The Danspur Co., Inc.

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Sep 12, 1955

114 N.L.R.B. 40 (N.L.R.B. 1955)

40 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
the same plant facilities, and enjoy the same vacation plans and other
employee benefits. Accordingly, as it appears from the record that
a. community of interest in the conditions of employment exists be-
tween the inspectors and the production and maintenance employees,
we believe that the inspectors may, if they so desire, appropriately be
added to the existing bargaining unit.' The fact that inspectors can,
by rejecting defective work, affect to some extent incentive earnings
of production workers is insufficient to constitute supervisory or man-
agerial authority, and thus, does not, in itself, alter our conclusion
that they may appropriately be included in the production and main-
tenance units Nor does the quality control supervision of inspectors
require their exclusion as employees allied with management? We
further find without merit the Employer's argument that prior bar-
gaining history of exclusion at the instant plant and at the other Em-
ployer's plants precludes their being added to the established unit.'
We shall direct an election among employees in the following voting
group : All inspectors employed by the Employer at its Pandora,
Ohio, plant, excluding all other employees, office clerical employees,
professional employees, guards, and supervisors as defined in the
Act?
If a majority of the employees in the voting group vote for the Peti-
tioner, they will be taken to have indicated their desire to be included
in the existing production and maintenance unit at the Employer's
Pandora plant currently represented by the Petitioner, and the
Regional Director conducting the election is instructed to issue a certi-
fication of the results of election to that effect.
[Text of Direction, of Election omitted from publication.]
8 American Can Company, 108 NLRB 1209 ; Gerber Plastic Company, 113 NLRB 462.
W. hereby deny the Employer's motion made at the hearing to dismiss the petition. The
American Can case, relied upon by the Employer in its brief , does not support the Em-
ployer's position, but instead, supports that of the Petitioner.
6 See Luminous Processes, Inc., 71 NLRB 405, p. 40T; Palmer Manufacturing Company,
103 NLRB ,336, p. 338; Bachmann Uxbridge Worsted Corporation , 109 NLRB 868, p. 870.
4 See The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company-Firestone Textiles Division, 112 NLRB
571 (quality control clerk).
8 American Can Company, supra.
9 The parties are in agreement that the chief inspector is a supervisor and should be
excluded from the voting group.
'The Danspur Company, Inc., and Robertson -Henry Company
and International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 181,
AFL. Case No. 9-CA-849. September 12,1955
DECISION AND ORDER
On June 8, 1955, Trial Examiner David London issued his Inter-
mediate Report in the above-entitled proceeding, finding that, the
114 NLItB No. 16.
THE DANSPUR COMPANY, INC. 41.
Respondents had engaged in and were engaging in certain unfair
labor practices and recommending that they cease and desist there-
from and take certain affirmative action, as set forth in the copy of
the Intermediate Report attached hereto. Thereafter, the Respond-
ents filed exceptions to the Intermediate Report together with sup-
porting briefs.
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 briefs, and the entire record in
the case, and hereby adopts the findings, conclusions, and recommen-
dations of the Trial Examiner with the following additions :
1. The Trial Examiner found that the Respondents, The Danspur
Company, Inc., and Robertson-Henry Company, constitute a single
employer and that the Employer's operations affect commerce within
the meaning of the Act. The Respondents would upset these recom-
mended findings, arguing that the two Respondents are separate
and distinct entities and that, in any event, the services they perform
are entirely local and therefore outside the jurisdiction of the Act.
The Respondent Danspur, a West Virginia corporation, is a subcon-
tractor for certain excavation work at Corbin, Kentucky. The gen-
eral contractor is Allen & Garcia Company, Inc., an Illinois corpora-
tion, which engages in the construction of projects throughout the
United States. In 1954 Danspur contracted to perform excavation
work in connection with Allen & Garcia's construction of a coal washer
plant at the Kentucky location. The Respondent Robertson-Henry
Company negotiated the contract with Allen & Garcia for the benefit
of Danspur, finances Danspur's supplies and payroll, and remains
primarily responsible for the performance of the contract. The total
cost of the coal washer project will exceed $1,000,000. In the 12-month
period preceding the hearing Danspur received more than $200,000
for its services.
Frank W. Robertson is president of both the Robertson-Henry
Company and Danspur and he is in charge of Danspur's labor rela-
tions. The principal officers of the two companies are identical. Frank
i The Respondent Danspur excepts to the Trial Examiner 's rejection in evidence of 37
employee affidavits . According to Danspur 's brief , each affidavit says that the signatory
employee was "not interfered with, solicited or required to join any labor organization as
a condition of employment by any official or agent of the Danspur Company. I signed a
union card with the United Construction Workers, U. M. W. of A., of my own free will
and without coercion by either my employer or the union or agents of either ." On objec-
tion of counsel for the General Counsel , the Trial Examiner ruled that the ex parte affi-
davits were inadmissible . Thereafter the Respondents presented a group of employees who
testified substantially to the conclusions set out in the affidavits . Danspur contends that
the objection to the admissibility of the affidavits was "highly technical " and that the
Trial Examiner erred in excluding them. We hold that the Trial Examiner correctly
rejected the affidavits . It is settled law that a mere affidavit , not subject to cross-
exam-ination, is not admissible to prove facts in issue. wigmore on Evidence , 3d Edition, See.
1384 , Affidavits.
42 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
W. Robertson owns all but one share of the Robertson-Henry Com-
pany stock. He also individually owns 35 percent of Danspur's stock
while the Robertson-Henry Company owns another 30 percent of
Danspur's stock. Mr. Robertson's associates own the remaining 35
percent of the Danspur stock. The two Respondent Companies oc-
cupy the same offices. Danspur has no office employees and its book-
keeping operations are performed by Robertson-Henry's office em-
ployees.
Upon consideration of the record-as a whole and particularly in view
of the substantial identity of ownership and control of the 2 Com-
panies, we find that the 2 Respondent Companies constitute a single
employer within the definition of Section 2 (2) of the Act .2 As Dan-
spur's services to Allen & Garcia were valued in excess of $200,000, we
find that the Respondents are engaged in commerce within the mean-
ing of the Act and that it will effectuate the policies of the Act to as-
sert jurisdiction.3
2. The Trial Examiner found that by requiring employees to join
the United Construction Workers and to sign checkoff authorizations
in behalf of that labor organization as a condition of employment,
the Respondents violated Section 8 (a) (3) and (1) of the Act. The
Respondents challenge the factual findings upon which the Trial Ex-
aminer based his legal conclusions. We have carefully considered all
the evidence in the case, including the Respondents' countervailing
testimony, and we agree with the Trial Examiner that the preponder-
ance of the evidence establishes that the Respondents required em-
ployees to join, and to sign dues checkoff authorizations in behalf of,
the United Construction Workers.' We therefore find, in agreement
9 A. M. Andrews Company, 112 NLRB 626; National Mattress Company, et al., 111
NLRB 890.
8 Jonesboro Grain Drying Cooperative , 110 NLRB 481, 484.
' The Respondent Danspur has appended to its brief a photostatic copy of an affidavit,
procured after the hearing and signed by Supervisor Roy Williams , denying testimony of
others given at the hearing and bearing on the complaint allegations as to Williams. At
the hearing the Respondents ' attorney said that the Respondents did not anticipate the
adverse testimony respecting Williams and therefore asked that W illiams' deposition be
taken after the parties received the transcript of the hearing . The Trial Examiner de-
nied the request The Respondents ' exceptions do not except to this ruling but Danspur's
brief says that the Trial Examiner should have permitted the taking of the deposition,
and that Williams' affidavit is so important that Danspur has included it with its brief
for "such use as the Board cares to make of it
We cannot at this late date consider the affidavit as any part of the Respondents ' proof.
The complaint adequately apprised the Respondents of the issues involved in the proceed-
ing. It specifically named Supervisor Roy Williams as one of the Respondents' agents who
had committed the violations alleged. There was a lapse of more than 3 weeks between
the service of the complaint and the hearing. Roy Williams did not attend the hearing.
Statements on the record by the Respondents ' president , Robertson , and their attorney are
to, the effect that Williams was in Ohio when the hearing was held. The Respondents ad-
vanced no good reason then, and they advance none now, why Williams was unavailable
to testify at the time of the hearing. (See National Labor Relations Board Rules and
Regulations , Series 6 , as amended , Section 102 30, setting out the formal procedure for
examination of witnesses by deposition "for good cause shown .") In view of these cir-
cumstances , we cannot now admit Williams' affidavit in evidence
THE DANSPUR COMPANY, INC. 43
with the Trial Examiner , that by the aforesaid conduct the Respond-
ents violated Section 8 ( a) (3) and (1) of the Act.5
ORDER
Upon the entire record in the case, and pursuant to Section 10 (c)
of the National Labor Relations Act, the National Labor Relations
Board hereby orders that the Respondents, The Danspur Company,
Inc., and Robertson-Henry Company, Huntington, West Virginia,
their officers, agents, successors, and assigns, shall :
1. Cease and desist from :
(a) Encouraging membership in United Construction Workers,
UMWA, or in any other labor organization of their employees, by
compelling their employees to become or remain members in such
labor organiztion under threat of denial of employment, or discharge,'
by involuntary checkoff of union initiation fees and dues from their
wages, or by discriminating in any other manner in regard to their
hire or tenure of employment, or any term or condition of employ-
ment, except to the extent authorized by Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act.
(b) In any other manner interfering with, restraining, or coercing
their employees in the exercise of their right to self-organization, to
form labor organizations, to join or assist International Union of Op-
erating Engineers, Local 181, AFL, or any other labor organization,
to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing,
to engage in other concerted activities for the purpose of collective
bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and 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 organiza-
tion as a condition of employment, as authorized by 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) Refund forthwith to all employees and former employees at
the Corbin, Kentucky, project, from whose wages the Respondents
have deducted and withheld funds representing union initiation fees
and membership dues charged by and payable to United Construc-
tion Workers, UMWA, under the terms of the authorization of check-
off contained in any applications for membership in said labor organ-
ization heretofore signed by said employees and former employees, to
the end that such employees and former employees, and each of them,
shall be promptly, fully, and completely reimbursed for all monies so
deducted and withheld.
(b) Upon request, preserve and make available to the National
'Labor Relations Board, or its agents, for examination and copying,
i a Safeway Stores, Inc, 111 NLRB 968; Meyer & Welch , Incorporated, 91 NLRB 1102,
1110-1111 , Precast Tile and Slab Company , 88 NLRB 1237 , 1238, 1247.
J
44 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
all payroll and other records necessary for a computation of the sums
to be refunded under the terms of the Order.
(c) Post at the Corbin, Kentucky, project and at their offices in
Huntington, West Virginia, copies of the notice attached to the In-
termediate Report marked "Appendix." 6 Copies of such notice, to
be furnished by the Regional Director for the Ninth Region, shall,
after being duly signed by Respondents' representative, be posted by
Respondents immediately upon receipt thereof and maintained by
them 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 Respondents to insure that
such notices are not altered, defaced, or covered by any other material.
(d) Notify the Regional Director for the Ninth Region, in writ-
ing, within ten (10) days from the date of this Order, what steps the
Respondents have taken to comply herewith.
U This notice shall be amended by substituting for the words "The Recommendations of
a Trial Examiner" the words "A Decision and Order." In the event that this Order is
enforced by a decree of a United States Court of Appeals, there shall be substituted for
the words "Pursuant to a Decision and Order" the words "Pursuant to a Decree of the
United States Court of Appeals, Enforcing an Order."
INTERMEDIATE REPORT
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Upon charges duly filed by International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 181,
AFL, herein called the Charging Union, against Respondent The Danspur Company,
Inc., herein called Danspur, and Respondent Robertson-Henry Company,' herein
called Robertson Company, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations
Board issued a complaint against said two Companies alleging that on or about
August 1, 1954, and at all times thereafter, both Respondents restrained, coerced,
and interfered with their employees in the exercise of rights guaranteed under the
Act by requiring all employees, as a prehire condition of employment, to execute
authorization and dues checkoff cards on behalf of the United Construction Workers,
affiliated with United Mine Workers of America, and hereafter called UCW, for
the purpose of encouraging its employees' membership in UCW, and for the purpose
of discouraging its employees to be members of the Charging Union, thereby
engaging in unfair labor practices affecting commerce in violation 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. Copies of the complaint, charges,
and notice of hearing were duly served on both Respondents. Respondents' separate
answers denied the commission of any unfair labor practices.
Pursuant to notice a hearing was held May 12, 1955, at Corbin, Kentucky, at
which all parties were represented by counsel and were afforded full opportunity to
be heard and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. At the close of the evidence,
the General Counsel presented oral argument, which opportunity was waived by the
other parties. Since the close of the hearing, Respondent has filed a brief which
has been duly considered.
Upon the entire record in the case, and from my observation of the witnesses, I
make the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. THE BUSINESS AND RELATIONSHIP OF RESPONDENTS
Respondent Danspur is, and at all times material herein has been, a West Virginia
corporation, maintaining its principal office and place of business at Huntington,
West Virginia, and is engaged in building dams and dikes and in earth-moving work.
Respondent Robertson Company is, and at all times material hereto has been, a
' The name of this Respondent appears as amended at the hearing.
THE DANSPUR COMPANY, INC. 45
West Virginia corporation, maintaining its principal office and place of business at
Huntington, West Virginia. Its present business is that of "financing other com-
panies, [and] assisting them in getting jobs."
In 1954, Allen & Garcia Company, Inc., an Illinois corporation, undertook
the construction of a coal washer plant for the United States Steel Corporation
at Corbin, Kentucky, the total cost of which will exceed $1,000,000. In the summer
of that year, the Robertson Company, "for the benefit of the Danspur Company,
negotiated a contract with Allen & Garcia for certain dirt and rock work" in
connection with that project. Danspur had no contract with Allen & Garcia, but
the Robertson Company agreed with it that Danspur undertake the performance
of that contract and that whatever profit or loss was realized or suffered therefrom
was to inure to the benefit or loss of Danspur. The employees who performed the
work were both employed and paid by Danspur. However, the Robertson Company
"backed [Danspur] with its finances . and in case of any default Allen &
Garcia Company would look to the Robertson Company to make good on the
performance of that contract." For its services supplied to that project, Danspur
received over $200,000 in the 12 months preceding the hearing herein.
Frank W. Robertson is president of both the Robertson Company and Danspur.
M. O. Fowler is vice president of both corporations and H. L. Goode is treasurer
of both companies. Robertson individually owns all but 1 share of the capital
stock of the Robertson Company and 35 percent of the stock of Danspur. Of the
remaining 65 percent of Danspur stock, 30 percent is owned by the Robertson
Company and 35 percent is owned by Robertson's associates who were formerly
employed by the Robertson Company when that corporation was actively engaged
in construction work. Robertson "is in charge of the labor relations of the Danspur
Company." The two corporations occupy the same offices in West Huntington.
Danspur has no office clerical employees and its books are kept by Robertson
Company's office employees.
On the entire record I find that Respondents constitute a single employer within
the meaning of Section 2 (2) of the Act,2 and that the operations of the employer
affect commerce within the meaning of the Act. 3
II. THE LABOR ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 181, AFL, and United Con-
struction Workers, UMWA, are, and at all times material hereto have been, labor
organizations within the meaning of Section 2 (5) of the Act.
III. THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
On July 20, 1954, Danspur and UCW entered into a contract effective for 1 year
and thereafter unless terminated or modified as therein provided. By its terms, UCW
was recognized as "sole bargaining representatives for all workmen employed .
[in] excavation and disposal of earth and rock ... on all work performed by the
Company" in the Corbin area, and Danspur agreed, when authorized to do so in writ-
ing, to withhold from the wages paid its workmen the sum of $2.50 per month as
UCW membership dues and an initiation fee of $5 and to forward the same to
the UCW.
A ground-breaking ceremony on the project took place on August 3, 1954, and the
moving of dirt commenced immediately thereafter. On or about August 1, Buryl
Travis, business representative of the Charging Union, had a conversation with Roy
Williams, a supervisor for Danspur. Williams told Travis that he had "charge of
hiring and discharging the operating engineers that would be on the payroll for the
Danspur Company." He also told Travis that while he would hire members of the
Charging Union for that work that they "would have to join the United Construction
Workers to work there." Though Travis remonstrated that the imposition of such a
condition was in violation of the Taft-Hartley Act, Williams "stated that he had no
other alternative but . . . to follow . . . the instructions from Mr. [Frank] Robert-
son," president of both Respondents. The two men met again several days later and
2N. L. R. B. v. Price Valley Lumber Co., et at, 216 F. 2d 212 (C. A. 9), enfg. 106 NLRB
26; National Mattress Company, et at., 111 NLRB 890; A. M. Andrews Company of Ore-
gon, et al, 112 NLRB 626; Technical Tape Corporation, 111 NLRB 845; Rollo Transit
Corporation, et at., 110 NLRB 1623; F Hilgeineier & Bro. Inc., 108 NLRB 352; Oregon
Frozen Foods Company, et at., 108 NLRB 1668.
a Columbia-Southern Chemical Corporation, 110 NLRB 206; Jonesboro Grain Drying
Cooperative, 110 NLRB 481.
46 DECISIONS - OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
"practically the same discussion" ensued. They met once more several days there-
after at the excavation site. Williams there told Travis that "the thing for [him] to
do was to keep quiet, . get [his] men on the job, let them sign" the UCW check-
off authorizations, and that then Travis "could do as [he] saw fit." Williams repeated
that he had his instructions from Robertson, or Robertson Company, "and there
wasn't anything he could do about it, or the Danspur Company." On the following
Sunday, Williams told Travis that he was starting a night shift and gave him an
"order" for seven additional operators which order was cancelled by Williams soon
thereafter on direction of Robertson.
At various times between August 1 and 15, Williams confronted the following
named operators while they were engaged on the job: His brother, Lloyd Williams,
Virgil Lamb, John Blanton, Curtis Esham, Louis H. Dillion, Harold Faulconer, and
Oscar Whisman, all of whom, except Dillion, were members of the Charging Union.
Williams presented to, and asked each of the aforementioned employees, to sign two
forms pursuant to which the Employer was authorized to withhold Federal and State
income taxes, and another form containing an application of membership in UCW
and authorizing the employer to checkoff from the employee's wages an amount
sufficient to pay the initiation fee and monthly dues required to be paid by UCW
and to forward the same to that organization.
Williams told his brother, Lloyd, that "in order to work there [he] had to sign"
the checkoff card. When he presented a similar card to Lamb, the latter asked
whether he had to sign it. William answered: "Yes, if you work here, you have to
sign ." Lamb remonstrated that he already belonged to the AFL, but Williams re-
peated: "Well, if you work here you have got to sign it." When similar cards
were presented for signature to Blanton before he went to work the latter also com-
plained that he already belonged to another union and was told he would "have to
sign [the UCW card] before [he] could go to work on that job." Esham signed
all 3 cards without knowing what they contained until about 12 hours later when
the subject was discussed with other employees. When Williams presented the cards
to Dillion, he merely said: "Sign this." Dillion complied, as did all the employees to
whom the cards were presented .4
Similar demands upon other employees to sign the UCW cards were made at ap-
proximately the same time by Supervisor O. P. Todd, associated with Williams in
the supervision of the excavation work. Thus, after Roland D. Green had been on
the job only 4 or 5 hours, Todd handed him the UCW checkoff authorization and
said: "If you work on this job you got to sign it," and that all employees had to sign
such checkoffs. Todd told Louis Tudor and Orrie Cornett substantially the same
thing about 6 hours after each went to work. When James Baker appeared on the
job-site before he was employed, he was wearing an AFL button. Todd employed
him but told him to take the AFL button off and that "if [he] worked there [he'd]
have to join the UCW union." Several other employees testified in behalf of the
General Counsel that Todd presented the UCW checkoff cards to them, together
with the 2 tax withholding forms, and asked each of them to sign all 3 cards. Prac-
tically all of the employees who testified that their membership in UCW was pro-
cured by Williams or Todd in the manner heretofore detailed testified further, with-
out contradiction, that UCW dues and initiation fees were thereafter deducted from
their wages.
Though Todd denied that he ever told anyone "that they had to join the UCW
before they could work on the project," I do not credit that denial. Instead, I credit
the testimony of the employees named above that he made the statements attributed
to him. I do so not only because of the impression as to trustworthiness made on
me by the demeanor of the respective witnesses as they were giving their testimony,
but also because of the circumstances existing at the time the statements were made
and because of the remainder of Todd's testimony.
Danspur had a contract granting UCW exclusive recognition for all of its em-
ployees. That contract also required UCW to "make every effort to furnish a suffi-
cient number of duly qualified workmen to meet" Danspur's requirements. Todd
testified that he obtained UCW checkoff and membership applications from Williams
who instructed him "to give each man a card [and] to sign him up." When asked
whether he ever said "anything to them whether they had a choice of signing or not
signing" his answer was that "they knew when they come [sic] out there that that
was a UCW job." And, when inquiry was made as to whether he would "have hired
The foregoing testimony pertaining to Williams' conversation with Travis and the
named employees is based on the credited testimony of Travis and those employees. Wil-
liams did not testify.
THE DANSPUR COMPANY,- INC. 47
any men that. didn't sign a card," his only reply was that "there were some [who]
worked there as high as thiry days [before] signing."
While the record does not specifically indicate the number of men employed on the'
job, Todd testified that "at one time" there were approximately 38 men so employed
and that all of them signed UCW. membership applications and checkoff cards. In
view of the fact that a number of these employees were at that time already members
of,the Charging Union, and that employees Lamb and Blanton specifically objected
to joining UCW for that reason,5 it seems most improbable that at least these em-
ployees would have joined UCW unless it was made clear to them that they had to do'
so in order to hold their jobs. On the entire record and my observation of the wit-
nesses involved I find that Williams and Todd made the statements attributed to them
by the employees above named to whom the remarks were directed as heretofore
detailed.
By imposing membership in UCW upon its employees, and by requiring them
to sign checkoff authorizations in favor of that organization as a condition of initial
or continuing employment, Danspur interfered with, restrained, and coerced its em-
ployees in their guaranteed right to bargain collectively through representatives of
their own choosing in violation of Section 8 (a) (1) of the Act. The same conduct
also constituted discrimination with respect to hire and tenure of employment to
encourage membership in UCW and to discourage membership in any other labor
organization in violation of Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act. Consolidated Builders,
Inc., 99 NLRB 972; Bayly Manufacturing. Co.,. 103 NLRB-1337; Safeway .Stores,
Inc, 111 NLRB 968.6
IV. THE EFFECT OF THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES UPON COMMERCE
The activities of Respondents set forth in section III, above, occurring in connec-
nection with their operations 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, previously found that Danspur and Robertson Company constitute a single
employer within the meaning of the Act, I further find that they are jointly,and
severally responsible for the unfair labor practices found above. Accordingly, it will
be recommended that both Respondents cease and desist therefrom and take certain
affirmative action designed to effectuate the policies of the Act.
Having concluded that Respondents violated Section. 8 (a) (3) and (1) of the
Act by coercing their employees to become and remain members of the UCW and
to authorize deduction of initiation fees and membership dues from their wages for
payment to that organization, and by actual checkoff of such initiation fees and dues
from their wages, I shall recommend that Respondents make whole to such employees
the amounts deducted from their wages for that purpose from the date when such
deductions were first made, as shown by Respondent's records, to the date of com-
pliance with the Board's Order herein.
Respondents' ' illegal coercion and discrimination are convincing evidence of Re-
spondents' fundamental purpose to thwart self-organization of their employees and
deprive them of rights guaranteed by the Act, and demonstrate the likelihood that
they may commit other unfair labor practices in the future. The remedy should be
coextensive with the threat. I shall therefore recommend that Respondents be
ordered to cease and desist from infringing in any manner on their employees' ex-
ercise of rights guaranteed to them by the Act.
5 Todd did not deny that he told employee Baker to take off his AFL button because
"if [he] worked there [he'd] have to join the UCW union."
6In arriving at that conllusion I have not been unmindful of the testimony of 16 em-
ployees who testified for Respondents that they joined UCW voluntarily and without pres-
sure troui anyone in behalf of Danspur. I have weighed this circumstance along with all
the other factors in this case and am nevertheless convinced that the evidence preponderates
heavily in favor of the conclusion just announced. "The Act forbids an employer,from
discriminating against any of his employees, and he is not excused from the consequences
of his conduct merely by showing he refrained from discriminating against others." Tex-
tile Machine Works, Inc., 96 NLRB 1333, 1359; Pennwoven, Inc., 94 NLRB 175, 195, enfd
as mod on another ground, 194 F. 2d 521 (C A. 3) ; Popesl Brothers, Inc, 101 NLRB 1083,
1089.
48 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact, and on the entire record in the
case, I make the following:
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. Respondents are engaged in and have been engaged in commerce within the
meaning of Section 2 (6) and (7) of the Act.
2. UCW and the Charging Union are labor organizations within the meaning of
Section 2 (5) of the Act.
3. By coercing their employees to become and remain members of UCW, and by
the involuntary checkoffs of initiation fees and union dues from their wages for pay-
ment to that organization, thereby encouraging membership therein, Respondents
have discriminated in regard to their tenure of employment and terms and conditions
of employment , and have engaged in and are engaging in unfair labor practices
within the meaning of Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act.
4. By the above conduct, thereby interfering with, restraining, and coercing em-
ployees in the exercise of rights guaranteed by Section 7 of the Act, Respondents
have engaged in and are engaging in unfair labor practices within the meaning of
Section 8 (a) (I) of the Act.
5. The aforesaid unfair labor practices are unfair labor practices affecting com-
merce within the meaning of Section 2 (6) and (7) of the Act.
[Recommendations omitted from publication.]
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES
Pursuant to the recommendations of a Trial Examiner of the National Labor-
Relations Board, and in order to effectuate the policies of the National Labor Rela-
tions Act, as amended, we'hereby notify our employees that:
WE WILL NOT encourage membership in United Construction Workers,
UMWA, or any other labor organization of our employees, by compelling them
to become or remain members in such organization under threat of denial of
employment, or discharge, by involuntary checkoff of union initiation fees and
dues from their wages, or by discriminating in any other manner in regard to
their hire or tenure of employment, or any term or condition of employment,
except to the extent authorized by Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act.
WE WILL NOT in any other manner interfere with, restrain, or coerce our
employees in the exercise of their right to self-organization, to form labor
organizations , to join or assist International Union of Operating Engineers,
Local 181, AFL, or any other labor organization, to bargain collectively through
representatives of their own choosing, to engage in other concerted activities
for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, and
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 condition of employment, as authorized by Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act.
WE WILL forthwith reimburse to all our employees and former employees at
our Corbin, Kentucky, project from whose wages we have deducted and with-
held funds representing union initiation fees and dues charged by and payable
to United Construction Workers, UMW, under the terms of the authorization
of checkoff of union initiation fees and dues contained in any applications for
membership in said labor organization heretofore signed by said employees and
former employees.
All our employees are free to become, remain, or refrain from becoming or
remaining, members of any labor organization, except to the extent that such right
may be affected by an agreement as authorized in Section 8 (a) (3) of the Act, as
amended.
THE DANSPUR COMPANY,
Employer.
Dated---------------- By----------------------------------------------
(Representative) (Title)
POBERTSON-HENRY COMPANY,
Employer.
By----------------------------------------------
This notice must remain posted for 60 days from the data hereof, and must not be
altered, defaced, or covered by any other material.