Todd Seattle Dry Docks, Inc.

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Jun 28, 1937

2 N.L.R.B. 1070 (N.L.R.B. 1937)

In the Matter of TODD SEATTLE DRY DocKS, INC., and INDUSTRIAL
UNION OF MARINE AND SHIPBUILDING WORKERS OF AMERICA. LOCAL
No. 10
Case No. R-147.-Decided June 28, 1937
Shipbuilding and Repairing Industry-Petition for Investigation and Certift-
ration of Representatives: dismissed where filed by representatives of small
minority of employees ; no controversy concerning representation.
Mr. Ralph T. Seward for the Board.
Mr. Roy Durrett, Mr. Cassius Gates, and Mr. Lawrence Bogle, of
Bogle, Bogle c6 Gates, Seattle, Wash., for the Company.
Mr. Adam, Beeler, of Seattle, Wash., for Industrial Union of Ma-
rine and Shipbuilding Workers of America, Local No. 10.
Mr. Samuel B. Bassett, of Vanderveer R Bassett, Seattle, Wash., for
Metal Trades Council of Seattle and Vicinity, and for International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Stablemen & Helpers of
America, Local No. 174.
Mr. Frederick P. Mettt, of counsel to the Board.
DECISION
STATEMENT OF CASE
Oa March 11, 1937, Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding
Workers of America, Local No. 10, hereinafter referred to as the
I. U., filed a petition with the Regional Director for the Nineteenth
Region (Seattle, Washington), alleging that a question affecting
commerce had arisen concerning the representation of certain em-
ployees of Todd Seattle Dry Docks, Inc., Seattle, Washington, here-
inafter referred to as Todd, and requesting the National Labor Re-
lations Board to conduct an investigation and certify representatives
pursuant to Section 9 (c) of the National Labor Relations Act, 49
Stat. 449, hereinafter referred to as the Act. On March 24, 1937,
the National Labor Relations Board, hereinafter referred to as the
Board, authorized the Regional Director for the Nineteenth Region
to conduct an investigation and to provide for a hearing in connec-
tion therewith. Pursuant to notices duly issued and served upon all,
the parties, a hearing was held in Seattle, Washington, beginning on
April 16, 1937, before Robert M. Gates, duly designated by the Board
as Trial Examiner. The Metal Trades Council of Seattle and Vicin-
ity, hereinafter referred to as the Metal Trade Council, Local No.
1070
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 1071
174 of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs,
Stablemen & Helpers of America, hereinafter referred to as the
Teamsters' Union, the I. U., and Todd were represented by counsel
and participated in the hearing. Full opportunity to be heard, to
examine and cross-examine witnesses, and to introduce evidence bear-
ing on the issues was afforded all parties.
At the beginning of the hearing counsel for Todd filed a notice of
special appearance and a motion to quash the proceedings 1 based
upon objections to the Board's jurisdiction and upon objections to
the validity of the Act under the Constitution. The motion to quash
was denied by the Trial Examiner. This ruling is hereby affirmed.
Thereafter, permission to do so having been granted by the Trial
Examiner, counsel for Todd filed an answer to the petition of the
I. U.2 Therein Todd denied that any question had arisen concerning
the representation of its employees as alleged in the petition and
alleged that the Board had no jurisdiction in the premises. The
answer further alleged that the Act is unconstitutional if it is held
to apply to Todd. At the close of the hearing counsel for Todd
filed a motion to dismiss the petition,3 predicated upon the same ob-
jections previously made in its motion to quash, and supplementing
that motion orally moved, in the alternative, "for a dismissal on the
ground that the evidence now introduced by the petitioner (I. U.) in
direct and the Board, conclusively, in our opinion, establishes that,
in no event, assuming the applicability of the Act and the validity of
the statute, has a question arisen concerning or affecting commerce
with respect to representation of the employees at Todd Seattle Dry
Docks". Counsel for the Metal Trades Council and the Teamsters'
Union joined in this motion to dismiss the petition "on the ground
that the evidence is insufficient to substantiate the allegations of the
petition". The motion was denied by the Trial Examiner. In view
of our findings and conclusions hereinafter set forth, the Trial
Examiner's ruling on this motion is hereby reversed.
During the course of the hearing the Trial Examiner made mmner-
ous other rulings on motions and on objections to the introduction
of evidence. We have examined all of these rulings and find that no
prejudicial errors were committed. They are hereby. affirmed.
At the hearing the Board introduced a list containing the names
of all the employees of Todd, except foremen, higher supervisory
officials, office and clerical employees, who were employed at any time
during the eight-week period beginning February 3, 1937, and end-
ing March 31, 1937.4 By agreement between the parties this list was
1 Respondent's Exhibit No 1
2 Respondent ' s Exhibit No. 2.
3 Respondent 's Exhibit No. 3.
" Board Exhibit No 12.
6
1072 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
submitted to Lamont, president of Todd, for purposes of comparison,,
in the presence of a representative of the Board, with the membership
records of the I. U. and the organizations affiliated with the Metal
Trades Council.' The comparison was completed two days after
the hearing was closed. At that time Lamont returned the list of
employees to the Regional Director for the Nineteenth Region, ac-
companied by his certification as to number of employees who were
members of the I. U. and the organizations affiliated with the Metal
Trades Council. This certification together with the accompanying
letter to the Regional Director are hereby made part of the record
in this case.
Upon the entire record in the case the Board makes the following :
FINDINGS OF FACT
d
I. TODD SEATTLE DRY DOCKS, INC.
Todd Seattle Dry Docks, Inc., a Washington corporation having-
its principal office and place of business in the City of Seattle, State
of Washington, is engaged in the business of repairing ships. It is.
one of the operating subsidiaries of the Todd Shipyards Corpora-
tion, a Delaware holding company.6 J. D. Reilly, one of its directors
is also a director of the Todd Shipyards Corporation.
Todd's Seattle shipyard consisting of a yard, various shops and
wharves, is the third largest shipyard on the Pacific Coast, and the
largest private shipyard in the Pacific Northwest. It is equipped to
do all kinds of repairs on all types and sizes of vessels. Most of
the repairs are made by Todd on vessels in drydock 7 or on vessels
tied up along its wharves. Some repairs, however, are made out-
side its shipyard, that is, on vessels tied up along the wharves of
shipping concerns on the Seattle waterfront.
Todd negotiates contracts for the repair of vessels through the
Seattle agents of the various steamship companies. Separate con-
tracts are negotiated for the repair of each vessel. Todd has no
'The membership records of the various organizations were not made a part of the
record in this case.
'Other subsidiaries of the Todd Shipyards Corporation engaged in the business of
repairing ships are the following
Robins Dry Dock and Repair Co, Brooklyn, N. Y
Tietjen and Lang Dry Dock Co , Hoboken, N. J.
Todd Mobile Dry Docks, Inc., Mobile, Ala.
Todd New Orleans Dry Docks, Inc., New Orleans, La.
Todd Galveston Dry Docks, Inc, Galveston, Tex
7 Todd uses three drydocks in its operations. These have a capacity of 16,000, 15,000,
and 3 ,000 tons, respectively. During its busy season, that is, during the Spring of the
year, these drydocks are in constant use.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 1073
exclusive contract with any steamship company. Nearly all of the
vessels repaired by Todd come to its shipyard from ports in the
State of Washington and return to such ports immediately after be-
ing repaired before making a voyage. However, the majority of
the vessels are engaged in intercoastal transportation; the remainder
are engaged in coastal and foreign transportation. Vessels brought
to the Todd shipyard from local ports usually do not carry any
cargo, and carry only a skeleton crew; vessels brought to it during
the course of a voyage carry a full cargo and crew while being
repaired.
In its operations Todd uses a considerable amount of material
such as machinery, steel plates, castings, shapes, angles, bolts, nuts,
and wood. Approximately 25 per cent of all of the material used
is obtained from sources outside the State of Washington. The
majority of such material is brought to its shipyard by various
steamship companies; the remainder is brought to local freight de-
pots by various railroad companies and is picked up by Todd, or
is delivered directly to the shipyard over a spur track connecting
the shipyard with a line of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company.
Machinery for installation in a vessel is customarily furnished by
the owner of the vessel and is shipped to, Todd by the manufacturer
on order of such owner or is brought to the shipyard on board the
vessel in which it is to be installed.
The number and the identity of employees employed by Todd
fluctuates from day to day and from week to week. The average
number of employees, excluding foremen, higher supervisory officials,
office and clerical employees employed daring each of the eight
weeks immediately preceding March 31, 1937 is as follows :
For week ending February 10, 1937------------------------ 528
For week ending February 17, 1937------------------------- 702
For week ending February 24. 1937------------------------ 8.54
For week ending March 3, 1937---------------------------- 996
For week ending March 10, 1937---------------------------- 1135
For week ending March 17, 1937---------------------------- 961
For week ending March 24,1937---------------------------- 825
For week ending March 31,1937---------------------------- 457
The numbers of skilled and unskilled workers employed at Todd
vary according to,the type of work being performed. The number
of unskilled workers never amounts to more than 25 per cent of the
total number of workers employed.
Todd's operations are performed upon instrumentalities of inter-
state and foreign commerce. Such operations have a close, intimate,
;end substantial relation to trade, traffic, commerce, and transporta-
tion among the several States and with foreign countries.
1074 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
II. THE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
A. Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding ZPorkers of
America, Local No. 10
The I. U. is a labor organization which admits to membership
"all workers employed in the shipbuilding, ship repairing industry,
and industries producing marine equipment" in Seattle and vicinity.
Although there were originally numbered among its members eni-
ployees of other shipyard employers, its membership at the time of
the filing of the petition in this case consisted solely of men employed
by Todd.
The I. U. was organized during May, 1935, by a group of steam-
fitters and pipefitters employed by Todd. All of the workers in this
craft immediately joined. Thereafter some of the workers em-
ployed at Todd in the other crafts as well as some of the laborers
joined. During the fall of 1935, several boilermakers dropped their
membership in the I. U. and joined a local of the International
Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders and Helpers of
America, affiliated with the Metal Trades Council. On January 1,
1936, all of the steamfitters, pipefitters and their helpers, left the
I. U. in a body and joined a local of the United Association of
Journeymen Plumbers and Steamfitters of the United Sates and
Canada, affiliated with the Metal Trades Council. Shortly there-
after Todd orally entered into a closed shop agreement with the
Metal Trades Council covering all skilled craftsmen and their help-
ers.' Since the time of this closed shop agreement membership in
the I. U. has consisted solely of unskilled workers or common
laborers, such as dockmen, spraymen,-tank cleaners, outside painters,
scalers and scrapers, all generally referred to by Todd as cardmen,
because of the method by which they are hired.° At the hearing A.
Fisherman, president of the I. U., testified that the I. U. had 200
members among the common laborers employed by Todd at the
time of the filing of the petition.
Whether the I. U. at any time prior to January, 1936, had among
its membership a majority of all the employees employed by Todd
is not clear from the record. Witnesses for the I.' U. testified that it
did ; their testimony, however, was contradicted by witnesses for
the Metal Trades Council and for Todd. No membership records for
"There are some indications in the record that this agreement may have only been
an agreement for it preferential shop Since ' the record abounds with testimony that
the organizations affiliated with the Metal Trades Council had among their membershipi
practically all of the skilled craftsmen and theii helpers at that time , its practical effect
was that of a closed shop agreement
O Unskilled workers or common laborers are generally hired by Todd on a day -to-day
basis They assemble at the yard gate every day and if chosen to work are given a
card which they exchange for their pay after the day ' s work is completed.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 1075
the year 1935 were introduced by the I. U. at the hearing. Ad-
mittedly the I. U. has not had among its membership a majority of
all of the employees of Todd since January, 1936.
Although the I. U. has at various times since its organization met
with and discussed with Todd certain problems concerning the wel-
fare of its members, such meetings and discussions have concerned
themselves solely with the welfare of the common laborers. At no
time since its organization has the I. U. bargained collectively with
or sought to bargain collectively with Todd on behalf of all of the
employees of Todd.
B. The Metal Trades Council of Seattle and Vicinity
The Metal Trades Council of Seattle and Vicinity is a labor organi-
zation affiliated with the Metal Trades Department of the American'
Federation of Labor and is composed of delegates from 20 labor
organizations affiliated with it. Of the 20 organizations, the follow-
ing have members among, and their combined jurisdiction extends
to, all of the employees of Todd, except teamsters," supervisory, and
clerical employees :
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Build-,
ers and Helpers of America, Locals No. 104, and No. 541.
International Association of Machinists, Local No. 79.
International Longshoremen's Association, Scalers, Dry Dock
and Miscellaneous Waterfront Workers Local No. 38-138.
Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local No. 99.
Brotherhood of Painters, Decorators, and Paperhangers of
America, Local No. 300.
International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths, Drop Forgers, and
Helpers, Local No. 106.
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America,
Locals No. 1184 and No. 1272.
United Association of Journeymen, Plumbers and Steamfit-
ters of the United States and Canada, Local No. 473.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local No. 46.
International Union of Operating Engineel;s, Local No. 302.
The Metal Trades Council was organized in 1908 for the purpose
of dealing with employers on behalf of the' membership of its affi-
liated organizations. Since that time it has negotiated and entered
into agreements covering wages, hours, and working conditions with
10 Todd employs two members of the Teamsteis ' Union in its stores department The
Metal Trades Council does not dispute the jurisdiction ' -of the Teamsters ' Union' over
these men The Metal Trades Council has in the;past represented these two employees
on behalf of the Teamsters' Union in negotiations with Todd . The Teamsters' Union
was represented at the hearing by counsel - for the , Metal Trades Council.
5727-37-vol 11-69
1076 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
employers in Seattle and vicinity. According to the testimony of
E. M. Weston, secretary of the Metal Trades Council, the Metal
Trades Council has regularly bargained collectively with Todd, on
behalf of all of its employees, over a long period of years. His
testimony was substantiated by witnesses for Todd.
In February, 1934, the Metal Trades Council submitted to Todd
a proposed wage scale covering the rates of pay for all classifications
of workers. After negotiations, Todd orally adopted the wage scale
on April 28, 1934, and it remained in effect until January 1, 1937.
In February, 1936, Todd entered into the oral agreement referred
to above, with the Metal Trades Council, granting to the latter a
closed shop with respect to skilled craftsmen and helpers employed
at Todd's. This agreement was still in effect at the time of the
hearing.
During the latter part of 1936, the Metal Trades Council entered
into negotiations with the Puget Sound Marine Construction Associa-
tion, an association of shipyard employers, including Todd, for a new
wage scale covering all of the employees in all of the shipyards in the
Puget Sound area. On January 19, 1937,.the employers, including
Todd, through their association, granted to the Metal Trades Council
a new wage scale 11 for all classifications of workers, retroactively
effective as of January 1, 1937. This new wage scale by agreement
of the parties is to remain effective until July 1, 1937.
While the above negotiations for a new wage scale were being
carried on, the Metal Trades Council made demands upon Todd for
a closed shop as to all common laborers, that is, all of the Todd em-
ployees not covered by the oral closed shop agreement entered into
between Todd and the Metal Trades Council during February, 1936.
A considerable number of these common laborers, referred to by Todd
as cardmen, were members of the I. U.; some were members of the
Scalers, Dry Dock and Miscellaneous Waterfront Workers Local, No.
38-138, of the International Longshoremen's Association; 12 several
were not affiliated with any labor organization. Todd, reluctant to
grant the closed shop demands of the Metal Trades Council as to the
common labor group, effected a temporary compromise whereby it
agreed to hire its common laborers equally from the membership of
the Scalers Local and the I. U. Dissatisfied with this compromise ar-
rangement, the Metal Trades Council, during the early part of 1937,
renewed its demands for a closed shop as to the common labor group
on behalf of the Scalers Local. Todd did not immediately accede to
"Metal Trades Exhibit No 1.
19 The Scalers , Dry Dock and Miscellaneous Waterfront Workers Local No. 38-138,
of the I . L. A.. Is a labor organization affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
and with the Metal Trades Council All of the common laborers ( cardman ) employed
by Todd are eligible to membership in this organization.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS 1077'
these renewed demands. However, during the latter part of February
or early part of March, 1937, the Metal Trades Council, having re-
ceived authorizations from its affiliated organizations to deal in any
way it sought fit, served an ultimatum on Todd, threatening to tie up
its shipyard unless the closed shop demands as to the common laborers
were granted by March 29, 1937. The filing of the petition herein
on March 11, 1937, by the I. U., immediately followed the serving of
this ultimatum. On March 29, 1937, Todd granted the closed shop
demands of the Metal Trades Council.
The number of common laborers who were refused employment as
a result of the granting of the closed shop by Todd is not clear from
the record. The I. U. claims that all of its 200 members were affected.
The Metal Trades Council and Todd claim that only about 75 common
laborers were affected. Upon being refused employment members of
the I. U. began picketing the Todd shipyard. Such picketing con-
tinued throughout the hearing in this case.
On April 2, 1937, all of the common laborers employed as dockmen,
dropped their membership in the I. U. and joined a local of the
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders and
Helpers of America, affiliated with the Metal Trades Council, and
immediately returned to work.
At the hearing, Weston claimed that the Metal Trades Council
has always been and still is the duly designated representative of a
majority of the employees employed by Todd. Witnesses for Todd
substantiated his testimony. Witnesses for the I. U., however,
claimed that the Metal Trades Council has never been the duly desig-
nated representative of a majority of the employees employed by
Todd.
III. WHETHER A QUESTION CONCERNING REPRESENTATION HAS ARISEN
The I. U., the Metal Trades Council, and Todd, having stipulated
at the hearing 13 "that the appropriate unit for collective bargaining
within the meaning of Section 9 (a) and (b) of the National Labor
Relations Act at the Todd Seattle Dry Docks, Inc., should comprise
all employees of that company except foremen and higher super-
visory officials, clerical and office employees and janitors, and that
in the event that an election is held by the National Labor Relations.
Board in the course of this proceeding, the vote should be taken.
upon a plant-wide basis among employees in the said unit", the only
question before us for determination is whether a question concern-
ing the representation of the employees in the aforesaid unit has,
arisen which would warrant our taking further action in this pro-
ceeding to ascertain and certify to the parties' representatives forrr
the purposes of collective bargaining.
13 See Board Exhibit No. 11.
1078 NATIONAL. LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
-Iri, support of (its allegation in the petition that a question concern-
ing representation had arisen, the I. U, alleged that it represented
75 per cent of the employees of Todd; that it had sought to bargain
collectively with Todd on behalf 'of all its employees; and that Todd
had refused to bargain collectively -with' it "on the ground that the
various craft unions belonging to the American Federation of Labor
.also claim jurisdiction over these employees". The allegation that
the I. U. had sought to bargain collectively with Todd on behalf of
all of its employees and that Todd had refused to do so, is not sup-
ported by the evidence. It was clearly shown at the hearing that
'Todd at all tines when requested, met and bargained collectively
with the representatives of the I. U., and that all negotiations be-
,tween Todd and the I. U. concerned themselves solely with the com-
mon laborers employed by Todd.
As stated above, the petition in this case was filed immediately
after the Metal Trades Council served the closed shop ultimatum
on'Todd. Considering the evidence in the record in the most favor-
able light to the I. 'U., that organization had approximately 200
members among the common laborers employed at 'Todd at that
time. During the week immediately preceding and the week imme-
'diately following the date of the filing of this petition Todd em-
ployed approximately 1000 men. That there existed at'that time
.among the common laborers who were members of I. U. a question
as to their tenure of employment, in view of the closed shop ulti-
matum served on Todd, is clear. That a question concerning the
representation of all of the employees of Todd had arisen at that
time, or at any other time, is not clear.
In his certification respecting membership of Todd's employees
in the I. U. and in the Metal Trades Council'14 Lamont,, president
of Todd, reported that his comparison of the records of the various
organizations with the list of employees, containing the names of
1753 employees, showed that 168 employees were members of the
1. U. and that 1076 were members of the various organizations
affiliated with the Metal Trades Council. This certification accounts
for the affiliation of 1244 of the 1753 employees. The certification
and the accompanying letter of Lamont give no definite clue as to
the affiliation of the remaining 509 employees. Presumably, their
affiliation could not be checked because the records of the various
labor organizations submitted to Lamont were incomplete. Since
during this period Todd was operating as a Metal Trades Council
closed shop, insofar as skilled workers and their helpers were con-
cerned, and employed approximately three times as many skilled.
14 See Statement of Case, supra.
DECISIONS AND ORDERS .1079
workers and helpers as it did. common laborers, it is fair to assume
that the most of these 509 employees were either members of the
organizations affiliated with the Metal Trades Council or were em-
ployed by Todd through such organizations. In any event, con-
sidering the certification of Lamont alone, the overwhelming ma-
jority of employees employed by Todd at any time during the period
between February 3, 1937 and March 31, 1937, were members of
organizations affiliated with the Metal Trades Council.
Without admitting that the organizations affiliated with the Metal
Trades Council have among their membership a majority of the
employees employed by Todd, the I. U. throughout the hearing took
the position that even though the records of such organizations
show such a majority, such records do not reflect. the true desires of
the employees with respect to the designation of a representative for
the purposes of collective bargaining in view of certain alleged co-
ercive activities ascribed to Todd. Throughout the hearing the I. U.
claimed that from the time of its organization, the supervisory offi-
cials of Todd had coerced its members employed by Todd to drop
their membership and to join the organizations affiliated with the
Metal Trades Council. The I. U. urged that if an election were held
by the Board, the majority of the employees of Todd would desig-
nate the I. U. as their representative.
Adinitteclly, the I. U. has not had among its membership a ma-
jority of the employees employed by Todd since January, 1936, just
shortly before the original closed shop agreement was made. That it
did have among its membership a majority at any time prior 10
January, 1936, is unlikely. We have fully considered the testi-
mony presented by the I. U. with respect to the coercion of its
members by Todd both before and after January, 1936, and we
find the testimony unpersuasive. Furthermore, the contention of
the I. U. that if an election were held the majority of the employees
employed by Todd would designate it as their representative, despite
their membership in organizations affiliated with the Metal Trades
Council, finds no support in the record. We firmly believe that the
majority for the Metal Trades Council is and has always been based
on the wishes of the employees of Todd.
Upon the entire record we are compelled to find that the I. U.
represents only a small minority of the employees of Todd and that
the overwhelming majority of such employees have, by their member-
ship in the various organizations affiliated with the Metal Trades
Council, designated the Metal Trades Council as their representative
for the purposes of collective bargaining with Todd. Under all the
circumstances we conclude that there has not arisen any question con-
cerning the representation of the employees employed by Todd.
1080 NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
Upon the basis of the above findings of fact, the Board makes the
following conclusions of law :
1. All of the employees employed by Todd Seattle Dry Docks, Inc.,
except foremen, higher supervisory officials, clerical and office em-
ployees, and janitors, constitute a unit appropriate for the purposes
.of collective bargaining, within the meaning of Section 9 (b) of the
National Labor Relations Act.
2. A question concerning the representation of the employees in
the aforesaid unit has not arisen within the meaning of Section 9 (c)
of the National Labor Relations Act.
DISMISSAL OF PETITION
Pursuant to Article III, Section 8 of National Labor Relations
Board Rules and Regulations-Series 1, as amended, it is directed
that the petition filed by the Industrial Union of Marine and Ship-
building Workers of America, Local No. 10, with the Regional
Director for the Nineteenth Region on March 11, 1937, be, and it
hereby is, dismissed.