Desert Toyota

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Dec 23, 2005

346 N.L.R.B. 99 (N.L.R.B. 2005)

DESERT TOYOTA
346 NLRB No. 1
99
T-West Sales and Service, Inc. d/b/a Desert Toyota
and International Association of Machinists and
Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 845, AFL–
CIO. Cases 28–CA–19447 and 28–CA–19524
December 23, 2005
DECISION AND ORDER
BY CHAIRMAN BATTISTA AND MEMBERS LIEBMAN
AND SCHAUMBER
On March 25, 2005, Administrative Law Judge Albert
A. Metz issued the attached decision. The Respondent
filed exceptions and a supporting brief. The General
Counsel filed an answering brief.
The National Labor Relations Board has considered
the decision in light of the exceptions and briefs, and has
decided to affirm the judge’s rulings, findings, and con-
clusions only to the extent consistent with this Decision
and Order.
I. INTRODUCTION
The issues in this case concern the Respondent’s con-
duct during collective-bargaining negotiations with the
Union. The General Counsel issued a complaint alleg-
ing, among other things, that the Respondent violated
Section 8(a)(5) and (1) by failing to bargain in good
faith, failing to provide requested information, and fail-
ing to notify and bargain with the Union about discipli-
nary action taken with respect to two employees. The
judge found that the Respondent violated Section 8(a)(5)
and (1) in all respects. As explained below, and pursuant
to our decision in Desert Toyota, 346 NLRB 118 (2005)
(Desert Toyota I), we reverse the judge’s findings of vio-
lations.1
II. DISCUSSION
This is the third in a series of related cases concerning
this employer. Desert Toyota I concerned the Respon-
dent’s reactions in early 2002 to the Union’s organization
campaign directed at employees in the Respondent’s Las
Vegas, Nevada automobile sales and service facility.
The judge in that case found that the Respondent com-
mitted various unfair labor practices, culminating in the
termination of the Union’s “contact employee” at the
Respondent’s facility. Based on those findings, the judge
recommended issuance of a Gissel2 bargaining order.
In part, the issues in Desert Toyota II3 concerned the
Respondent’s alleged reactions to the judge’s decision in

1 There are no exceptions to the judge’s dismissal of the remaining
allegations that the Respondent violated Sec. 8(a)(3), (4), and (1) when
it suspended employee Clayton Lamoya and suspended and discharged
employee Thomas Pranske.
2 NLRB v. Gissel Packing Co., 395 U.S. 575 (1969).
3 Desert Toyota, 346 NLRB 132 (2005).
Desert Toyota I. Significantly, the complaint alleged,
among other things, that the Respondent refused to bar-
gain with the Union as required by the judge’s decision
in Desert Toyota I, made unilateral changes in its em-
ployees’ terms and conditions of employment, and re-
fused to provide requested information to the Union.
The judge in Desert Toyota II found that the Respondent
violated Section 8(a)(5) and (1) in all respects.
Today, we issue our decision in Desert Toyota I and
Desert Toyota II. In Desert Toyota I, the Board reversed
the recommended Gissel bargaining order. Pursuant to
that decision, the Board in Desert Toyota II found that
the Respondent did not have an obligation to bargain
with the Union and dismissed each of the 8(a)(5) and (1)
allegations in that case. Consistent with the foregoing,
we dismiss the 8(a)(5) and (1) allegations in this case as
well.4
ORDER
The complaint is dismissed.
Joel C. Schochet, Esq., for the General Counsel.
Douglas R. Sullenberger, Esq. and Mark J. Ricciardi, Esq.,for
the Respondent.
Don C. Whitaker, for the Charging Party Union.
DECISION1
ALBERT A. METZ, Administrative Law Judge. The issues pre-
sented are whether the Respondent has violated Section 8(a)(1),
(3), (4), and (5) of the National Labor Relations Act (the Act).2
On the entire record, including my observation of the demeanor
of the witnesses, and after considering the briefs filed by the
parties, I make the following
FINDINGS OF FACT
I. JURISDICTION
The Respondent, a Nevada corporation, maintains a place of
business in Las Vegas, Nevada, where it is engaged in the busi-
ness of car sales and service. The Respondent admits and I find
that it is an employer engaged in commerce within the meaning
of Section 2(2), (6), and (7) of the Act. The record evidence
shows that the Union is a labor organization within the meaning
of Section 2(5) of the Act, and I so find.

4 In light of our disposition of this case, we do not pass on the
judge’s findings that the Respondent’s conduct during the course of
negotiations evidenced a failure to bargain in good faith or that its
actions otherwise were inconsistent with the requirements of Sec.
8(a)(5).
Member Liebman dissented from the denial of a bargaining order in
Desert Toyota I, but agrees that the Board majority’s decision there is
dispositive here.
1 This matter was heard at Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 5–7,
2004. The briefs and decision in this case were unfortunately delayed
for many weeks due to the court reporter’s inability to transmit the
record in a timely manner. All dates in this decision refer to 2004,
unless otherwise stated.
2 29 U.S.C. § 158(a)(1), (3), (4), and (5).
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD100
II. BACKGROUND
This case involves an analysis of whether the Respondent
has bargained in good faith and whether its discipline of two
employees violates the Act. The Respondent’s bargaining obli-
gation arises from a recommended bargaining order issued by
Administrative Law Judge Lana Parke in her decision of No-
vember 13, 2002 JD(SF)–92–02 (Desert Toyota I—presently
before the Board on appeal), and the 10(j) injunctive relief
granted by Judge Larry R. Hicks, United States District Court
for the District of Nevada, on February 20, 2004. Judge Hicks’
Order in part required the Respondent to take certain affirma-
tive actions, including (1) on request, bargain in good faith with
the Union as the exclusive collective-bargaining representative
of the employees in the unit concerning terms and conditions of
employment and, if an understanding is reached, embody the
understanding in a signed agreement, and, (2) promptly provide
the Union with all relevant and necessary information it has
requested for the purposes of representing unit employees.
As detailed below, the Parties have been engaged in negotia-
tions since Judge Hicks granted the injunctive relief. The bar-
gaining unit description is:
All full-time and regular part-time service technicians, includ-
ing Toyota technicians, used car technicians, accessory in-
stallers, and lube technicians employed by Respondent at its
Las Vegas, Nevada facility; excluding all other employees,
office clerical and professional employees, guards and super-
visors as defined in the Act.
The Respondent’s suspension and ultimate discharge of
Thomas Pranske along with the suspension of Clayton Lamoya
compose the remaining issues. Their discipline is alleged to
violate Section 8(a)(1), (3), (4), and (5) of the Act because of
their union support, the fact that they gave testimony under the
Act and because the Respondent refused to bargain in good
faith concerning their discipline. Pranske testified on behalf of
the Union in the hearing held before Judge Parke. Pranske and
Lamoya were witnesses for the Union in a case involving the
same Parties in a hearing before me in Desert Toyota II (JD(SF)
–86–03). That decision is also pending on appeal before the
Board.
III. FACTS
The Government alleges that, although the Respondent has
met with the Union it has continued to refuse to bargain in good
faith with the Union because it has engaged in dilatory tactics,
failed to meet with the Union at reasonable times and failed to
provide requested relevant and necessary information to the
Union. The Respondent denies that it has refused to bargain in
good faith.
A. Prelude to Bargaining
After Judge Hicks issued the 10(j) injunctive relief, Union
International Business Representative Don Whitaker wrote the
Respondent on March 2, requesting that the Company meet and
bargain concerning an initial collective-bargaining agreement.
Whitaker also again requested information that the Respondent
previously had refused to provide. At least some of this infor-
mation was the subject of litigation in Desert Toyota II and the
Respondent was found to have violated the Act by not supply-
ing the information. Whitaker’s letter was forwarded to Jorge
Gonzalez, director of human resources for the Respondent’s
parent company, AutoNation, at his office in Fort Lauderdale,
Florida. On March 9, Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker notifying
him that he would be the Respondent’s principal spokesman
and proposing three dates to commence negotiations (March
30; April 8; and April 13). He also stated that the Respondent
was in the process of assembling information that the Union
had requested.
On March 11, Whitaker responded and agreed to start the
negotiations on April 8, in order to give the Respondent enough
time to assemble the requested information. Whitaker informed
Gonzalez that the Union was available for negotiations during
the remainder of April and asked that Gonzalez contact him in
order to schedule additional dates for bargaining in May, June,
and July. Whitaker additionally requested that arrangements be
made so that he could take a tour of the bargaining unit em-
ployees’ work area during regular working hours. Whitaker
attributed this request to his concern for the safety and health of
the unit employees.
Whitaker and Gonzalez continued to exchange letters and
talked on the telephone before the April 8 meeting. On March
11, Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker confirming that he would meet
on April 8, and stating that he was also available to meet on
April 9. Gonzalez said that additional negotiating dates could
be agreed to at the April 8 meeting. Gonzalez informed
Whitaker that the Respondent was assembling the requested
information and that it would be sent to the Union before April
8. Gonzalez stated in response to Whitaker’s request for a tour
of the facility that there had been no reports of any health or
safety issues involving the employees.
Whitaker wrote two letters to Gonzalez on March 19. The
letters confirmed the dates of negotiations and expressed a con-
cern that the Respondent was not providing the Union with
information that it had requested, thus, placing the Union at a
disadvantage in negotiations. Whitaker also reiterated his re-
quest for a tour of the Respondent’s shop.
On March 24, Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker and stated that he
hoped that Whitaker would receive the requested documents by
the time that the Parties met on April 8. Gonzalez also ques-
tioned Whitaker’s request for a tour of the facility, stating he
was unclear as to the relevance of the Union’s request.
By letter dated March 26, Gonzalez sent information to the
Union in response to the Union’s earlier request. Three days
later Gonzalez sent the Union a copy of the Respondent’s em-
ployee handbook. Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker on March 30,
and informed him that the average medical cost per employee
per year was $1877.01. On April 5, Whitaker notified Gonzalez
that employees Richard Drugmand and Tom Pranske had been
selected to attend negotiations on behalf of the Union. On April
6, Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker to confirm the Parties’ negotia-
tions would take place on April 8, at the offices of the Federal
Mediation and Conciliation Services (FMCS) and suggested
that the meeting commence at 10 a.m.
DESERT TOYOTA 101
B. April 8—Negotiations
The Parties met as scheduled on the morning of April 8, at
the FMCS office. Attending for the Union were Whitaker,
Kevin Cummings, the Union’s communications representative,
Pranske, and Drugmand. The Respondent was represented by
Mark Ricciardi, the Respondent’s attorney, Gonzalez, Gaylen
Bartlett, the Respondent’s district director of human resources,
Layla Holt, the Respondent’s Las Vegas human resources man-
ager, and Vinnie Casucci, the Respondent’s service director.
Whitaker went over the details of the District Court injunction
and the Union presented the Respondent with its initial pro-
posal. Whitaker went over each of the articles in the proposal
and discussed with Gonzalez the information that Respondent
had failed to provide and explained the type of benefit informa-
tion that the Union required. Whitaker noted that the Respon-
dent had failed to send the Union information regarding em-
ployees Marvin Mallory and Beshan Jackson. Gonzalez stated
that he would have to review the Union’s proposal and that
Whitaker could take a tour of the dealership the following day.
Whitaker protested that the negotiations should continue into
the next day, but he finally relented and agreed to tour the facil-
ity on April 9. The Parties agreed to continue negotiations on
May 4, 5, and 6. The negotiations ended at approximately 3:35
p.m. Following negotiations on April 8, Gonzalez faxed benefit
information to Whitaker’s office in California and e-mailed
Whitaker with information regarding the two employees.
C. April 8—Car Inspection—An Overview
Pranske and Clayton Lamoya are conceded to be union sup-
porters and there is no dispute that the Respondent had knowl-
edge of their support. On April 8, Pranske attended the first
negotiating session. After the negotiations ended for the day,
Pranske returned to the Respondent’s shop where he discussed
the day’s events with other car technicians.
Lamoya was in the shop where he had parked a 1989 Toyota
Corolla that he had purchased and been repairing for his son’s
use. Before Lamoya bought the car it had been in a serious
accident and was listed as “totaled.” Lamoya’s wife had previ-
ously gone to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to
register the car but was told that due to its “totaled” status the
vehicle would have to be inspected and certified as safe by a
State certified garage before it could be licensed. On April 8,
Lamoya asked Pranske to do him a favor and certify the car for
registration. After a cursory examination, Pranske did fill out a
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles certification form stat-
ing that the car passed inspection.
It is not disputed that the certification form that Pranske
filled out and signed requires the mechanic/inspector to per-
form a series of visual and other inspections to ensure that the
State’s minimal safety requirements have been met. Pranske
admittedly did not perform all of the required inspections and
took Lamoya’s word for some of the safety factors being okay.
When the certificate was again submitted to the State, there
was a discrepancy in the paper work and the Respondent was
contacted to resolve the problem. In checking into the matter,
the Respondent discovered that the vehicle was not shown on
its records as recently having been in its shop. The Nevada
Department of Motor Vehicles began investigating the circum-
stances surrounding the vehicle’s inspection. The Respondent
likewise started an investigation into the matter and on April
20, decided to suspend Pranske and Lamoya. In May, the DMV
issued a report finding Pranske guilty of falsely filing a docu-
ment with the State. The Respondent subsequently terminated
Pranske for his part in the inspection falsification and con-
firmed the suspension of Lamoya, but offered him reinstate-
ment.
The Union subsequently alleged that the Respondent had
treated technician, Steve Jackson, who did not support the Un-
ion, with much less harshness than Pranske and Lamoya for
having engaged in similar conduct. As discussed in detail be-
low, Jackson was found to have failed to properly conduct a
smog inspection on Manager Scott Waddell’s truck and the
matter was investigated by the State DMV. Jackson received a
warning from the State for his conduct of the vehicle test. The
Respondent terminated Waddell for his part in the matter. Jack-
son subsequently blamed fellow employee Richard Drugmand
for the investigation and had confrontations with him about the
matter. The Respondent never suspended Jackson or fired him
because of his faulty smog test or subsequent provocative con-
duct.
D. The Union’s Tour of the Dealership—April 9
On April 9, Whitaker went to the Respondent’s dealership
and was given a 1-hour tour by Casucci, Holt, and the Respon-
dent’s safety person. Whitaker referred to the technicians’ tool-
boxes during the tour and commented they were the reason that
the Union was proposing that the Respondent provide employ-
ees with tool insurance. The Respondent’s representatives told
him that the Company already provided tool insurance. Later in
the day, Whitaker e-mailed Gonzalez and told him that re-
quested information was missing regarding a third employee,
Matt Warren. Whitaker also asked for information regarding
the Respondent’s tool insurance for employees. Gonzalez re-
plied on April 11, and told Whitaker that he would provide the
requested information.
E. Subsequent Correspondence
On April 13, Gonzalez wrote two letters to Whitaker. In
these letters Gonzalez commented that Whitaker had requested
that the Respondent negotiate with the Union before making
any changes in the shop, and before imposing any discipline.
Gonzalez stated that the Respondent would be “guided by our
own good-faith judgment when deciding when to notify you of
changes to be made in the shop.” Gonzalez advised Whitaker
that the Respondent knew of no obligation to inform the Union
before imposing discipline. Gonzalez stated that the Union’s
contract proposal included a provision for interest arbitration.
He said that such a provision was not a mandatory subject of
bargaining, and that any willingness by the Respondent to bar-
gain over the provision would not constitute a waiver of the
Respondent’s rights.
Also on April 13, Gonzalez e-mailed Whitaker and explained
why certain employees were left out of the information given to
the Union. Nine days later, Gonzalez e-mailed Whitaker with
information from Bartlett regarding the three employees. Gon-
zalez also explained the tool insurance provided by the Re-
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD102
spondent. On that same day, Whitaker e-mailed Gonzalez to
confirm negotiation dates in May. He also asked for more de-
tails with regard to the tool insurance.
On April 26, Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker and told him that
although they had planned to meet for 3 days on May 4, 5, and
6, Gonzalez had to be in San Francisco on May 6 and 7 to ne-
gotiate a contract with the Teamsters Union representing one of
AutoNation’s dealerships. Gonzalez also proposed June 8 and
9 as future negotiation dates. On April 30, Whitaker wrote back
and stated that the Union did not agree to cancel negotiations
on May 6. Whitaker expressed his belief that the Company was
seeking to delay negotiations and that not meeting again until
June 8 and 9 was evidence of bad faith. One of Respondent’s
attorneys, James Walters, replied the same day and defended
the negotiation schedule stating the cancellation of dates in
May was only the cancellation of the last half-day of a 2-1/2-
day session.
On April 30, Whitaker wrote to Gonzalez about Gonzalez’
cancellation of negotiating dates and the suspensions of
Lamoya and Pranske. Whitaker accused the Respondent of
unlawfully suspending Pranske and Lamoya, and compared that
action to his suspension of the union supporter at another
AutoNation dealership. Whitaker demanded that the Respon-
dent cease its unlawful behavior; and ended his letter by noting
that the Respondent had failed to send him information regard-
ing two new employees.
By letter also dated April 30, Walters answered Whitaker’s
letter and stated that because the Union had filed an unfair labor
practice charge with the Board about the suspensions of Pran-
ske and Lamoya, the Respondent would not provide the Union
at the May 4 meeting with “any documents, statements, policies
or other information you have requested concerning Mr. Pran-
ske and Mr. Lamoya.”
F. May 4–5 Negotiations
On May 4, the Parties met for their second negotiation ses-
sion. Gonzalez, Ricciardi, Bartlett, Holt, Casucci, and Jill Bi-
lanchone, the Respondent’s senior employment counsel, repre-
sented the Respondent. Whitaker, Pranske, and Drugmand at-
tended for the Union. Negotiations commenced at approxi-
mately 9:30 a.m. and the Union submitted the remainder of its
contract proposal completing its offer of April 8.
At approximately 10:30 a.m. the Parties took a break to re-
view the proposals. At that time Gonzalez informed Whitaker
that there were union pickets at the Respondent’s facility. Gon-
zalez and the other representatives of the Respondent then left
to go to the Respondent’s facility to survey the picketing and
meet with employees concerning the picketing.
The Parties returned at 2:10 p.m. at which time Whitaker
spoke to Gonzalez privately until about 2:45 p.m. about the
suspensions of Lamoya and Pranske. Following these discus-
sions the representatives met for further bargaining. The Re-
spondent submitted its initial proposal to the Union and the
Parties also discussed Toyota certifications. Whitaker asked
Casucci whether a technician needed any of the certifications to
work on any Toyota other than the Prius, a gas-electric hybrid.
Casucci did not know the answer to that question. The Parties
also discussed whether employees should be required to have a
high school diploma and the training that employees received.
The subject of the Respondent’s AutoNation health plan and
the Union’s health plan was also discussed. The Respondent
mentioned to the Union its business ethics program, and stated
that it should continue to apply to the technicians. Negotiations
ended at 7:30 p.m. Whitaker wrote to Gonzalez that evening
and expressed his frustration at not being able to meet more
than two times per month when a large Company such as Auto-
Nation should be able to provide a representative to bargain on
a more frequent basis.
May 5 negotiations commenced at 10 a.m. and were attended
by the same party representatives, with the addition of Union
Grand Lodge Representative Charles Toby. The Union submit-
ted an oral counterproposal on grievance and arbitration and
there was a discussion about technician certifications and em-
ployee classifications. The Respondent distributed a matrix of
Toyota certifications to the union representatives and much of
the day was devoted to discussing this matter. The Parties took
a 2-hour lunchbreak and bargaining ended at approximately
3:30 p.m. after it was preliminarily agreed to meet again on
June 8 and 9.
Gonzalez and Whitaker had a telephone conversation the
evening of May 5, and Whitaker requested that the Respondent
reinstate Lamoya and Pranske. Gonzalez declined to discuss the
suspensions in depth because the Union had filed charges about
the matter with the Board’s Regional Office. Gonzalez said that
the investigation was in the hands of the DMV and that what
that agency decided to do would determine what the Respon-
dent would do about Lamoya and Pranske.
Whitaker wrote to Gonzalez on May 7, and demanded that
the Respondent reinstate Pranske and Lamoya to their jobs. On
May 19, Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker and proposed June 8 and
9 for the next round of negotiations. He also requested copies
of the summary plan descriptions (SPDs) of the Union’s health
and welfare and pension plans. Whitaker confirmed the dates
for bargaining by letter dated May 20, and complained that he
did not believe that 2 days of bargaining per month were suffi-
cient. He requested that Gonzalez provide additional dates for
negotiations.
By letter dated May 17 to Gonzalez, Whitaker requested the
suspension and termination notices given to Pranske and
Lamoya, as well as the evidence supporting those actions. Gon-
zalez wrote in response on May 21, by stating, “We do not
believe that it is appropriate for us to provide the same informa-
tion to you that we are providing to the Labor Board.”
Whitaker also on May 17, asked for the written warning given
to Jackson and the evidence concerning the smog test incident
involving Waddell’s truck.
On May 21, Gonzalez wrote to Whitaker about the many let-
ters the Union had sent the Respondent concerning negotiations
at its Las Vegas dealership and at Power Ford, another AutoNa-
tion dealership where the same Parties were bargaining for a
collective-bargaining agreement. Gonzalez accused Whitaker
of harassing the Respondent with the plethora of correspon-
dence and “the same tired anti-employer rhetoric.” The letter
discussed several matters that had arisen at both dealerships
including, personnel matters, training, and the Pranske and
Lamoya discipline situations. Whitaker wrote back the same
DESERT TOYOTA 103
day, and characterized Gonzalez’ letter as “harsh and unfortu-
nately misleading” in tone.
On May 22, Whitaker e-mailed Gonzalez to say that he had
inquired about the Union’s health and welfare and pension
SPDs. Whitaker also reminded Gonzalez that the Respondent
was going to provide the Union with information relating to the
Respondent’s proposed drug and alcohol program.
G. June 8–9 Negotiations
The Parties met on June 8, with Gonzalez, Ricciardi, Bartlett,
Holt, Casucci, and Duane Burroughs, AutoNation’s director of
fixed operations for the southwest district, representing the
Respondent. The Union was represented by Whitaker, Pranske,
and Drugmand. The Respondent submitted its second proposal
at this session. There was discussion about part of that proposal
which added language to the management-rights clause. Other
matters discussed included job classifications being based on
certifications, a drug and alcohol policy, fair distribution of
work, subcontracting, and shop rules.
On June 9, the Parties met and discussed skill sets, certifica-
tion, training, drug and alcohol policy, grievance and arbitra-
tion, and subcontracting. A tentative agreement was reached on
subcontracting.
H. Subsequent Events
On June 25, the Union filed a surface bargaining charge
against the Respondent. On June 30, Whitaker wrote to Gon-
zalez inquiring as to the negotiation dates for July and com-
plaining that the Respondent was restricting negotiations to
once or twice a month. On July 2, Gonzalez proposed July 20
and 21 for bargaining. On July 11, Gonzalez e-mailed the Re-
spondent’s newest proposal to Whitaker.
I. July 20–21 Negotiations
The Parties met on July 20. Gonzalez, Bartlett, Holt, and
Maureen Redman, AutoNation’s director of benefits and work-
ers’ compensation, represented the Respondent. Whitaker and
Drugmand were present for the Union. Instead of providing the
health benefit information that the Union had requested in
March, Gonzalez introduced Redman and said that she was
going to give a presentation on health benefits and the Respon-
dent’s 401(k) plan. Redman’s talk consumed several hours and
little time was devoted to bargaining. Whitaker asked the Re-
spondent to make a proposal concerning benefits, but Gonzalez
said that they wanted to get through the contract language first.
At the end of the session, the Union submitted a counter-
proposal to the Respondent’s last proposal. This counter-
proposal included language on purpose, jurisdiction, recogni-
tion, and discrimination.
The same individuals attended negotiations on July 21, ex-
cept that Casucci replaced Redman. The Respondent submitted
another proposal at this time. In the management-rights section
the Respondent added language supporting its right to the “full
and absolute operation, control and management of its busi-
ness.” The Respondent also added, to its previously enumerated
rights, “the right to organize, re-organize, discontinue, enlarge,
reduce, or revise a function or department.” The Respondent
also submitted a handwritten proposal on productivity and effi-
ciency, which the Union agreed to review. The negotiations
ended at around 5 p.m. and the Parties agreed to meet again on
August 18, 19, and 20.
After negotiations concluded on July 21, Whitaker and
Drugmand met with Gonzalez and Bartlett to discuss what had
occurred between Jackson and Drugmand. Gonzalez told the
union representatives that the Respondent had given Jackson a
warning for the smog incident and a final warning for the inci-
dent with Drugmand. Whitaker requested the warning notices
and the documentation regarding the final warning; and Gon-
zalez agreed to provide them. (Tr. 334.)
On July 30, Gonzalez e-mailed to Whitaker the results of the
investigation conducted by Bartlett purportedly of the incident
discussed by Drugmand. In fact, Bartlett’s report concerned yet
another incident where Jackson threatened Drugmand. On that
same day, Gonzalez faxed Whitaker and said that he was at-
taching “the two written warnings given to Stephen Jackson.”
However, only one warning to Jackson was attached, along
with a personnel status change form reflecting that warning,
and what appeared to be a copy of Gonzalez’ travel arrange-
ments. The Union never received the evidence relating to Jack-
son’s warning.
J. August 18–19 Negotiations
On August 18, the Parties again met for bargaining. Gon-
zalez introduced two individuals who were present to talk about
the Respondent’s 401(k) plan. Whitaker questioned the need to
listen to their presentation as the Union had already proposed
keeping the Respondent’s 401(k) plan. The Respondent had not
made any counterproposal to this offer. Nonetheless, the pres-
entation was made and each side asked questions on the matter.
After lunch the discussion turned to other matters including
stewards and hours of work. An agreement was reached on the
subject of safety. The session ended at 6:25 p.m.
The August 19 bargaining session commenced later than
scheduled because Gonzalez got lost getting to the FMCS’
offices. Gonzalez also said that he had computer trouble and
was having problems printing a proposal from his computer.
That matter was finally resolved and the proposal was given to
the Union. The Parties were able to agree on several tentative
agreements that day, including one that was adopted from the
Power Ford negotiations between Whitaker and Gonzalez.
When Whitaker asked Gonzalez what time the Parties were
meeting the following day, Gonzalez said that he had neglected
to tell Whitaker that he had a doctor’s appointment to discuss
the results from a skin biopsy and would not be able to meet for
negotiations that day. No negotiations did take place the fol-
lowing day.
K. September 14–15 Negotiations
The Parties met again on September 14. The Respondent
presented a counterproposal to the Union and this was reviewed
during the negotiations. Subjects discussed included the correct
legal designation of the Company due to the addition of a new
Toyota line of cars being added to the dealership, hours, days of
work, shifts, work rules, Toyota car care clinics, flat rate time
guides, warranty work, customer pay work, paid time- off pol-
icy, “come-backs” of vehicles, and overtime. After lunch the
Union gave the Respondent a counterproposal regarding griev-
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD104
ance and arbitration which was identical to language that the
Respondent had previously agreed to in negotiations with the
Union at Power Ford in Torrance, California. The Parties
reached a tentative agreement on that subject. A tentative
agreement was also reached on the Union’s proposal that it
could refer candidates for job openings. Also discussed were
employer incentive plans and anniversary bonuses.
At the September 15 negotiations, the Respondent presented
the Union with a counterproposal on the successor article under
discussion. The Parties reached a tentative agreement on that
article. Other subjects discussed included further negotiations
on anniversary bonuses, training, laundry and uniforms, paid
time off, and funeral leave. The Respondent gave the Union
information it had requested concerning the 401(k) plan and the
Parties agreed to meet again on October 12, 13, and 14.
IV. ANALYSIS
A. The Respondent’s Bargaining Conduct
The Government alleges that the Respondent failed to bar-
gain with the Union in good faith by engaging in dilatory tac-
tics, including stingy scheduling of meetings and the cancella-
tion of meetings, in order to avoid reaching an agreement.
The Government’s brief cites various acts by the Respondent
as evidence of its dilatory bargaining tactics. First, the cancella-
tion of the April 9 meeting so that Whitaker could be given his
requested tour of the dealership and to give the Respondent
time to review the Union’s contract proposal received the pre-
vious day. Second, Respondent’s taking a 4-hour break in nego-
tiations on May 4, in order to go to the dealership because the
Union surprised the Company by the commencement of picket-
ing that morning at the facility. Third, the cancellation of the
May 6 negotiations in order that Gonzalez could have time to
begin bargaining with the Teamsters Union in the San Fran-
cisco area also over an initial contract. Fourth, Gonzalez was
late to negotiations because he got lost. Fifth, Gonzalez did not
inform the Union until asked, that he would be unavailable to
negotiate August 2, because he had a doctor’s appointment. In
sum, the Government argues the Respondent sought to delay
and impede the negotiations in order to avoid reaching an
agreement and met with the Union no more than 2 days a
month. The Respondent denies that its actions either were in-
tended or had the result to avoid bargaining in good faith with
the Union.
Section 8(d) of the Act defines the duty to bargain collec-
tively as “the performance of the mutual obligation of the em-
ployer and the representative of the employees to meet at rea-
sonable times and confer in good faith with respect to wages,
hours, and other terms and conditions of employment . . . but
such obligation does not compel either party to agree to a pro-
posal or require the making of a concession.” “Good-faith bar-
gaining ‘presupposes a desire to reach ultimate agreement, to
enter into a collective bargaining contract.’” Public Service Co.
of Oklahoma, 334 NLRB 487 (2001), enfd. 318 F.3d 1173
(10th Cir. 2003) (quoting NLRB v. Insurance Agents’ Union,
361 U.S. 477, 485 (1960)).
It is axiomatic that an employer’s chosen negotiator is its
agent for the purposes of collective bargaining, and that if the
negotiator causes delays in the negotiating process, the em-
ployer must bear the consequences. See, e.g., O & F Machine
Products Co., 239 NLRB 1013, 1018–1019 (1978); Barclay
Caterers, 308 NLRB 1025, 1035–1037 (1992). A party is gen-
erally not restricted in its right to select whom it pleases as its
bargaining representative; provided, however, “that this desig-
nation does not collide with the duty under Section 8(d) ‘to
meet at reasonable times.’” Caribe Staple Co., 313 NLRB 877,
893 (1994). Likewise, “Considerations of personal conven-
ience, including geographical or professional conflicts, do not
take precedence over the statutory demand that the bargaining
process take place with expedition and regularity. An employer
acts at its peril when it selects an agent incapacitated by these
or any other conflicts.” Caribe Staple, supra.
In the 6 months from April through September, the Parties
met for negotiations on 11 occasions. Two additional days
scheduled for negotiations were canceled by Gonzalez because
of negotiations at another dealership and a meeting with his
doctor. The Respondent also insisted that Whitaker take his
requested tour of the dealership on the April 9 scheduled nego-
tiation date and negotiations did not take place on that occasion.
It is undisputed that many times the Union sought additional
dates for negotiations but these efforts were rebuffed by the
Respondent. The record also shows that the negotiations did
produce exchanges of proposals and some agreements on sev-
eral clauses of a collective-bargaining agreement. In addition,
the Respondent did give the Union information it requested for
negotiations and corresponded and talked to the Union about
negotiation matters outside of formal meetings. Thus, some
progress has been made in bargaining sessions. On balance,
however, looking at the totality of the negotiations, I find that
the Respondent has used the “busy negotiator” defense as a
crutch in not pursuing negotiations to the extent contemplated
by the Act’s admonition to bargain in good faith. The Board
emphasizes that an employer must devote the same attention to
negotiations as it does to other business affairs. The Respon-
dent’s parent organization for whom Gonzalez works is a large
national entity that has limited the availability of Gonzalez
because he is allegedly their only experienced first chair nego-
tiator. The inability of Gonzalez to meet, as repeatedly re-
quested by the Union, with greater frequency than twice a
month has been a major delaying factor in negotiations. It is
apparent that more frequent meetings would advance negotia-
tions consistent with the obligations imposed by the Act for
good-faith bargaining and would harmonize with Judge Hicks’
injunctive order commanding good-faith bargaining. Rhodes St.
Clair Buick, 242 NLRB 1320, 1323 (1979). Here, “Considera-
tions of personal convenience, including geographical or pro-
fessional conflicts” have been used to delay negotiations. The
Respondent refused to meet with relative frequency in order to
negotiate to the point that I conclude the Respondent has vio-
lated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act by not bargaining in
good faith with the Union.
I further note that the Respondent’s bargaining obligation
hinges upon the recommended bargaining order issued by
Judge Parke. The Respondent has appealed that decision to the
Board. Despite the pendency of that appeal, the Board did sup-
port Judge Parke’s bargaining order decision to the extent that
it authorized the seeking of 10(j) injunctive relief. In somewhat
DESERT TOYOTA 105
analogous circumstances the Board has found that the Respon-
dent cannot bargain in good faith by conducting negotiations
while at the same time challenging a Board’s certification of
the unit involved in the negotiations. As the Board stated in
GKN Sinter Metals, Inc., 343 NLRB 315 (2004):
The Board and the courts have held that where an employer
continues to challenge the validity of a union’s certification, it
is effectively refusing to bargain with the union, even where
the employer has stated that it is willing to engage in negotia-
tions. See Fred’s Inc., 343 NLRB 138 (2004), and cases cited
therein (Board found refusal-to-bargain violation even where
respondent had recognized and was bargaining with the un-
ion, because the respondent had filed an answer to the com-
plaint denying the validity of the union’s certification, had
clearly communicated its intention to test the union’s certifi-
cation, and had not disavowed this intention despite its will-
ingness to engage in negotiations). Thus, an employer “may
negotiate with, or challenge the certification of, the Union; it
may not do both at once.” Terrace Gardens Plaza, Inc. v.
NLRB, 91 F.3d 222, 225 (D.C. Cir. 1996).
In the instant case, the Respondent’s answer denied the ap-
propriateness of the unit, the majority status of the Union, the
fact that the Union is the collective-bargaining representative of
the unit, and that since November 12, 2002, the Union has,
based on Section 9(a) of the Act, been the exclusive collective-
bargaining representative of the unit. Here, as discussed above,
the Respondent has not bargained in good faith with the Union
and at the same time has been challenging its underlying legal
obligation to bargain with the Union.
B. Additional 8(a)(5) Allegations
1. Information request concerning Pranske and Lamoya
The complaint alleges that the Respondent failed to give the
Union information concerning Pranske and Lamoya that is
necessary and relevant to the Union’s performance of its duties
as the exclusive collective-bargaining representative of the unit.
On April 30, Whitaker wrote to Gonzalez and challenged the
suspensions of Pranske and Lamoya. Whitaker stated, in part:
Therefore, I am demanding that you cease and desist your bad
faith conduct and immediately meet and negotiate and /or re-
solve these serious issues. In addition, I am demanding that
you provide me with any and all documents, statements, poli-
cies, and/or other information that lead the Company to sus-
pend Tom Pranske, [and] Clayton Lamoya. . . . (GC Exh. 23,
p. 2.)
Attorney James Walters replied by letter also dated April 30
stating, in part:
4. In addition, regarding the investigatory suspensions
of Mr. Pranske and Mr. Lamoya, you may not be aware
that the situation involving these two individuals has been
included in an Unfair Labor Practice Charge filed by the
IAM Grand Lodge Representative Charles Toby. The
Company hopes it will not have to try to resolve Unfair
Labor Practice Charges at the bargaining table; the bar-
gaining should center on the good faith discussions of non-
economic and subsequent economic items, as agreed to at
the first bargaining session between you and Mr. Gon-
zalez.
5. Consequently, we are not currently planning on
bringing any documents, statements, policies or other in-
formation you have requested concerning Mr. Pranske and
Mr. Lamoya to the meeting on May 4. The Company is
cooperating with the National Labor Relations Board to
provide evidence concerning the Unfair Labor Practice
Charge involving these two individuals. (GC Exh. 24, p. 2)
Whitaker wrote to Gonzalez on May 17, and requested the
suspension and termination notices given to Pranske and
Lamoya, the evidence supporting those actions and to “imme-
diately meet with me to negotiate and/or resolve these issues.”
On May 21, Gonzalez responded in a letter that “[w]e do not
believe that it is appropriate for us to provide the same informa-
tion to you that we are providing to the Labor Board. There is
no grievance procedure in place at this time . . . .” (GC Exh.
33, p. 6.) The Respondent failed to provide the requested in-
formation or bargain about the matter.
It is well established that a labor organization which has an
obligation under the Act to represent employees in a bargaining
unit with respect to wages, hours, and working conditions, is
entitled on request to such information as may be relevant to
the proper performance of that duty. NLRB v. Acme Industrial
Co., 385 U.S. 432 (1967). Where the requested information
concerns conditions of employment relating to employees in
the bargaining unit represented by the union, the information is
presumptively relevant to the union’s representative function.
George Koch & Sons, Inc., 295 NLRB 695 (1989); San Diego
Newspaper Guild v. NLRB, 548 F.2d 863 (9th Cir. 1977). The
Board uses a liberal, discovery-type standard to determine
whether the information is relevant, or potentially relevant, to
require its production. NLRB v. Acme Industrial Co., supra; W-
L Molding Co., 272 NLRB 1239 (1984). The Board stated in
Ohio Power, 216 NLRB 987 (1975), enfd. 531 F.2d 1381 (6th
Cir. 1976):
Where the information sought covers the terms and conditions
of employment within the bargaining unit, thus involving the
core of the employer-employee relationship, the standard of
relevance is very broad, and no specific showing is normally
required.
A labor organization is entitled to inquire into discipline im-
posed upon employees it represents and such a topic is a man-
datory subject of bargaining. I find that the Union’s request for
information regarding the disciplining of Pranske and Lamoya
was relevant and necessary for the carrying out of its represen-
tational duties. The Respondent cites no case authority for the
proposition that it was privileged to refuse to supply the noted
information based on the fact that an unfair labor practice
charge was filed concerning the matter. I conclude that by fail-
ing to supply the Union with the information it sought about the
discipline given to Pranske and Lamoya, the Respondent vio-
lated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act.
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD106
2. The refusal to notify the Union prior to disciplining
of unit employees
The complaint alleges that the Respondent unlawfully re-
fused to bargain because it refused to notify the Union prior to
imposing discipline on unit employees and by imposing the
discipline given Pranske and Lamoya without affording the
Union an opportunity to bargain with the Respondent as to the
discipline and the effects of the discipline. The Respondent
denies that it had a legal obligation to notify or bargain with the
Union prior to imposing discipline on Pranske and Lamoya.
At the April 8 negotiation session, Whitaker requested that
Respondent negotiate with the Union prior to the imposition of
discipline of any unit employee. Gonzalez responded by letter
dated April 13, stating: “. . . we know of no legal obligation on
the company to notify you prior to imposing discipline on an
employee. . . . Therefore, the company respectfully denies your
request.” As noted in the section above, Whitaker had de-
manded information and bargaining concerning the discipline
given to Pranske and Lamoya but the Respondent refused to do
either.
The Respondent acknowledges that it has no specific policies
or procedures concerning the handling or investigations con-
ducted by the Nevada DMV. Holt also testified that the Re-
spondent had never suspended or discharged anyone for falsify-
ing a state document. The Respondent argues, however, that its
ethics policy is a basis for its actions involving Pranske and
Lamoya without the need for notifying or bargaining with the
Union.
The Respondent has for many years maintained a code of
business ethics and conduct that includes a section pertaining to
“Accurate Books and Records.” The code states that, “False or
misleading entries must never be made or concealed in any
Company record.” (R. Exh. 33.) Section 2 of the “Require-
ments and Illustrations” provision, entitled, “Internal and Ex-
ternal Reporting and Penalties,” goes on to state:
Information that associates record and submit to another
party, inside or outside AutoNation, including government or
regulatory authorities, must be accurate, verifiable, and com-
plete. False or artificial entries must never be made in any
AutoNation Record, including those submitted to government
or regulatory authorities, for any reason, nor should perma-
nent entries in the Company’s Records be altered in any way.
Associates must not use any report or Record to mislead or to
conceal anything that is improper.
Dishonest reporting, both inside and outside the Company, is
not only strictly prohibited, it could lead to civil or even crimi-
nal liability for associates and AutoNation. This includes re-
porting information or organizing it in a way that is intended
to mislead or misinform those who receive it. [R. Exh. 33.]
The ethics policy does not set forth any potential discipline
for a violation of the policy. As noted, there is no practice as to
how the Respondent handles a DMV situation such as is in
dispute here. The Respondent concedes that its managers ana-
lyzed the situation surrounding the actions of Pranske and
Lamoya and made a determination of what discipline was ap-
propriate to fit that situation. Thus, the Respondent has not
shown that it maintains detailed and thorough written discipline
policies and procedures that deal with a similar situation.
I find that the Respondent has failed to establish that it had a
past practice or engaged in any conduct that demonstrated how
it would discipline employees for falsifying DMV documents.
Thus, the Respondent’s imposition of the discipline was en-
tirely in its considerable and undefined discretion. Such discre-
tionary acts are “precisely the type of action over which an
employer must bargain with a newly-certified Union.” See
NLRB v. Katz, 369 U.S. 736, 746 (1962) (employer must bar-
gain with union over merit increases which were “in no sense
automatic, but were informed by a large measure of discre-
tion”); Adair Standish Corp., 292 NLRB 890 fn. 1 (1989), enfd.
in relevant part 912 F.2d 854 (6th Cir. 1990) (the Board held
that in the face of a newly-certified union, the employer could
no longer use its discretion in determining layoffs); Garment
Workers Local 512 (Felbro, Inc.) v. NLRB, 795 F.2d 705, 711
(9th Cir. 1986) (employer must bargain with the union over
economic layoff, which is “inherently discretionary, involving
subjective judgments of timing, future business, productivity
and reallocation of work”); Eugene Iovine, Inc., 328 NLRB
294, 294 (1999). I find that because of the substantial degree of
discretion that the Respondent used in imposing the discipli-
nary suspensions and discharge concerning Pranske and
Lamoya that such matters are mandatory subjects of bargaining.
See, e.g., Ford Motor Corp. v. NLRB, 441 U.S. 488 (1979);
Bath Iron Works, 302 NLRB 898, 902 (1991). I conclude that
the Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act by
imposing such discipline without giving the Union notice and
an opportunity to bargain about these subjects. See, Washoe
Medical Center, 337 NLRB 202 (2001), reconsideration de-
nied, 337 NLRB 944 (2002).
C. Suspension of Lamoya—Suspension and Discharge
of Pranske
1. The discipline
The complaint alleges that the Respondent unlawfully sus-
pended employee Clayton Lamoya and unlawfully suspended
and discharged employee Tom Pranske in violation of Section
8(a)(1), (3), and (4) of the Act. The Government alleges that
these actions were based upon these employees’ union activi-
ties and because they had given testimony under the Act. The
Respondent denies that its discipline of these employees was
the result of any of their activities protected by the Act and
asserts their punishment was caused by their misconduct in
falsifying the State of Nevada DMV inspection certificate.
Pranske and Lamoya are supporters of the Union’s efforts to
represent the Respondent’s unit employees. Both men testified
in previous unfair labor practice hearings regarding this Re-
spondent. In Desert Toyota II it was found that the Respondent
had violated Section 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) of the Act by giving
Pranske unwarranted warnings. Pranske was a shop steward
and participated in negotiations on behalf of the Union. The
Respondent does not dispute that it had knowledge that Pranske
and Lamoya are union supporters.
The events leading up to the Respondent’s actions against
these employees started when Lamoya purchased a damaged
car for his son’s benefit. He completed repairs on the car in
DESERT TOYOTA 107
April 2004 and Lamoya’s wife attempted to license the car with
the State of Nevada. She was told by the State DMV that she
needed a salvage certificate because the car had been listed as
totaled.
On April 8, Lamoya brought his 1989 Toyota Corolla to the
Respondent’s dealership. April 8, was also the date of the first
bargaining session between the Parties and Pranske was present
for the meeting as an employee representative on the Union’s
negotiating committee. He had taken the day off from work but
went to the Respondent’s dealership at the end of the day to
discuss the negotiations with the other employees. While Pran-
ske was at the shop Lamoya asked him to sign a copy of Ne-
vada form RD-64 (Certificate of Inspection/Affidavit of Con-
struction), a form, certifying that the Corolla was safe for travel
on Nevada roads. Pranske gave the car a partial inspection and
signed the DMV form. He testified that he “looked at the car to
see if the wipers, the horn and the turn signals worked. I asked
Fuzz [Lamoya] does everything else work, he said, yes, and I
filled out the form.” Lamoya’s wife subsequently submitted
that form to the DMV in order to register the car.
On April 14, the Nevada DMV noticed a discrepancy in the
form’s business license number and also that the position of the
person completing the form was not properly filled out. The
DMV made an inquiry to the Respondent about the matter and
was directed to Barry Neel, the Respondent’s controller. He
was told that the inspection form had the wrong garage number,
and Neel was instructed that technicians should sign such forms
as “mechanic” rather than “used car technician.” Neel called
Vinnie Casucci the Respondent’s service director, to find out
why a form would be completed by hand and sent to the DMV.
Casucci had no knowledge of the document and a faxed copy of
the form was requested from the DMV. Casucci soon learned
that no repair order had been completed for the car since De-
cember 2000. Neel called the DMV on April 15, and told them
that the Respondent had an issue with the form. The DMV
advised that they would then hold in abeyance issuing a new
title on the car.
On April 20, Pranske was called into an office and met with
Service Manager Dave Pedersen, Human Resource Manager
Layla Holt, and Larry Carter, market manager of the Desert
Auto Group. Casucci asked Pranske about the car and learned it
belonged to Lamoya. Holt told Pranske the inspection form was
being questioned by the DMV and the Respondent had no re-
cord consistent with the car having recently been in the shop.
Holt credibly testified that Pranske first told her that he did not
look at the car because it was Lamoya’s vehicle. When Holt
expressed incredulity about that statement, Pranske told her that
it was no “big deal” and then changed his story and stated that
in fact he had looked at the car while it was on Lamoya’s rack
in the shop. Holt said that Pranske could not have inspected the
car on April 8, because he was not shown to have been at work
that day, and in fact attended the negotiation session. Pranske
said he had come to the shop that day after the negotiations
ended. Holt then informed Pranske that he was being suspended
pending further investigation into the matter. When Pranske
protested that he did not see the matter as a big deal because the
car belonged to Lamoya, Holt said that it was a big deal be-
cause the Respondent could be liable under the circumstances.
Lamoya was then called to the office and questioned about
the DMV form, the fact that there was no relevant repair order
on file for his car and the possible liability issues if the Re-
spondent were sued over an accident involving that car.
Lamoya explained that the car was for his son. Lamoya said
that he had Pranske sign off on the safety repair work that had
been done on the car and that Pranske had examined the car in
the parking lot. When asked why there was no repair order for
the car in the Respondent’s records, Lamoya told Holt that
there had been no safety work or inspection done on the car in
the shop as it had all been done at his residence. Holt told
Lamoya that he was suspended for 3 days pending investiga-
tion.
Pranske was in Holt’s office a couple of days later in order to
pick up his suspension notice. Holt told him that DMV investi-
gator, Chester Clagett, was looking into the situation. Pranske
then decided to go to the DMV where he met with Clagett, and
gave him a statement. In this document, dated April 22, Pranske
made the following untrue statements: (1) that he checked all
items on the inspection list to see that they were working; (2)
the car passed all safety checks; (3) that he had conducted an
emission test on the car; and (4) denied that he had conducted
an illegal test on the vehicle. (GC Exh. 73.) Clagett then went
to the Respondent’s dealership and met with Holt. Clagett
asked her about the dates that Pranske had been working. Holt
told him that Pranske had been off on April 8.
Clagett called Lamoya the following day and asked him to
bring his Corolla to the DMV for an inspection. Lamoya com-
plied and the car passed inspection. Clagett also asked Lamoya
to give him a statement and Lamoya agreed. In that statement,
Lamoya falsely said that Pranske did not inspect the car in the
shop because Lamoya was concerned that the Respondent
might discipline Pranske for doing unauthorized “side work”
(work that is not recorded and compensated to the Respondent).
On April 26, Clagett prepared a report of investigation sum-
marizing his findings and 3 days later signed an affidavit re-
questing a summons for Pranske under the Nevada Revised
Statutes charging him with a misdemeanor of falsification of a
document. On April 29, Clagett executed an affidavit in support
of his request for summons for Pranske. In that affidavit Clagett
notes that on April 26, Neel informed him that Pranske “was
not present or working at Desert Toyota on April 8, 2004.” In
support of this statement, Neel supplied Clagett with Pranske’s
request for time off, the flag sheet report for that day showing
that Pranske had not worked, and timecard records showing
that Pranske had not worked that day. The district attorney’s
office ultimately declined to issue the summons and Pranske
was not charged.
On May 4, Whitaker wrote to Attorney James Walters in re-
sponse to an April 30 letter from Walters. Whitaker noted that
the refusal of the Respondent to provide the Union with any
information relating to the suspensions of Pranske and Lamoya
were “disturbing,” as was the disparity between the Respon-
dent’s treatment of Pranske and Lamoya on the one hand and
the Respondent’s treatment of technician Steven Jackson on the
other. Whitaker again requested the Respondent’s policies and
procedures relating to investigations by the DMV. Walters
responded by letter dated May 10, stating that the Respondent
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD108
maintained no policies and procedures to cover circumstances
similar to what had occurred with Pranske and Lamoya. On
May 11, the Respondent discharged Pranske.
Gonzalez had previously told Whitaker that the Respondent
wanted to await the results of the DMV investigation before
deciding what to do about Pranske and Lamoya. After learning
the results of that investigation the Respondent determined to
terminate Pranske. His personnel file shows he was discharged
from employment due to a “violation of policy.” Gonzalez
explained the reasons composing that conclusion as follows:
[A]fter the results of our own internal investigation and the re-
sults of the DMV investigation, it was all of our joint opinions
that Mr. Pranske had falsified a State of Nevada document to
an inspection that never took place, was done through the
dealership license with the State of Nevada, placed the dealer-
ship’s license to do that type of work at risk, and violated our
company rules regarding accuracy and truthfulness and busi-
ness and company records. [Tr. 658.]
Based on the State’s conclusion that no summons should be
sought against Lamoya, the Respondent decided to reinstate
him to employment conditioned upon his returning to work
within 5 days. Lamoya, however, had become employed by
another dealership in the interim and declined the offer of rein-
statement. Lamoya testified that the Respondent had given him
a favorable reference when he sought employment with his new
employer.
2. Alleged disparate treatment
The Government asserts that Pranske and Lamoya were
treated disparately because of their union activities and for
giving testimony under the Act. In support of that position, the
Government presented evidence that in March 2004 Lamoya
asked Pranske to do a smog inspection on a Chevrolet pickup
truck that was owned by the then parts manager, Scott Waddell.
Pranske told Lamoya that the truck would not pass inspection
because its emission equipment had been removed. A couple
of days later Pranske noticed that a Toyota Corolla he was
working on had been removed from his work stall and taken to
the smog inspection station by technician Steve Jackson. Pran-
ske asked Jackson what he was doing with the Corolla. Jack-
son told him that he needed it to do a smog inspection for
Waddell’s truck. Pranske testified that the Toyota car he had
been working on was being tested and he saw that the screen on
the smog testing terminal displayed that the inspection was
being performed on a Chevrolet truck. Pranske did not mention
the incident to anyone at the time.
On April 22, Holt telephoned Pranske to explain that his sus-
pension would last at least through the beginning of the follow-
ing week. Pranske asked Holt if he gave her the names of em-
ployees who were faking smog tests would they receive the
same treatment. Holt said that if he wanted to give her names
she would investigate. Pranske did not offer her any names.
Approximately a month later, Pranske learned from State In-
vestigator Clagett that the DMV report on Pranske had been
submitted for consideration. Pranske then telephoned Inspector
Kyle Moss of the DMV and reported the incident involving
Jackson. He did so in order that he could show that the Respon-
dent was treating Jackson more favorably than himself and
Lamoya.
After receiving Pranske’s call, Moss visited the Respon-
dent’s dealership and informed General Nanager Mark (Doc)
Lane, Human Resource Manager Layla Holt, and Waddell
about the substance of the complaint. Moss also spoke with
Jackson who admitted that he did not examine Waddell’s truck
closely enough to determine if all of the emission equipment
was installed on it when it was tested. Jackson did, however,
deny that he had substituted another vehicle for Waddell’s truck
in the smog test. Moss issued Jackson a warning and directed
him to perform another smog inspection on the truck. He did
not issue any warning to Waddell even though Waddell admit-
ted that he knew the emission equipment was not installed on
the truck when he gave it to Jackson for testing.
Jackson did perform another inspection on Waddell’s truck
and it failed on the visual inspection. A few days later, Waddell
resigned his employment after being asked to do so by the Re-
spondent for having initiated an illegal smog inspection on his
truck.
Jackson was peeved about the fact that he had been investi-
gated by the DMV. As a result, he began making threats to
fellow employee Richard Drugmand who was a known union
supporter in the shop. On June 2, Jackson drove by Drug-
mand’s bay and said something that Drugmand could not
clearly understand. Later that morning, Jackson approached
Drugmand and gestured at him to “come on” and fight. Drug-
mand ignored Jackson’s provocations.
Shortly after the first incident, Jackson returned to Drug-
mand’s bay and cursed at him. He asked if Drugmand had a
problem with him and wanted to do something to him. Drug-
mand told Jackson he had no problem with him but it appeared
that Jackson had a problem with him. Jackson again cursed at
Drugmand and accused him of trying to have him fired because
of the bogus DMV inspection. Jackson said that he wanted to
go outside and kick Drugmand’s ass. Drugmand told Jackson
that he had nothing to do with trying to get Jackson fired.
Drugmand told Jackson to go back to his work bay and ges-
tured with his hand. Jackson slapped Drugmand’s hand and
attempted to provoke Drugmand to fight. Jackson said that he
wanted to go outside or that he could give Drugmand his ad-
dress so that they could fight later. Service Manager Dave
Pedersen finally broke up the confrontation and took Jackson
back to his work bay.
When Pedersen returned to Drugmand’s bay a few minutes
later, Drugmand adamantly told him that Jackson’s threats had
to stop. Drugmand told Pedersen that the threats had previously
been verbal, but that this time Jackson had hit him. Drugmand
protested that Jackson’s abuse had been going on for too long
and someone was going to get hurt. Pedersen said that he
would talk with Service Manager Vinnie Casucci and that
something would be done.
Drugmand met with Casucci and Pedersen later in the day.
Casucci said that the employees needed to get along and that
the Respondent had lost too many good employees. He specifi-
cally lamented the fact that Pranske and Lamoya were no
longer employed with the Respondent. Casucci said that he
would speak to Jackson about the problem.
DESERT TOYOTA 109
On June 9, after negotiations had ended for the day, Drug-
mand and Whitaker discussed Jackson’s angry behavior with
Gonzalez and Galen Bartlett, AutoNation’s human resource
director for the southwest district. Gonzalez was also given a
written statement that Drugmand had prepared about the matter.
On about July 6, Jackson walked through Drugmand’s stall
while punching his fist in his hand. Drugmand spoke to
Casucci about Jackson’s action the following day. Drugmand
testified that Casucci assured him that he would speak to
Drugmand and straighten the matter out. Casucci never again
spoke to Drugmand about the second incident.
At negotiations on July 21, Drugmand and Whitaker spoke
to Gonzalez about the second Jackson incident. Gonzalez said
that Jackson had received a written notice with regard to the
June 2 incident and Whitaker asked Gonzalez for a copy of the
written warning.
3. Analysis of the discipline given Pranske and Lamoya
The General Counsel has the initial burden of establishing
that union or other protected activity was a motivating factor in
Respondent’s action alleged to constitute discrimination in
violation of Section 8(a)(1) and (3). Wright Line, 251 NLRB
1083 (1980), enfd. 662 F.2d 899 (1st Cir. 1981), cert. denied
455 U.S. 989 (1982). The elements commonly required to sup-
port such a showing of discriminatory motivation are employer
knowledge, timing, and employer animus. Once such unlawful
motivation is shown, the burden of persuasion shifts to the Re-
spondent to prove its affirmative defense that the alleged dis-
criminatory conduct would have taken place even in the ab-
sence of the protected activity. The Board also applies this
Wright Line analysis to 8(a)(4) claims. Taylor & Gaskin, Inc.,
277 NLRB 563 fn. 2 (1985).
As previously noted, the evidence shows that both Pranske
and Lamoya were supporters of the Union in its efforts to rep-
resent the unit employees. The timing of their discipline is con-
sistent with their continuing support for the Union, including
Pranske’s membership as part of the Union’s negotiating com-
mittee. As to the Respondent’s animus with regard to the Un-
ion, I note the findings in Desert Toyota I and II as well as the
finding in this case that the Respondent has violated Section
8(a)(1) and (5) regarding its bargaining obligations. I further
note the finding in Desert Toyota II that the Respondent vio-
lated Section 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) of the Act by issuing unlawful
warnings to Pranske. I find, therefore, that the Government has
laid the foundation for its required initial showing regarding the
discrimination allegations it has made against the Respondent.
The Respondent meets this showing by establishing the
complicity of Pranske and Lamoya in falsifying the inspection
on Lamoya’s vehicle. The falsification was followed by their
attempts to disguise their actions and mislead the State’s inves-
tigator as to what had taken place. The Respondent warned the
men at the initial stages of its investigation that the matter was
serious and put the dealership at risk of liability and problems
with the State licensing authority. This conclusion was founded
upon the Respondent’s code of ethics which specifically con-
demns such conduct.
In response to the Government’s contention that Jackson was
treated more leniently than Pranske, the Respondent relies
mainly on the fact that Jackson’s conduct was less egregious
because it involved a smog test, not a safety test. He readily
admitted his error and was given warnings by the State and the
Respondent. Waddell, the instigator of the inspection conducted
by Jackson, was forced to resign. On balance, I find that the
Respondent has shown that the treatment accorded to Jackson
and Waddell was not of such a nature as to be considered dispa-
rate under all of the circumstances. I find, therefore, that the
Respondent has met its burden of showing that the discipline
given Pranske and Lamoya would have been administered re-
gardless of their union activities and their testimony under the
Act and, that such actions were not a pretext to punish them for
such activities. I conclude that the Respondent has not violated
Section 8(a)(1), (3), and (4) of the Act as alleged.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. The Respondent, T-West Sales & Service, Inc. d/b/a De-
sert Toyota, is an employer engaged in commerce within the
meaning of Section 2(2), (6), and (7) of the Act.
2. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace
Workers, Local Lodge 845, AFL–CIO is a labor organization
within the meaning of Section 2(5) of the Act.
3. The Respondent violated Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the
Act.
4. The foregoing unfair labor practices constitute unfair labor
practices affecting commerce within the meaning of Section
2(6) and (7) of the Act.
5. The Respondent has not violated the Act except as herein
specified.
[Recommended Order omitted from publication.]