Grand Lodge Int'l Association of Machinists

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Jun 10, 1966

159 N.L.R.B. 137 (N.L.R.B. 1966)

GRAND LODGE INT'L ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS 137
operations with respect to the employees involved in this proceeding,
we deem it inappropriate to assert jurisdiction in the instant proceed-
ing. We shall, accordingly, dismiss the petition.3
[The Board dismissed the petition.]
3In view of this disposition, we find it unnecessary to consider the unit erounde on
which the Employer urged that the petition lie dismissed
Grand Lodge International Association of Machinists and Aero-
space Workers , AFL-CIO and I.A.M. Representatives Associa-
tion, Petitioner
Grand Lodge International Association of Machinists and Aero-
space Workers , AFL-CIO, Employer-Petitioner , and I.A.M.
Representatives Association Union. Cases 10-RC-6555 and 10-
RM-433. June 10, 1966
DECISION AND DIRECTION OF ELECTION
Upon petitions duly filed tinder Section 9(c) of the National Labor
Relations Act, as amended, a consolidated hearing was held before
Hearing Officer Scott P. Watson. The Hearing Officer's rulings made
at the hearing are free from prejudicial error and are hereby affirmed.
Briefs were filed by I.A.M. Representatives Association and Grand
Lodge International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Work-
ers, AFL-CIO, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner and Employer
respectively.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (b) of the Act, the National
Labor Relations Board has delegated its powers in connection with
these cases to a three-member panel [Chairman McCulloch and Mem-
bers Fanning and Zagoria].
Upon the entire record in these cases, the Board finds :
1. Based on a stipulation of the parties, we find that the Employer
is engaged in commerce and that it will effectuate the purposes of the
Act to assert jurisdiction herein.
2. The Employer contends that the Petitioner is not, a labor orga-
nization. The record shows that the Petitioner, an organization in
which employees participate, was recently organized for the purpose
of dealing with employers concerning grievances, labor disputes,
wages, rates of pay, and working conditions. Although the Peti-
tioner as yet has no constitution or elected officers, meetings of those
eligible for membership have been conducted, and the Petitioner has
filed the petition in Case 10-RC-6555. The Petitioner sought recog-
nition as collective-bargaining representative, and bargaining, on
behalf of those who have designated it as their representative, upon
159 NLRB No. 25.
138 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
which demand the Employer's petition in Case 10-RM-432 is based.
In view of the foregoing, we find that the Petitioner is a labor orga-
nization within the meaning of Section 2 (5) of the Act.'
3. The Petitioner seeks to represent a unit including Grand Lodge
representatives and special representatives, hereinafter referred to as
GLR's and SR's, respectively, assigned to the Employer's field staff.
Even though the Employer filed the petition in Case 10-RM-432
requesting an election in a unit including these individuals, it never-
theless contends that no question of representation exists because these
individuals are managerial and/or supervisory personnel and there-
fore are not employees within the meaning of the Act.
Field GLR's are required to be members of the IAM. The posi-
tions they hold were established by the Employer's constitution, and
they were appointed by the Employer's International president; sub-
ject to the approval of its executive council. They are assigned by
the International president to work under one of the vice presidents
responsible for the Employer's activities in a particular industry or
territory. Field GLR's are supervised by their respective vice presi-
dents, although on occasion they are given assignments directly by
the International president. They direct organizational campaigns,
negotiate and sign contracts on the Employer's behalf, attend con-
ferences and meetings, police adherence by local and district lodges
to the Employer's constitution and policies, act as trustees for delin-
quent local sand district lodges, and supervise and assist these lodges
in organizing and electing officials, handling grievances and arbitra-
tion, and directing strikes approved by the Grand Lodge.
Field SR's, who are essentially apprentice GLR's, also are required
to be members of the IAM. Like the GLR's they are appointed by
the International president and have the same duties and responsibil-
ities, although their salaries are lower and are not set by the Employ-
er's constitution. All GLR's and SR's are required to submit weekly
activity and expense reports to their respective supervising vice presi-
dents and to the International president, and are paid from Grand
Lodge headquarters in Washington, D.C. They have no authority to
hire, discharge, layoff, recall, or assign or responsibly direct any of
the Employer's personnel or effectively to recommend such action.
On the basis of the foregoing, we find that the duties and responsi-
bilities of field GLR's and SR's are neither managerial nor super-
visory.2 Accordingly, we find that they are employees of the Em-
' Cf. Retail Clerks International Association , AFL-CIO, 153 NLRB 204.
2 Air Line Pilots Association , International, 97 NLRB 929 ; American Federation of
Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, .120 NLRB 969; International Ladies'
Garment Workers' Union, 131 NLRB 111; Textile Workers Union of America, 138 NLRB
269; Retail Clerks International Association, AFL-CIO, supra ; Retail Store Employees
Union, Local 444 , Retail Clerks International Association , AFL-CIO, 153 NLRB 252;
Retail Store Employees Union , Local 880 , Retail Clerks International Association, AFL-
010, 153 NLRB 255.
GRAND LODGE INT'L ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS 139
ployer, and that a question affecting commerce exists concerning the
representation of employees within the meaning of Sections 9(c) (1)
and 2 (6) and (7) of the Act.'
4. The unit.
A. The positions of the parties
The Petitioner would include in the unit all GLR's, SR's, and press
representatives, hereinafter referred to as PR's, comprising the
Employer's field staff in the United States, excluding GLR's and
'SR's, assigned as assistants .to vice presidents, those assigned to
headquarters staff in Washington, D.C., and to the transportation
department in Chicago; Grand Lodge auditors; office clerical employ-
ees, and professional and technical employees of the headquarters
staff; guards, and supervisors as defined in the Act. In the alterna-
tive, the Petitioner is willing to represent any lesser unit or units
found appropriate by the Board.
The Employer contends that if GLR's and SR's are found to be
'employees, then all GLR's and SR's, as well as all Grand Lodge
auditors, in the United States and Canada, should be included in the
unit. The Employer also contends that PR's are professional employ-
ees and should be excluded. There is no bargaining history.
B..The unit found appropriate
On the basis of the facts set forth in paragraph 3 above, and as
neither party contends primarily that a unit narrower in scope than
nationwide is appropriate, we find that all field GLR's and SR's in
the United States constitute an appropriate unit 4
(1) Canadian representatives: Contrary to the Employer we shall,
in accordance with Board practice, exclude GLR's and SR's who work
exclusively in Canada under the direction of a Canadian regional
vice president.5
(2) GLR assistants to vice presidents: Vice presidents designate
one or more of the GLR's assigned to them as assistants. There are
no special qualifications for such designation, and these GLR's
receive the same pay and benefits as others. They spend ,a substantial
amount of their time performing duties similar or related to the
duties of other GLR's, such as organizing and other field activities.
In addition, the assistants handle National Labor Relations Board
cases, and act as conduits in relaying messages and other information
between the vice president and other GLR's. Although the assist-
ants occasionally assign work to other GLR's and SR's, and direct
S We find no merit in the Employer 's contention at the hearing that its constitution is a
bar to the instant petitions , as among other reasons, it is not a collective -bargaining agree-
ment between a labor organization and an employer.
Textile Workers Union of America , supra.
Retail Clerks International Association , AFL-CIO, supra, at footnote 52; Textile Work-
ers Union of America, eupra. -
140 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
activities in their region when their vice president is absent, in doing
so they follow previous instructions or obtain instructions by tele-
phone from their vice president or from. International headquarters
in Washington. They may on occasion, when requested, give opinions
regarding the terms or conditions of employment of GLR's and SR's
to their vice president who in turn makes recommendations to the
International president.
In all the circumstances, we find, contrary to the Petitioner, that
the GLR assistants to vice presidents are not supervisors, or office
clericals confidential, or professional employees. As their qualifica-
tions, duties, pay, benefits, and supervision are similar to those of
other GLR's in the unit, we 'shall include them.
(3) GLR's and SR's assigned ' to International headquarters: Ten
GLR's and three SR's are assigned to the Employer's headquarters
in Washington, D.C., where their activities are supervised by the
headquarters vice president or the International president. They
have no authority to hire, discharge, or transfer any of the Employ-
er's employees, or effectively recommend such. "action. With the
exception of GLR Jirikowic, discussed below, they do not responsibly
direct other. headquarters or field personnel, although some on occa-
sion assign other representatives at the direction and over the signa-
ture of the International president or the headquarters vice president.
Six of these individuals, headquarters GLR's Burnsky, Winpisin-
ger, Trementozzi,' Burns, and Heisler and SR Holly, in addition to
performing specialized assignments, spend a substantial portion of
their time 'coordinating and participating in, organizational activities
and negotiations, and attending field conferences and meetings, like
other GL'R's and SR's included in the unit. In these circumstances,
we find that these six headquarters GLR's and SR's possess no super-
visory authority and are not office clerical, confidential, or profes-
sional employees. As they share substantial interests and duties in
common with the employees in the unit, we shall include them.
With regard to the remaining GLR's and SR's on the Employer's
headquarters staff, Bauer, Flinn, Kourpias (also 'refe'rred to in the
record as Corpus), McClure, Nelson,'and Faupl,'the record indicates
that their specialized assignments respectively include review of cor-
respondence to the International president, liaison with governmental
agencies, handling of internal union appeals to the International
president, review of bylaws adopted by subordinate lodges, and act-
ing as legislative representative, 'and International representative;
they rarely engage in organizational activities or negotiations.
t.
6 We find no merit in the Petitioner 's contention that these GLR's should be excluded
from the unit as office clerical employees as the record indicates that,•these individuals
are not merely "messengers" of the vice presidents , as the Petitioner contends , and they
are not included in the office clerical unit currently represented by another labor
organization.
GRAND LODGE INT'L ASSOCIATION OF MACHINISTS 141
Accordingly, we find that these employees have duties, responsibil-
ities, and interests which differ' substantially from those of employees
in the unit, and we shall, therefore, exclude them. Jirikowic, direc-
tor of the research department, responsibly directs a research staff
of 12 to 14 individuals. We therefore find that he is a supervisor,
and we shall also exclude him.
(4) GLR's and SR's assigned to the air transport and railroad
industries: These employees are on the staff of Vice President Ram-
sey in Chicago. Their duties involve organization and negotiations
in the air transport and railroad industries and carry them across the
boundaries of territorial vice presidents, and much of their work
relates to representation of individuals covered by the provisions of
the Railway Labor Act. The record indicates, however, that the
working conditions, duties and responsibilities, supervision, and inter-
ests of these employees are similar to those of other GLR's and SR's
included in the unit, and we shall include them.
We shall also include SR Muldanado, who was recently assigned to
work under the supervision of either the International president, or
one of the Employer's vice presidents in the United States, in con-
nection with organizational activities in Puerto Rico, some of which
involve the air transport industry.
(5) Press representatives: The three PR's are public relations and
news media specialists hired on the basis of training and press relations
experience; they spend most of their time in the field assisting GLR's
and SR's under the immediate supervision of their respective vice
presidents. They assist in organizing, draft handbills and press
releases, assist in negotiations and strike activities, and attend meet-
ings and conferences. Although their salaries are not set by the
Employer's constitution as are those of GLR's, their minimum sala-
ries are the same. The other terms of their employment are similar to
those of GLR's and SR's, including the requirement of filing weekly
activity and expense reports, except that PR's are not required to be
members of the Employer's organization. PR's temporarily substitute
for members of the Employer's newspaper staff at headquarters, and
occasionally prepare articles for this, publication; unlike the regular
members of that staff, however, who spend only 5 to 7 percent of their
time away from Washington headquarters and whom the parties
agreed to exclude, these three representatives spend most of their
time in the field. `'
In view of the similarity of duties, interests , and conditions of
employment between these three PR's and the GLR's and SR's in the
unit, we find, contrary to the Employer's contention, that these PR's
are nonprofessional employees properly' a part of the unit and we
shall, therefore, include them.
142 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
(6) Grand Lodge auditors: Although the auditors receive the same
pay as GLR's, their primary function is that of auditing the books of
local and district lodges, and they only incidentally participate in
field organizational activities, and assist in strike situations only when
substantial strike funds are distributed. Unlike the employees in the
unit, Grand Lodge auditors are appointed and supervised by the
Employer's general secretary-treasurer and their assignments are not
coextensive with the zones or regions which are supervised by vice
presidents. As Grand Lodge auditors are separately supervised and
have primary duties and responsibilities which differ substantially
from those of the Grand Lodge, special, and press representatives in
the unit, we shall exclude them.
Accordingly, we find that the following employees of the Employer
constitute a unit appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining
within the meaning of Section 9(b) of the Act:
All Grand Lodge, special, and press representatives employed by
the Employer in the United States and Puerto Rico; but excluding all
similarly classified employees employed exclusively in Canada, those
employed chiefly in unrelated special assignments at headquarters,
Grand Lodge auditors, office clerical employees, professional and tech-
nical employees, guards, and supervisors as defined in the Act.7
5. Laid-off employees. The record shows that a number of Grand
Lodge, special, and press representatives were terminated during
1965. The Petitioner alleges that these individuals were temporarily
furloughed due to a lack of finances, that they received letters indi-
cating that their furloughs were temporary, that some have been and
others soon will be recalled, and that they are, therefore, eligible to
vote. The Employer makes no contention with regard to these indi-
viduals. The record shows only that they were terminated and that
the Employer's financial position has recently improved. The termi-
nation letters referred to by the Petitioner are not in evidence, and
there is no other evidence as to the circumstances of their termination
or the Employer's intentions regarding their recall. As the record is
therefore insufficient to show whether these employees have a reason-
able expectancy of recall in the foreseeable future, we shall permit
those terminated in 1965 and not recalled prior to the eligibility date
to vote subject to challenge."
7 7 The following personnel are excluded in accordance with the stipulation of the parties:
the Employer 's executive council composed of the International president , nine general
vice presidents , and the general secretary-treasurer ; the general secretary - treasurer's as-
sistant; the education department , research department, newspaper department , and legal
department ; the medical doctor ; the Univac operator , and all office clerical employees
wherever located.
As the unit found appropriate is broader than the unit requested by the Petitioner, the
Petitioner may withdraw from the election directed herein upon written notice to the
Regional Director within 10 days after the issuance of this Decision and Direction of
Election.
8 Radio Corporation of America, 127 NLRB 633.
HOTEL EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO 143
Representatives discharged in 1961. Petitioner urges that certain
GLR's discharged in 1961 be allowed to cast challenged ballots as they
are presently seeking reinstatement , backpay, and other relief from a
United States District Court under the provisions of the Labor-
Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. A verdict in their favor
would establish, in effect, that their employee status was never law-
fully terminated , while a contrary determination would establish that
it was. In these circumstances , we shall permit them to vote subject
to challenge.9
[Text of Direction of Election omitted from publication.] 10
0 Cf. Pacific Tile and Porcelain Company, 137 NLRB 1358, 1365.
10 An election eligibility list, containing the names and addresses of all the eligible voters,
must be filed by the Employer with the Regional Director for Region 10 within 7 days
after the date of this Decision and Direction of Election . The Regional Director shall
make the list available to all parties to the election . No extension of time to file this list
shall be granted by the Regional Director except in extraordinary circumstances . Failure
to comply with this requirement shall be grounds for setting aside the election whenever
proper objections are filed. Excelsior Underwear Inc., 156 NLRB 1236.
Hotel Employers Association of San Francisco and Professional
and Clerical Employees , Local 856, International Brotherhood
of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of
America, Petitioner and San Francisco Local Joint Executive
Board of the Hotel and Restaurant Employees and Bartenders
International Union, AFL-CIO ; and Hotel, Motel & Club Serv-
ice Workers Union , Local No. 283 , Intervenor. Case 20--RC-
6369. Jme 1011966
DECISION AND DIRECTION OF ELECTION
Upon a petition duly filed under Section 9 (c) of the National Labor
Relations Act, as amended, a hearing was held before Hearing Offi-
cer Joe R. McCray. The Hearing Officer's rulings made at the hear-
ing are free from prejudicial error and are hereby affirmed. The
Employer, Petitioner, and Intervenor filed briefs with the Board.,-
Upon the entire record in, this case, the National Labor Relations
Board finds :
1. The Employer, sometimes referred to herein as the Association,
is an organization of both large and small hotels and motels formed
for the purposes of collective bargaining. The Employer annually
exceeds $500,000 in gross sales and annually purchases in excess of
$50,000 worth of goods from outside the State of California. The
' The Employer and Intervenor 's requests for oral argument are hereby denied as the
record and briefs adequateliy present the issues and positions of the parties.
159 NLRB No. 15.