dition of employment.
(b) Maintaining in its collective-bargaining agreements
a “mobility clause” restricting employers to hiring car-
penters who are members in good standing of any local
affiliate of the New England Regional Council of Car-
penters.
(c) Invoking the unlawful mobility clause to cause or
attempt to cause McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc.,
or any other employer, to discharge employees, including
Kevin Lebovitz.
(d) Invoking the unlawful mobility clause to cause
employees, including Kevin Lebovitz, to leave their em-
ployment with McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc.,
or any other employer.
(e) In any like or related manner restraining or coerc-
ing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed
them by Section 7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action deemed nec-
essary to effectuate the policies of the Act.
(a) Notify all employers bound by the Respondent’s
2006-2010 collective-bargaining agreement with Con-
necticut Construction Industries Association, Inc. and the
AGC/CCIA Building Contractors, Labor Division of
Connecticut, Inc. (the 2006–2010 Connecticut Contract),
by mailing each employer a signed copy of the attached
notice marked “Appendix B” that:
CARPENTERS LOCAL 43 (MCDOWELL BUILDING & FOUNDATION) 3
(i) Article V, Section 1 in the 2006-2010 Connecticut
Contract, requiring members to comply with the Re-
spondent’s constitution and bylaws as a condition of
employment, will be given no further force or effect;
and
(ii) Article VI, Section 3 in the 2006-2010 Connecticut
Contract, the “mobility clause,” restricting employers
to hiring carpenters who are members in good standing
of any local affiliate of the New England Regional
Council of Carpenters, will be given no further force or
effect.
(b) Make Kevin Lebovitz whole for any loss of earn-
ings or other benefits that he may have suffered as a re-
sult of the Respondent’s action with regard to his em-
ployment with McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc.,
with interest, in the manner set forth in the remedy sec-
tion of the judge’s decision.
(c) Immediately notify McDowell Building & Founda-
tion, Inc., in writing, that there is no objection to the em-
ployment of Kevin Lebovitz.
(d) Within 14 days after service by the Region, post at
its union offices and hiring hall located in Hartford, Con-
necticut or any other such hiring halls or union offices
located in other Connecticut locations, copies of the at-
tached notice marked “Appendix B.”6 Copies of the no-
tice, on forms provided by the Regional Director for Re-
gion 34, after being signed by the Respondent’s author-
ized representative, shall be posted by the Respondent
immediately upon receipt and maintained for 60 con-
secutive days in conspicuous places including all places
where notices to members are customarily posted. Rea-
sonable steps shall be taken by the Respondent to ensure
that the notices are not altered, defaced, or covered by
any other material.
(e) Sign and return to the Regional Director for Region
34 sufficient copies of “Appendix B” for posting at the
premises and projects of McDowell Building & Founda-
tion, Inc., if it is willing.
(f) Within 21 days after service by the Region, file
with the Regional Director a sworn certification of a re-
sponsible official, on a form provided by the Region,
attesting to the steps that the Respondent has taken to
comply.
Dated, Washington, D.C. December 31, 2009

6 If this Order is enforced by a judgment of a United States court of
appeals, the words in the notice reading “Posted by Order of the Na-
tional Labor Relations Board” shall read “Posted Pursuant to a Judg-
ment of the United States Court of Appeals Enforcing an Order of the
National Labor Relations Board.”
Wilma B. Liebman, Chairman
Peter C. Schaumber, Member
(SEAL) NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
APPENDIX A
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
POSTED BY ORDER OF THE
National Labor Relations Board
An Agency of the United States Government
The National Labor Relations Board has found that we vio-
lated Federal labor law and has ordered us to post and obey
this Notice.
FEDERAL LAW GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO
Form, join, or assist a union
Choose representatives to bargain on your behalf
with your employer
Act together with other employees for your bene-
fit and protection
Choose not to engage in any of these protected
activities.
WE WILL NOT maintain in our collective-bargaining
agreements a union-security clause requiring employees
to comply with our constitution and bylaws as a condi-
tion of employment.
WE WILL NOT maintain in our collective-bargaining
agreements a “mobility clause” restricting an employer to
hiring carpenters who are members in good standing of a
local affiliate of the New England Regional Council of
Carpenters.
WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner restrain or
coerce employees in the exercise of the rights listed
above.
WE WILL notify employers bound by our 2006–2010
collective-bargaining agreement with Connecticut Con-
struction Industries Association, Inc. and the AGC/CCIA
Building Contractors, Labor Division of Connecticut,
Inc. (the 2006–2010 Connecticut Contract) that article V,
section 1 of that contract, requiring members to comply
with our constitution and bylaws as a condition of em-
ployment, will be given no further force or effect.
WE WILL notify employers bound by the 2006-2010
Connecticut Contract that article VI, section 3 of that
contract, the “mobility clause,” restricting an employer to
hiring carpenters who are members in good standing of a
local affiliate of the New England Regional Council of
Carpenters, will be given no further force or effect.
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD4
NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL COUNCIL OF
CARPENTERS
APPENDIX B
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
POSTED BY ORDER OF THE
National Labor Relations Board
An Agency of the United States Government
The National Labor Relations Board has found that we vio-
lated Federal labor law and has ordered us to post and obey
this Notice.
FEDERAL LAW GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO
Form, join, or assist a union
Choose representatives to bargain on your behalf
with your employer
Act together with other employees for your bene-
fit and protection
Choose not to engage in any of these protected
activities.
WE WILL NOT maintain in our collective-bargaining
agreements a union-security clause requiring employees
to comply with our constitution and bylaws as a condi-
tion of employment.
WE WILL NOT maintain in our collective-bargaining
agreements a “mobility clause” restricting an employer to
hiring carpenters who are members in good standing of a
local affiliate of the New England Regional Council of
Carpenters.
WE WILL NOT invoke the unlawful mobility clause to
cause or attempt to cause McDowell Building & Founda-
tion, Inc., or any other employer, to discharge its em-
ployees.
WE WILL NOT invoke the unlawful mobility clause to
cause employees, including Kevin Lebovitz, to leave
their employment with McDowell Building & Founda-
tion, Inc., or any other employer.
WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner restrain or
coerce employees in the exercise of the rights listed
above.
WE WILL notify employers bound by our 2006–2010
collective-bargaining agreement with Connecticut Con-
struction Industries Association, Inc. and the AGC/CCIA
Building Contractors, Labor Division of Connecticut,
Inc. (the 2006–2010 Connecticut Contract) that article V,
section 1 of that contract, requiring members to comply
with our constitution and bylaws as a condition of em-
ployment, will be given no further force or effect.
WE WILL notify employers bound by the 2006-2010
Connecticut Contract that article VI, section 3 of that
contract, the “mobility clause,” restricting an employer to
hiring carpenters who are members in good standing of a
local affiliate of the New England Regional Council of
Carpenters, will be given no further force or effect.
WE WILL make Kevin Lebovitz whole for any loss of
earnings or other benefits that he may have suffered as a
result of our actions with regard to his employment with
McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc., with interest.
WE WILL immediately notify McDowell Building &
Foundation, Inc., in writing, that there is no objection to
the employment of Kevin Lebovitz.
UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND
JOINERS OF AMERICA, LOCAL 43
Thomas E. Quiqley, Esq., for the General Counsel.
Christopher N. Souris, Esq., of Boston, Massachusetts, for the
Respondent Union.
DECISION
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
WALLACE H. NATIONS, Administrative Law Judge. This case
was tried in Hartford, Connecticut, on March 4 and 5, 2009.
The charge was filed by Kevin Lebovitz, member of United
Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Local 24, on December
26, 2007, and an amended charge was filed by him on February
20, 2008. A second amended charge was filed by Lebovitz on
September 29, 2008. Region 34 issued complaint and notice of
hearing in this matter on December 23, 2008. The complaint
alleges that the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, Local 43
and New England Regional Council of Carpenters (Respon-
dent, the Union, or Local 43) engaged in conduct in violation of
Section 8(b)(1) and (a) and (2) of the National Labor Relations
Act (the Act) and attempted to cause the involved Employer,
McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc. to discriminate against
its employees in violation of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act. The
Union filed a timely answer to the complaint wherein, inter
alia, it admits the jurisdictional allegations of the complaint.
On the entire record, including my observation of the de-
meanor of the witnesses, and after considering the briefs filed
by the Respondent Unions and the General Counsel, I make the
following
FINDINGS OF FACT
I. JURISDICTION
The Employer, McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc., a
corporation, with an office and place of business in West Hart-
ford, Connecticut, engages in the building and construction
industry as a building and foundation contractor. It is admitted
and I find the Employer is an employer engaged in commerce
within the meaning of Section 2(2), (6), and (7) of the Act and
that the Respondent Union Local 43 and the New England Re-
gional Council of Carpenters are labor organizations within the
meaning of Section 2(5) of the Act.
CARPENTERS LOCAL 43 (MCDOWELL BUILDING & FOUNDATION) 5
II. ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
A. The Complaint in this Proceeding Alleges
the Following
1. At all material times, the following individuals held the
positions with Respondent Local 43 which are set forth oppo-
site their respective names, and have been agents of Respon-
dent Local 43 within the meaning of Section 2(13) of the Act:1
Martin Alvarenga Business Representative
John Haggerty Job Steward
2. The Connecticut Construction Industries Association, Inc.
(CCIA) and the AGC/CCIA Building Contractors Labor Divi-
sion of Connecticut, Inc. (AGC) have been organizations com-
posed of employers engaged in the construction industry and
exist for the purpose, inter alia, of representing its employer
members in the negotiating and administering collective-
bargaining agreements.
3. On or about August 30, 2006, United Brotherhood of Car-
penters and Joiners of America, New England Regional Coun-
cil of Carpenters, Locals 24, 43, 210 and 11212 (collectively
referred to as the Union) entered into a collective-bargaining
agreement with the CCIA and the AGC (the Association) cov-
ering all carpenter employees of members of the Association
performing carpentry work in the State of Connecticut (the
unit). Such agreement (the Agreement) is effective by its terms
from May 1, 2006, to April 30, 2010.
4. (a) On or before August 30, 2006, the Employer granted
recognition to the Union as the exclusive collective-bargaining
representative of the unit, and since that date the Union has
been recognized as such representative without regard to
whether the majority of the Union had ever been established
under the provisions of Section 9(a) of the Act.
(b) For the period from May 1, 2006, to April 30, 2010,
based on Section 9(a) of the Act, the Union has been the limited
exclusive collective-bargaining representative of the unit.
5. (a) Since on or about March 29, 2006, Respondent Re-
gional Council and Respondent Local 43 have maintained in
article V, Union Security, section 1 of the Agreement, the fol-
lowing security provision, as a condition of employment:
The Employer agrees that all employees covered by
this agreement shall, as a condition of employment, be-
come and remain members of the Union in good standing.
No worker shall be refused admittance and the right to
maintain membership in the Union provided he/she quali-
fies and complies with the Constitution and Bylaws of the
Union.
(b) Since on or about December 20, 2007, Respondent Re-
gional Council and Respondent Local 43 have maintained in
article VI, section 3 of the Agreement, the following provi-
sions, herein called the mobility clause:
Section 3.

1 Respondent Local 43 admits the allegations in pars. 1, 2, 3, and 4
of this section of the decision.
2 Though not mentioned in testimony, Local 1121 is a signatory to
the involved collective-bargaining agreements.
Notwithstanding any language to the contrary in any
area collective bargaining agreement for work in Con-
necticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island and for work in
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, the Employer shall
have the right to employ any carpenter who is a member in
good standing of any local affiliate of the New England
Regional Council of Carpenters pursuant to the following
conditions:
a. The carpenter employee has worked a minimum of
three (3) weeks for the employer in the previous five (5)
months.
b. If the Employer fails to notify a local prior to com-
mencing work on a project in that local’s geographical ju-
risdiction, the Employer shall lose the mobility of man-
power privileges for that project, and the Employer shall
be restricted in its employment of carpenters to those car-
penters who normally work in the geographical area of the
local union where the project is located.
c. By engaging in the conduct described above in paragraphs
5(a) and (b), Respondent Regional Council and Respondent
Local 43 caused the employer to encourage its employees to
join the Union.
6. (a) In 2003, Kevin Lebovitz, refused to make payments
into the “PAC” fund maintained by Respondent Local 43.3
(b) In 2003, Lebovitz filed an unfair labor practice charge in
Case 34–CB–2627 against Respondent Local 43.
7. (a) On or about December 20, 2007, Respondent Local 43,
by Haggerty, at the Employer’s Rocky Hill Connecticut jobsite,
told Lebovitz not to come back to the jobsite that day, and
threatened to have Lebovitz removed from the Rocky Hill job-
site because he was not a member of Respondent Local 43.
(b) On or about December 24, 2007, Respondent Local 43,
by Alvarenga at the Employer’s Rocky Hill jobsite, told Lebo-
vitz not to come back to the job after that day, and threatened to
have Lebovitz removed from the Rocky Hill jobsite because he
was not a member of Respondent Local 43.
8. (a) On or about December 20, 2007, Respondent Local 43,
by Haggerty at the Employer’s Rocky Hill jobsite, demanded
that the Employer terminate Lebovitz from the Rocky Hill job-
site.
(b) On or about December 21 and 22, 2007, Respondent Lo-
cal 43, by Alvarenga at the Employer’s Rocky Hill jobsite,
demanded that the Employer terminate Lebovitz from the
Rocky Hill jobsite.
9. By the conduct described above in paragraph 8, Respon-
dent Local 43 attempted to cause the Employer to terminate
Lebovitz.
10. By the conduct described above in paragraphs 7 and 8,
Respondent Local 43 caused the termination of Lebovitz from
his position with the Employer at the Rocky Hill jobsite.
11. Respondent Local 43 engaged in the conduct described
above in paragraphs 7 through 10 because Lebovitz engaged in
the activity described above in paragraph 6, and for reasons
other than Lebovitz’ failure to tender uniformly required initia-
tion fees and periodic dues.

3 PAC refers to the Respondent’s political action committee.
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD6
12. Respondent Local 43 engaged in the conduct described
in paragraphs 7, 8, 9, and 10 because Lebovitz was not a mem-
ber of Respondent Local 43, and in order to enforce the mobil-
ity clause.
13. By the conduct described above, Respondent Local 43
has engaged in conduct in violation of Section 8(b)(1)(A) of the
Act and by Local 43’s attempting to cause an employer or caus-
ing an employer to discriminate against its employees in viola-
tion of Section 8(a)(3) of the Act, Respondent Local 43 has
violated Section 8(b)(2) of the Act.
B. Relevant Facts
1. Facts related to the mobility clause
Glenn Marshall is district manager for the New England Re-
gional Council of Carpenters and president and business man-
ager of Local 210. There three Carpenters Locals in Connecti-
cut, Local 43, 24, and 210. He testified that since 1999, all three
Connecticut Locals have the same collective-bargaining agree-
ment and that agreement also covers the other New England
states. In order to gain approval of the six State agreements, the
Union made what it terms concessions on the mobility of work-
ers. As contractors in New England became more regionalized
and less local, they wanted the ability to move their employees
from State to State and from local geographical jurisdiction to
other local geographic jurisdiction. Before 1999, that was diffi-
cult as each local had its own hiring rules. Under the agreement
reached, mobility of the contractors’ work force is now gov-
erned by what is referred to in this decision as the mobility
clause. It reads:
ARTICLE VI
HIRING
SECTION 1. When the Employer needs additional or
new employees, he shall give the Union equal opportunity
with all other sources to provide suitable applicants, but
the Employer shall not be required to hire those referred
by the Union.
SECTION 2. No Employer shall subject applicants for
employment or employees to any testing, examination,
questionnaires, or other forms requiring disclosure of in-
formation that violates Federal or State law or regulation.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding any language to the
contrary in any area collective bargaining agreement, ef-
fective, April 1, 1999 for work in Connecticut, Massachu-
setts, and Rhode Island and October 1, 1999 for work in
Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, the Employer shall
have the right to employee any carpenter who is a member
in good standing of any local affiliate of the New England
Regional Council of Carpenters pursuant to the following
conditions:
a. The carpenter employee has worked a minimum of
three (3) weeks for the Employer in the previous five (5)
months.
b. If the Employer fails to notify a local union prior to
commencing work on a project in that local’s geographical
jurisdiction, the Employer shall lose the mobility of man-
power privileges for that project, and the Employer will be
restricted in its employment of carpenters to those carpen-
ters who normally work in the geographical area of the lo-
cal union where the project is located.
c. No employee shall be required to work in a geo-
graphical jurisdiction outside of his/her home state.
d. Employers shall not retaliate or discriminate against
employees who refuse to work outside their home state.
e. If there is no available work, other than work out-
side the geographical jurisdiction of this Agreement, the
Employer shall lay off that employee so that she/he is eli-
gible to apply for unemployment benefits.
Marshall testified that the clause is enforced differently de-
pending on which local is doing the enforcement. He testified
that Local 43 enforces it the most, with Local 24 enforcing it to
a lesser degree and Local 210 enforcing it the least. Until the
recession, there was more work in Local 210 than were workers
to do the work. In 2007, the Hartford area also had a lot of big
projects underway. Marshall was unaware of anyone kicked off
a job in Local 43’s jurisdiction for violating the mobility clause
other than Lebovitz. In the month preceding this hearing, Local
210 had 650 members employed in its jurisdiction and 350
members of Local 24 employed there.
George Meadows is an officer with the New England Re-
gional Council of Carpenters and president and business man-
ager of Local 43. With respect to the mobility clause, Meadows
testified that his local enforces it. He testified that the local
relies on its jobsite stewards to check the workers credentials
and make sure they are members in good standing of a Carpen-
ter’s local and meet the guidelines of the mobility clause. They
can prove they have worked 3 weeks out of the last 5 months
for the employer by showing pay stubs. If the worker is from
another local and does not meet the guidelines, he is reported
by the steward to the employer and ordinarily the worker leaves
the job at the end of the day and does not return until he meets
the guidelines. In some cases, the contractor has a job going in
another local and can put the worker on that job until he quali-
fies for mobility. If this cannot be done, the worker is out of a
job. If the worker does not voluntarily leave, the steward would
call in the local’s business representative, Martin Alvarenga. If
the worker has not left the job by this point, Meadows testified
that he would file charges against the contractor. He has never
had to take this step over the mobility issue. He can also file
charges against the worker who refused to leave the job. Re-
spondent submitted a document that shows checking for mobil-
ity is one of the steward’s duties. This document was prepared
at the same time of the December 2007 incident with Lebovitz
that is the focal point of this hearing. The document was pre-
pared and presented to the local’s membership at the same time
Lebovitz was being urged to abandon his job because of the
mobility clause. There were no similar documents in existence
when this one was prepared.
Meadows testified that are circumstance where mobility is
waived. One such instance would be if the worker not meeting
the guidelines possesses a skill needed by the employer and no
one on Local 43’s out of work list possesses that skill. The
discretion to change the clause as written is evidently within
Meadows authority. Meadows estimated that in December
CARPENTERS LOCAL 43 (MCDOWELL BUILDING & FOUNDATION) 7
2007, there were about 160 members on the local’s out of work
list, including workers skilled in concrete. Meadows testified
that he gets involved in mobility issues only two to four times a
year as these problems are usually solved by the stewards. He
cited an instance in the summer of 2007 where a contractor
hired a nonunion carpenter for a job who lived in the area of
Massachusetts Local 108, which is contiguous to Local 43. In
that instance, he waived the mobility guidelines as he had no
member to send to the job. The worker got in touch with Local
108, satisfied their requirements, and continued working. The
requirements of Local 108 would obviously require the person
to join the Union and become current on dues payments. Again,
this variance from the written words of the mobility clause was
within Meadow’s discretion.
Three workers on one job refused to show their pay stubs to
prove mobility. The Union was able to verify that they had
mobility, but brought charges against them for not cooperating
with the union steward. The workers were Andrew McLeod-
Hagberg, Craig Aubin, and Leacroft Mason. The charges
against these workers were filed in March 2008. The charges
were settled by the workers attending a member orientation
meeting. These instances are the only charges filed because of
mobility since 1999. Though Meadows testified that a number
of workers have been removed from jobsites in Local 43’s ju-
risdiction over the years, he could not name any particular per-
son other than Lebovitz who had been removed from a job for
lack of mobility. There is no written documentation of a worker
being removed from a jobsite for lack of mobility before the
Lebovitz incident in December 2007.
John Kendzierski is the owner of Professional Drywall Con-
struction, Inc., which does commercial carpentry and drywall
work throughout western New England. The company employ-
ees approximately 80 carpenters at present though it has em-
ployed up to 150 in better economic times. Though the com-
pany originally worked mostly in western Massachusetts, over
the last few years, it has seen its business in Connecticut grow
to about 50 percent of its volume. Most of this work is in the
jurisdiction of Local 43, with the remainder in the jurisdiction
of Local 24. In Connecticut, it usually has five or six jobs going
at all times, with the jobs typically lasting about a year each. It
has been Kendzierski’s experience that Local 43 enforces all
contract rules, including mobility, stringently. He testified that
on his first project in Local 43’s jurisdiction, he had at least one
employee that did not satisfy the mobility requirements and the
worker had to leave the job. He testified that of all the jurisdic-
tions in which his company works, Local 43 is the most rigid
enforcer of the mobility rules.
Robert Fitch is president of New Haven Partitions, a union
drywall contractor. His company typical has from 150 to 250
carpenter employees. It performs work primarily in the jurisdic-
tion of Local 24, but also works in the jurisdictions of Locals
43 and 210. He testified that local 43 had enforced the mobility
rules on two or three of his jobs in the jurisdiction of Local 43
and he had to layoff the affected employees and fill their jobs
with Local 43 members. He also testified that the mobility rule
is not enforced in the jurisdiction of Local 210 because of the
difficulty in finding enough works in that jurisdiction.
The parties stipulated that in 2007–2008, the levels of em-
ployment ranged from full employment in the summer of 2005
to about 70 employees on the out-of-work list at the end of
December 2007, a number that peaked at about 130 during the
winter of 2008.
2. Facts related to Respondent’s actions
involving Lebovitz
a. The Employer is asked to terminate
Lebovitz’ employment
Daniel Carvalho is vice president of operations for McDow-
ell Building & Foundation, Inc. He testified that the Employer
primarily constructs concrete foundations. He is the person
responsible for the hiring and dismissing of employees and
their overall direction. In a typical year, the Company employ-
ees from about 25 or fewer employees in the winter and up to
about 40 employees in the better weather months. At the time
of hearing, the Company had five jobs in some phase of con-
struction. The Company is a union contractor with collective-
bargaining agreements with several unions, including the Union
in this case. Carvalho characterized his Company’s relationship
with the Respondent Local 43 as a good one. He deals primar-
ily with Martin Alvarenga when he needs to contact the local.
Carvalho testified that Lebovitz was hired in December 2007
to work on a project in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, that was start-
ing in December 2007. Lebovitz was recommended to Car-
valho by another carpenter who had worked with Lebovitz. As
a concrete contractor McDowell had a need for a specialized
kind of carpenter and Lebovitz possessed those skills needed to
do McDowell’s work. The Rocky Hill job is referred to as the
Burris project and began in late 2007 and ran into the year 2008
until about October when it ended. The General Counsel intro-
duced an exhibit comprised of timesheets and reports that re-
flect the carpenters and supervisors who worked on the Burris
project for the period December 9 through 29, 2007. Lebovitz
started on this project at its inception on December 10. Al-
though Carvalho was aware that Lebovitz was a union carpen-
ter, he was unaware when he hired him exactly which local
Lebovitz belonged to. Most of the carpenters on this job were
members of Local 43, though the foreman is a member of Local
24.
At the outset of the project, there was not a union steward on
the job. Carvalho spoke with Alvarenga and John Haggerty was
put on the job as steward in the second week which was the
week of December 16. Haggerty had served in this role on an
earlier project Carvalho had worked on in the Union’s jurisdic-
tion. On December 20, Haggerty spoke with Carvalho about
Lebovitz. Haggerty told Carvalho that Lebovitz was not al-
lowed on the job due to the mobility clause rule in the collec-
tive-bargaining agreement. Carvalho essentially ignored this
information and went about his duties. Carvalho testified that
until this occasion he had never heard of the mobility provision.
On the next day, December 21, Carvalho spoke with Al-
varenga on the telephone. Alvarenga repeated Haggerty’s mes-
sage that Lebovitz could not work on the project because of the
mobility rule. Carvalho responded by saying that Lebovitz was
one of the best workers on the project and that he was not going
to ask him to leave. Alvarenga then mentioned something to the
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD8
effect that Carvalho would be brought up on charges. Carvalho
just brushed aside this threat. Carvalho then asked why all this
was happening and Alvarenga mentioned something about
Lebovitz on another project, the Science Center project in Hart-
ford, Connecticut. Carvalho repeated that he was not going to
remove Lebovitz from the Burris project. Alvarenga said he
could send him to another job not in Local 43’s jurisdiction and
bring him back 3 weeks later. However, Carvalho did not have
another job where Lebovitz would be needed. Additionally, the
only Connecticut locations he could use Lebovitz would have
been on jobs in the jurisdiction of Local 24. The mobility pro-
vision would on its face bar Lebovitz from working in other
jurisdictions in Connecticut. Carvalho had no projects under-
way in the jurisdiction of Local 24. The conversation ended
with Carvalho telling Alvarenga that he could tell Lebovitz to
leave, but that he was not going to do it.
Later that day, Carvalho approached Lebovitz and asked him
what was going on. Lebovitz started telling him about an inter-
nal union problem he had and Carvalho backed away as he did
not want to get involved in that. Lebovitz mentioned the mobil-
ity provision and the fact that he and the Union had issues from
the past. Lebovitz also told him that he would leave if Carvalho
wanted him to leave. Carvalho replied that he did not want
Lebovitz to leave.
On the following Monday, Carvalho was informed by his
carpenter foreman that Alvarenga had come on the job and had
Lebovitz leave the project. Carvalho believes the mobility
clause was the reason Lebovitz was taken off the job by the
Union. Carvalho did not fire Lebovitz. Other than this one
event, he has not experienced the Union removing a worker
from one of his projects before or after this occasion.
Salvatore Morello is McDowell’s carpenter foreman. He is a
member of Carpenters Local 24. In December 2007, he was
working on the Rocky Hill jobsite, having begun on that job on
December 3. Beginning on the week of December 9, laborers
and carpenters were added to the work force on the job. A week
later, a union steward, John Haggerty from Local 43, was hired
on the job. On the Thursday or Friday just before Christmas
Haggerty approached Morello and asked that Lebovitz be re-
moved from the job as he was violating the mobility clause in
the labor contract. Haggerty noted to Morello that there had
been issues with Lebovitz on another job. He did not elaborate
about these issues. Following this conversation, Morello called
a Local 24 organizer and inquired about the mobility clause,
telling the organizer that Local 43 was attempting to remove a
worker from the jobsite. Morello was informed that the clause
existed, but that not all the locals covered by it enforced the
clause.
On the following day, Local 43’s business agent, Martin Al-
varenga, came to the job and spoke with Morello. He asked
about Lebovitz’ employment record with McDowell. He also
asked Morello if McDowell had another project out of the ju-
risdiction of Local 43 where they could transfer Lebovitz for 3
weeks and then bring him back to the Rocky Hill site. Morello
noted that the only other job that McDowell had going was in
Danbury Connecticut. Morello related this conversation to Car-
valho.
On the following Monday, Alvarenga returned to the jobsite
and asked to speak with Lebovitz. Alvarenga and Lebovitz had
a conversation, then Lebovitz told Morello that that day would
be his last on the jobsite. This was the first time that Morello
had ever seen an employee removed from a job because of the
mobility clause. He had also never seen an employee leave a
job and return after 3 weeks.
b. Facts surrounding Lebovitz’ interaction with
Respondent Local 43
Lebovitz is a journeyman carpenter and a member of the Lo-
cal 24 since 1999. Local 24 has two union halls, one in New
London and one in Wallingford. Of the three Carpenters Locals
in Connecticut, Locals 24, 43, and 210, Local 24 is the largest
with some 2800 members. The jurisdiction of Local 210 is
roughly the southwest portion of Connecticut. Local 43’s juris-
diction is roughly the north central portion of Connecticut.
Local 210’s jurisdiction is roughly the southwest portion of
Connecticut. Lebovitz has worked in the jurisdiction of Local
43 off and on for about 6 years. Lebovitz primarily gets work
by networking with other carpenters who tell one another when
they hear of a job coming up. He has made limited use of Local
24’s hiring hall.
He testified that Martin Alvarenga is business agent for Lo-
cal 43 and that George Meadows is the local’s president. In
2002, Lebovitz was working on a large construction project in
Hartford in Local 43’s jurisdiction, called the Adrian’s Landing
or the Connecticut Science Center project. His employer was a
contractor called Manafort Brothers. He was transferred by
Manafort to this job from one he had been on for this employer
in East Hartford. On the Hartford job, John Haggerty was the
union steward. The two men had an incident of the job on Oc-
tober 23 and 24, 2002. Haggerty came on the site and tried to
get carpenters on that job to sign a card authorizing the Local to
withhold 5 cents an hour of their pay for the unions political
action fund rather than having the money go to their vacation
fund. Lebovitz had signed such a card in the past and lost his
vacation pay. Lebovitz did not want to give up that pay and
believed that by not signing the card, he would begin receiving
the vacation pay.4 The two men had a conversation about the
card and Lebovitz refused to sign the portion of the card author-
izing a deduction for the Union’s PAC. Haggerty called him a
troublemaker. He also threatened Lebovitz that he would be on
the first layoff list on the job.
Lebovitz then asked his Employer’s superintendent if the
Union could get him laid off and was assured by the Employer
that it could not. Lebovitz denied following Haggerty around
the jobsite encouraging other workers not to sign the PAC de-
duction card. He did admit to telling other employees who
asked him how to fill out the card and receive their vacation
pay.
John Haggerty testified that in October 2002 in his role as
steward, he was trying to get new employees on the jobsite to
which he was assigned to sign a membership card and/or the
portion of the card that allowed the Union to deduct 5 cents an

4 He subsequently learned that to revoke the earlier authorization, he
needed to give written notice to the Union.
CARPENTERS LOCAL 43 (MCDOWELL BUILDING & FOUNDATION) 9
hour for the Union’s PAC. When he approached Lebovitz in
this regard, Lebovitz complained that he had signed such a card
in the past and was having difficulty reversing that situation so
that he received the nickel an hour rather than the PAC fund.
Haggerty testified that Lebovitz followed him around the job-
site encouraging workers not to sign the PAC authorization.
Haggerty then called Meadows and informed him of the prob-
lem. Following the call, either the same day or the next, Mead-
ows and Alvarenga came to the job to deal with the situation.
Haggerty pointed out Lebovitz to the two officials and heard
Meadows tell him not to harass Haggerty. After this comment,
Haggerty left.
On this topic, Lebovitz testified that the next day, he was vis-
ited on the job by Haggerty, Alvarenga, and Meadows. Lebo-
vitz was notified by the three men that he was being brought up
on charges by the Union over the card incident. Lebovitz said
the Union could not retaliate because he did not sign the card.
He and Alvarenga then got into an argument with Alvarenga
telling him to shut up. They continued to exchange heated
words for a while longer. Alvarenga threatened that the Union
would throw Lebovitz out and he would never work as a car-
penter again and would be fined. Lebovitz replied saying he
would file charges against Alvarenga with the Union. Accord-
ing to Lebovitz, Alvarenga responded saying the Union was his
friend and the charges would be dismissed. At this point, the
conversation ended.
Meadows testified about the October 2002 incident with Le-
bovitz. He testified that Haggerty told him that Lebovitz was
harassing him on the jobsite. According to Meadows, Haggerty
told him Lebovitz was following him around the jobsite en-
couraging other workers not to sign the cards that Haggerty was
distributing. He went to the job the next day with Alvarenga.
According to Meadows, they found Lebovitz and Meadows told
him they were not there because Lebovitz did not sign the PAC
checkoff, but were there because Lebovitz was harassing
Haggerty and to tell him to let other workers make up their own
minds about signing that checkoff. According to Meadows,
Lebovitz declined and the two union officials left the site.
Meadows testified that Alvarenga did not participate in this
conversation. Meadows then filed internal union charges
against Lebovitz.
Alvarenga testified that he was just an observer at the meet-
ing with Lebovitz in October 2002. He did remember telling
Lebovitz to talk to other employees on his own time and not
bother the steward while he is doing his job. He remembers
Lebovitz agreeing to do what Meadows told him.
To the extent there is a credibility issue raised by this con-
versation, I credit the testimony of Lebovitz over the two union
officials. Lebovitz had a clear and fairly detailed memory of the
event whereas the versions given by the officials are contradic-
tory of one another. They also would indicate that the “prob-
lem” was solved during the conversations and that nothing
more had to be done. But that was not the case.
On October 28, Lebovitz received official notice that charges
had been brought against him by Local 43. He then filed inter-
nal counter charges with the Union and they were dismissed as
Alvarenga had predicted. These were the only charges ever
filed by a worker against Local 43’s leaders.
On February 6, 2008, Lebovitz filed charges about this mat-
ter with the NLRB. In May 2008, a settlement of these NLRB
charges was reached and all internal charges against Lebovitz
were withdrawn and Lebovitz withdrew the Labor Board
charges. A part of the settlement included the Union returning
the money it had deducted from Lebovitz’ pay for the PAC
contribution. Lebovitz continued to work for Manafort on the
Hartford project until 2004 when he shifted to other Manafort
projects and stayed on Manafort’s payroll until he was laid off
in late November 2007. Other than the incident in 2002, Lebo-
vitz encountered no problems with the Union in his subsequent
employment with Manafort.
Following his layoff from Manafort, a friend of his sug-
gested that Lebovitz call McDowell seeking work. He did and
was hired for the Rocky Hill job, which is in Local 43’s juris-
diction. Lebovitz’ first day on this job was December 10. The
following week, Haggerty came onto the job as union steward.
On December 20, Haggerty spoke with Lebovitz. Haggerty
asked what Lebovitz was doing on that job and responded that
he was working. Haggerty informed him that he was not in
Local 24’s jurisdiction and that he did not belong there.
Haggerty asked how long he had worked for McDowell and
Lebovitz said 1 week and 4 days. When Haggerty confirmed
that Lebovitz did not meet the requirements of the mobility
clause, he informed Lebovitz that the next day would be his last
on that job. He noted the mobility clause. Lebovitz then went
back to work. The next day, Lebovitz had a conversation with
Carvalho. Carvalho told Lebovitz that he had had a conversa-
tion with Alvarenga and that Alvarenga had tried to intimidate
him and wanted him to fire Lebovitz. Carvalho added that Le-
bovitz was a good worker and he would not fire him.
Late in that same day, Carvalho approached Lebovitz and
told him the union hall had called to see if Carvalho had termi-
nated Lebovitz. He told Lebovitz he had informed the Union
that he had not. He also noted that the Union, through Al-
varenga, had said it would remove Lebovitz from the job on
Monday. Lebovitz reported to the job on Monday, December
24. At about 10 a.m., Alvarenga came to the job and told Lebo-
vitz that he had to leave the job, citing the mobility clause as
the reason. Lebovitz agreed to leave the job. Lebovitz testified
that Alvarenga stated that he did not want to hurt Lebovitz’
livelihood, but that if he let Lebovitz stay on the job, he would
have to let everyone ignore the mobility clause. He again told
Lebovitz to leave the job and not come back. Lebovitz left fear-
ing that internal union charges would be brought against him if
he ignored Alvarenga’s directive. Alvarenga then told Morello
that Lebovitz could not return to the job. Lebovitz also testified
that Local 24 will not send him to a job in its jurisdiction
though he is at the top of the out-of-work list. He blames his
2002 problems with Local 43 for this situation. Lebovitz not
only filed charges over his being forced off the McDowell job
with the NLRB, he also complained of the mobility rule in a
letter he sent to the Union’s national headquarters in Washing-
ton, D.C.
Lebovitz testified that a carpenter named Kerry Harris was a
Local 24 member who worked for Manafort in Local 43’s ju-
risdiction without satisfying the mobility clause and was not
removed from the job he was working on. He gave another
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD10
example of nonenforcement of this clause. He pointed to a car-
penter named Doug Sturgis who was a member of Local 43
working in the jurisdiction of Local 24 and did not meet the
requirements of the clause. The steward on the job spoke to him
about it and Sturgis threatened to get an attorney and the matter
was dropped and he continued working on the job.
Alvarenga gave testimony about the December events. He
testified that he rarely gets involved in mobility issues as they
are usually solved by the stewards. He said problems with mo-
bility arose mostly at about the time the clause was first insti-
tuted. As people have become aware of the clause, fewer prob-
lems arise.
When Alvarenga learned of the problem with Lebovitz, he
called Carvalho and told him that Lebovitz had to leave the
jobsite, but could be put on a job in another local’s jurisdiction
and be brought back to the job in 3 weeks. As noted earlier,
Carvalho had no other jobs to which he could send Lebovitz
which would not also violated the mobility clause. According
to Alvarenga, Carvalho said that Lebovitz was a good worker
and he wanted to keep him. Alvarenga agreed that Lebovitz
was qualified. He said when he approached Lebovitz on the job
and informed him that he did not meet the mobility require-
ments, Lebovitz agreed and asked if he should leave the job
immediately. At a Local 43 meeting in late December, Al-
varenga told the members that 70 members were out of work at
that time.
With respect to the Rocky Hill job, Haggerty testified that he
came to the job after it had started. When he saw Lebovitz, he
knew he was not a member of Local 43 and asked Lebovitz if
he had mobility. Lebovitz said no. Haggerty asked him how
long he had been on the job and Lebovitz said a week.
Haggerty then told him that if he did not have mobility, he had
to leave the job. Haggerty then told Morello that Lebovitz did
not have mobility and would have to leave the job. Haggerty
then reported Lebovitz’ status to the local’s leadership.
C. Findings and Conclusions
The General Council asserts that Union’s security clause and
the mobility rule as written are facially unlawful, and further,
that the enforcement of the mobility clause its enforcement in
the case of Lebovitz constituted unlawful discrimination. I
agree on both points for the reasons asserted by the General
Counsel, which I adopt.
1. Is the mobility clause unlawful as written?
As Respondent Local 43’s enforcement of the mobility
clause clearly resulted in Lebovitz’ loss of employment, its
conduct raises a presumption that it is unlawful unless the un-
ion can show that it was “necessary to the effective perform-
ance of its function of representing its constituency.” Acklin
Stamping Co., 351 NLRB 1263 (2007); Operating Engineers
Local 18 (Ohio Contractors Assn.), 204 NLRB 681 (1973). In
this regard, a union may lawfully request the termination of an
employee if it is done to ensure that lawful contractual provi-
sions are not being violated, or that the rules of a legitimate
hiring hall are not being circumvented. See Operating Engi-
neers Local 181(Raymond Construction), 269 NLRB 611, 627
(1984); Boilermakers Local 40, 266 NLRB 432 (1983). More-
over, Section 8(f) makes it lawful for employers and unions in
the construction industry to enter into agreements that require
notice to unions and provide the unions the opportunity to refer
employees, and to give “a priority in opportunities for employ-
ment based on . . . length of service in the particular geographi-
cal area.” See Bricklayers No. 28 (Plaza Builders, Inc.), 134
NLRB 751 (1961).
It is also lawful to frame the rights of travelers to work in a
particular jurisdiction based on their service in another geo-
graphical are covered by other collective-bargaining agree-
ments, as long as it is not based on union membership. See
Bechtel Power Corp., 229 NLRB 613 (1977); Plumbers Local
469 (Mackey Plumbing Co.), 228 NLRB 298 (1977); Construc-
tion, Building Materials & Miscellaneous Drivers Local 83
(Various Employers in the Construction Industry), 243 NLRB
328, 328–331 (1979).
It is also well established that in the absence of an exclusive
hiring hall, unions cannot seek the termination of employees
who were not referred by the hall. Kvaemer Songer, Inc., 343
NLRB 1343, 1346 (2004); Sheet Metal Workers Local 16
(Parker Sheet Metal), 275 NLRB 867 (1985); Operating Engi-
neers Local 17 (Combustion Engineering), 231 NLRB 1287,
1289 (1977).
As noted above, geographical hiring preferences are lawful
so long as they are not based on union membership. However,
the mobility clause in this case clearly requires that in order for
an employer to employ a carpenter outside a local’s geographi-
cal jurisdiction, the carpenter must be a “member in good
standing” of another Carpenter’s local in New England. Thus,
on its face, the mobility clause requires union membership in
order for a carpenter to work in Local 43’s geographic jurisdic-
tion, which violates Section 8(b)(1)(A) of the Act. Bricklayers
Local 1 (Denton’s Tuckpointing, Inc.), 308 NLRB 350, 351
(1992) (finding that union violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) “simply
by maintaining an agreement” which contained a provision
granting unlawful preference in employment to union mem-
bers). Even absent specific examples of discrimination, the
Board will find unlawful a contractual clause that on its face
discriminates based on union membership or conditions em-
ployment on union membership. See Ann Arbor Fire Protec-
tion, Inc., 312 NLRB 758, 758 (1993) (finding that union, by
maintaining a facially unlawful contractual provision giving
preference In layoffs to union members, violated Section
8(b)(1)(A).
An argument could be made that “members in good stand-
ing” should not be read literally, but should be interpreted in
light of the statute, i.e., financial core membership. Such an
interpretation fails to legitimize the clause because a union
cannot cause discrimination against employees based on their
union-security delinquencies outside the bargaining unit. See
Iron Workers Local 433, 272 NLRB 530 (1984), enfd. 767 F2d.
1438 (9th Cir. 1985); Carpenters Local 740 (Tellman Construc-
tors), 238 NLRB 159 (1978). The mobility clause clearly per-
mits Respondent Local 43 to restrict employers from bringing
in employees who have worked at least 3 weeks in the past 5
months based on the employees’ failure to be current in dues
obligations in another bargaining unit. A union cannot, as a
condition of employment, enforce dues obligations incurred
outside the bargaining unit. See Iron Workers Local 433, supra;
CARPENTERS LOCAL 43 (MCDOWELL BUILDING & FOUNDATION) 11
Iron Workers Local 433, 266 NLRB 154, 157 (1983), enfd.
mem. 730 F.2d 768 (9th Cir. 1984); Tallman Constructors,
supra, 238 NLRB at 160–161. Moreover, an employee’s con-
tractual obligation to pay dues under a valid union-security
clause cannot be imposed until the contractual grace period has
expired. Id. at 161.
Here, the mobility clause forbids employers from hiring
workers who are not members in good standing of their home
locals. Lebovitz credibly testified that when working in Local
43’s jurisdiction he continues to pay regular monthly dues to
his home local, Local 24. Given these facts, the mobility clause
would require Local 43 to ascertain whether those dues are in
fact paid, and whether the traveler is a member in good stand-
ing of his home local. Thus, the clause makes dues payment—
for dues incurred outside the bargaining unit—a condition of
employment, in violation of Section 8(b)(1)(A). The mobility
clause is invalid for these two reasons alone.
The mobility clause is also an unlawful restriction on travel-
ers. It is not unlawful to base a referral preference on the objec-
tive criteria of area residence. In J. Willis & Son Masonry, 191
NLRB 872, 874 and fn. 6 (1971), the Board found lawful con-
tractual language that could be construed to give preference to
area residents. In Metropolitan District Council, 194 NLRB
159 (1971) (MDC), the Board found no violation where a Car-
penters local caused the discharge of three carpenters who had
been hired from another geographical area. However, MDC is
distinguishable because there was no contractual provision
relied upon by the local union in that case, nor was there any
type of hiring hall. The Board found no violation because there
was insufficient evidence to establish that the local union
caused the discharge of the three carpenters because they were
not members of the local union. The Board found the local
geographical preference lawful because there was no evidence
that the union’s objective was to gain preferred treatment for
members of one local over another, as is the case here. More-
over, it is well settled that unions cannot discriminate in refer-
rals or employment on the basis of membership or nonmember-
ship in the union. Sachs Electric Co., 248 NLRB 669, 670
(1980), enfd. sub nom. NLRB v. Electric Workers Local 453
(Sachs Electric), 668 F.2d 991 (8th Cir. 1982).
Read literally, the mobility clause prohibits an employer
from hiring union member employees unless they have worked
3 weeks in the previous 5 months for that employer before they
were hired. The clause thus makes a distinction, with respect to
eligibility for employment, between members of Respondent
Council and all other applicants. More significantly, in practice,
the parties use the clause, with respect to employment eligibil-
ity, between members of the local in whose jurisdiction the
work is performed and members of other locals (so-called
“travelers”). Thus, although the mobility clause literally applies
to all members of the New England Regional Council, the par-
ties apparently interpret the clause as a restriction only on trav-
elers.
During the hearing, Respondent asserted through testimony
that the mobility clause was a permissible hiring preference. It
adduced testimony that the pre-1999 master contract included
standard local hiring preferences, but in a concession to the
Association for agreeing to be bound by local contracts
throughout New England, Respondent agreed to substitute the
mobility clause. The clause, by Respondent’s account, allows
an employer to bring in his own crew, provided that the crew
satisfies the requirements of the mobility clause. A close read-
ing of the clause does not support Respondent’s claim. The
collective-bargaining agreement provides for a nonexclusive
hiring hall and explicitly allows employers to hire any appli-
cant. The only restrictions on hiring are that the Union must be
given an equal opportunity to refer workers for a position and
the mobility clause must be satisfied. The mobility clause, on
its face, restricts only hiring members of the New England Re-
gional Council. Local 43 did not produce any evidence that the
clause had been applied to exclude nonmembers.
Furthermore, the only reference to a local hiring preference
in the agreement is Section 3(b) of the Agreement which takes
effect only if an employer fails to notify the local union of a
new project in that local’s geographical jurisdiction. The parties
stipulated that this is not a “notice” case. Thus, as construed by
the parties, the mobility clause gives preference to members of
the local in whose jurisdiction the work will be performed over
travelers. Indeed, nonunion members also receive a preference
over travelers because employers can hire any worker without
restriction, unless that worker is a union member. The clause
therefore violates Section 8(b)(1)(A) as it discriminates against
travelers. Therefore, the mobility clause is fundamentally
flawed. On its face, it discriminates based on union member-
ship, it unlawfully requires a local union, prior to enforcing it,
to seek the employee’s “member in good standing” status in a
bargaining unit outside the local area, and it impermissibly
discriminates against travelers, such as Lebovitz.
2. Did Local 43 violate the Act by attempting to have the Em-
ployer terminate Lebovitz’ employment?
As Respondent Local 43 relied upon a facially unlawful rule
in admittedly seeking Lebovitz’ discharge from the Rocky Hill
jobsite, such conduct violated Section 8(b)(2) of the Act. See
Stage Employees IATSE Local 219 (Hughes-Avicom Interna-
tional), 322 NLRB 1064 (1997) (enforcement of a contractual
provision limiting welfare and pension benefits to union mem-
bers violates Section 8(b)(2)).
It is also established that a union violates Section 8(b)(2)
when it attempts to cause an employer to fire or lay off em-
ployees for reasons other than their failure to pay dues and fees
under a valid union-security clause, including attempts to have
employers fire travelers for no other reason than their status as
travelers. Plumbers Local 392 (Oberle-Jorde Co.), 273 NLRB
786, 793 (1984) (finding that a “bare request” that an employer
discriminate against a traveler, even when that request is unac-
companied by threats and ultimately ignored by the employer,
violates Section 8(b)(2)). Asking an employer to comply, even
when that employer refuses, violates the Act where there is “no
legitimate basis for the request, which was premised solely on
the Union’s desire to employ the local members at the expense
of the travelers.” Id. See also Glaziers Local 513 (National
Glass & Glazing, Inc.), 299 NLRB 35, 43–44 (1990).
Here, it is undisputed that Alvarenga demanded that Car-
valho fire Lebovitz because he did not satisfy the mobility
clause and threatened to bring Carvalho “up on charges” if he
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD12
refused. Although Carvalho refused to fire Lebovitz, Al-
varenga’s demand that he enforce an unlawful contract provi-
sion violated Section 8(b)(2). The record evidence fully sup-
ports such a finding. See Oberle-Jorde, supra, 273 NLRB at
793; National Glass, supra, 299 NLRB at 43–44.
3. Did Local 43 violate the Act by coercing Lebovitz to
quit his employment?
Although the Employer did not discharge Lebovitz pursuant
to Local 43’s request, Lebovitz clearly left the job because of
pressure from Local 43 and the fear of charges being brought
against him by the Local. Maintaining an unlawful contract
provision, such as the mobility clause in this case restrains and
coerces employees in the exercise of their Section 7 rights and
violates Section 8(b)(1)(A). Enforcing that clause further vio-
lates Section 8(b)(1)(A). See Denton’s Tuckpointing, supra, 308
NLRB at 351–52 (union violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) and (2) by
maintaining and enforcing a contract provision giving unlawful
preference in employment to union members). See Kvaerner
Songer, Inc., 343 NLRB 1343, 1343 (2004) (finding that union
violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) and (2) by telling employer it could
not hire employees who had not been referred by the union
where there was no exclusive hiring hall arrangement); Na-
tional Glass, supra, 299 NLRB at 44 (finding same violation
where union with nonexclusive hiring hall attempted to have
employer fire a worker who had not been referred by the union.
In addition, it is established that a union violates Section
8(b)(1)(A) through “threats and coercion designed to force
travelers into quitting their jobs so that the jobs can be filled by
local union members.” National Glass, supra, 299 NLRB at 43:
Oberle-Jorde, supra, 273 NLRB at 786 (union violated Section
8(b)(1)(A) when its steward asked travelers to quit, threatened
them with sanctions, and told travelers he “would not want to
be a traveler and still be on the job on Monday”).
In this regard, the Board has previously concluded that simi-
lar “requests” that travelers quit their jobs are coercive, reason-
ing that travelers are “undoubtedly” aware that the requests
come from union officials who “control, and will continue to
control, the travelers livelihoods.” Oberle-Jorde, supra, 273
NLRB at 793 (quoting Sachs Electric, supra). The Board has
long held that union requests to travelers that they quit, even in
the absence of direct threats, can violate the Act. In Sachs Elec-
tric, supra, the union operated an exclusive hiring hall. The
“requests” included local union agents’ statements that a num-
ber of the respondent local’s members were out of work, and
that he was looking for volunteers to relinquish their jobs to
them; that local members were “on the bench,” and that the
local wanted travelers to quit; and that if he was in someone
else’s jurisdiction and was asked to leave, he would certainly
do so. In explaining why the conduct was coercive, the Board
cited its findings in a prior case that IBEW commonly requests
that travelers quit for such reasons, and that these occasionally
have been enforced by violence and the threat of violence. The
Board stated that:
Additionally, travelers asked to quit under circum-
stance such as those present in the instant case undoubt-
edly are aware that the requests come from union officials
who, by virtue of their responsibilities in administering the
hiring hall, control, and will continue to control the trav-
eler’s livelihoods within the hiring hall’s jurisdiction.
Thus, it should not come as a surprise if these “requests”
are construed by traveler employees as more than mere so-
licitations for “volunteers”.
The Board found that under the circumstances, the local un-
ion’s requests that certain “travelers” from other locals quit
their jobs in favor of unemployed members of the respondent
local were coercive, and violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) and war-
ranted a make whole remedy.
Although there is no exclusive hiring hall in the instant case,
as there was in Sachs Electric, supra, the Sachs rationale is
equally applicable here. Respondent Local 43’s efforts to have
the Employer discharge Lebovitz made it obvious that it might
try to exercise control over his employment at future jobsites,
even though McDowell in this case refused to accede to Local
43’s demands.
Respondent’s requests to Lebovitz to leave the Rocky Hill
jobsite clearly were coercive. Respondent Local 43’s steward
Haggerty told Lebovitz that he did not belong there and had to
leave by Friday (although Lebovitz made it to the following
Monday). Alvarenga made it to the jobsite personally to inform
Lebovitz that although he could finish the day Monday, he
should not come back. Moreover, in 2002 Haggerty and Al-
varenga each had threatened Lebovitz that he would never work
in Local 43’s jurisdiction again, and Local 43’s top official had
filed internal charges against him. In light of this conduct, it
was entirely reasonable for Lebovitz to conclude that he had no
choice about remaining with McDowell at the Rocky Hill job-
site. In addition, it was entirely reasonable for Lebovitz to in-
terpret these statements as meaning that he would subject to
internal union charges if he continued working for McDowell at
the Rocky Hill jobsite, especially given the fact that Local 43
had filed internal union charges against Lebovitz in the past. I
find that the Respondent Local 43 violated Section 8(b)(1)(A)
by unlawfully coercing Lebovitz to quit his job at McDowell.
4. Was Local 43 motivated by Lebovitz’ prior concerted
and charge filing activities?
Regardless of the validity of the mobility clause, there is suf-
ficient evidence to support the complaint allegation that Re-
spondent Local 43 enforced the mobility clause against Lebo-
vitz due to his previous concerted and charge filing activities.
The strongest evidence of unlawful motive lies in the fact that,
according to McDowell’s representatives, Local 43’s represen-
tatives mentioned Lebovitz’ past conflicts with Local 43 during
the conversations where they sought Lebovitz’ removal from
the job because he did not satisfy the mobility clause. In this
regard, Morello testified that after Haggerty citied the mobility
clause, Haggerty referred to a past problem with Lebovitz. Car-
valho stated that when Alvarenga pressed him to remove Lebo-
vitz from the job based on the mobility clause, and Carvalho
resisted, Alvarenga mentioned something about Lebovitz at the
job where Lebovitz had the confrontation with Local 43’s offi-
cials in 2002. This testimony was neither rebutted nor contra-
dicted.
In addition, Respondent also revealed animus toward Lebo-
vitz protected activities in October 2002 when Local 43’s pre-
CARPENTERS LOCAL 43 (MCDOWELL BUILDING & FOUNDATION) 13
sident immediately filed internal union charges against him,
and its agents threatened they were going to throw him out of
the union and warned that he would never work again. Again,
this testimony was not rebutted. Haggerty failed to deny calling
Lebovitz a troublemaker in 2002, a term the Board has long
recognized in the labor context reveals animus against pro-
tected activities. See New Haven Register, 346 NLRB 1131,
1145 (2006).
Lebovitz also offered some specific testimony, albeit anec-
dotal and limited, that fellow union carpenters violated the
mobility rule and escaped discipline. Thus, the record contains
some evidence revealing that Respondent has not historically
enforced the mobility rule in a consistent manner. Even Re-
spondent’s witnesses confirmed this, with Respondent present-
ing testimony that Local 43 is more consistent in enforcing its
rules than the other two Carpenter locals in Connecticut. Given
the fair amount of discretion that is accorded to each steward
(and local unions) in enforcing the mobility clause, and noting
that both Haggerty and Alvarenga mentioned Lebovitz’ previ-
ous “problems” with Local 43 in their dealings with Carvalho
and Morello, it appears that Respondent vigorously enforced
the clause against Lebovitz in retaliation for his previous con-
certed and charge filing activities. Meadows confirmed that no
other carpenter has ever filed internal union charges against
him. From the credible evidence, I find that Respondent Local
43 was unlawfully motivated in enforcing the mobility clause
against Lebovitz based upon its animus against his prior pro-
tected activities.
Moreover, Respondent Local 43’s suggestion that Lebovitz
be transferred to another jobsite until he could satisfy the mo-
bility clause at the Rocky Hill jobsite appears to me to be disin-
genuous. After being told by Carvalho on Friday that a transfer
was not possible, Alvarenga inexplicably raised the transfer
option again to Morello on Monday. That is, although Al-
varenga asked whether Lebovitz could be transferred to other
jobs—ostensibly suggesting that he was just following an es-
tablished rule—he asked the same question of both Carvalho
and Morello. Alvarenga’s questioning of Morello suggests that
he was only attempting to provide a plausible cover for his
actions. In light of Local 43’s demonstrated hostility and its
disparate treatment of Lebovitz, Alvarenga’s questions are
insufficient to establish an affirmative defense.
Finally, Local 43 provided no documentation regarding its
general testimony that prior to the December 2007 incident
involving Lebovitz, its stewards routinely inquired into the
mobility data of employees on the job. In this regard, Meadows,
Alvarenga and Haggerty each testified that Respondent Local
43 stewards routinely check into whether workers on the job
satisfy the mobility clause. However, the record also revealed
that, despite having been in existence since 1999, the first evi-
dence of any written training materials concerning the mobility
clause that were provided to stewards by Local 43 occurred at a
membership meeting held on Thursday, December 20, 2007.
This date happens to coincide with the exact date Haggerty
confronted both Carvalho and Morello about mobility.
Moreover, Meadows was forced to admit that the only pre-
December 2007 case for which Respondent could produce re-
cords concerned the case at hand. Respondent could not point
to a single other pre-Lebovitz case in which it had documented
evidence of having enforced the mobility clause though the
clause had been in existence since 1999. Curiously, several
months after the enforcement against Lebovitz, in early 2008,
Respondent Local 43 stewards filed separate internal union
charges against four non-Local 43 members working in other
job sites, ostensibly for non-compliance with the mobility rule.
Meadows admitted that Local 43 uses its discretion in en-
forcing the clause noting that there are circumstances when
mobility is waived. Meadows explained that one exception
would be if a contractor required a certain job skill that none of
the out of work Local 43 members possessed. Meadows also
testified that another such situation occurred in the summer of
2007 at the Cigna project when the “cupboard” (employees on
the out of work list) was bare, and a Local 108 member was
permitted to remain on the job despite not meeting the mobility
rule. Other evidence shows that Local 210 was “most lenient”
in enforcing the clause due to difficulty in manning jobs in the
jurisdiction of that Local. Local 24 was characterized as also
being more lenient than Local 43 in enforcing the clause. The
discretion exercised by each of the three Connecticut locals in
enforcing the mobility rule, and especially the discretion exer-
cised in this regard by Local 43, only supports my belief that
the rule was enforced against Lebovitz because of animus and
no other reason. Thus, I find that Respondent has unlawfully
discriminated against Lebovitz by enforcing the mobility clause
and causing him to leave his job.
5. Is the union-security clause facially unlawful?
Finally, the union-security clause in article V is facially
unlawful. The union-security clause explicitly requires compli-
ance with the Union’s constitution and bylaws, a requirement
which violates Section 8(b)(1)(A). See Stackhouse Oldsmobile,
Inc. v. NLRB, 330 F.2d 559, 560 (6th Cir. 1964) (finding that
employer did not violate the Act by refusing to sign a collec-
tive-bargaining agreement in which the union-security clause
unlawfully required compliance with the union’s constitution
and bylaws); Electrical Workers Local 3 (White Plains), 331
NLRB 1498, 1500 (2000) (finding facially unlawful a union
rule requiring hiring hall users to comply with internal rules to
maintain their position on the referral list).
While unions are free to enforce properly adopted rules
against their members, Section 8(b)(1)(A) prohibits unions
from restraining or coercing employees in the exercise of rights
guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act, including the right to refrain
from joining a union. See Scofield v. NLRB, 34 U.S. 423, 430
(1969) (unions are “free to enforce a properly adopted rule
which reflects a legitimate union interest, impairs no policy
Congress has imbedded in the labor laws, and is reasonably
enforce against union members who are free to leave the union
to escape the rule”). Thus, employees must be free to resign
their union membership and escape the rule. The rule here,
however, requires employees to comply with the Union’s con-
stitution and bylaws as a condition of employment. Such a re-
quirement violates the Act.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. Respondents United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Join-
ers of America, Local 43, and New England Regional Council
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD14
of Carpenters are labor organizations within the meaning of
Section 2(5) of the Act.
2. McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc. is an employer
engaged in commerce within the meaning of Section 2(6) and
(7) of the Act.
3. Respondents’ mobility clause unlawfully restricts em-
ployment based upon union membership and thus facially vio-
lates Section 8(b)(1)(A) of the Act.
4. Respondent Local 43’s attempt to cause Lebovitz’ termi-
nation based upon the mobility clause violated Section 8(b)(2)
of the Act.
5. Respondent Local 43 violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) because
it coerced Lebovitz to leave his job with the Employer at the
Rocky Hill jobsite.
6. Respondent Local 43 violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) and (2)
by discriminatorily enforcing the mobility clause against Lebo-
vitz in retaliation for his previous concerted and charge filing
activities.
7. The Respondents’ union-security clause is facially unlaw-
ful in violation of Section 8(b)(1)(A) because if requires com-
pliance with the Respondent’s constitution and bylaws.
8. Respondents’ violation of the Section 8(b)(1)(A) and (2)
affect commerce within the meaning of Section 2(6) and (7) of
the Act.
REMEDY
Having found that the Respondents have engaged in certain
unfair labor practices, I find that they must be ordered to cease
and desist and to take certain affirmative action designed to
effectuate the policies of the Act.
Having found that Respondent Local 43 has discriminatorily
and unlawfully enforced the facially unlawful mobility clause
to cause Kevin Lebovitz to leave his employment with
McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc. at its Rocky Hill Con-
necticut jobsite, Respondent Local 43 should be ordered to
make Lebovitz whole for any loss of earnings and other bene-
fits, computed on a quarterly basis from the date he was co-
erced into leaving his job until the date his employment would
have ended on that job without Respondent’s unlawful coer-
cion, less any net interim earnings, as prescribed in F. W.
Woolworth Co., 90 NLRB 289 (1950), plus interest as com-
puted in New Horizons for the Retarded, 283 NLRB 1173
(1987).
Having found that Respondents have maintained a facially
unlawful union-security clause and mobility clause in their
collective-bargaining agreements, they should be ordered to
revise these clauses to bring them in compliance with the Act.
Respondent Local 43 should be ordered to notify McDowell
Building & Foundation, Inc. that it is free to employee Kevin
Lebovitz for jobs taking place within its geographical jurisdic-
tion.
On these findings of fact and conclusions of law and on the
entire record, I issue the following recommended5

5 If no exceptions are filed as provided by Sec. 102.46 of the Board’s
Rules and Regulations, the findings, conclusions, and recommended
Order shall, as provided in Sec. 102.48 of the Rules, be adopted by the
Board and all objections to them shall be deemed waived for all pur-
poses.
ORDER
The Respondents, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and
Joiners of America, Local 43, and New England Regional
Council of Carpenters, Hartford, Connecticut, their officers,
agents, and representatives, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Maintaining in their collective-bargaining agreements
any union-security clauses, or any other provision, that requires
members to comply with their constitutions and bylaw in order
to keep your job.
(b) Maintaining in their collective-bargaining agreements
any “mobility” clause, or any other provision, that restricts
members’ right to work on jobs covered by that agreement if
the members have not paid their membership dues and fees
under a different collective-bargaining agreement.
(c) Maintaining in their collective-bargaining agreements
any “mobility” clause, or any other provision, that prevents
employees from working within the jurisdiction of Carpenters
Locals 24, 43, 210, or 1121 because they are members of a
local affiliate of the New England Council of Carpenters other
than the local in whose jurisdiction the work is being per-
formed.
(d) Causing employees to quit their jobs by enforcing a “mo-
bility” clause that prevents employees from working within the
jurisdictions of Carpenters Locals 24, 43, 210, or 1121 because
they are members of a local affiliate of the New England Coun-
cil of Carpenters other than the local in whose jurisdiction the
work is being performed.
(e) Attempting to cause McDowell Building & Foundation,
Inc., or any other employer to fire an employee or discriminate
against an employee in any other manner for any of the follow-
ing reasons:
(1) The employee has had disputes with Respondents.
(2) The employee filed unfair labor practice charges against
Respondents with the Board.
(3) The employee is not a member of the local union in
whose jurisdiction a job is located.
(4) The employee does not meet the requirements of a “mo-
bility”clause that prevents the employee from working within
the jurisdiction of Carpenters Locals 24, 43, 210, or 1121 be-
cause the employee is a member of a local affiliate of the New
England Council of Carpenters other than the local in whose
jurisdiction the work of being performed.
(5) For reasons other than the employee’s failure to pay
membership dues and fees required by lawful contract provi-
sions.
(f) In any like or related manner interfering with, coercing,
or restraining members in the exercise of rights guaranteed by
Section 7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action necessary to effec-
tuate the policies of the Act.
(a) Revise the terms of their 2006–2010 collective-
bargaining agreement with Connecticut Construction Industries
Association, Inc. and the AGC/CCIA Building Contractors,
Labor Division of Connecticut, Inc. (the 2006–2010 Connecti-
cut contract), by removing any provisions that require members
to comply with their constitution and bylaws in order to keep
their jobs.
CARPENTERS LOCAL 43 (MCDOWELL BUILDING & FOUNDATION) 15
(b) Revise the terms of article VI, section 3 as it was origi-
nally contained in the 2006–2010 Connecticut contract by re-
moving the unlawful portions of the “mobility” clause that
prevents members from working on jobs covered by that con-
tract because the employee is a member of a local affiliate of
the New England Regional Council of Carpenters other than the
local in whose jurisdiction the work is being performed.
(c) Revise the terms of article VI, section 3 as it was origi-
nally contained in their 2006–2010 Connecticut contract by
removing any provision that restricts a member’s right to work
on jobs covered by that contract if the member has not paid
membership dues and fees under a different collective-
bargaining agreement.
(d) Notify McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc. that Re-
spondents have no objection to their employing Kevin Lebovitz
on their jobs.
(e) Make Kevin Lebovitz whole for wages and other benefits
he lost as a result of Respondent Local 43’s unlawful and coer-
cive action which caused Lebovitz to leave employment with
McDowell Building & Foundation, Inc. in December 2007.
(f) Within 14 days after service by the Region, post at its un-
ion offices and hiring hall located in Hartford, Connecticut, or
any other such hiring halls or union offices located in other
Connecticut locations, copies of the attached notice marked
“Appendix.”6 Copies of the notice, on forms provided by the
Regional Director for Region 34, after being signed by the Re-
spondents’ authorized representatives, shall be posted by the
Respondents and maintained for 60 consecutive days in con-
spicuous places including all places where notices to members
are customarily posted. Reasonable steps shall be taken by the
Respondents to ensure that the notices are not altered, defaced,
or covered by any other material.
(g) Within 21 days after service by the Region, file with the
Regional Director a sworn certification of a responsible official
on a form provided by the Region attesting to the steps that the
Respondents has taken to comply.
Dated, Washington, D.C. July 7, 2009
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO MEMBERS
POSTED BY ORDER OF THE
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
An Agency of the United States Government
The National Labor Relations Board has found that we violated
Federal labor law and has ordered us to post and obey this no-
tice.
FEDERAL LAW GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO
Form, join, or assist a union
Choose representatives to bargain on your behalf with
your employer

6 If this Order is enforced by a judgment of a United States court of
appeals, the words in the notice reading “Posted by Order of the Na-
tional Labor Relations Board” shall read “Posted Pursuant to a Judg-
ment of the United States Court of Appeals Enforcing an Order of the
National Labor Relations Board.”
Act together with other employees for your benefit and
protection
Choose not to engage in any of these protected activi-
ties.
WE WILL NOT do anything to interfere with these rights. More
specifically,
WE WILL NOT maintain in our collective-bargaining agree-
ments any union-security clause, or any other provision, that
requires you to comply with our constitution and bylaws in
order to keep your job.
WE WILL NOT maintain in our collective-bargaining agree-
ments any “mobility” clause, or any other provision, that re-
stricts your right to work on jobs covered by that agreement if
you have not paid your membership dues and fees under a dif-
ferent collective-bargaining agreement.
WE WILL NOT maintain in our collective-bargaining agree-
ments any “mobility” clause, or any other provision, that pre-
vents you from working within the jurisdiction of Carpenters
Locals 24, 43, 210, or 1121 because you are a member of a
local affiliate of the New England Regional Council of Carpen-
ters other than the local in whose jurisdiction the work is being
performed.
WE WILL NOT cause you to quit your job by enforcing a “mo-
bility” clause that prevents you from working within the juris-
diction of Carpenters Locals 24, 43, 210, or 1121 because you
are a member of a local affiliate of the New England Regional
Council of Carpenters other than the local in whose jurisdiction
the work is being performed.
WE WILL NOT attempt to cause McDowell Building & Foun-
dation, Inc., or any other employer, to fire you or discriminate
against you in any other manner for any of the following rea-
sons:
You had disputes with us.
You filed unfair labor practices charges against us with
the National Labor Relations Board.
You are not a member of the local jurisdiction in
whose jurisdiction a job is located.
You do not meet the requirements of a “mobility”
clause that prevents you from working within the jurisdic-
tion of Carpenters Locals 24, 43, 210, or 1121 because you
are a member of a local affiliate of the New England Re-
gional Council of Carpenters other than the local in whose
jurisdiction the work is being performed.
For reasons other than your failure to pay membership
dues and fees required by Lawful contract provisions.
WE WILL NOT in any similar way restrain or coerce you in the
exercise of your rights under Federal Law set forth above.
WE WILL revise the terms of our 2006–2010 collective-
bargaining agreement with the Connecticut Construction Indus-
tries Association, Inc. and the AGC/CCIA Building Contrac-
tors, Labor Division of Connecticut, Inc. (our 2006–2010 Con-
necticut contract), by removing any provisions that require you
comply with our constitution and bylaws in order to keep your
job.
WE WILL revise the terms of article VI, section 3 as it was
originally contained in our 2006–2010 Connecticut contract by
removing the unlawful portions of the “mobility” clause that
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD16
prevent you from working on jobs covered by that contract
because you are a member of a local affiliate of the New Eng-
land Regional Council of Carpenters other than the local in
whose jurisdiction the work is being performed.
WE WILL revise the terms of article VI, section 3 as it was
originally contained in our 2006–2010 Connecticut contract by
removing any provision that restricts your right to work on jobs
covered by that contract if you have not paid your membership
dues and fees under a different collective-bargaining agree-
ment.
WE WILL notify McDowell Building & Foundation that we
have not objection to their employing Kevin Lebovitz on their
jobs.
WE WILL pay Kevin Lebovitz for the wages and other bene-
fits he lost as a result of his loss of employment with McDowell
Building & Foundation, Inc. in December 2007.
UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS AND JOINERS
OF AMERICA, LOCAL 43 AND NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL
COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS