Supreme Court of the United States
International Association of MacHinists; Tool and Die Makers Lodge No. 35 v. National Labor Relations Board
December 9, 1940311 U.S. 72
Summary
The Court affirmed the National Labor Relations Board’s order directing Serrick Corporation to bargain with the United Automobile Workers as the exclusive representative and to nullify the petitioner’s closed‑shop contract. It held that the Board possessed authority to determine the appropriate bargaining unit and to require bargaining with that unit, even when a craft unit claimed majority support, because the employer’s hostility and assistance to the petitioner constituted unfair labor practices. The decision rests on the Board’s discretion under the NLRA and substantial evidence supporting its findings. The opinion also reiterates that the Board may abrogate a closed‑shop contract when a union has been assisted by unfair labor practices.
Holding
- Whether the National Labor Relations Board had authority, under the facts of this case, to find that an industrial unit was appropriate for collective bargaining purposes to the exclusion of a craft unit.. Yes. The Board possessed authority to determine the appropriate bargaining unit and its finding was supported by substantial evidence.
- Whether the Board had authority to require the employer to bargain exclusively with that industrial unit despite a claim by the craft unit that it represented a majority of all employees.. Yes. The Board may require bargaining with the industrial unit and may abrogate a closed‑shop contract when the union has been assisted by unfair labor practices.
Docket 16
Cited authorities
- 49 Stat. 449