W. S. Watkins & Son

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Oct 30, 1943

53 N.L.R.B. 235 (N.L.R.B. 1943)

In the Matter of W. S. WATKINS AND W. W. WATKINS, CO-PARTNERS,
DOING BUSINESS UNDER' THE TRADE NAME AND STYLE OF W. S.
WATKINS & SON and LUMBER & SAWMILL WORKERS, LOCAL 2903,
AFFILIATED WITH THE-UNITED BROTHERHOOD OF CARPENTERS & JOIN-
ERS OF AMERICA, A. F. L.
Case No. 20-C-1176.-Decided October 30, 1943
DECISION
AND
ORDER
On September 13, 1943, the Trial Examiner issued his Intermediate
Report in the above-entitled proceeding, finding that the respond-
ents had engaged in and were engaging in certain unfair labor prac-
tices, and recommending that they cease and desist therefrom and
that they take certain affirmative action, as set forth in the copy of
the Intermediate Report annexed hereto. No exceptions to the find-
ings and recommendations of the Trial Examiner have been filed.
The Board has considered the rulings made by the Trial Examiner
at the hearing and finds that no prejudicial error was committed.
The rulings are hereby affirmed.
The Board has considered the Intermediate Report and the entire
record in the case, and hereby adopts the findings, conclusions, and
recommendations of the Trial Examiner with the qualifications
noted below :
1. The Trial Examiner has found that the seven employees named
in the complaint were discriminatorily discharged on February 16,
1943, because of their membership in the Sawmill Workers. In
reaching this conclusion, the Trial Examiner has relied in part on
a finding that the respondents' contract of August 1, 1942, with the
Millmen was not a closed-shop contract. We are not convinced that
Section V of the contract is not more properly construed as making
membership in the Millmen a condition of employment for all em-
ployees whose work involved the operation of machines or the use
of carpenter tools. However, we deem it unnecessary, under the
circumstances, to determine the legal effect of the contract. Ad-
mittedly, the closed-shop provision did not cover all the respondents'
53 N. L. R. B., No. 48.
235
236 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
I
employees. Nevertheless, the respondents discharged all their em-
ployees who were members of the Sawmill Workers, regardless of
the nature of their work; and Watkins' testimony regarding his
reasons for the discharges clearly indicates that the respondents
were motivated by a desire to eliminate the members of the Saw-
mill Workers from the mill, rather than -by a bona fide desire to
enforce their contract with the Millmen. Furthermore, the record
shows that the Millmen had not requested the respondents to dis-
charge any of the employees herein involved. We are convinced,
and we find, that the respondents discharged the employees in ques-
tion not because of the contract but solely in order to encourage
membership in the Millmen and discourage membership in the Saw-
mill Workers. We therefore find, as did the Trial Examiner, that,
by discharging the seven employees named in the complaint, the re-
spondents engaged in unfair labor practices , within the meaning of
Section 8 (3) of the Act.
2. The Trial Examiner has found that there is no merit in the
respondents' contention that Reice was not discharged but voluntarily
quit his employment. Reice, like other employees of the respondents,
was asked by Watkins, on the morning of February 16, 1943, what
union he belonged to, but, on replying "the Brotherhood of Railroad
Trainmen," was permitted to enter the mill. Later, however, he was
further questioned by Superintendent Garrigus and, when he admitted
that he had a working permit from the Sawmill Workers, was told,
"Well, you can go on and go back to work and then you can join the
other union." 1 Thereupon Reice left the mill, stating that "as the
rest of the boys in the union I belong to is out why I'm not going to
stay here." By improperly conditioning Reice's continued employ-
ment on his joining the Millmen,2 the respondents in effect discharged
him, as found by the Trial Examiner. We see no reason for dis-
tinguishing between Reice and the other members of the Sawmill
Workers discharged by the respondents on 'February 16, 1943.3 We
therefore find that on February 16, 1943, the respondents discrimi-
nated against Reice, within the meaning of the Act.
3. The record tends to indicate, although we do not deem it neces-
sary to decide, that both Hansen and Cherrington were supervisory
employees, Hansen being yard foreman 4 and Cherrington being fore-
man of the molding department. It further appears that Hansen was
1 The Trial Examiner so found, on the basis of conflicting testimony, and we agree with
his resolution of the conflict.
Reice, as a laborer , was admittedly not covered by the closed -shop provision of the
contract.
8 Cf. Matter of Draper Corporation , 52 N. L . R. B. 1477.
4 Hansen testified that as yard foreman he spent in excess of 50 percent of his time
actually working with the men under him, that he had no authority to hire or discharge,
and that his position was comparable to that of a leadman.
W. S. WATKINS & SON 237
president of the Sawmill Workers and that Cherrington was active
in soliciting members for that union. The respondents do not con-
tend, however, that either Hansen or Cherrington was discharged in
an attempt to maintain the attitude of neutrality required of the
respondents by the Act in, matters relating to the self-organization of
their employees. On the contrary, the record makes it clear that the
respondents objected not to Hansen's and Cherrington's membership
and activities in a union, but only to that union's being the Sawmill
Workers rather than the Millmen. Under the circumstances, we find,
as did the Trial Examiner, that the discharges of Hansen and Cher-
rington, like those of the five other employees, were discriminatory,
within the meaning of Section 8 (3) of the Act.
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, W. S. Watkins and W. W.
Watkins, co-partners, doing business under the trade name and style
of W. S. Watkins & Son, Reno, Nevada, and their agents, successors,
and assigns, shall:
1. Cease and desist from :
(a) Discouraging membership in Lumber & Sawmill Workers,
Local 2903, affiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters &
Joiners of America, A. F. L., or in any other labor organization of
their employees, by discharging or refusing to reinstate any of their
employees or in any other manner discriminating in regard to their
hire and tenure of employment or any term or condition of their
employment;
(b) In any other manner interfering with, restraining, or coercing
their employees in the exercise of the right to self-organization, to
form, join, or assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through
representatives of their own choosing, and to engage in concerted
activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid
or protection, as guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action, which the Board finds will
effectuate the policies of the Act':
(a) Offer to Florenz (Jack) Cipar, Lloyd Ericksen, Edmund Han-
sen, James Hersner, and John Reice immediate and full reinstatement
to their former or substantially equivalent positions, without prejudice
to their seniority or other rights or privileges;
(b) Make whole Glenn Cherrington, Florenz (Jack) Cipar, Lloyd
Ericksen, Edmund Hansen, James Hersner, John Reice, and John M.
Sterud for any loss of pay they have suffered by reason of the respond-
ents' discrmination against them, by payment to each of them of a sum
559015-44-vol. 53-17
238 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
of money equal to the amount which he normally would have earned
as wages from February 16, 1943, to the date of the respondents' offer
of reinstatement or, in the case of Cherrington and Sterud, to the date
of his reemployment, less his net earnings during said period;
(c) Post immediately in conspicuous places throughout their mill
in Reno, Nevada, and maintain for a period of at least sixty (60)
consecutive days from the date of posting, notices to their employees
stating : (1) that the respondents will not engage in the conduct from
which they are ordered to cease and desist in paragraphs 1 (a) and (b)
of this Order; (2) that they will take the affirmative action set forth
in paragraphs 2 (a) and (b) of this Order; and (3) that they will not
discriminate against any employee because of membership in or ac-
tivity on behalf of the Sawmill Workers;
(d) Notify the Regional Director for the Twentieth Region in
writing, within ten (10) days from the date of this Order, what steps
the respondents have taken to comply herewith.
MR. GERARD D. REILLY took no part in the consideration of the
above Decision and Order.
INTERMEDIATE REPORT
Mr. Louis L. Per/leld, for the Board.
Mr. John F. Halley, of Reno, Nevada, for the respondent.
Mr. H. H. Williams, of Sacramento, Calif., for the Sawmill Workers.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Upon an amended charge duly filed August 5, 1943, by Lumber & Sawmill
Workers, Local No. 2903, affiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters &
Joiners of America, (.A. F. L.) herein called the Sawmill Workers, the National
,Labor Relations Board, herein called the Board, by the Regional Director for the
Twentieth Region (San Francisco, California), issued its complaint dated August
5, 1943, against W. S. Watkins and W. W. Watkins, co-partners, doing business
under the trade name and style of W. S. Watkins & Son, herein called the respond-
ents, alleging that the respondents had engaged in and were engaging in unfair
labor practices within the meaning of Section 8 (1) and (3) and Section 2 (6) and
(7) of the National Labor Relations Act, 49 Stat. 449, herein called the Act.
With respect to the unfair labor practices the complaint alleges, in substance,
that the respondents: (1) on February 16, 1943 and thereafter questioned their
employees regarding their affiliation with the Sawmill Workers, and advised their
employees that they must join Millmen's Local 2142, affiliated with the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, A. F. L., hereinafter called the
Millmen; (2) on February 16, 1943 discharged seven named employees' because
of their membership in the Sawmill Workers and thereafter refused to reinstate
them, except that they offered to reinstate certain of them upon condition that
they join the Millmen; and (3) that by these acts they have interfered with and
are interfering with the exercise of rights guaranteed to employees by Section 7
1 Glenn Cherrington, Florenz (Jack) Cipar, Lloyd Ericksen , Edmund Hansen, James
Hersner, John Relce, and John M. Sterud.
W. S. WATKINS & SON 239
of the Act. The complaint and notice of hearing were duly served upon the
respondents, the Sawmill Workers, and the Millmen.
The respondents, by their answer verified on August 16, 1943, admitted certain
of the allegations in the complaint, but denied that they had engaged in any unfair
labor practices. They affirmatively alleged in substance that there existed on
February 16, 1943, between themselves and the Millmen a,contract requiring, as
a condition of employment, membership in the Millmen of certain classifications
of their employees, and that on or about this date the Millmen threatened to strike
unless the respondents abided by the requirement above mentioned. The answer
further alleged, specifically with respect to employee Edmund Hansen, that this
employee was laid off because of his unreasonable demands for overtime.
Pursuant to notice, a hearing was held at Reno, Nevada, on August 19, 20 and
21, 1943 before the undersigned, the Trial Examiner duly designated by the Chief
Trial Examiner. The Board and the respondents were represented by counsel,
and the Sawmill Workers by an International Representative of the United
Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, herein called the Brotherhood.
All parties participated in the hearing, and were afforded full oportunity to be
heard, to examine and cross-examine witnesses, and to introduce evidence bear-
ing upon the issues. At the close of the hearing the Trial Examiner granted,
without objection, a motion by counsel for the Board to conform the pleadings to
the proof in minor respects. Counsel for the Board and for the respondents
argued orally before the Trial Examiner, said argument appearing in the official
transcript of the proceedings. Both counsel waived the privilege of filing a brief
with the Trial Examiner after the close of the hearing.
Upon the record thus made, and from his observation of the witnesses, the
Trial Examiner makes, in addition to the above, the following :
FINDINGS OF FACT
I. THE BUSINESS OF THE RESPONDENT
W. S. Watkins and W. W. Watkins, co-partners doing business under the trade
name and style of W. S. Watkins & Son, maintain a principal office and place of
business in Reno, Nevada, where they are engaged in the manufacture, sale and
distribution of sash, doors, cabinet work, moulding, and related lumber products.
During 1942 the respondents purchased, for use in the manufacture of their
products, lumber and other raw materials valued at more than $100,000, all of
which was shipped to them from points outside the State of Nevada. During the
same period the respondents produced and sold products valued at more than
$100,000, about 60 per cent of which was shipped to points outside the State of
Nevada.
At the hearing the respondents admitted that the Board had jurisdiction in
these proceedings.2
II. THE LABOR ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED
Lumber & Sawmill Workers, Local 2903, affiliated with the United Brotherhood
of Carpenters & Joiners of America, A. F. L, and Millmen's Local 2142, affiliated
with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, A. F. L., are
labor organizations admitting to membership employees of the respondents.
The findings in the above section are based upon admissions in the respondents'
answer and upon a stipulation entered into between counsel for the Board and for the
respondents during the hearing.
240 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATI,oNS BOARD
III. THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES -
A. Events leading up to the discharge of 7 employees on February 16, 19.13
1. The respondents' contractural relationship with several unions, particularly
the Millmen and the Sawmill Workers
The respondents' management officials directly involved by the issues of this
case are co-partners W. S. Watkins and his son W. W. Watkins, and superin-
tendent William H. Garrigus. W. S. Watkins opened the Reno mill, herein con-
cerned, in 1937, employing a number of wood workers formerly on his payroll in
Oakland, California. According to his testimony, he urged these employees
to organize a union, which would include as members workers of other similar
plants in Reno, in order to equalize wages in the local industry.
In March, 1938, responding to Watkins' urging, a local of the Millmen was
chartered in Reno. In July of the same year the respondents entered into a
contract with it covering wages and working conditions. Thereafter from year
to year similar contracts were executed. In February, 1943, when the dis-
charges herein involved took place, there existed a contract entered into August
1, 1942, which provided, in part, as follows :
SECTION I. Benchman (sic), sash and doormen, stickermen, framemen, and
shapermen, at the rate of One Dollar ($1.00) per hour. Boxmen, ripsaw
and resaw men and men operating other woodworking machines at the rate
of Eighty-five Cents (85¢) per hour.
SECTION II. Common labor may be employed in mills, provided they do
not operate machines or use carpenter tools. -
SECTION V. No person shall be allowed to operate any machine, ore (sic)
use carpenter tools who is not a member of Local Union No. 2142 U. B. of
C. & J. of A. unless he signifies his willingness to become a member.
Identical provisions had been included in the preceding annual contract'
In March, 1942 the respondents hired as an 'employee Humbert Pelizarri
who then, as well as at the time of the hearing, was president of the Milimen's
local. During the same month, upon W. S. Watkins' urging' and with the
approval of the Millmen, the Sawmill Workers organized certain classifica-
tions of the respondents' employees not specified in the agreement with the Mill-
men. Following a conference attended by Watkins, a representative of the
Common Laborers Union, (A. F. L.), herein called the Laborers, Pelizarri and
another representative of the Millmen, and Edmund Hansen, president of the
Sawmill Workers, the respondents entered into a contract with the last-men-
tioned organization which provided for certain wages and working conditions
covering "cut off swampers, rip saw tail off men, and planer tail off men."
This agreement covered the period from April 1 to August 1, 1942. The Saw
mill Workers made no effort to seek renewal of the agreement upon its expira-
tion.
Although the record does not reveal specific terms and periods of coverage,
the respondents for some time have also had agreements with other craft unions
3 As noted hereinafter, the respondents contend that the seven employees named in
footnote 1 above were discharged in accordance with the above-quoted provisions of Section
V. Also as found below, these provisions (1) clearly did not constitute a "closed shop"
agreement ; (2) were not enforced as such by either of the parties at any time; (3) and
were not considered or claimed as such by the respondents until after the employees had
been discharged for other reasons.
A The testimony of the Sawmill Workers' president, Edmund Hansen, was undisputed
that W. S. Watkins communicated with him and asked him to come to the plant and "sign
up" some of the men.
W. S. WATK.INS & SON 241
and with the Laborers, above-described, embracing different classifications of
their employees. The only contractual relationships involved in this case
are those with the Millmen and Sawmill Workers.' Both of these organiza-
tions include in their membership employees of other concerns in Reno as well
as employees of the respondents.
2. Employment by the respondents of Hansen and subsequent increase of mem-
bership among the respondent's employees in the Sawmill Workers
Edmund Hansen, identified above as head of the Sawmill Workers, was em-
ployed by the respondents in August, 1942, as a resawyer. In November he was
placed in charge of stock in a new department, and about the last of the year
was made foreman of the yard crew, unloading and grading lumber.
Although at the time of his hiring the Sawmill Workers' Agreement had ex-
pired, and although as a resawyer he operated a machine, Hansen was not
required, either by the Millmen or by the respondents to become a member of
the Millmen. Nor were other Sawmill Workers members, then employed by the
respondents, and operating machines, required or requested to transfer into
the Millmen.
Between August 1942 and February 16, 1943 a number of new employees
joined the Sawmill Workers or paid installments upon initiation fees. Some of
theni had worked for a time under working permits issued by the Millmen and
thereafter transferred into the Sawmill Workers. Such transfers were made
with the knowledge of but without substantial objection by either the re-
spondents or the Millmen e
By' February 16, 1943 about ten of the respondents' employees, including the
individuals named in footnote 1 above, were members of or were paying initia-
tion fees to the Sawmill Workers.
3. Notification by Sawmill Workers of intent to seek wage increases
Early in February, 1943, the Sawmill Workers voted to seek an increase in
wages for its members from the respondents and other Reno employers. In
order to clarify the jurisdictional lines between the Millmen and the Sawmill
Workers at the respondents' plant, representatives of the two unions met on two
occasions, the last on February 12. Although the record does not establish that
any definite understanding was reached, on Saturday, February 13, the Sawmill
Workers wrote to the respondents asking for an increase of wages, and for a
meeting with the respondents on February 15. On the latter date Hansen tele-
phoned to W. S. Watkins and requested him to be present later that day at a
meeting of the local's representatives and other woodworking employees to
discuss wages. Watkins replied that he had nothing to discuss with the Saw-
mill workers and hung up the receiver.'
5 The validity of no contract between the respondents and the Millmen is in issue in this
case. The issues as they relate to the contract existing on February 16, 1943, simply raise
questions as to iiterpretation of Section V of that contract; that is, whether or not certain
employees were covered by the terms of that Section and whether or not they were actually
discharged in accordance with them.
6 The above findings are based upon the testimony of both Hansen and Pelizarri . Hansen
testified that in September 1942, when Glenn Cherrington was employed and sought
membership in the Sawmill Workers, there had been some dispute as to whether he should
join this organization or the Millmen. His testimony is uncontradicted that after a con-
ference with Watkins it was decided by both unions that Cherrington should join the
Sawmill Workers.
7 Hansen's testimony as to this interview was undisputed.
242 DECISIONS OF N'ATTONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
B. The discharge of 7 employees on February 16, 1943
1. The events of February 16
On the evening of February 15, after Hansen had called him, Watkins told
the watchman to lock the mill. Watkins appeared at the mill gate early the
morning of February 16 and waited for his employees to come to work. He tes-
tified that he did this because :
I didn't know which men I wanted to get who belonged to this Union
[Sawmill Workers] Put I wanted to get them segregated so I could have
2142 [Millmen] talk to them .. .
He further admitted:
... each one that came in I asked him what union he belcnged to and
if he belonged to the Mill and Timber Workers [Sawmill Workers] I told
him to go in the glazing room and meet a committee that was in there from
this other Union . . . If they argued with me I told them there wasn't
any work for them.8
On the same morning, according to their uncontradicted testimony, Pelizarri
and Edward McDonald, the latter another official of the Millmen, were instructed
by Watkins to go to the glazing room and sign up in their organization, the
employees who belonged to the Sawmill Workers. The Millmen representatives
obeyed Watkins, although neither the Millmen nor its officials had theretofore
asked the respondent to take this or any other action with respect to the
Sawmill Workers.
As a result of Watkins' action, at least two of the Sawmill Workers trans-
ferred at once to the Millmen ° Others sent to the glazing room refused to
transfer and were thereupon discharged.
Employee Cherrington became angry when accosted by Watkins in the above-
described manner. He went home and stayed for three days. He then returned,
transferred into the Millmen, and about three weeks later voluntarily quit his
job. The respondents conceded at the hearing that Cherrington received no pay
during the three days he remained away before joining the Millmen.
When employee John Reice was asked by Watkins what union he belonged
to, he replied : "the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen", and was permitted to
enter the mill. Shortly thereafter he was asked by Superintendent Garrigus
if he belonged to Hansen's union. Reice admitted that he had a working permit
from this organization. Garrigus then said that he should join the Millmen,
but could continue work. Reice replied that as long as the other "boys" in his
union were out he would not stay, and left the mill. Two days latee he
returned to the plant, was given his pay check in full and a discharge slip
stating that he was laid off, on February 16 for the reason : "Out of Work.""
8 Employees accorded this treatment by Watkins included the individuals named in the
complaint, listed in footnote 1 Above. Lloyd Ericksen's testimony is undisputed that
when he told Watkins he belonged to Hansen's union he was informed there would be no
work for him, but that he might go into the glazing room to warm up. Other employees,
including John Sterud, Fred Hersner and Robert Elam, testified similarly , without con-
tradiction. Hansen, however, was told that there was no work for him and was not
permitted to enter the mill to get his apron. While Florenz (Jack) Cipar was told
immediately, upon admitting that he belonged to the Sawmill Workers, to go home and that
there was no work for him
9 Employees Mihalovich and Elam.
10 These findings are based upon the credible testimony of Reice, Garrigus denied having
told the employee that he should join the Millmen In view of Watkins' admitted conduct
that morning, it is reasonable to believe that the superintendent followed the same course
of action, and the Trial Examiner does not accept his denial as,true.
W. S. WATKINS & SON 243
Each of the other six employees named in the complaint and listed in footnote
1 above received discharge notices identical with that given to Reice.
2. Refusal of Watkins to discuss discharges with International Representatives
Within an hour or two after the discharges, Hansen and H. H. Williams,
International Representatives of the parent organization of both local unions,
went to the respondents' office to interview W. S. Watkins. When Williams
asked Watkins to explain the discharges, the latter replied, "You're not running
my business ; I'm running it ; get out!"
3. Meeting of February 20 of respondents and union officials
On or about February 20 representatives of both locals met with W. S. Wat-
kins at the office of Thomas 0 Craven, U. S. Attorney for the District of Nevada,
who had previously been retained as counsel for the respondents. At this meet-
ing Williams pointed out that the respondents' contract with the Millmen was not
it closed shop agreement . As a result of the ensuing discussion, the existing
contract was amended to include the following provisions :
SECTION I. Company agrees to recognize union [Millmen] as the sole
collective bargaining agency for its employees, exclusive of confidential
clerical employees, glaziers , teamsters, and maintenance electricians.
It shall be a condition of employment that all employees coming under
the jurisdiction of Local 2142 as defined above, shall be members in good
standing in union. Notification in writing, to company by union secretary of
the failure of any employee to abide by the condition of this clause, shall
be deemed cause for discharge.
The contract, as thus amended, was due to expire August 1, 1943, a few days
before the opening of this hearing. Although no direct evidence establishes
that the contract was extended beyond that date, or a new contract entered
into, the fact that closed shop provisions are now in effect is implicit in the
oral argument of counsel for the Board before the Trial Examiner.11
Although efforts were made at the meeting of February 20, and thereafter,
to arrange for the reinstatement of the discharged employees, Watkins re-
fused to discuss the matter.
4. Subsequent reemployment of Sterud
On August 4, 1943, a few days before the hearing, the respondents rehired
John Sterud, upon his yielding to the requirement that he join the Millmen.
There is no showing in the record, however, that Sterud was made whole
for any loss of pay between February 16 and August 4, 1943. In view of t!he
fact that the respondents conceded that Cherrington had not been made whole
for his loss of pay during the three days he was out of employment, the Trial
Examiner infers that no different treatment was accorded to Sterud.
There is no evidence in the record that any of the employees named in the
complaint, except Cherrington and Sterud, obtained or were offered reemploy-
ment by the respondents after February 16, 1943.
"Questioned by the Trial Examiner regarding his contention as to reinstatement pro-
visions for the discharged employees , counsel for the Board replied :
. It may be that they would have to join the Millmen because of an apparently
valid existing contract . . .
244 DECISIONS OF 'NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
5. Contentions and admissions of the respondents as to the discharges
(a) With respect to the discharges in general
In its answer the respondents allege that they were informed on or about
February 14 "by officers and committees" of the Millmen that several of their
employees, members of the Sawmill Workers, had refused to transfer to the
Millmen, and that if such transfer were not made and if the respondents
did not enforce the provisions of the existing contract with the Millmen and
require such transfer, the Millmen would go on strike.
This contention is without support of any evidence and was contradicted by
Millmen officials who denied that any threat of a strike had ever been made
known to Watkins by them, had ever been voted upon at a union meeting,
or that transfer of membership from the Sawmill Workers to the Millmen
had ever been sought, either directly with the individuals or through the man-
agement.
Furthermore, the admissions of Watkins at the hearing refute the, above-
noted allegations in the answer. When asked ,why he took his admitted action
on February 16, he answered:
Well, I'll tell you,. For five or six-well, I'd say about three to four
weeks there had just been an undercurrent throughout the mill and the
night of the 15th there-why, that was about three or four in the after-
noon and different ones of the fellows that I would talk to always seemed
to be just an undercurrent in the mill and there was something the matter.
As if there was going to be something the matter, so I tried to find out
what it was. I generally leave the mill alone. And I go through .the mill
and if I see a man that ought to be fired I ,fire him right there and then.
Don't monkey around about it.
His attention again directed to the "undercurrent" he had mentioned. Watkins
continued:
I knew there was something the matter around the mill but 'I couldn't find
out exactly what it was and I got ahold of Bill the superintendent, and I
asked him if he knew what was the matter. Well, he says, its the same
darn thing all over again. This gang over here is trying to get control
of this mill.
He identified "this gang" as the Sawmill Workers, and testified that he had
previously heard reported that this organization was trying to "ease into the
mill." He further stated that he had never "had a dollar's worth of trouble
with nobody" until Hansen came to work for him.
When, on cross-examination, it was pointed out to Watkins that he, himself,
had asked the Sawmill Workers to organize his employees, he replied : '
Certainly. But we only had about two or three and we wound up with a
lot more.
Also on cross-examination he admitted that the only "protests" he had ever
received about the organizing of the Sawmill Workers were "rumors" which
he had heard since the first of 1943. He also testified that he had known the
Sawmill Workers "were getting some men and I knew they had no right to get
them." - '
Watkins testified, with respect to Hansen's effort to arrange for a meeting on
February 15:
... Hansen had been wanting to get part of the men in that mill and I
made up my mind he wasn't going to get them and by golly I didn't give
W. S. WATKINS & SON 245
a whoop whether Hansen wanted me to meet the International man or
not .. .
When asked why, since he had been aware of an "undercurrent" for several
weeks he had waited until February 16 to take summary action, Watkins replied :
I'll be jiggered if I know.
and later added :
It was the end of the pay period ; that is one of the reasons that it could,
be, see, and with the talk that was going around the mill I knew that some-
thing had to be done and done darn quick, and in dealing with these men
that is the way I've always dealt with them and while I might have bumped
up against some ruling or something like that, why I didn't realize any-
thing about that at the time.
When asked why he wanted all of the employees in the Millmen, he answered :
Well, because I never had no trouble like that, where you're dealing with
one union . Here I have the Glazer's Union, I have the Electrical Union
and I have the Teamster's Union. I don't have no trouble with them at
all, never have ; but in the mill if you have two unions you are going to have
trouble. I've got one sticker over on one side, I got in the moulding depart-
ment over here ; I've got two stickers over there. Well, now, if this man
runs that and this man runs that, where is your dividing line? I've had
the same thing in Oakland there. I had three and four hundred men under
me and the tank and pipe men we used to use when they didn't have any-
thing there; in order to hold them over in our place. And I'd always have
trouble, by golly. After a while I put an end to that, our own union.
The following colloquy is also revealing:
Q. Well, did you feel that it was up to you to decide which union these
men should be in?
A. (WATKINS.) Well, that morning I did.
Q. You did that morning?
A. Yes.
Q. And so you decided to select the Millmen ; is that right?
A. That is right .. .
When questioned as to why he would not confer with the Williams on the
morning of February 16, Watkins replied :
Well, I'll tell you, I don't know why I didn't, but, by golly, I figured that
I could straighten that out myself. There wasn 't many men then. I have
always been able to talk to men. These particular'men I just couldn't talk
to them as far as joining up with this other union.
He finally admitted that he had refused this interview because :
I was hot.
When asked whether his real objection was to the employees' refusal to join
the Millmen or their joining the Sawmill Workers, Watkins declared :
No. I'll tell you. I was the most disappointed guy you ever seen with
these men. Every man that belonged to that Mill and Timber Workers
(Sawmill Workers) was a crackerjack of a man, every darn one of them,
and we spent time organizing them and they were a darned good outfit,
246 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
He further admitted that membership in either union did not affect a work-
man's ability , but testified :
I don't want this monkey business . Do' you realize the troubles a man
has trying to operate today? It's not only labor; labor is the easiest of the
whole thing. You've got your lumber, your stuff to buy, and it's terrible.
I'm telling you ! I know !
The following colloquy not only refutes the allegations in the answer, but
plainly reveals the motives prompting Watkins' action of February 16:
Q. You objected to their joining the Lumber and Sawmill Workers ; is
that it?
A. No. They should have joined our own union (Millmen) but where
they started to go in I only started with two and I wound up with 10 or 12
or 15. I didn't even know who I had.
Q That is what you objected to, their going into that union?
A. That is right ; getting too many from that union, because I already had
a bargaining agency or bargaining contract with this other union.
Q. The Lumber and Sawmill Workers hadn't demanded that you bargain
with them, had they?
A. No. But I've already told you, when you have two unions and one
is trying to get the best of the other one and the other one is already
there, by golly, you're going to have trouble in the mill. Now that is all
there is to it. And you can't stop it. It had to be stopped and I stopped
it, and that is all there is to it, and whatever the bill is I'll pay it, but
by golly, I'm sure not going to work-I'd do the same thing all over again.
We might just as well have it understood right here on the record-the
same thing all over again.
Q. You admit that you shouldn't have done this?
A. I admit that I was hot-headed , that I do admit . It could have been
done very easily another way, but this is the way I've always done it
and that is the way it had to be done. We can't monkey around on these
things. You can have all these laws you want to, but by golly, I'm telling
you the law is a handicap and it isn't a good, law.
The answer also alleges that the respondents informed each of the em-
ployees named in the complaint of the existence of a closed shop contract with
the Millmen and that the "question of their employment . . . would have
to be settled" with the Millmen, and that the '"said employees could continue in
the employment of respondents when they had settled the matter of their Union
affiliation" with the Millmen. No evidence was adduced by the respondents
to support this allegation.
During the hearing counsel for the respondents claimed, in effect, that be-
cause some of the employees named in the complaint operated machines, they
were covered by Section V of the above-quoted contract with the Millmen, and
that the respondents were justified in discharging them because they had not
joined the Millmen, even if they had not been informed of the respondentsr
interpretation of that clause as being a closed-shop provision. Counsel admitted,
however, that the nature of the work of employees James Hersner and John
Reice was such that they were not covered by the respondents ' interpretation
of the provision. He further stated that he had no "objection" to the Trial
Examiner 's finding a violation of Section 8 (3) of the Act as to Hersner.
W. S. WATKINS & SON 247
(b) With respect to the discharge of Hansen
As a separate defense in the case of Hansen, the respondents' answer alleges
that W. S. Watkins, on or about January 30, instructed "his foreman and time-
keeper" to lay Hansen off ; that Watkins thereafter left the city until February
3 when he returned to find Hansen still employed ; that the foreman explained
that he had forgotten the order; that Watkins had then ordered that Hansen
be laid off on February 15; that Hansen was on that date laid off and given his
pay check ; and that the reason for the discharge was his unreasonable demand
for an hour's overtime work each day
Assuming that by the term "foreman", used in the answer, the respondent
meant "superintendent", the testimony of Garrigus supports certain portions of
the answer, but refutes others. The superintendent testified that he had been
told by Watkins in January to discharge Hansen, but that he had not done so
because the mill was short-handed and the employee was needed. Although ad-
mitting that it was customary to give an employee notice of an intention to
discharge him, Garrigus testified that no such notice was given to Hansen.
As to the matter of overtime, the testimony of Hansen, Garrigus and Watkins
is in agreement that when ¶he had been hired it was with the understanding
that he should receive at least one hour's overtime each day. The testimony
of the superintendent and Hansen is likewise in agreement that sometime after
the latter had been transferred to the yard, early in 1943, he was not allowed
this overtime and protested. Garrigus testified that he considered- Hansen's
request to be "insubordinate," despite the agreement under which he had been
hired.
Watkins made no claim that Hansen's request was "insubordinate," but testi-
fied that he had been told by his son that Hansen had said he would quit if he
did not get overtime, and so had decided to "get him out." Watkins' testimony
on the point of overtime is both confused and contradictory. Although stating
that Hansen continued until his discharge to receive more overtime than agreed
upon ; he also testified that for several weeks Hansen did not get overtime,
and later admitted that he did not know whether or not the employee received
overtime.
As to the actual discharge, Watkins testified that although he had arranged
to have the employee's check made out for February 15, he forgot to discharge
Hansen until the following day.
(c) With respect to the discharge of John Reice
The respondents ' answer alleges, as a separate defense in the case of employee
Hersner , that he was not a member either of the Sawmill Workers or the Mill-
men. During the hearing the evidence developed and counsel for the respond-
ents stated that the foregoing allegation pertained to John Reice, and not
Hersner.
As found in footnote 10 above, Garrigus denied having told Reice, in effect,
that if he wanted to work he must join the Millmen. The superintendent testi-
fied that after the employee reported for work he asked what the excitement
was about. Upon being informed that it "was nothing very serious," according
to Garrigus' testimony, the employee told him that he was a member of the
Railroad Brotherhood, and did not want to become involved in a labor dispute,
went home and did not return.
6. Conclusions as to the discharges
The evidence fails to support either of the respondents' contentions: (1) that
the contract of August, 1942, with the Millmen contained a closed shop provision
248 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
covering any of the employees named in the complaint; or (2) that these em-
ployees were so informed before they were discharged on February 16, 1943.
The terms of Section V, even if viewed apart from the practice under .them,
plainly do not make membership in the Millmen a condition of employment,
but only of operating a machine or using carpenter tools. As to practice under
the contract, the testimony of Milimen officers makes clear that the organiza-
tion made no effort until ordered to do so by Watkins on February 16, to
urge members of the Sawmill Workers to transfer to the Millmen-and then
only because they were members of the former organization, and not because
they operated machines. Thus, neither in terminology nor practice, can the
contract of August, 1942, be found to be a closed shop agreement. And while
recording secretary McDonald of the Millmen claimed, at the hearing, that he
had considered it to be a "closed shop" contract, he admitted that it contained
a "loophole" and did not cover certain employees. Proof that both the Millmen
and respondents eventually recognized that the contract had not contained
closed shop provisions at the time of the discharges is implicit in that fact that
after February 20, 1943 the contract was amended to include such provisions.
Under these circumstances, including Watkins' undid admissions as to why
he actually discharged the employees, the Trial Examiner concludes and finds
the respondents' contentions, set forth above, to be without merit.
Likewise, the record refutes the contention that the Millmen threatened to
strike unless members of the Sawmill Workers transferred, or that the Mill-
men so informed the respondents.
As to the respondents' separate contention as to the discharge of Hansen, it
is without credible or reasonable support in the record. Watkins' confused
testimony that Hansen both did and did not receive overtime, and his final admis-
sion that he did not know, stamps his testimony on this point as untrustworthy.
The contention in the answer that Garrigus "forgot" to discharge Hansen early
in February is inconsistent with the superintendent's testimony that the reason
he did not discharge him was because he needed him. And Watkins' testimony
that he "forgot" to dismiss Hansen on February 15 is inconsistent with his sworn
answer (dated August 16, 1943, five days before his testimony' at the hearing),
in which he stated that,Hansen was dismissed on February 15. The Trial
Examiner concludes and finds that there is no merit in the respondents' conten-
tion that Hansen's request for overtime was the cause of his discharge.
Nor is there merit in the respondents' contention that Reice voluntarily quit
his employment. No explanation was made by witnesses for the respondents
as to why, two days later when he returned to the mill for his pay check, Reice
was given a discharge slip identical to that issued to other employees admittedly
discharged or why, if the respondents actually considered Reice to have' volun-
tarily stayed away from work, he was not offered reinstatement following the
conference in Craven's office.
Counsel for the respondents conceded at the hearing that Hersner was dis-
charged in violation of Section 8 (3) of the Act.
It is clear from all the evidence, particularly 'the testimony of Watkins, that
he resented the fact that a number of his employees were joining the Sawmill
Workers and that this organization was preparing to ask for an increase in
wages for its members, Watkins decided to take summary action. At the hearing,
as noted above, he frankly admitted that his action might have been illegal, but
that he would do it again.
The Trial Examiner concludes and finds that the 7 employees, named in foot-
note 1 above, were discriminatorily discharged on February 16, 1943, because they
were members of the Sawmill Workers, and that the respondents thereby dis-
W. S. WATKINS & SON 249
couraged membership in that organization. By these discharges and by ques-
tioning their employees on February 16 as to their membership in a labor
organization, the respondents interfered with, restrained and coerced their
employees in the exercise of rights guaranteed to them in Section 7 of the Act.
IV. THE EFFECJr OF THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES UPON COMMERCE
The activities of the respondents, set forth in Section III above, occurring in
connection with the operation of the respondents' business 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 the free flow of commerce.
V. THE REMEDY
Having found that the respondents have engaged in certain unfair labor
practices, the Trial Examiner will recommend that they cease and desist there-
from and take certain affirmative action designed to effectuate the policies of
the Act.
It has been found that the respondents discriminated as to the hire and tenure
of employment of the following named employees :
Glenn Cherrington Florenz (Jack) Cipar
Lloyd Ericksen Edmund Hansen
James Hersner John Reice
John M. Sterud
because of their membership in the Sawmill Workers, on February 16, 1943. It
has also been found that Cherrington was reemployed three days later and
thereafter voluntarily quit his employment, and that Sterud was reemployed on
August 4, 1943. In order to effecutate the policies of the Act, it will be recom-
mended that the respondents offer to each of the above-named employees, except
Cherrington and Sterud, immediate reinstatement to his former or substan-
tially equivalent position, without prejudice to his seniority and other rights
and privileges. It will also be recommended that the respondents make each
of the aforementioned employees, including Cherrington and Sterud, whole
for any loss of pay he has suffered by reason of the respondents' discrimination,
by payment to him of a sum of money equal to the amount he normally would
have earned as wages from February 16, 1943 to the date of the offer of re-
instatement, or, as to Cherrington and Sterud, to the date of reemployment,
less his net earnings u during that period.
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and upon the entire record
in the case, the Trial Examiner makes the following:
CONCLUSIONS OF LAw
1. Lumber & Sawmill Workers, Local 2903, affiliated with the United Brother-
hood of Carpenters & Joiners of America, A. F. L., and Millmen's Local 2142,
u 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 than for the respondent, which would not have been incurred but for his unlawful
discharge and the consequent necessity of his seeking employment elsewhere. See Matter
of Crossett Lumber Company and United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America,
Lumber Workers Union, Local 2590, N. L. R. B. 440. Monies received for work performed
upon Federal, 'State, county, municipal or other work-relief projects shall . be considered as
earnings . See Republic Steel Corporation v. N. L. R. B., 311 U. S. 7.
250 DE CISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
affiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America,
A. F. L., are labor organizations within the meaning of Section 2 (5) of the Act.
2. By discriminating in regard to the hire and tenure of employment of :
Glenn Cherrington Florenz (Jack) Cipar
Lloyd Ericksen Edmund Hansen
James Hersner John Reice
John M. Sterud
thereby discouraging membership in the Sawmill Workers, the respondents have
engaged in and are, engaging in unfair labor practices within the meaning of
Section 8 (3) of the Act.
3. By interfering with, restraining and coercing their employees in the
exercise of the rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act, the respondents
have engaged in and are engaging in unfair labor practices within the meaning
of Section 8 (1) of the Act.
4. The aforesaid unfair labor practices are unfair labor practices affecting
commerce , within the meaning of Section 2 ( 6) and (7) of the Act.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law,
the Trial Examiner recommends that the respondents, W. S. Watkins and
W. W. Watkins, co-partners, doing business under the trade name of and
style of W. S. Watkins and Son, and their officers, agents, successors, and
assigns, shall:
1. Cease and desist from :
(a) Discouraging membership in Lumber & Sawmill Workers, Local 2903,
affiliated with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America,
A. F. of L., or any other labor organization of their employees, by discharging
or refusing to reinstate any of their employees or in any other manner dis-
criminating in regard to their hire or tenure of employment or any term or
condition of their employment ;
(b) In any other manner interfering with, restraining, or coercing their
employees in the exercise of the right to self-organization, to form, join, or
assist labor organizations, to bargain collectively through representatives of
their own choosing, or to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of
collective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, as guaranteed in
Section 7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action, which the Trial Examiner finds will
effectuate the policies of the Act :
(a) Offer to the employees named in Section V, The Remedy, except Cher-
rington and Sterud, immediate and full reinstatement to their former or sub-
stantially equivalent positions without prejudice to their seniority or other
rights or privileges ;
(b) Make whole the employees named in Section V, The Remedy, inclucjing
Cherrington and Sterud, for any loss of pay they may have suffered by reason
of the respondents' discrimination against them, by payment to each of them
of a sum of money equal to the amount which he would have earned as wages
from February 16, 1943 to the date of the respondents' offer of reinstatement
or, in the case of Cherrington and Sterud, to the date of actual reemployment,
less his net earnings during said period ;
(c) Immediately post notices -to their employees in conspicuous places
throughout their mill in Reno, and maintain such notices for a period of at
W. S. WATKINS & SON 251
least sixty (60) days from the date of posting, stating (1) that the respondents
will not engage in the conduct from which it is recommended that they cease
and desist in paragraphs 1 (a) and (b) of these Recommendations-; (2) that
they will take the affirmative action set forth in paragraphs 2 (a) and (b)
of these Recommendations; and (3) that they will not discriminate against
any employee because of membership in or activity on behalf of the Sawmill
Workers ;13
(d) Notify the Regional Director for the Twentieth Region, San Francisco,
California, in writing within ten (10) days from the date of the receipt of
this Intermediate Report, what steps the respondents have taken to comply
therewith.
It is further recommended that, unless on or before ten (10) days from the
receipt of this Intermediate Report the respondents notify the said Regional
Director in' writing that they will comply with the foregoing recommenda-
tions, the National Labor Relations Board issue an order requiring the respond-
ents to take the action aforesaid.
As provided in Section 33 of Article II, of the Rules and Regulations of the
National Labor Relations Board, Series 2-as amended, effective October 28,
1942-any party may within fifteen (15) days from the date of the entry of
the order transferring the case to the Board, pursuant to Section 32 of
Article II of said Rules and Regulations, file with the Board, Rochambeau
building, Washington, D. C. 25, an original and four copies of a statement in
writing setting forth such exceptions to the Intermediate Report or to any other
part of the record or proceeding (including rulings upon all motions or objec-
tions) as he relies upon, together with the original and four copies of a brief
in support thereof. As further provided in said Section 33, should any party
desire permission to argue orally before the Board, request therefor must be
made in writing to the Board within ten (10) days from the date of the order
transferring the case to the Board.
C. W. WHITTEMORE,
Trial Examiner
Dated September 13, 1943.
is Even if a closed shop contract, specifically covering these individuals, is now in effect
between the respondent and the Millmen, International Representative Williams stated
at the hearing that nothing in the by-laws of the United Brotherhood prevents an employee
from belonging to two or more locals of the parent body.