Romec Pump Co.

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Jul 11, 1944

57 N.L.R.B. 167 (N.L.R.B. 1944)

In the Matter of ROMEO PUMP COMPANY and INTERNATIONAL Asso-
CIATION OF MACHINISTS (AFL)1
Case No. 8-C-1552.-Decided July 11, 19414
,IDEGISION
AND
ORDER
On April 27, 1944, the Trial Examiner issued his Intermediate Re-
port in the above-entitled proceeding, finding that the respondent had
engaged' in and was engaging in certain unfair labor practices, and
recommending that it cease and desist therefrom and take certain
affirmative action, as set forth in the copy of the Intermediate Report
attached hereto. The Trial Examiner also found that the respondent
had: not engaged in'Iinfair labor practices in discharging Giles Knepper
and Harold W. -Benjamin and recommended that the complaint be
dismissed with respect thereto.
Thereafter, counsel for the Board filed exceptions relating to those
portions of the Intermediate Report recommending dismissal of alle-
gations in the complaint, together with a statement in the nature of a
brief. Neither the respondent nor tho, Union filed exceptions. Oral
argument before the Board was canceled upon the request of the parties
and none was held. The Board has considered the rulings made by
the Trial Examiner at the hearing and finds that no prejudicial error
was committed. The rulings are hereby affirmed.
The Board has considered the Intermediate Report,-the exceptions
filed thereto, and brief, and the entire record in the case, and hereby
adopts the findings, conclusions, and recommendation of the Trial
E''Xaminer.
IThe labor organization named as a party in the present proceeding at the time of the
issuance of the complaint was the Federal Labor Union No 23468, (AFL) At the opening
of the healing, counsel for the Board moved to amend all the formal papers by substituting
for the word "Federal Labor Union No 23468, (AFL)", wherever they appear, the word
"International Association of Machinists, (AFL)", for the reason that the members of the
Fedeial Labor Union had transferred their membership to the International Association
of Machinists, hereon called the JAM Alva Kemp, who appeared in behalf of the Federal
Labor Union, concurred in the Board's motion. He stated that by official action of the
Federal Labor Union the members voted to change their affiliation to -the TAM. D C
Brown, Grand Lodge representative of the TAM, stated that his organization had accepted
the members of the Federal Labor Union into affiliation with the IAM The undersigned,
without objection , granted the Board 's motion as to all formal papers except as to the third
amended charge The undersigned's reservation on that poition of the motion which,
applied to the third amended charge is hereby denied.
57 N. L . R B., No. 31.
167
168 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
The Board does not intend by any provision contained in the Order
set forth below to affect, in any manner, the contract between The
respondent and the Romec Employees Independent Labor Association,
Inc:, dated April 1, 1943.
ORDER
Upon the entire record in the case, and pursuant to section 10 (c)
Hof the National Labor, Relations Act, the National Labor Relations
Board hereby orders that the respondent, Romec Pump Company,
Elyria,,Ohio, and its officers, agents, successors,, and assigns, shall:
1. Cease and desist from :
(a) Discouraging membership in International' Association of- Ma-
chinists, affiliated with the American Federation, of Labor, or in, any
other labor organization of its employees, by discriminatorily dis-
charging or refusing to reinstate any of its employees or in any other
manner discriminating in regard to their hire or tenure of employment
or, any term, or condition of employment;
(b) Encouraging membership in Romec Employees- Independent
Labor Association, Inc., unaffiliated, or any other labor organization of
its employees, by according to that organization or any other organi-
zation discriminatory privileges;
(c) In any other'manner interfering with, restraining, or coercing
its employees in the exercise of the right to self-organization, to form
labor organizations, to join or assist-the International Association of
Machinists (AFL) or any other labor organization,. to bargain collec-
tively through representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in
concerted activities, for the purposes,•of collective bargaining or other
mutual aid or protection, as guaranteed in Section 7 ,of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action, which the Board finds will
effectuate the policies of the Act:
(a) Offer to Donald- R. Newkirk, immediate and full reinstatement
to his former or substantially equivalent position, without prejudice
to his seniority and other rights and privileges;
(b) Make whole Donald B. Newkirk, for any loss of pay which he
may have suffered because of the respondent's discrimination against
him by payment to him of a sum of money equal to the amount which,
he normally would have earned as wages from the date of his discharge
to the date of the respondent's offer of reinstatement, less his net earn-
ings during such period; '
(c) Post immediately in'conspicuous places throughout its plant in
Elyria, Ohio, and maintain.for a period of at least sixty (60) consecu-
tive days from the date of posting, notices to its employees stating :
(1) that the respondent will not-engage in the conduct from which it.
is ordered 'to cease and desist in paragraphs 1 (a), (b),,and (c) of
this Order; (2) that the respondent will take the affirmative action
ROMEC PUMP COMPANY 169'
set forth in paragraphs 2 (a) and (b) of this Order; and (3) that its
employees are free to become or remain members of International
Association of Machinists, affiliated ,with the American Federation of
Labor, or any other labor organization, and that the respondent will
not in any manner discriminate against its employees because of mem-
bership in 'or activity on behalf of that organization or any other labor
organization; and
. (d) Notify the Regional Director for the Eighth Region (Cleve-
land, Ohio) in writing, within ten (10) days from the date 'of this
Order, what steps the respondent has taken to comply herewith. -
IT Is FURTIIER ORDERED that the complaint herein be, and it hereby is,
dismissed insofar as it alleges that the respondent has discriminated
in regard to the hire and tenure of employment of Giles K Tepper and
Harold W. Benjamin.
INTERMEDIATE REPORT
Messrs. John A. Hull, Jr., and William 0. Murdock , for the Board.
Mr. King E. Favver, of Elyria, Ohio, for the respondent.
Mr. D. 0. Brown, of Akron, Ohio, for the JAM.
Mr. Alva Keinp, of Elyria, Ohio, for the Federal Labor Union
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Upon a third amended charge duly filed on February 16, 1944, by Federal Labor
Union No. 23468 , affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, herein called
the Federal Labor Union; the National Labor Relations Board, herein called the
Board, by its Regional Director for the Eighth Region ( Cleveland , Ohio ) issued
its complaint dated February 17, 1944, against Romec Pump Company, herein
called the respondent , alleging that the respondent had engaged in and was engag-
ing in unfair labor practices within the meaning of Section 8 ( 1) and (3) and
Section 2 ( 6) and ( 7) of the National Labor Relations Act, 49 Stat . 449, herein
called the Act. Copies of the complaint , accompanied by notice of hearing, were
duly served upon the respondent , the Federal Labor Union, and 'the Romec
Employees Independent Labor Association , Inc., herein called ' the Independent.
With respect to the alleged unfair labor practices , the complaint as amended
at the hearing , in substance states that the respondent : ( 1) on or about August
17, 1943, discharged Giles Knepper , on or about September 2, 1943, discharged
Harold W. Benjamin , and on or about February 10, 1944, discharged Don-
ald B. Newkirk , and thereafter failed and refused to reemploy these indi-
viduals, for the reason that they joined and assisted the A . F. L. and engaged
in concerted activities with other employees ' of the respondent for the purpose
of collective bargaining and other mutual aid and protection ; ( 2) through its
officers and agents, W. L. Davis, M. L. Mathews , A. A. Anderson , Arthur Hacka-
thorn , Edward Wachter , Edward Mathews, Tony Alberts , Richard Miller and
Mark Defibaugh , in the month of March 1941 and thereafter , ( a) urged, per-
suaded , and ordered Its employees 'to form, join, and support the Independent,
and to refrain from joining , supporting , or assisting the A. F. L. or any other
labor organization , ( b) fostered and assisted In the formation of the Independent
1 The International Association of Machinists and the Federal Labor Union are herein
jointly called the A.'F.'L.
170 DECISIONS OF` NATIONAL -LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
and interfered with its administration by contributing to it financial and other
support and assistance, and (c) advised, urged, threatened, and warned its
employees to refrain from becoming or remaining members of- the A. F. L.,
interrogated its employees concerning the A. F. L and other labor organizations,
made disparaging and derogatory remarks to its employees concerning the
A. F L and other labor organizations, and otherwise indicated to its employees
its disapproval of,and opposition to-self-organization of its employees;. and, (3)
b'y the acts set forth in (1) above has discouraged membership in'tlie A. F. L.,
and by all the foregoing acts has interfered with, restrained and coerced its
'employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act.
,The respondent, in its answer filed March 1, 1944, admits that it is engaged
in'commerce within the meaning of Section 2 (6) and- (7) of the Act, but deities
that it engaged in any unfair labor practices.
Pursuant to notice, a hearing was held at Elyria, Ohio, on March 1 and 2,
1044, before the undersigned Trial Examiner, James C. Batten, duly designated
by the Chief Trial Examiner. The Board, respondent, Federal Labor Union,
and IAM were represented and participated in the hearing. All parties were
afforded full opportunity to be heard, to examine and cross-examine 'witnesses,
and to introduce evidence bearing on the issues
At the opening of the hearing, the undersigned; without' objection, granted the
Board's motion to amend the complaint 2 Also at the opening of the'henring,
Frank E. Stevens, representing the Independent, appeared specially and asked
Board's counsel whether or not that organization was being proceeded against
in the present beating Counsel for the Board stated that the Berard was not
proceeding under Section 8 (2) of the Act and was'not asking for the disestab-
lisliment of the Independent or the setting aside of its contract with the'respond-
ent, but the Board contended that the respondent had rendered certain assistance
to the Independent, which violated Section 8 (1). of the Act , Stevens then
withdrew from the hearing At the close of the Board's case, the respondent's
motion for a dismissal of the complaint was denied by the undersigned. At
the close of the testimony, the undersigned, over the objection of the respondent,
granted the motion of the Board to conform the pleadings to the proof as to
minor details. At the conclusion of the hearing the parties informally discussed
the issues herein. The undersigned advised all parties that they might file briefs
provided that such' briefs were submitted within 7 days from- the close,-oV the
hearing. Briefs were filed by the Board and the respondent
Upon the entire record thus made and from the undersigned's observation of
the witnesses, the undersigned makes, in addition to the above, the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. THE BUSINESS OF THE RESPONDENT
The respondent, Romec Pump Company, is an Ohio corporation with its office
and plant located in Elyria, Ohio, where it is engaged in the manufacture and
production of fuel and oil pumps for airplanes. Of the raw materials-steel,
aluminum, brass and other metals-used by the respondent in its manufactur-
ing processes, approximately 50 percent are shipped to its Plant, through the
channels of interstate commerce from,points outside the State of Ohio. Of its
finished products, the respondent ships approximately 75 percent through the
The Poard'moved to amend Paragraph 6 of the complaint'by naming additional officers,
and agents of the respondent, who participated in the activities alleged to have interfered
with, restrained and coerced its employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed hi See-
tion,7 of the Act.
ROMEC PUMP COMPANY 171
-channels of interstate commerce to points outside the State of Ohio. The
respondent admits that it is engaged in commerce within the meaning of Section
2 (6) and (7) of the Act. -
II. THE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
International, Association of Machinists, affiliated with the American Federa-
tion of 'Labor, Fedetal Labor Union No. 23468, affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor, and Romec Employees Independent Labor Association,
Inc, unaffiliated, are labor organizations admitting to membership employees
,of the respondent.
I[I. THE ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRAC'IICES
A. The Independent; other interference, restroint and coercion
1. The Independent'
,Some time in March or April 1941, the A. F. L. engaged in an organizational
campaign among the employees at the respondent's plant. This organizational
campaign was short-lived. The A. F. L. renewed its efforts to organize the re-
spondent's employees in August 1942, and discontinued its activities shortly
thereafter. In July 1943, the A. F. L. again attempted to organize the em-
ployees.and conducted an,intensive campaign, resulting in.a substantial numbei
joining that organization. The various attempts of this labor organization to
organize the plant met with opposition from the respondent, principally through
the formation of the Independent and interference with its administration by
contributing financial and other support and assistance to it.
Some time in March 1941, W. L. Davis, then the respondent's vice-president
and general manager, in a conversation with employee Thompson stated that
he understood either the C. I. O. or the A. F I:. was attempting to organize the
plant and that he would not deal with them, but he would deal with the men
if they organized their own union A few days after this conversation the em-
ployees were notified 4 that a meeting was to be held in an abandoned office room
and that employee Wimsatt would preside at the meeting. 111im:,att presided
at the meeting and after some discussion concerning the organization of a union
to bargain with the respondent, a committee was selected, consisting of five
employees, to perfect an inside organization. One member of the committee,
Charles Wilford, who was in.charge of the test room and considered by the
employees to be a super isor shortly after the committee started its activities
"was disqualified" because he was in a position to recommend hiring and dis-
charging of employees This committee, following the group meeting, held at
least.two meetings in the plant and completed the organization of a labor organi-
zation now known as the Romec Employees Independent Labor Association,
Inc. The committee- after about three weeks of effort prepared a constitution
and bylaws, and elected temporary officers. The organizational group meeting,
as well as the committee meetings thereafter, were held in an abandoned Office,
room in the plant and the employees and committee members were paid for
the time spent attending these meetings. The facts as related above make it plain
that the organizational group meeting, as well as the committee meetings of the
Independent, were planned and organized by the respondent, and under its com-
plete domination. • Under these circumstances, the undersigned concludes and
finds that the concept of the Independent originated with respondent, and that _
Unless otherwise indicated, the facts set forth in this section are undisputed.
4 Thompson testified that "word was passed around the shop that we were to have a
meeting, from one man to the other it was passed around."
172 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR 'RELATIONS BOARD
the respondent-by holding, the group and. committee meetings in the plant during,
working hours, and by the payment of wages to the employees,for the time
spent in such activities, thereby lent assistance and encouragement to-the In-
dependent and was responsible for its formation.
In addition to the holding-of the organizational'mneeting of the Independent
iii the respondent's plant and on its time, the respondent has contributed directly
,to the support of the Independent. The respondent permitted the Independent
to install and operate coca-cola dispensing machines at its plant for a period
from July 1941 to July 14, 1943.' The respondent contributed the electrical
energy necessary to operate these machines, and permitted the Independent to
receive all of the profits from their operation. The Independent had complete
charge of the coca-cola machines and furnished all the labor 'necessary in con-
nection with their operation. The Independent later refunded to the respondent
the proceeds from the coca-cola machines for the period March 3, 1943, to July
14, 1943. Subsequent to July 14, 1943, the -respondent has operated the ma-
chines for its own account, and the proceeds from the machines as well as the
proceeds refunded by the Independent have been credited by the respondent to a
welfare fund, created by the respondent for the,benefit of all its employees.
The record does not disclose the exact amount of money the Inde'p'endent received
from the operation of these machines, but the undersigned is convinced'that
it was a substantial amount. It is found from the facts set forth above that the
respondent has contributed a large measure of financial support to the Inde-
pendent.
In addition to the respondent's formation-of the Independent, the encourage-
ment given to it by providing a meeting place and paying the employees and
committee members for the time spent in its organization, the respondent has
lent other assistance to the Independent. The evidence is hardly in dispute that
the intensity of the Independent's activities in the plant was largely determined
by whether or not some outside labor organization was conducting an organiza-,
tional drive amongst the employees in the plant. , Tile Independent was organ-
ized in the spring of 1941 when there was some talk of a "CIO or AF of L Union"
coming into the plant; thereafter it was comparatively inactive until the
summer of 1942 when it again became active concurrently with the renewed
efforts of the A. F. L. to organize the plant; and again in the summer of 1943
the Independent, concurrently with the renewal of A. F. L. activities, it became in-
creasingly active.
The success of the Independent is due, in no small degree, to the respondent's
attitude with respect to the conduct of the Independent's solicitation of mem-
bers, collection of dues and the holding of elections in the plant during working
hours. The evidence is not in dispute that on at least two occasions the election
of an officer for the Independent was conducted by distributing ballots to the
stewards in the various departments who, in turn, distributed the ballots to the
employees, and after they were marked collected the ballots-and returned them
'to the secretary of the Independent.' It cannot be seriously denied that the
Independent, on the respondent's time by its secretary and stewards in the vari-
ous departments, regularly 'solicited employees to join that organization, and
regularly collected dues. The undersigned is convinced and finds that the re-
spondent was fully aware of this' assistance and encouragement given to the
Independent.
=In contrast is the respondent's attitude toward the A. F. L. On or about
August 10, 1943, Works Manager Defibaugh called its officers into his office in
the presence of several of the respondent's supervisory personnel. -Defibaugh
at this conference had an A. -F. L. application card and stated to the-A. F. L.
representative that "There had -been a -lot of those cards floating,around the
ROMEC -PUMP COMPANY 173
plant." Defibaugh then advised against organizing on the respondent 's time,
stating that such activities were slowing up production and disrupting the
plant in general. The A. F. L. representatives admitted that production had
been slowed up as a result of the organizational efforts of the, labor organiza-
tions. The A. F. L- representatives then agreed to stop the practice and told
Defibaugh that the Independent should also be made to stop their activities
in the plant on respondent's time. Defibaugh advised the A F. L group that
the Independent had already been notified to cease their activities during working
hours.' '
Subsequent to the meeting in Defibaugh's office attended by the A. F. L repre-
sentatives, that organization sent out a notice to its members stating in part
that:
"On Thursday, August 12, the officers of the A. F. L entered into an
agreement with the Management of the Romec Pump Company, whereby
we agreed not to solicit any one for membership in the A. F. L. during
working hours. We intend to see that this agreement is lived up to."
Such a notice was, sent to all of the A. F. L. members and according to the
testimony, of the , Board's witnesses , as well as those of ,, the respondent, the
A. F. L. thereafter discontinued its activities during working hours. On the
other hand, the activities of the Independent adherents continued during work-
ing hours, even though the president of the A. F. L. on more than one occasion
complained to representatives of the respondent. that the Independent's, activi-
ties persisted. These activities were so open and wiespread that there can be no
doubt that the respondent was aware of the Independent's continued efforts in
the plant during working time. -
It is clear from the above-related facts and the undersigned finds that the
difference in treatment accorded adherents of the independent and the A. F. L.
by the respondent would have the effect of assisting the Independent , encourag-
ing membership in it, and discouraging membership in the A. F. L., thereby
interfering with, restraining, and coercing the employees in the exercise of the
rights to which they are entitled under the Act' -
2. Other interference, restraint and coercion
Some time in August 1943, employee Crittenden asked Chief Inspector 'Richard
Miller for a raise; Miller told Crittenden that he was altogether too active •in
5 M. L. Mathews, respondent 's personnel manager, testified that he was present at, the
meeting on August 10, 1043, when Defibaugh instructed the A F. L representatives to
discontinue union activities in the plant during working hours Mathews further testified
that a similar meeting was held with the officers of the Independent . The undersigned
does not credit this statement of Mathews. Employee Agate, who is secretary-treasurer of
the Independent, testified that Defibaugh did not call in the Independent officers in August
1043, and to his knowledge did not call in any other representatives of the Independent.
Agate further testified that subsequent to the time that the-A F. L. representatives were
called into Defibaugh 's office he heard rumors about the incident. If the officers of the
Independent or any of its representatives had been called in to such meeting, it is certain
that Agate would have heard about the meeting. The undersigned credits Agate's statement
that no such meeting was held by Defibaugh with the officers of the Independent.
"'In the discussion hereinafter the discriminatory discharge of Donald B. Newkirk, the
president of the A. F. L., further findings in addition to those above disclose that the
respondent entered into a maintenance of membership contract with the Independent and
purportedly under its terms discharged Newkirk.
'At the time of the hearing Crittenden was a foreman in charge of the gauge and jig
inspection . He was promoted to,his job about three weeks prior to the hearing herein.
However, in August, when the above conversation took place , Crittenden was an employee
without any supervisory authority. Richard Miller did not testify . The undersigned
credits the testimony of Crittenden in respect to this Incident. '
174 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
union activities for his own gopd. Crittenden testified that the only labor
organization that he had anything to do with up until that time was the A. F. L.
The undersigned finds that the foregoing statement of Miller , as well as the
respondent 's interference with the Independent , and the discharge of employee
Donald . B Newkirk because of his ; union` membership and-, activities, hereinafter
referred to, were integral parts of a course of conduct by the respondent de-
signed to discoui age membership in and activity on behalf of the A F'..L. and
encourage membership in the Independent . The undersigned further finds that
by such conduct the respondent has interfered with;' restrained , and coeiced
its employees in the exercise of the rights guatanteed in Section 7 of the Act.
B. The dischaige of Donald B . Newkirkt
Prior to 'his discharge on February 10, 1944 , Newkirk had been in the re-
spondent's employ since Jannaiy 19, 1943. He was regarded by the respondent
as a satisfactory and efficient worker. Newkirk joined the A. F L, in July
1943, and shortly thereafter . became its temporary president , which office he
held at the time of his discharge on February 10 He was very fictive in behalf
of the A. F. L . and was its chief representative in the respondent 's plant"
Sometime in February or early March 1943, Newkirk signed it card for member-
,ship in the Independent About 2 weeks later the steward of his department
came to him and explained that the original card had been lost and asked him to
sign another card" When N,;wkirk signe:l the second card for the' Incependanr
he also paid a Bolin r in dues for the months of April and May. Newkirk has never
paid,any further dues to the Independent Newkirk was not requested by any
representative of the Independent to pay any further dues until some time in
'August or September 1943, when employee Fries came to Newkirk ' s bench and in
the presence of several other employees stated that he had just been elected
steward for the Independent and that one of his duties was to collect dues. Fries
fuither stated that he knew the employees in the group still belonged to the A. F. L.
but it was his job to collect dues and he would be around to collect later The
group, including Newkn'k , advised Fries that they did not intend to pay any more
dues to the Independent'-'
About a week prior to Newkirk 's discharge on February 10, 1944, Buffington,
president ,of the Independent , informed Newkirk that the Independent had a main-
tenance of membership clause in its contract and that as a condition of employment
in the respondent 's plant, Newkirk would have to reinstate himself with that
organization . Newkirk advised . Bufngton that he would think about the matter.
A day or two thereafter , when Newkirk was reporting for work Buffington told
him that if he did not reinstate himself with the Independent there would be no
work for him the next clay , he would not be allowed in the plant , and he, Buffington,
'Unless otheiwise indicated, the facts set foitli in this section are undisputed
" The -respondent and all of its representatives knew that Newkirk was a member of the
A. F L, one of its otticeis, and its leading exponent in the plant These facts are not in
dispute. '
i` The card lead as follows: "I hereby accept niembershipi in the Roniec Employees
Independent Labor Association , Inc., through its organizers of committees , and of my
own free will hereby authorized the Romee Employees Independent Labor Association, Inc,
its agents or representatiies , to act for me as a collective bargaining agency in all matters ,
per tanning to rates of pay, wages , hours of employment ,'or other conditions of employment
including that of ' piomoting activities conducive to the betterment of the standard of
living and the general welfare of local worker s "
"The group addressed by Fries included employees Thompson, Truxxel , Zion. leper,
Easterday , a nd Newkirk , all of whom were members of the A. F L.
ROMEC PUMP COMPANY 175,
would haN e Newkirk fired. Later in the same day, Newkirk advised PersonneL
Manager Mathews and Foreman Gahagan that Buffington had told him that.if he
did not reinstate himself with the Independent he would not be allowed in the
plant the following morning Mathews and Gahagan told Newkirk to come to work
in the morning, that if anyone tried to,prevent him from entering the plant to
call Gahagan 'anid'lie «ciili] "issue°ii puss permitting Newkirk to' enter the plant,
and that they were doing,the hiring and firing, not Buffington.
On February 8, 1944, the Independent posted on the bulletin board in the plant
a copy of Article I (A) of its contract with the respondent. The clause reads'as:
follows :
"All employees who are now members of this Association or who in the
future become members of this Association will be required as a condition
of employment with the Company to maintain their membership and con-
tinue in good standing as to dues during the life of the contract provided
that this provision shall apply only to employees who, after the consum-
mation of this agreement individually and voluntarily certify in writing
that they will as a condition of their continued employment maintain their
membership in the Association in good standing as to the dues during the
life of the contract."
On February 8, 1944, Edward C Bnllmgton, president of,the Independent, wrote
a letter to the respondent-attention of M. 1. Mathews, its personnel manager-
stating:
"The It E I L. A' is hereby asking for the.disunssal cf Donald Newkirk in re-'
garcls to his status of non-member of the R. E. I L. A and being notified the
effect of Article I, sections A,and B [of the contract]. He has been given
the opportunity to reinstate himself in the Independent Union and-refuses
to do so"
On the same day that the respondent teceived the request from the Independent
tor the dismissal of Neu kirk, it also received from D. C. Brown, Grand Lodge
representative of the IAM, a letter dated February 7, advising that a majority of
the employees in the maintenance and production department of the respondent's
plant were members of the Mill and that they had selected that organization as
then- bargaining agent. Brown's letter also asked that respondent arrange a date
ni the near future frith ai i epresentative of the JAM for the purpose of'negotiating
a collective bargaining agreement. Although the record does not disclose whether
ornot the respondent ever replied to Brown's letter, it is clear that on February 8,
the day that the Independent demanded Newkirk's discharge, it had a notice of a_
claim by the JAM to nnajoilty representation of the employees" Two days later
Newkirk was discharged in accoi dance with the demand of the independent
On the morning of February 10, Newkirk was called into Mathews'toffice where
there were other representatives of the respondent and the Independent present.
Forest Smith, a member of the Independent's committee and a departmental
steward, told Newkirk that he would have to reinstate himself with the Inde-
The'agieenient entered into between the despondent and the Independent was dated
April 1, 1943, although the contract was consuniniated and signed Apiil 8, 1943, and made
effective as of April 1, 1943 ,
i^ It should be noted that the respondent's contract with the Independent, dated April
1, 1041), was for an indefinite penod="from'year to yeai unless at least thirty (30) days
p1ioi, to such date in 1944, or the Caine date in any successiie year, either party gives
to the other party a written and signed notice of the desire and intention to terminate
this agreenient" Under these circumstances the contiact could not be consideied a bar
to the deteimunation of the question of representation by the Board It is ceitain that
the respondent had full knowledge of the conflicting claims afjthe two labor organizations
prior to the discharge of Newkirk
, 176 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
pendent or they would have to insist upon his discharge for refusal to do so. New-
kirk refused to reinstate himself with the Independent by the payment of $150
dues. During the conversation Production Manager Anderson said to Newkirk,
"Oh, go on, Newkirk, give it to them. We all have to do some things we don't want
to do sometimes during our lives " Mathews then' said something about' "We all
have to eat a little crow now and then." Newkirk told the'iepresentatives of the
respondent and the Independent that he didn't see why he "should be picked- on"
when there were a good many others that had not reinstated themselves. After
some further conversation as to whether or not several of the employees who had
been reinstated had actually paid dues, some of the employees were called into the
conference. Employee Fred Smith, one of those called into the conference, when
advised by Forest Smith that he was delinquent in dues and that as a condition
of his employment he would'have to reinstate himself, agreed to do so. Employee
Thompson stated that his dues were paid until February 1, and that if he was-going
to be fired for non-payment of clues, they had better make out-his release right
then because he absolutely would not pay any more dues to the Independent.
Employee Jaycox, when told about, the maintenance for membership clause and
that he was back 3 months in his-dues, refused to pay any more dues' in. order, to
reinstate himself in the Independent. President Buffington, who was in at-
tendance at a part of the conference, then spoke up and said, "Well,, we aren't
getting any place arguing here, let us get down stairs and talk to a fe^v of the
employees down there." Forest Smith, Buffington and Newkirk then went down
to the assembly room and talked to employee Crittenden. Smith and Buffington
explained to Crittenden the maintenance of membership clause in the contract
Newkirk then- stated to Crittenden, "Ray, it amounts to this much, I either pay
my Independent Union dues, or I don't have a job. What would you do?" New-
kirk further stated that he was looking"for advice as he did not want to be the
first one. Crittenden replied, "Well, I don't know what you should do. I can't
tell. But I know what I would do." Newkirk then told Smith and Buffington
to go ahead and have him fired, that he would not reinstate himself in the
Independent.
Upon Newkirk's refusal to reinstate himself with the Independent, Foreman
-Gahagan asked him what time he wanted to leave, whether he wanted to finish
the day, out or leave at 3 o'clock. Newkirk replied that he might as well go at
once. Gahagan then asked Newkirk to stay around for a little while and help
-out on some "pumps." Newkirk replied that he would do so, but that he would
leave at 4 o'clock. He was given a gate pass "out" for 4 o'clock that day. When
-Newkirk reported to Personnel Manager Mathews' office at 4 o'clock to receive his
-check, Newkirk signed a "Termination Report" which gave as the reason for his
termination "At demand of Romec Employees Independent Labor Association,
Inc, pursuant to terms of contract." The report further indicated that the re-
hiring of Newkirk was recommended, that his "ability" was good, "Productivity"
was fast, "Attendance" was regular, and "Deportment".was cooperative. Under
-the section of the report headed "EMPLOYEE PROTEST" appears the following
statement :
"The union demanded that I- become reinstated which is a condition of em-
ployment. The foregoing is the reason for the termination of my employ-
ment."
Personnel Manager Mathews testified that prior to Newkiik's discharge, in, a
.conversation with Buffington and Forest Smith, officers of the Independent, he
asked them, "Why do you pick on a good man [Newkirk] like that?" and that
when Buffington replied that the "Independent wanted the source," he [Mathews]
understood the remark to mean the leader of,the A. F. L. Mathews also testified
ROMEC PUMP COMPANY 177
that Newkirk would not have been discharged except for the demand of the In-
dependent, and that the termination report correctly set forth the only reason
for Newkirk's discharge-"pursuant to the terms of the contract." The respond-
ent, however, concedes' readily that there is a defect in the contract and the
[membership] card [signed by Newkirk]. The card which has been presented
here, signed by Newkirk, does not comply with the requirements of the' contract,
as to the sort of statement that should be filed with the Company to make the
maintenance clause [of the contract] effective on that particular employee. "I
[Fauver, counsel for the respondent], don't believe that means that'the discharge
of Newkirk was in violation of the Act."
The provision of the contract above referred to. which provides for the main-
tenance of membership states that only in those instances where the employees
after the consummation of the agreement "individually and voluntarily certify in
writing that they will, as a condition of their continued employment [with the
respondent], maintain their membership in the Association [Independent] in
good standing as to the payment, of dues during the life of the contract." The
membership card of Newkirk was signed prior to the consummation of the con-
tract" It is also admitted that, arguendo, the card was properly dated, it does
not comply with the terms of the contract as certifying in writing that Newkirk
will, as a condition of employment, maintain membership in the Independent by
paying dues
The respondent admits "there is no dispute as to the facts" surrounding New-
kirk's discharge, and that the only justification for his discharge is that the Inde-
pendent said, "he [Newkirk] gets out or we [the Independent] strike." There is
no'substantial'evidence in the record to indicate that the respondent was justified
in believing that the Independent would call a strike. Mathews testified that
"they [the Independent] intimated that we would have a strike on our hands
with the Independent Association," if Newkirk was retained 1e Mathews further
testified that the respondent "decided that it was better to go along with 350,
employees [members of the Independent] than to cross up the Independent As-
sociation " On the other hand, when several of the employees learned of New-
kirk's discharge they gathered around him, and had Newkirk not advised them
to return to work there would have been an immediate and serious stoppage of
work on "important war production."
The entire record requires the conclusion that the operative cause of Newkirk's
discharge and the respondent's refusal to reemploy him was his A. F L. member-
ship and activities. No cogent reason has been advanced for its conduct with
respect to Newkirk except the demand by the Independent for his discharge com-
plemented by the "intimation" that the refusal to discharge Newkirk would
result in an interruption of work. The respondent had a strong antipathy to the
A F. L, and Newkirk was its most active protagonist as well as its president.
That a discriminatory motive underlay the respondent's treatment of Newkirk
is further evidenced by the condition imposed by"the respondent at the insistence
of its dominated Independent-Newkirk, reinstate yourself with the Independent
as a condition of employment in the plant. The imposition of such a condition
to Newkirk's employment under the circumstances herein is a clear violation of
14 When Newkirk signed the Independent membership card the latter part of March 1943,
be did not date the card, although it bears the date of April 1. The evidence is undis-
puted that the contract was consdmmated 'on April 8 and was made effective as of April
3, 194i. -
The respondent in its brief states : "It wasn 't particularly material to the Company
in attempting to prevent an interruption of important war production , whether the con-
tract requires Newkirk's discharge or not, or why the Independent Association wanted him
discharged."
601248-45-vol 57-13
.178 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR' RELATIONS BOARD
Section 8 (3) of the Act. In addition, the undersigned concludes that the re-
spondent in discharging Newkirk surrendered to the Independent its managerial
'responsibilities with regard to Newkirk's employment, and without reason ac-
quiesced in and adopted the Independent's functional animus against him. Such
action by the respondent was plainly violative of the Act, particularly in this
instance where there was no necessity of yielding to the importunities of the
Independent. Such an exigency, even if existing, offered the respondent no justi-
fication for failing in its affirmative duty to protect Newkirk in his employment.10
The undersigned finds that by discharging Donald B Newkirk on February 10,
1944, and thereafter refusing to reinstate him because of his failure to maintain
membership in the Independent and his membership and activities in the A F. L.,
the respondent discriminated against him in regard to his hire and tenure of
employment and thereby discouraged membership in'the A F. L. and encouraged
membership in the Independent, and interfered ^ with, restrained and coerced its
employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act."
C. The alleged discriminatory discharge of Knepper
Giles Knepper was employed by the respondent on or about November 11, 1941,
and until his discharge on August 17, 1943, served principally as a filer His
employment record was not satisfactory,'B due in it large measure to the attitude
11 There is no "closed shop" agreement between the Independent and the respondent that
would justify Newkirk's discharge because of his failure to maintain membership in that
organization, and while the respondent contends that such discharge was induced by the
Independent, the respondent thereby acquiied no immunity for the prohibition imposed
by the Act See Matter of Hudson. Motor Car Company and International Union, United
Automobile Workers of America, A. F L,, 34 N L R B , 815, N. L It Bev Stai Publish-
mg Company, 97 F (2d) 464, 465 (C C A 0), enf'g Matter of Star Publishing Company
and Seattle Newspaper Guild, 4 N. L R B, 498 ' See also McQuay-Noiiis Mannfactininp
Company v N L. R B, 116 F (2d) 748 (C C. A 7), ceit denied, 313 U S. 5565, enf'g
-Matter of McQuay-Noires Manufacturing Company and United Automobile Workers of
America, Local No. 226, 21 N L R B, 704 ,.Wilson if Co Inc v N L R B, 123 P' (2d)
411 (C C A 8), enfg as modified, iespectively, Matter of Wilson if Co Inc and United
Cannery, Agricultural, Packing & Allied Workers of America, Local No 216, 26 N L R B
27:3, and Matter of Wilson if Co, Inc and United Cannery, Agricultural, Packing if Allied
1Vorkers of Amei tea, Local 216, 26 N L R B , 297 Cf Matter of illotoi Products Corpora-
tion and Claude B. Apple, Steve Oillock, Joseph G Green, Lynn Mcheeh(in and Rotieniary
O'Mara, 34 N I, R B 1236 -
iT Tlie respondent contends in its brief that the situation herein is "someichat similar"
to that set forth in the Mattel of New Yoik and Porto Rican Steamship Company, et'al.,
34 N L It. R , 1028 The undersigned cannot concui in this contention of the respondent
)The facts in this case are plainly distinguishable front those therein There the respondent
maintained a "neutral attitude with respect to the union affiliations of their employees",
and it was upon this basis that the Board concluded that while there had been a "technical
violation ' of the Act it would not effectuate the purposes of the Act to require remstate-
-nient of the employees In the present case the facts are conclusive that the respondent
has not maintained a neutral position, but has, in contrast, by the formation of the
Independent, by interfering with its administration, and by financial and other assistance
liven to it, expressed a preference for that organization
is Knepper itestified that he received 55 cents per hour when first employed and 75 cents
per hour at the time of his discharge This testimony apparently was offered to provide a
foundation'lhat would support an inference that Knepper was a competent worker Accoid-
ing to Knepper's testimony, he received four raises during the period of his eniplo3meet
hlowei er, the record is incomplete concerning the circumstances under which two of the
earlier increases were given Of the latter increases, one was dire to a general raise
granted all employees, and the other an individual increase obtained through the efforts of
his foreman, Wachter Wachter testified that while Knepper was a poor worker lie had to
make a living, and "if lie buys it loaf of bread it costs hint as much as it costs you and I -
It all costs hint just as much as you and I." ' Under the circunistances reflected in the
record herein; the undersigned does not believe that the increases which Knepper, received
(luring his employment with the respondent were indicative of whether or not he was 'a
competent worker.
ROMEC PUMP COMPANY 179
which he displayed toward his fellow workers and his foreman The under-
signed's observation of Knepper while testifying supports the respondent's con-
tention that he is distinctly of the noncooperative and irrational type. Knepper
joined the A. F. L shortly before his discharge but was not at all active in its
behalf. Foreman Wachter testified that while he was not sure that Knepper
belonged' to the A. F. L, he assumed that Knepper was a member because most
of the employees in his department, according to information he had received
from employee Taylor were members.
The respondent contends that Knepper was discharged because he walked off
the job without permission and was noncooperative The facts' as testified to
by Foreman Wachter are, in most respects, uncontroverted, and are here briefly
summarized : 19
On August 17, 1943, shortly after the lunch period, one of the employees in the
department in which Knepper worked asked Foreman Wachter if he could turn
on the heat as the room was rather cold Wachter gave the employee permission
to light the heater.. Knepper shortly thereafter entered into a discussion and
argument with the other employees as to whether or not the heat was necessary.
After some discussion with the employees Knepper, instead of going to Foreman
Wachter about the matter, left the department and went to the guardhouse and
inquired of the guaid whom he could see that would have authority to turn off
the. heat Wachter, who had. gone, to Plant No. 1; returned to the department
and found the employees standing in a huddle.- He asked'the employees what
was the matter and they repotted to Wachter that Knepper had insisted upon
having the heat turned off. and that aftei some discussion Knepper left the de-
partment and went'to the guardhouse to see if he could call tip some higher
authority Foreman Wachter then went to the door leading from the' depart-
nieut and observed Knepper in the guardhouse In about 10 minutes Knepper
returned and started to work at his' bench Shortly thereafter Wachter asked
Knepper, "Who the heck gave you permission to walk off the job?" Knepper
replied, "I didn't need any." Wachter then said "If you do that again, I gonna
fire you " Knepper then replied, "Hell, you haven't got authority to fire anybody
around here " Wachter then went to the time clock and punched out Knepper's
time card Wachter testified that this statement of Knepper made him "kind of
sole"; that he decided to find out if he had the right to fire people, and told
Knepper that if he did not have such authority lie might as well leave the plant
himself Wachter then told Knepper that the latter was through Knepper
replied that he was not going to leave until he received a check for the wages
that were due him Foreman Wachter then went to the pay roll department,
had Knepper's check made out and returned to the department. When Wachter
returned to the department he requested Plant Guard Heritage to accompany
him to Knepper's bench because on several prior occasions Knepper had threatened
some of the employees, and "somdtinies he went completely out of his mind, the
way he acted " Wachter then told Knepper that he was discharged and to check
out his tools After Knepper had checked out his tools Wachter handed him
his check, but Knepper refused to accept it stating that he was only being paid
until 2.00 p in when in fact it was 2 minutes after that time To satisfy Knep-
19 The facts herein concerning the discharge of Knepper are based upon the creditable
testimony of Foreman Wachter whose testimony was convincing His testimony was
frank and stiaightfoiwaid In contrast, the undersigned was unimpressed by the testimony
of Knepper Knepper s attitude and demeanor were definitely hostile throughout his testa,
inony, especially when testifying concerning Ills relationships with his foreman and fellow-
workers In addition, Knepper evidenced a desire, for his benefit, to color his testimony.
In' those instances where there is any conflict between the testimony of Foreman Wachter
and Knepper, the undersigned believes Wachter's version of what occurred on August 17.
11.
180 DECISIONS . OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
per that the time was correct; Guard Heritage accompanied Knepper to the time
clock which indicated that' it was 2 minutes before 2. Knepper then 'accepted
his check and started another discussion with Wachter, stating, "Do I get fired
for joining the A. F. L.I" Wachter replied, "No; you are getting fired for walk-
ing off the job." Knepper then said, "You know I was an A. F. of L. man."
Wachter said, "Well George [Taylor] told me three weeks ago you joined the
A. F of L., better watch out, all guys in No. 2 plant are A. F. of L. men."
The undersigned now turns to a consideration of the Board's contention that
Knepper was discharged because'of his union activities. Knepper did not par-
ticipate in any activities in behalf of the A. F. L. The only incident, aside from
the fact that Foreman Wachter assumed that Knepper was a member of the
A. F. L., that could possibly provide a foundation which would support an infer-
ence that he was discharged because he was a member of the Union or that Fore-
man Wachter thought he was a sympathizer of the A. F. L, occurred on August
17, the day of Knepper's discharge. According to the testimony of Knepper,-
Foreman Wachter after discharging him stated that he (Knepper) should have
been discharged some time ago when Works Manager Anderson had advised him
(Wachter) that Knepper belonged to the A. F. L. Taylor, a former truck driver
`for the respondent, testified that he was present on the day that Wachter dis-
charged Knepper, and that Wachter, after he had discharged Knepper, told him,
"Anderson said we should have fired you long ago when you joined the Union."
As heretofore indicated, the undersigned does not give credence to Knepper's
testimony, and the undersigned also rejects Taylor's narration of what was said
by Wachter. In addition, the testimony of Knepper and Taylor is somewhat
inconsistent as to just what was said, and the probabilities inherent in the
surrounding circumstances which occurred at the time of Knepper's discharge
makes their testimony improbable. Further, it is incredible in view of the
activity of the officer's and other members of the A. F. L., some of whom worked
in Wachter's department, that Knepper should have been selected for discharge.
An the other hand, the record contains convincing evidence that Kriepper was
discharged because of his attitude in the department and leaving the department
without permission. Furthermore, from the testimony of Knepper the under-
signed believes that he was fully aware of the situation resulting in his discharge.
Be placed in motion the chain of circumstances which caused the termination,of
-his employment. i
The undersigned finds that Giles Knepper was discharged for nondiscriminatory
reasons and that the respondent had not discriminated against him in regard to
his hire and tenure of employment.20
D. The alleged discriminatory discharge of Benjamin
Harold W. Benjamin started working at the respondent 's plant in February
1942, and his employment was terminated on or about September 4, 1943. Ben-
jamin at first worked for the respondent as an inexperienced machine operator ,
at 55 cents per hour . At the time that his employment was terminated he was
a Blanchard surface grinder operator receiving $1.00 per hour . Benjamin was a
satisfactory and competent worker. He was active in behalf of the A. F. L. in
, its organizational campaign conducted in respondent ' s plant in August 1942.
When that, organization renewed its activities in,,the plant in July 1943 , Benja-
min took no part in the organizational campaign, but did join the -A. F. L. on
21 Nothing in the record supports the inference necessary to the finding of, discrimination
or that Knepper's discharge by Foreman Wachter was made in bad faith, or that the
incidents occurring on August 17, 1943, provided a pretext for the discharge of Knepper,
for union reasons. '
i
ROMEC PUMP-COMPANY 181
or about August 15 Benjamin's employment was terminated' for the reason
that he "came in late-found another man doing a rush job on his machine and
he walked off the job."
The respondent contends that Benjamin was discharged because on or about
September 2, 1943, he reported a few minutes late for work, found another
operator operating his machine and "walked off the job." n On the morning of
September 1 or,2, Benjamin reported a few minutes late and found that the set-up
man was operating his Blanchard machine. He (lid not inquire of his foreman
why the machine was !it use, but after being advised by the set-up man that he
would be through with the machine shortly Benjamin went into one of the other
departments, sat down, and read the morning paper 22 In about half an hour
Benjamin returned to his machine and found that the set-up man, had left it in
a very dirty condition. Benjamin then went to Foreman Hackathorn complain-
ing about'the condition in which the machine was left. Benjamin was quite ex-,
cited and requested his foreman to issue him an "out" pass so that he could' go
home, insisting that Hackathorn was, trying to give him a "grand run around"
Hackathorn explained that the set-up man was doing a rush job and that there
was no "run around" about it. Benjamin then stated that "Well, the way he
left the machine, it sure looks like something was going on and I would like [to
haves a pass and go home." Hackathorn refused to issue Benjamin a pass and
Benjamin then became "hot under the collar" and swore a "little." Finally, upon
Benjamin 's insistence, Hackathorn issued him a pass. Benjamin went home
about 7: 00 o'clock in the morning, telling Hackathorn that he would return to
work the following morning. Benjamin failed to report for work the following
morning, but late in the afternoon of that da'y Benjamin reported to the office
for the purpose of talking to the general superintendent. As Benjamin entered
General Superintendent Murray's office, Murray stated to him that he had been
"fired for failure to show up for work." During the conversation between Ben-
jamin and Murray, there was some reference to the fact that Benjamin had been
late the previous morning, although it was not unusual for Benjamin as well as
other employees to come in late in the morning.' - '
The Board contends that Benjamin's union activities were instrumental in his
discharge, although admittedly he was not an active adherent of the A F L.
Benjamin testified that in August 1942. Personnel Manager Mathews suggested
,to him that he was altogether too active in the A F. L. organization and that
the Independent Union was coming hack into the plant.' After this remark by
Mathews, Benjamin became inactive in the organizational campaign of the A. F. L.,
joined the Independent Union and paid a month or two dues to that organization.
Thereafter Benjamin evidenced no further interest in the A. F. L or the Inde-
pendent, and when the A. F. L renewed its activities in the plant in July 1943
he remaieed inactive Benjamin, on or about August 15, 1943, joined the A. F. L.,
but there is no evidence to indicate that the respondent had knowledge of his
membership The Board contends that Foreman Hackathorn knew that Ben- -
n Unless otherwise indicated, the facts set forth in this section are undisputed
rz Hackathorn, foreman of Benjamin's department, testified that when Benjamin was late
on that particular morning there was a rush job that had to be done, and that the set-up
man, finding Benjamin's machine not in use, had set up the lob on that machine.
23 The Board offcied a substantial amount of testimony to support its contention that the
respondent has never disciplined employees for being late in the morning or for staying out-
an entire day without notice. That such a situation existed in the plant is clear. While
Benjamin was a few, minutes late on the morning, of September 1 or 2, the undersigned is
convinced that this had little, if anything, to do with his discharge, because in the con-
versation between Hackathorn and Benjamin on the morning that Benjamin left the plant
Hackathorn made no reference to the tact that Benjamin was late on that day.
24 This finding is based upon the credible testimony of Benjamin , in some respects corrob-
orated by the testimony of Murray.
182 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
jamin was an A F. L adherent because in the top of Benjamin's tool box he had
au A F L. campaign button: There is, however, no evidence to indicate that
Hackathorn was aware of the button, nor is the evidence sufficient from which
to draw such an inference Ben immnn testified to another incident which oc-
curred about a month before his termination of employment. According to his
testimony, Hackathorn and Buffington, president of the Independent, were stand-
ing,about 20 feet from his machine taiking At the conclusion of their conversa-
tion, Hackathorn came over to Benjanmin's machine and asked him where he
stood with,respect to the A F L - Benjamin stated that he would back the
A F. L. "all the wav through " He also told Hackathorn that he couldn't see
the "Company Union" because they had been promising various things and "they
had been lying to us a little too long " During the conversation Benjamin also
referred to the fact that the Independent Union had taken credit for vacations
with pay when. in fact, the respondent had granted the vacations, but made it
appear as though the Independent had obtained them, thus giving credit to the
Independent. Whether or not Hackathorn discussed the A F L with Benjamin
on this occasion does not alter the undersigned's conclusion that Benjamin's
employment was not terminated because of A F L. membership or.activities, for
the reason that Benjamin initiated and created the situation which resulted in
his termination of employment.
The evidence fails to show that Benjamin's membership or activities in be-
half of the A ' F. L induced his discharge The entire record herein convinces
the undersigned that his terniinatiiin of emnploymeiit was not discriminatory.
The undersigned concludes and finds that the respondent's termination of Ben-
jamin's employment was not motivated by his membership in or activities on be-
half of the A F L
IV THE EFFECT OF TIIE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES UPON COMMERCE
The activities of the respondent set forth in Section III A and B above , occur-
ring in connection with its operations described in Section I above, have a close,
intiniate , and substantial relation to trade , traffic, and commeice among the sev-
eral States and tend to lead to labor disputes, burdening and obstructing com-
merce and the tree flow thereof
v. THE REMEDY
Since the undersigned has found that the respondent has engaged in unfair labor
piactices, the undersigned will recommend that the respondent cease and desist
therefrom and take certain affirmative action which the undersigned finds nec-
essary to effectuate the policies of the Act. -
The undersigned has also found that the respondent discriminated as to the
hire and tenure of, employment of Donald B. Newkirk, because of his membei-
ship in and activities on behalf of the A. F. L In order, to effectuate the
policies of the Act, the undersigned will recommend that the respondent offer
to Donald B. Newkirk, immediate and complete reinstatement to his former
or substantially equivalent position, without prejudice to his seniority and other
rights and privileges. The undersigned will further recommend that the re-
spondent make Donald B. Newkirk whole for any loss of pay he has suffered
by reason of the respondent's discrimination, by payment to him of a sum
of money equal to the amount he would have earned as wages from the date
of his discriminatory discharge, to the date of the offer of reinstatement,
less his net nearings during that period ui
2 By "net earnings " is meant earnings less expenses , such as for transportation, room,
and board , nicuired by an employee in connection with obtaining work -and working else-
ROMEC PUMP COMPANY 183
The undersigned has further found that the respondent by the discharge of
Giles Knepper on or about August 17, 1943, and Harold W. Benjamin on or about
September 2, 1943, has not discriminated against them in respect to their hire
and tenure of employment and the undersigned will therefore recommend that.
the complaint be dismissed insofar as it alleges such discrimination.
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and on the entire record in
the case, the undersigned makes the following :
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. International Association of Machinists, affiliated with the American Federa-
tion of Labor, Federal Labor Union No. 23468, affiliated with the American
Federation of Labor, and Romec Employees Independent Labor Association,
Inc., unaffiliated, are labor organizations within the meaning of Section 2 (5)
of the Act.
2. By discriminating in regard to the hire and tenure of employment of Donald
B. Newkirk, the respondent has engaged in and is engaging in an unfair labor
practice within the meaning of Section 8 (3) of the Act.
3. By interfering with, restraining, and coercing its employees in the exercise
of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act, the respondent has engaged
in and is engaging in unfair labor practices within the meaning of Section 8 (1)
of the Act.
4. The aforesaid unfair labor practices are unfair labor practices affecting
commerce within the meaning of Section 2 (6) and (7) of the Act.
5 The respondent has not engaged in unfair labor practices within the mean-
ing of Section S (3) of the Act, by the termination of the employment of Giles
Knepper and Harold W. Benjamin. - '
RECOMMENDATIQNS
Upon the basis of the above findings of fact and conclusions of law, the under-
signed hereby recommends that the respondent, Romec Pump Company, (Elyria,
Ohio), its officers; agents, successors, and assigns shall:
1. Cease and desist from :
(a) Discouraging membership in International 'Association of Machinists, af-
filiated with the American Federation of Labor, or in any other labor organiza-
tion of its employees by discriminatorily discharging or refusing to reinstate
any of its employees or in any other manner discriminating in regard to their
hire or tenure of employment or any term or condition of employment ;
(b) Encouraging membership in the Romec Employees Independent Labor Asso-
ciation, Inc., unaffiliated, or any other labor organization of its employees by
according to that organization or any other organization discriminatory privileges ;
(c) In any other manner interfering with, restraining, or coercing its employees
in the exercise of the rights to self-organization, to form, join, or assist labor
organizations, or to bargain collectively through representatives of their own
choosing, -or to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargain-
ing or other mutual aid or protection as guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act.
where than for the respondent, which would not have been incurred but for his unlawful
discharge and the consequent necessity of his seeking employment elsewhere See Matter
of Crossett Lumber Company and- United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of
America, Lumber and Sanmill IVo)hers Union, Local 2590, 8 N L R. B 440. Monies re-
ceived for work performed upon Federal, State, county, municipal, or other work-relief
projects shall be considered as earnings See Republic Steel Corporation v. N. L. R. B.
311 U S. 7.
0
184- DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
2. Take the following affirmative action, which 'the undersigned finds will
effectuate the policies of the Act :
(a) 'Offer to Donald B. Newkirk, immediate and full reinstatement to his former
or'substantially ecjuivalent position without prejudice to his seniority and other
rights and privileges ;
(b) Make whole Donald B. Newkirk, for any loss of pay which he may have
suffered because of the respondent's discrimination against him by payment, to
him of a sum of money equal to the amount which he normally would have earned
as wages from the date of his discharge to the date of the respondent's offer of
reinstatement, less his net earnings during such period ;
(c) Post immediately in conspicuous places throughout its plant in Elyria,
Ohio, and maintain for a period of at least sixty (60) consecutive days from the,
date of posting, notices to its employees stating: (1) that the respondent will not
engage in the conduct from which the undersigned has recommended that it cease-
and desist in paragraph 1 (a), (b), and (c) of these recommendations; (2) that
the respondent will, take the affirmative action set forth in paragraph 2 (a) and
(b) of these recommendations; and (3) that its employees are free to become or
remain members of the International Association of Machinists, affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor or any other labor organization and that the, re-
spondent will not in any manner discriminate against its employees because of
membership in or activity on behalf of that organization or any other labor
organization ; and
(d) Notify the Regional Director for the Eighth Region (Cleveland, Ohio) in
writing within ten (10) days from the receipt of this Intermediate Report what
steps the respondent has taken to comply therewith
The undersigned further recommends that unless on or before ten (10) days
from the receipt of this Intermediate Report the respondent notifies said Regional
Director in writing that it will comply with the foregoing recommendations, the
National Labor Relations Board issue an order requiring the respondent to take
the action aforesaid.
The undersigned also recommends that the complaint be dismissed insofar as it
alleges that the respondent has discriminated in regard to the hire and tenure of
employment of Giles Knepper and Harold W. Benjamin.
As provided in Section 33 of Article II of the Rules and Regulations of the
National Labor Relations Board, Series 3, effective November 26, 1943, any party
or counsel for the Board may within fifteen (15) days from the date of the entry
of the order transferring the case to the Board, pursuant to aection 3'G 01 Article It
of said Rules and Regulations, file with the Board, Rochambeau Building, Wash-
ington, D. C., an original and four copies, of a statement in writing setting forth
such exceptions to the Intermediate Report or to any other part of the record or
proceeding (including-rulings upon all motions or* objections), as he relies upon,
together with the original and four copies of a brief in support thereof. Im-
mediately upon the filing of such statement of exceptions and/or brief, the party
or counsel for the Board filing the same shall serve a copy thereof upon each of
the other parties and shall file a copy with the Regional Director for the Eighth
Region. As further provided in said Section 33, should any party desire permis-
sion to argue orally before the Board, request therefor must be made in writing
within ten (10) days from the date of the order transferring the case to the Board.
JAMES C. BATTEN,
Trial Examiner.
Dated April 27, 1944.
26 See footnote 25.