Standard Dry Wall Products, Inc.

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Sep 28, 1950

91 N.L.R.B. 544 (N.L.R.B. 1950)

In the Matter of STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS, INC. and TEAMSTERS,
CHAUFFEURS, WAREHOUSEMEN & HELPERS, LOCAL 872, AFFILIATED
WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFEURS,
WAREHOUSEMEN & HELPERS OF AMERICA, A. F. L.
Case No. 6-CA f 03.Decided September 08, 1950
DECISION AND ORDER
On May 19, 1950, Trial Examiner Albert P. Wheatley issued his
Intermediate Report 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 Inter-
mediate Report attached hereto. Thereafter, the Respondent and the
General Counsel filed exceptions to the Intermediate Report, and the
Respondent filed a brief. The Respondent also requested oral argu-
ment. This request is hereby denied because, in our opinion, the
record, exceptions, and brief adequately present the issues and the
positions of the parties.
The Board has reviewed the rulings of the Trial Examiner made at
the hearing and finds that no prejudicial error was committed. The
rulings are hereby affirmed. The Board has considered the Inter-
mediate Report, the exceptions and brief, and the entire record in the
case, and hereby adopts the findings, conclusions, and recommendations
of the Trial Examiner with the following additions and modifications.
1. The Respondent excepts to various findings of the Trial Ex-
aminer, on the ground that he erred in crediting the testimony of
employees Struniak and Mejia and in refusing to credit the testimony
of the Respondent's witnesses, General Manager Canon and Superin-
tendent Begg. It is apparent that the Trial Examiner's credibility
findings were based in large part on his observation of the witnesses.
In all cases, save only where there are no exceptions to the Trial Ex-
aminer's proposed report and recommended order, the Act commits
to the Board itself, not to the Board's Trial Examiners, the power and
responsibility, of determining the facts, as revealed by the preponder-
91 NLRB No. 103.
544
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS, INC. 545
ante of the evidence.' Accordingly, in all cases which come before us
for decision we base our findings as to the facts upon a de novo review
of the entire recol.l, and do not deem ourselves bound by the Trial
Examiner 's findings. Nevertheless, as the demeanor of witnesses is a
factor of consequence in resolving issues of credibility,z and as the
Trial Examiner, but not the Board, has had the advantage of observing
the witnesses while they testified, it is our policy to attach great weight
to a Trial Examiner's credibility findings insofar as they are based on
demeanor.3 Hence we do not overrule a Trial Examiner's resolutions
as to credibility except where the clear preponderance of all the rele-
vant evidence convinces us that the Trial Examiner's resolution was
incorrect. No such conclusion is warranted in this case. We there-
fore adopt the Trial Examiner's credibility findings, and his findings
of fact based thereon.
2. As indicated in the Intermediate Report, the Respondent con-
tended at the hearing that its interrogation of employees and appli-
cants for employment regarding their union affiliations was justified
because of the provisions of its contracts with the Union. However,
at the time of its interrogation of employees Struniak, Stearns, and
Mejia, there was no contract covering women employees' The Re-
spondent's conduct with respect to them was therefore clearly violative
of Section 8 (a) (1) of the Act.'
The Remedy
As recommended by the Trial Examiner , we shall order the Re-
spondent to offer Mary Struniak reinstatement with back pay from the
I See Sec . 10 (c) of the Act, and compare Sec. 4 ( a). See also : Consumers Power Co. v.
N. L. R. B ., 113 F . 2d 38 , 43 (C. A. 6) ; N. L. It. B. v. Air Associates , Inc., 121 F . 2d 586,
588 (C . A. 2) ; N. L. R. B. v. Botany Worsted Mills , 133 F . 2d 876, 882-883 (C. A. 3) ;
N. L. R. B . v. Laister-Kaaffmann Aircraft Corp ., 144 F. 2d 9, 16 (C: A. 8) ; N. L. R. B. v.
Tex-O -Kan Flour Mills Co., 122 F. 2d 433, 437 (C. A. 5) ; N. L. R. B. v . Universal Camera
Corp ., 179 F. 2d 749 , 752-753 (C. A. 2), cert. granted May 29 , 1950 , 339 U. S. 962.
2 But only one of the many factors by which credibility is tested . See Eastern Coal
Corporation , 79 NLRB 1165 , 1166 , affd. 176 F . 2d 131 ( C. A. 4). Compare V Wigmore,
Evidence , Sec. 1396 (1940 ). See also: N . L. R. B. v . Sartorius, 140 F . 2d 203, 205
( C. A. 2), enforcing 40 NLRB 107, in which no Intermediate Report was issued ; N. L. R. B.
v. Brown Paper Mill Company, Inc., 133 F. 2d 988 , 990 (C . A. 5) ; N. L. R. B. v. Tex-O-Kan
Flour Mills Co., 122 F. 2d 433 , 437 (C. A. 5).
3 Lancaster Foundry. Corporation, 75 NLRB 255 , 256 ; Robbins Tire & Rubber Company,
Inc., 69 NLRB 440; Vermont American Furniture Corp ., 82 NLRB 408; Minnesota Mining
& Mfg., 81 NLRB 557. Compare : Security Warehouse and Cold Storage Co ., 35 NLRB
857, 883-884, enfd. 136 F . 2d 829 ( C. A. 9) ; Bahan Textile Machinery Co., 43 NLRB 97,
100 ;.Bohn Aluminum and Brass Corp ., 67 NLRB 847 , 849; Cedartown Yarn Mills, 76
NLRB 571, 573.
4 The first contract covering women employees was executed in 1950, effective from
January 15 , 1950 , to January 15, 1952 . Under the circumstances , we find it unnecessary
to decide whether , as the Respondent contends , this contract contains a union -security
clause.
Standard - Coosa-Thatcher Company, 85 NLRB 1358.
546 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
date of her discharge. Since the issuance of the Trial Examiner's
Intermediate Report, however, the Board has adopted a method of
computing back pay different from that prescribed by the Trial Ex-
aminer.6 Consistent with that new policy, we shall order that the loss
of pay be computed on the basis of each separate calendar quarter or
portion thereof during the period from the Respondent's discrimi-
natory action to the date of proper offer of reinstatement. The quar-
terly periods, hereinafter called "quarters," shall begin with the first
day of January, April, July, and October. Loss of pay shall be de-
termined by deducting from a sum equal to that which Struniak would
normally have earned for each quarter or portion thereof, her net earn-
ings,' if any, in other employment during that period. Earnings in
one particular quarter shall have no effect upon the back-pay liability
for any other quarter.
We shall also order the Respondent to make available to the Board
upon request payroll and other records to facilitate the checking of
the amount of back pay due."
The Trial Examiner recommended that the Respondent cease and
desist from the unfair labor practices found and from any like or
related conduct. However, the Respondent's illegal activities, in-
eluding the discriminatory discharge of Mary Struniak, go to the very
heart of the Act and indicate a purpose to defeat self-organization of
its employees. We are convinced that the unfair labor practices
committed by the Respondent are potentially related to other unfair
labor practices proscribed by the Act, and that the danger of their
commission in the future is to be anticipated from the Respondent's
conduct in the past. The preventive purpose of the Act will be
thwarted unless our order is coextensive with the threat. Accordingly,
in order to make effective the interdependent guarantees of Section 7
and thus effectuate the policies of the Act, we shall order the Respond-
ent to cease and desist from in any manner infringing upon the rights.
of employees guaranteed by the Act.9
ORDER
Upon the entire record in the case, and pursuant to Section 10 (c).
of the National Labor Relations Act, the National Labor Relations
8F. W. Woolworth Company, 90 NLRB 289.
By "net earnings" is meant earnings less expenses, such as for transportation, room
and board , incurred by an employee in connection with obtaining work and working else-
where, which would not have been incurred but for this unlawful discrimination and the
consequent necessity of his seeking employment elsewhere. Crossett Lumber Company,.
8 NLRB 440. Monies received for work performed upon Federal , State, county, municipal,
or other work-relief projects shall be considered earnings . Republic Steel Corporation V.
N. L. R. B., 311 U. S. 7.
8 F. W. Woolworth Company, supra.
9 May Department Stores v. N. L. R. B., 326 U. S. 376 ; N. L. R. B. v. Entwistle Manu-
facturing Co., 120 F. 2d 532 (C. A. 4) ; Premier Worsted Mills , 85 NLRB 985.
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS , INC. 547
Board hereby orders that the Respondent , Standard Dry Wall Prod-
ucts, Inc., New Eagle , Pennsylvania., and its officers , agents, successors,
and assigns shall :
1. Cease and desist from :
(a) Discouraging membership in Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Ware-
housemen & Helpers, Local 872, affiliated with the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers
of America, A. F. L., or in any other labor organization of its em-
ployees, by discharging 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 their employment;
(b) Interrogating employees concerning their union affiliations,
activities, or sympathies or those of their coworkers, threatening its
employees with economic reprisals because of their union membership
or activities , or promising rewards in return for relinquishment of
union membership or activity ;
(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 Teamsters , Chauffeurs, Ware
housemen & Helpers , Local 872 , affiliated with the international
Brotherhood of Teamsters , Chauffeurs , Warehousemen & Helpers of
America, A. F. L., or any other labor organization, to bargain collec-
tively through representatives of their own choosing , and to engage in
other concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or
other mutual aid or protection , or to refrain from any or all of such
activities , except to the extent that such right may be affected by an
agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a con-
dition of employment , as authorized in Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action which the Board finds
will effectuate the policies of the Act :
(a) Offer to Mary Struniak immediate and full reinstatement to
her former or a substantially equivalent position , without prejudice
to her seniority or other rights and privileges;
(b) Make whole Mary Struniak , in the manner set forth in the
section entitled "The Remedy ," for any loss of pay she may have
suffered by reason of the Respondent's discrimination against her;
(c) Upon request , make available to the Board or its agents, for
examination and copying , all payroll records, social security payment
records, time cards, personnel records and reports, and all other
records necessary-to analyze the amount of back pay due and the right
of reinstatement under the terms of this Order; ,
917572-51-vol. 91-36
548 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
(d) Post at its plant in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, copies of the
notice attached hereto, marked Appendix A.10 Copies of said notice,
to be furnished by the Regional Director for the Sixth Region, shall,
after being duly signed by the Respondent's representative, be posted
by the Respondent immediately upon receipt thereof, and maintained
by it for sixty (60) consecutive days thereafter in conspicuous places,
including all places where notices to employees are customarily posted.
Reasonable steps shall be taken by the Respondent to insure that
said notices are not altered, defaced, or covered by any other material ;
(e) Notify the Regional Director for the Sixth Region in writing,
within ten (10) days from the date of this Order, what steps the
Respondent has taken to comply herewith.
APPENDIX A
NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES
Pursuant to a Decision and Order of the National Labor Relations
Board, and in order to effectuate the policies of the National Labor
Relations Act, we hereby notify our employees that :
WE WILL NOT discourage membership in TEAMSTERS, CHAUF-
FEURS, WAREHOUSEMEN & HELPERS, LOCAL 872, affiliated with
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CHAUFFEURS, WARE-
HOUSEMEN & HELPERS OF AMERICA, A. F. L., or in any other labor
organization, by discriminating in any manner in regard to hire or
tenure of employment, or any term or condition of employment.
WE WILL NOT interrogate employees concerning their union
affiliations, activities, or sympathies or those of their coworkers,
threaten our employees with economic reprisals because of their
union membership or activities, or promise rewards in return for
relinquishment of union membership or activity.
WE WILL NOT in any other manner interfere with, restrain, or
coerce our employees in the exercise of their right to self-or-
ganization, to form labor organizations, to join or assist TEAM-
STERS, CHAUFFEURS, WAREHOUSEMEN & HELPERS, LOCAL 872, affili-
ated with INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS, CFIAUF-
FEURS, WAREHOUSEMEN & HELPERS OF AMERICA, A. F. L., or any
other labor organization, to bargain collectively through repre-
sentatives of their own choosing, and to engage in other concerted
10 In the event this Order is enforced by decree of a United States Court of Appeals, there
shall be inserted before the words , "Decision and Order ," the words "Decree of the United
States Court of Appeals Enforcing."
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS , INC. 549
activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual
aid or protection , as guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act, or to re-
frain from any or all of such activities , except to the extent that
such right may be affected by an agreement requiring membership
in a labor organization as a condition of employment as authorized
in Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act.
WE WILL orrE R Mary Struniak immediate and full reinstate-
ment to her former or a substantially equivalent position , without
prejudice to her seniority or any other rights and privileges pre-
viously enjoyed , and make her whole for any loss of pay suffered
as a result of the discrimination against her.
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS, INC.,
Employer.
Dated---------- -- By----------------------------------------
(Representative ) ( Title)
This notice must remain posted for 60 days from the date hereof,
and must not be altered , defaced, or covered by any other material.
INTERMEDIATE REPORT AND RECOMMENDED ORDER
Mr. Emil F. Narrick, for the General Counsel.
Messrs. Thomas E. Whitten and David B. Fawcett, of Pittsburgh, Pa., for the
Respondent.
Mr. Victor G. Spridik, of Charleroi, Pa., for the Union.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Upon an amended charge duly filed by Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen
R. Helpers, Local 872, affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters,
Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers of America, A. F. L., herein called the
Union, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board,' by the Re-
gional Director for the Sixth Region (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), issued a com-
plaint dated March 3, 1950, against Standard Dry Wall Products, Inc., herein
called the Respondent, alleging that Respondent had engaged in and was engag-
ing in unfair labor practices affecting commerce within the meaning of Section .8
(a) (1) and (3) and Section 2 (6) and (7) of the National Labor Relations Act,
as amended, 61 Stat. 136, herein called the Act.
With respect to the unfair labor practices, the complaint alleged in substance,
that Respondent during the months of July and August 1949 and thereafter,
committed certain specified acts constituting interference with, and. restraint
and coercion of, its employees in the exercise of their statutory guarantees, and
that on or about August 8, 1949, it violated Section 8 (a) (1) and (3) of the Act
by discriminatorily discharging Mary Struniak "because of her membership in
and activities in the Union, because she engaged in concerted activities with other
employees of the Respondent for the purpose of collective bargaining and other
mutual aid and prgtection, and in order to discourage membership in the Union."
' The General Counsel's representative at the hearing is herein called the General Counsel,
and the National Labor Relations Board is called the Board.
550 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Respondent filed an answer specifically denying the commission of unfair labor
practices . The answer admits the discharge of Mary Struniak but affirmatively
alleges that she was discharged "because of repeated acts of insubordination
against which she had been warned and because of her stubborn and studied re-
fusal to obey orders of her supervisor."
Pursuant to notice, a hearing was held on March 27, 28 , 29, and 30, 1950, at
Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , before the undersigned Trial Examiner . The General
Counsel and Respondent were represented by counsel and the Union by its
representative . All parties particpated in the hearing and were afforded full
opportunity to be beard , to examine and cross -examine witnesses , and to intro-
duce evidence bearing upon the issues . The parties were afforded , but did not
avail themselves of, an opportunity for oral argument at the close of the hear-
ing. The parties were advised of their right to file proposed findings of fact,
conclusions of law, and briefs. On May 8, 1950 , counsel for Respondent duly
filed a brief which has been considered.
Upon the entire record in the case, and from his observation of witnesses, the
undersigned makes the following :
FINDINGS OF FAOT
1. BUSINESS OF THE RESPONDENT 2
Standard Dry Wall Products, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation having its
principal office and main plant in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, is engaged in the
production, manufacture, sale, and distribution of hydraulic cements and water-
proofing materials. During the 12-month period ending March 27, 1950, Re-
spondent purchased for-use at its New Eagle plant raw materials and supplies
valued in excess of $311,500, of which approximately 30 percent was shipped to
the Respondent's plant from points outside of Pennsylvania. During the same
period Respondent manufactured and sold finished products valued in excess of
$574,000, of which approximately 85 percent was sold and shipped to points out-
side of Pennsylvania.
Respondent employs an approximate total of 32 employees at its New Eagle
plant.
On the basis of the above stipulated facts, it is found, as admitted by Re-
spondent, that Respondent is engaged in commerce within the meaning of the Act.
II. THE LABOR ORGANIZATION INVOLVED
Local 872, Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen & Helpers, affiliated with
the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen &
Helpers of America, A. F. L., is a labor organization admitting to membership
employees of Respondent.
The Union is the collective bargaining representative of Respondent's male
employees and it was stipulated that beginning the summer of 1946 and through
the period involved by the dispute in this case, July and August 1949, there was
in existence between the Union and Respondent an unbroken succession of
contracts. However prior to the events involved in this proceeding Respond-
ent's female workers, the employees involved herein, were unorganized. Dur-
ing July 1949 the Union organized these female workers and an agreement on
their behalf, effective January 15, 1950, has been executed.
2 The facts concerning Respondent's business were stipulated.
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS, INC.
III. THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
551
A. Facts'
Respondent's operations for convenience may be divided into the following
divisions or departments : Production, small container, shipping, and office.
Only the employees in the small container division are involved in this pro-
ceeding. Small containers-pints, quarts, half-gallons, gallons, etc.-as dis-
tinct from large drums are packed in the small container division and these
operations are performed by female employees. Normally four workers are
employed in this division. This division is designed and set up in a manner
conducive to a production or assembly-line type of operation and ordinarily
such a method is employed. Thus one person fills the containers, another
vibrates and weighs them, another- inserts instructions and puts lids on the
containers, and the fourth operator labels and packs the containers into car-
tons. On occasion one or more of these workers is segregated from the others
to work on special orders and on occasion all of these functions are not re-
quired and one or more of the workers undertakes to perform independently all
of the functions required. ,
About May 1948, Bertha Ostifin was employed in the small container division
and from that time until May 24, 1949, the workers in this division consisted of
Mary Struniak, Margaret Stearns, Bertha Mejia, and Bertha Ostifin. Struniak's
personality is such that employees in this division looked to her for advice and
guidance and the supervisor, David Herron, frequently treated her as the
representative of the group and passed orders for the group to her. Ostifin was
a slower worker than the others and resented suggestions from. Struniak as
to how to improve her production. Several weeks prior to May 24, 1949, Struniak,
Stearns, and Mejia agreed among themselves that Ostifin should be separated
from the group and work alone while the others continued to follow a produc-
tion. or assembly method of operation.' This agreement was placed into effect
in May 1949, and the daily production cards submitted by the workers of this
division on and after May 18, 1949, carried notations signifying this deviation
from normal method of operation. Also during the 3 weeks immediately prior
to May 24, 1949, Ostifin and Struniak ceased talking to one :!pother. A "few
days" prior to May 24, 1949, Ostifin conferred with Katherine Reinhardt, sec-
retary to the general manager, Edward Canon, about the working arrangement
in the small container division. Reinhardt "mentioned" this matter to Canon.
Around quitting time on May. 24, 1949, Canon called the employees of this
division to his office. Canon inquired as to the difficulties and why Ostifin "was
working by herself the last few days." He was informed by Struniak that
Ostifin was too slow and made too many mistakes to keep up with the others
and that when Struniak told her about her mistakes she told Struniak "to
mind my own damned business." Ostifin at this meeting stated that "she
wanted to quit because she couldn't get along back there" and when asked
"why?" responded because "I can't get. along with Mary" [Struniak]. Canon
told these employees that Struniak understood the work and that he was
e Certain conflicts and questions of credibility are noted and resolved; others are unmen-
tioned so as not to lengthen unduly this Report. However, all have been considerd by
the undersigned.
' Prior to the events herein related the actual method employed in filling particular orders
in this division was left largely to the discretion of the employees involved although the
physical arrangement of the division is conductive to a production or assembly-line type of
operation and such method was normally employed.
552 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
thinking about making her a foreman and persuaded Ostifin not to quit, at
least until the end of the week. This meeting ended with an agreement by the
workers that they would take Ostifin back into their group operations.' How-
ever, Ostifin did not report for work the next day and has not since, been em-
ployed by Respondent.
From May 25 to August 8, 1949, the date of Struniak's discharge, the three
employees performed their work in the usual manner (as a group) ° except that
on July 11, 12, 13, and 14, 1949, Struniak worked off by herself instead of with
the other employees. In July 1949, a rush order was received. This order
was for Thoroseal and Quickseal.7 A vibrator is used in packing Quickseal but
not required in packing Thoroseal, a heavier substance. The three workers
agreed among themselves that the most efficient manner of handling this order
was for one of them to handle the Thoroseal while the others handled the Quick-
seal. Accordingly Struniak on July 11, 12, 13, and 14 worked at a separate
table filling the order for Thoroseal while Stearns and Mejia filled the Quickseal
portion of the order.
In July 1949 Struniak, Stearns, and Mejia discussed whether they should join
the Union and it was agreed that Struniak should contact Orman Marraccini,
union shop steward, about membership • applications. Struniak thereafter con-
ferred with Marraccini. On or about July 12, 1949, Marraccini, during lunch
period, gave union membership application cards to Struniak, Stearns, and Mejin.
Stearns took her card to Reinhardt, Canon's secretary, and discussed union
membership with her. Reinhardt reported this conversation to Canon.
On July 14, 1949, Schuyler Begg, superintendent, stopped Mejia as she walked
through the plant and asked her "if we were thinking about joining the Union"
and upon receiving an affirmative reply inquired "well, you'haven't signed your
cards yet?" Mejia responded "No" and was told by Begg "well, will you please
talk to Mr. Canon about it first?" Mejia answered "Yes." Begg did not testify
concerning this conversation.
On July 15, 1949, Stearns and Mejia s were called to Canon's office where they
met Canon and Begg. Canon said "I heard you girls want to join the Union" and
when told that they had received union applications inquired where they had
5 Canon 's version of the May 24 meeting while differing in detail is in accord as to sub-
stance and he testified that the events leading to the meeting were as follows : Around
May 1, 1949 , he observed "a considerable amount of quarreling going on in the small con-
tainer division" ( later described as "raised voices ") and on one occasion he observed
Struniak thumb her nose at Herron as he ( Herron) turned away from Struniak after giving
her "a piece of paper ." Upon investigation Canon found it was just " shop talk" and "for-
got" about it until he noticed from the daily production cards that Ostifin was working by
"herself , individually ." Canon stated that he took no action, however , until May 24, that
on that date as he came into the plant about 2 p . m. Struniak and Ostifin approached him
in a manner indicative of differences between them , and that he indicated he did not want
to hear from them at that time but that they were to "meet in the office about 4 o'clock this
afternoon."
6 Between May 25 and June 11 there were occasions when the group did not function as
a unit for the entire workday. However no comments , criticism , or objections were madet
to the workers involved . Also the record reflects that where only a portion of the clay is
spent by an employee working independent of the others it is not considered noteworthy
unless the amount thereof is relatively large. The record does not reflect that any of
these employees worked separately from the others for any, even a small portion , period of
time between July 15 and August 8, 1949.
4 Thoroseal-a masonry wall coating to fill, seal , and protect concrete or other masonry
surface . Quickseal-a finer, smoother finish coat which further adds to sealing of the sur-
face. . Both packed by Respondent in a dry form , ready for use other than by the addition of
water.
B Struniak was not working on this date.
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS, INC . 553
obtained the cards and whether they had signed them. After being told that
Marraccini had given them the cards and that they had not signed them, Canon.
told these workers that "it would be to your advantage not to, because you'd have.
to pay [an] initiation fee and you would have to pay monthly fees" and told them
that if they joined the Union they could expect to be laid off during slack periods.'
At this meeting, Begg stated to the employees that "the initiation fee would be
twenty-five dollars." The meeting was concluded with an indication by the
employees that they. would not join the Union. The undersigned credits the
testimony of Mejia and accepts her version of this meeting. Stearns was not
called as a witness in this proceeding.
According to Canon 1° on July 13 Reinhardt called his attention to "the separate
table business" and "tossed" the daily production cards on the table saying "you'd
better look into it." Canon testified he then made a number of trips through
the plant on July 13 and 14 observing especially that Struniak was working by
herself, that on July 15 he told Begg to have "the girls come into my office" and
found out from Begg that Struniak was not working that day. Nevertheless
Canon did not cancel the request that the girls come to his office. At this office
meeting, according to Canon, he (Canon) asked Mejia and Stearns "Have you
girls joined the Union?" and they both answered "No." Canon denied "from
that point until the conversation with the girls closed" there was "any further
reference to their membership in the Union, the payment of dues, the payment
of initiation fees or anything connected with union activity." He denied the
specific statements attributed to him and to Begg and stated he asked Stearns why
Struniak was working by herself and was told by Stearns "she's trying to show
us up, that she can do more work than we can in a day . . and that he
(Canon) ended the meeting by stating "That's too bad. We will have a meeting
on Monday, if Mrs. Struniak is here." Canon's denials and version of this meet-
ing are not credited by the undersigned.
Begg testified he did not hear Canon say "I hear you have joined the Union,"
he did not recall any statement by Canon about "cards" and he didn't remember
hearing Canon say "you will have to pay clues to belong to the Union." Begg
denied that Canon said that if Mejia joined the Union "she would be laid off in
slack periods" and denied that he (Begg) said "you will have to pay a twenty-
five-dollar initiation fee to join the Union" or that he (Begg) made any state-
ment that the girls would be laid off in slack periods if they joined the Union.
Begg did not state his version of what occurred at this meeting. In the light of
the entire record the undersigned finds the occurrences of July 15 were as stated
above and does not credit Begg's testimony concerning this incident.
On July 18, 1949, Canon called Struniak into his office and said to her "I
hear that you girls want to join the Union" and asked whether she had filled
out a union application card. Canon told Struniak he did not want the girls
to join the Union, that the initiation fee was high, that it would be to their
disadvantage to join the Union and that if they joined the Union they could
expect to be laid off during slack periods. Canon promised a 5-cent increase,
after the pending negotiations for male workers were completed u if the girls
9 These employees normally worked during plant slack periods.
10 Canon frequently volunteered information , was evasive and contradictory with respect
to particularities, and gave a garrulous account of the incidents involved herein. Never-
theless , the undersigned has endeavored to ascertain and state as accurately as he can
Canon 's version of disputed issues of fact.
11 The negotiations were completed July 23 and on August 8 the "girls" received a 5-cent
Increase. In the past when wage increases were negotiated for male employees Respondent
also granted 5-cent increases to female employees.
554 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
would "go along" with the Company. Struniak indicated she would "go along."
Canon denied the specific statements attributed to him and testified that at
the meeting on July 18 he criticized Struniak for working "separate from the
other girls" and told her to work with the other girls "or else go home, and
stay there," and that he talked to Struniak about obeying the orders of her
supervisor, Herron' Begg's testimony tends to support Canon's version of
this meeting. The undersigned on the basis of the entire record believes and
finds the facts to be as stated in the. preceding paragraph.
On July 23, 1949, Struniak and Mejia met Victor Spridik, secretary-treasurer
and business agent of Local 872, on a street in New Eagle, Pennsylvania.
Spridik gave them applications for membership in the Union which they executed
and returned to Spridik on that occasion.
On August 5, 1949, Spridik wrote a letter to Canon stating as follows :
Please be advised that we now have the warehouse. girls under applica-
tion for membership in this Union.
It is necessary however to put these girls under contract with the Com-
pany. We are therefore, requesting that the girls be put under the same
contract with the men workers with the exception of wages which will
be ($1.00) One Dollar per hour. At your convenience we are ready to
conclude the negotiations on this matter.
The letter was sent registered mail and was received on August 8, ,1949, by
Lattimore, the office supervisor, who handed it unopened to Reinhardt. About
1: 30 p. in. on that date Reinhardt opened the letter and placed it with other
letters on Canon's desk. Reinhardt did not direct Canon's attention to this
letter until.August 9, 1949.
On August 8, 1949, about 9: 30 a. in. Begg went to the small container divi-
sion and said to Struniak, "Well, Mary, what did you do about the Union?"
Struniak responded, "I did what I thought best" and Begg then said "I don't
want none of that. Did you or did you not join the Union?" Struniak informed
Begg that she had joined the Union and Begg then inquired as to whether Mejia
and Stearns had also joined. He was told that Mejia had but that Struniak
didn't see Stearns "sign." Begg denied stating to Struniak, "Mary, what have
you done about joining the Union?" or being in the small container division
at the time specified. His testimony in these regards is not credited by the
undersigned.
Near quitting time on August 8, 1949, Struniak was called to Canon's office.
As Struniak and Mejia entered the office Canon stated "These are our unfaithful,
deceitful employees. After promising to go along with the Company, they turn
around and join the Union." Then he asked "Why?" Struniak stated "Mr.
Canon after thinking it over, I thought this is a free country and it's up to me
whether I should join the Union or not. It's not up to the employer to
tell me when I should join the Union." Canon then told the employees that the
Union was demanding a dollar an hour for girls and stated "I'll' never give you
a dollar an hour. I will move the plant out of New Eagle before I will pay
you a dollar an hour. I will move the plant out of New Eagle because nobody
12 According to Canon he wanted to clarify some things in connection with Herron.
Details of the things to be clarified are not revealed except that the record does reflect that
on one occasion , in June 1949 , Struniak requested some material for an order and Herron
stated "I will give you four drums" and when Herron did not answer her request for more
drums, Struniak obtained 10 drums from the delivery boys and Herron resented this action
by Strunlak.
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS, INC . 555
else in New Eagle has a chance but the damned Jews" and thrust his fist
towards Halpern's costume factory, next door. Canon stated further "I never
had trouble back there before, and I am not going to have it now. I personally
dislike you so I am firing you." Canon called his secretary, Reinhardt, and
told her to ."get Mary's pay." 13 Reinhardt obtained a check and gave it to
Canon. Canon looked over at Begg and Lattimore and asked "Well men, do
you think I did right in firing Mary?" Lattimore did not reply but Begg stated
"Well, Mr. Canon as far as Mary's work is concerned, she's a good worker,
but if you have any personal reasons for firing her, it's entirely up to 'you."
Struniak suggested that laying her off "would be a more pleasant way of dis-
charging her" and Canon stated "I am not laying you off. I am firing you
because I personally dislike you." Struniak stated that she would go to the
Union and tell them about her discharge and Canon said "go ahead. Spridik
will come in here and pop off to me; but I can take care of him." Near the end
of the meeting Canon looked at Mejia and said "Bertha, if you want to join the
Union, go ahead. I am not going to stop you. Go ahead and join the Union
if.you want to, but you can expect a lay-off when there's slack periods." Struniak
was given her check and she and Mejia left the office together.
According to Canon he first arrived at the plant on August 8 about 4:15 p. in.,
At that-time he saw Struniak standing around "not doing anything, although
she might have been talking with Mr. Herron or Mr. Hixenbough a few minutes
before, another shipper" and it made him (Canon) so "angry because she was
standing there" that he called Begg and told him to tell Struniak to come
into the office. About 30 minutes later Struniak and Mejia came to the office
where in the presence of Lattimore and Begg he (Canon) discharged Struniak.
According to Canon he "expressed himself" to Struniak by saying she was the
"most deceitful, the most discourteous person that I had ever met or employee
that I ever met. I told her `For practically three months now, we" have been
trying to get you to do what we tell you to do, not to act as a foreman, or
superintendent, or try to eliminate older employees than you, and especially have
you tried to get rid of Bertha Ostifin, which you had already done, then Margaret
Stearns, in turn and then Herron. You have worked on him for the last year,
by not doing the things he's asking you to do, making faces at him and sticking
your nose up, your hand up to your nose when he does bring you some informa-
tion and I am going to discharge you.' " At this point Struniak, according to
Canon, asked "are you going to fire me on account of me joining the Union?"
and he (Canon) said "No." Canon testified Struniak suggested a "lay off?" and
he responded "I am not laying you off, Mrs. Struniak, I am discharging you.,,
Canon testified that Struniak then stated "Well I own three houses and I'll spend
everyone of them fighting this" and he (Canon) answered "Mrs. Struniak you
can spend your money in any way you see fit, but I am going to get your check"
and called Reinhardt and told her to get Struniak's check. Canon admitted
asking Lattimore and Begg "if they thought I had done the right thing" and after
considerable cross-examination stated that Begg responded "she was a good
Worker but she wouldn't obey orders. Bad influence."
Begg testified he responded, "Well, she's a good worker Mr. Canon but .. .
I am not sure whether it was. That's your decision. That's the way it's to be.
Words to that effect." Begg did not testify in detail concerning his version of
this meeting and Lattimore was not called as a witness in this proceeding.
13 Employees are normally paid on the 3d and 18th of the month.
556 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Canon denied stating "These are our deceitful employees who after promising
to go along with the Company have gone and joined the Union" ; denied stating
that he had a letter (as testified to by Struniak) from the Union ; 14 denied
stating that the letter demanded that the Company pay the girls a dollar an hour ;
denied stating that he would "not give the girls a dollar an hour" ; denied stating
"no one has a chance in New Eagle except the Jews" ; and denied knowledge, at
the time of Struniak's discharge, "of receipt by the Company of any letter from
the Union." Begg testified that Canon did not make "any such statement" as
"These are our deceitful employees, who, after promising to go along with the
Company, have joined the Union," that he could not recollect Canon stating he
"had a letter from the Union in which they wanted a dollar an hour for the girls,"
and that Canon did not state "no one has a chance in New Eagle except the
Jews." On the basis of the entire record including the testimony of Struniak
and Mejia whose testimony is credited, the undersigned believes and finds that
the facts concerning the August 8, 1949, meeting are as first herein stated and
that Canon made the statements attributed to him.
Prior to the date of her discharge, Struniak was not given a warning that
she would be dismissed or terminated, was not told that her work was unsatis-
factory, and her work was not criticized except as noted above. On several
occasions Begg commended Struniak for the way she did her work.
It is Respondent's policy to interrogate applicants for employment and em-
ployees, participating in meetings with Respondent's representatives, concerning
their union affiliation and the employment application form which Respondent
uses requires the disclosure by prospective employees of their "union affiliation."
Respondent contends this interrogation is justified in view of the provisions of
the contracts with the Union and is a necessary procedure to enable Respondent
to determine whether there are union representatives who should be consulted
with respect to the grievances or other pending problems. The contracts, for the
period from June 1, 1948, to March 1, 1952, covering male workers provide,
inter alia, the employer agrees that all employees in his production department,
first employed after date of this contract shall join the Union within 30 days
from their date of employment or forfeit their employment and provide for
check off of a specific suln of money each month upon written authorization. The
contracts provide that union representatives shall have admission to Respondent's
premises to ascertain whether or not the agreement is being observed and "for
the purpose of assisting in the adjustment of grievances" but do not establish a
specific grievance procedure." The first and only agreement covering female
workers, the small container division, was signed in March 1950 and is effective
January 15, 1950, to January 15, 1952. It does not contain union-security,
checkoff, or grievance procedure provisions.
B. Conclusions and Findings
Upon the foregoing facts and the complete record herein, the undersigned
concludes and finds :
1. That Respondent discharged Mary Struniak on or about August 8, 1949,
and has since refused to reinstate her, because of her union membership or
activity and thereby discriminated with respect to hire and tenure of employ-
14 The undersigned does not deem it necessary to resolve the issue of whether Canon
stated he had such a letter but does find that Canon 's statements reflected information set
forth in the letter.
15 The legality of the contracts are not in issue herein . Also see 6-UA-461.
STANDARD DRY WALL PRODUCTS, INC. 557
anent and discouraged membership in the Union and interfered with, restrained,
and coerced its employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7
of the Act.
2. That Respondent interrogated employees concerning their union affiliation
and attempted to discourage activities on behalf of the Union, made promises
of reward in return for relinquishment of union membership and activity, and
threatened possible economic reprisals because of union membership and activity.
3. That Respondent uses an employment application form requiring disclosure
by prospective employees of their union affiliation and pursues a policy of
interrogating employees and prospective employees concerning their union
affiliation.
The Board has frequently held that interrogation of employees concerning
their union affiliation is violative of the Act. The undersigned finds nothing
in the contracts herein requiring or warranting a deviation from this interpreta-
tion of the statute. The facts set forth in this Report establish an unwarranted
invasion of employees' privacy having a reasonable tendency to interfere with
the enjoyment of their rights guaranteed by the Act. N. L. R. B. v. Fairmont
Creamery, 169 F. 2d 169; Standard-Coosa-Thatcher Company, 85 NLRB 1358.
The undersigned further concludes and finds that the afore-mentioned acts and
conduct of Respondent constitute unfair labor practices within the meaning of
Section 8 (a) (1) and (3) of the Act.
IV. THE EFFECT OF THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES UPON COMMERCE
The activities of the Respondent, set forth in Section III, above, occurring in
connection with the operations of the Respondent described in Section I, above,
have a close, intimate, and substantial relation to trade, traffic, and commerce
among the several States, and tend to lead to labor disputes burdening and
obstructing commerce and the free flow of commerce.
V. THE REMEDY
Having found that Respondent has engaged in certain unfair labor practices,
it will be recommended that Respondent cease and desist therefrom and take
certain affirmative action designed to effectuate the policies of the Act.
It has been found that Respondent discriminated in regard to the hire and
tenure of employment of Mary Struniak thereby discouraging membership in
the Union. It will be recommended that Respondent offer to Mary Struniak
immediate and full reinstatement to her former or substantially equivalent posi-
tion'° without prejudice to her seniority or other rights and privileges and that
Respondent make whole Mary Struniak for any loss of pay she may have suffered
by reason of Respondent's discrimination against her by payment to her of a sum,
of money equal to the amount she normally would have earned as wages from the
date of the discharge to the date of Respondent's offer of reinstatement, less her
net earnings during said period."
Upon consideration of the entire record, especially Respondent's past amicable
relations with the Union and the fact that Respondent is dealing with the Union
10 In accordance with the Board 's consistent interpretation of the term ,, the expression
"former or substantially equivalent position" is intended to mean "former position wherever
possible and if such position is no longer in existence then to a substantially equivalent
position ." See The Chase National- Bank of the City of New York, San Juan , Puerto Rico
Branch, 65 NLRB 827.
17 For an explanation of "net earnings " see Crossett Lumber Co ., 8 NLRB 440 and
Republic Steel Corporation v. N. L. R. B., 311 U. S. 7.
558 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
under collective bargaining agreements , the undersigned is of the opinion that
the policies of the Act will be adequately effectuated if Respondent ceases and
desists from the unfair labor practices found and from any like or related con-
duct.
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and upon the entire record in the
case, the undersigned makes the following :
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. Teamsters , Chauffeurs , Warehousemen & Helpers Local 872, affiliated with
the International Brotherhood of Teamsters , Chauffeurs , Warehousemen & Hel-
pers of America , A. F. of L., is a labor organization within the meaning of Section
2 (5) of the Act.
2. By discriminating in regard to the hire and tenure of employment of Mary
Struniak thereby discouraging membership in a labor organization , the Respond-
ent has engaged in and is engaging in unfair labor practices within the meaning
of Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act.
3. By such discharge and by otherwise interfering with, restraining , and co-
ercing 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 (a) (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.
[Recommended Order omitted from publication in this volume.]