Iroquois China Co.

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Mar 7, 1944

55 N.L.R.B. 290 (N.L.R.B. 1944)

i
In the Matter of IROQUOIS CxINA COMPANY and DISTRICT 50, UNITED
MINE WOR$ERS OF AMERICA
1.
I
Case No. 3-R-703
SUPPLEMENTAL DECISION
AND
DIRECTION
March 7, 1944
On January 10, 1944, the National - Labor Relations Board issued
a Decision and Direction of Election in the above -entitled proceeding.)
Pursuant to the Direction of Election , an election by secret ballot was
conducted on February 8, 1944 , under the direction and supervision
of the Regional Director for the Third Region (Buffalo, New York).
Upon the conclusion of the election a Tally of Ballots was furnished
the parties in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Board.
J . The tally shows that of the approximately 167 eligible voters, 150
cast valid votes, of which 76 were for District 50, United Mine Workers
OfAmerica , and 74 against. One ballot was challenged , and 3 were
void.
.On February 14, 1944 , the Company filed -Objections to the Conduct
of the Election . On February •16, 1944, the Regional Director , acting
pursuant to Article III, Section 10, of National Labor Relations Board
Rules and Regulations-Series 3, issued a Report on Objections. On
February 21, 1944 , the Company filed Exceptions to the Report. We
have considered the Objections , the Report , and the Exceptions,; and
find that the Company's objections Nos. 1, 2 , and 4', do not raise any
substantial and material issues with respect to the conduct of the ballot;
they are, accordingly , hereby overruled.
The Company 's objection No. 5 relates to a ballot which the Board's
agent in charge of the election counted as a valid "yes" 'ballot, but
which the Company contends should have been declared void , because
defaced . The Regional Director also recommended that -the ballot be
'counted as a valid "yes" vote. This ballot contains an "x" in the "yes"
box and a single diagonal mark ("\") in the "no" box. Although we
1 54 N. L. R. B. 446
55 N. L. R. B., No. 53.
290
IROQUOIS CHINA COMPANY 291
have on occasion disregarded minor deviations from the approved
method of voting solely by marking an "x" in the appropriate square,
we have done so only where the ballot nevertheless reflects the clear
intention of the voter. We are of the opinion that the ballot here
in question is not so marked as to-reveal a clear intent; accordingly
we find this ballot to be void.
,The._Company's objection No. 3 relates to the ballot cast by an
employee, Peter Boscarolo, who was challenged by the Union. The
(npany, contends that this ballot should be counted 'as that of an
eligible voter, averring in support thereof that Boscarolo is a regular,
part-time, production employee. The Company alleges that he has
teen in its employ for 21 years, but now is restricted to $15.00 per
month in,earnings, and approximately 28 hours per month yin working
time, by reason of considerations relating, to his age and receipt of
:Social, Security, benefits. If the Company's allegations correctly re-
flect the factual situation with respect to the nature:of his employment,
it would appear that he was eligible to vote in the election., However,
in view-of his recommendations as toythe other objections,. the Regional
Director made no finding or 'recommendation as to this challenged
ballot. Since the challenged ballot may now determine.the results of
-the election, we shall direct that,the Regional- ;Director investigate
the issues, raised by the Company's objection No. 3 and prepare and
serve upon the parties a Report on Challenged Ballot. We shall make
z o determination of the results of the election pending said report.
DIRECTION
By virtue of and pursuant to the power vested in the National Labor
I:elatiohs Board by Section 9 (c), of the National Labor Relations
Act, and pursuant to Article III, Section 9, of National' Labor Rela-
tions Board Rules and Regulations-Series 3, it is hereby
DIRECTED that, as part of the investigation to, ascertain, representa-
.tlves for the purpo'se of collective bargaining with Iroquois China
Company, Syracuse, New York, the Regional Director for the Third
Region shall, pursuant to the Rules and Regulations,of the Board set
forth above, and subject to Article III; Sections 9 and 10, of said
Rules and Regulations, within ten (10) days from the date ,of this
Direction, investigate the issues with respect to,Company,'s objection
No.- 3, acid thereafter prepare and cause to be served, upon, the parties
in this proceeding a Report on Challenged Ballot embodying therein
his findings and recommendations.
MR. JOHN M. HOUSTON, took no part in the consideration bf the
above Supplemental Decision and Direction.
[See infra, 55 N. L. R. B. 1022 for Second Supplemental Decision
:and Certification of Representatives.]