Catalytic Industrial Maintenance

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Jan 25, 1991

301 N.L.R.B. 342 (N.L.R.B. 1991)

342
301 NLRB No. 48
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
1 The Respondent has excepted to some of the judge’s credibility findings.
The Board’s established policy is not to overrule an administrative law judge’s
credibility resolutions unless the clear preponderance of all the relevant evi-
dence convinces us that they are incorrect. Standard Dry Wall Products, 91
NLRB 544 (1950), enfd. 188 F.2d 362 (3d Cir. 1951). We have carefully ex-
amined the record and find no basis for reversing the findings.
2 The judge in essence found that the Respondent had no basis for believing
that the 34 unit employees would not continue working after December 31,
1989. We agree with his finding, and we therefore adopt the judge’s conclu-
sion that the Respondent’s asserted business justifications for discharging the
employees are not legitimate or substantial. We therefore find it unnecessary
to pass on whether, if any of the asserted reasons had merit, the justification
would outweigh the invasion of the employees’ rights.
1 The 34 specifically named employees are: C. H. Austin, B. W. Taylor,
B. E. Black Jr., Nellie Elizabeth Boles, Ernest R. Chance, F. F. Cheatham Jr.,
Jesse W. Ciabattoni, Jerry Devona, Ronald W. Plake, William Neil Floyd,
Owen Lee Groves, Rasheed Hameed, B. J. Henderson, Bert J. Henderson,
Louis Hunter, Donald G. Lawson, J. W. McMullen III, W. T. Miller Jr.,
Charles C. Montes, Johnny J. Ramirez, James E. Ridens, Thomas Rodriques,
Jimmy J. Rogers, Donald R. Rogers, Walter L. Ryan Sr., Thomas Neil
Speights, George E. Spiers Jr., Ralph W. Williams, Alonzo J. Wisdom Jr.,
Byron. G. Kemmerling, Edward P. Martinez, J. D. Sumrall, H. F. Simon, and
P. A. Busler.
2 All dates are 1989 unless otherwise indicated.
Catalytic Industrial Maintenance Co. (CIMCO) and
International Brotherhood of Electrical Work-
ers, Local 527. Case 16–CA–14374
January 25, 1991
DECISION AND ORDER
BY CHAIRMAN STEPHENS AND MEMBERS
CRACRAFT AND DEVANEY
On October 5, 1990, Administrative Law Judge Wil-
liam N. Cates issued the attached decision. The Re-
spondent filed exceptions and a supporting brief, and
the General Counsel and the Charging Party filed reply
briefs.
The National Labor Relations Board has delegated
its authority in this proceeding to a three-member
panel.
The Board has considered the decision and the
record in light of the exceptions and briefs and has de-
cided to affirm the judge’s rulings, findings,1 and con-
clusions2 and to adopt the recommended Order.
ORDER
The National Labor Relations Board adopts the rec-
ommended Order of the administrative law judge and
orders that the Respondent, Catalytic Industrial Mainte-
nance Co. (CIMCO), Texas City, Texas, its officers,
agents, successors, and assigns, shall take the action
set forth in the Order.
Robert G. Levy, II, Esq., for the General Counsel.
Francis M. Milone, Esq. (Morgan, Lewis & Bockius), of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Company.
Wiley Doran, Esq. (Mitchell & Doran), of Houston, Texas,
for the Union.
DECISION
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
WILLIAM N. CATES, Administrative Law Judge. I heard
this case in Houston, Texas, on April 23 and 24, 1990. On
February 7, 1990, the Regional Director for Region 16 of the
National Labor Relations Board (the Board), issued a com-
plaint and notice of hearing (the complaint), based on an un-
fair labor practice charge filed on January 5 and amended on
January 25, 1990, alleging violations of Section 8(a)(3) and
(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (the Act).
All parties have been afforded full opportunity to appear,
to introduce evidence, to examine and cross-examine wit-
nesses, and to file briefs.
Based on the entire record, on the briefs filed by the par-
ties, and on my observation of the demeanor of the wit-
nesses, I make the following
FINDINGS OF FACT
I. JURISDICTION
At times material, Catalytic Industrial Maintenance Co.
(CIMCO) (CIMCO or the Company) has been a duly orga-
nized corporation with its principal office and place of busi-
ness in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with other offices and
places of business throughout the United States including a
facility at the Sterling Chemical Plant in Texas City, Texas
(the Sterling site), where it is engaged in industrial mainte-
nance and refurbishing this facility. During the year pre-
ceding issuance of the complaint, a representative period, the
Company, in the course and conduct of its business oper-
ations, purchased and received goods and materials valued in
excess of $50,000 directly from points located outside the
State of Texas at its Texas City, Texas jobsite and during the
same period received gross revenues in excess of $1 million.
The complaint alleges, the parties admit, and I find that the
Company is, and at times alleged has been, an employer en-
gaged in a business affecting commerce within the meaning
of Section 2(2), (6), and (7) of the Act.
II. LABOR ORGANIZATION
The complaint alleges, the evidence establishes, and I find
that International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local
527 (Local 527 and the International) is, and at times mate-
rial has been, a labor organization within the meaning of
Section 2(5) of the Act.
III. THE ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
A. Issues
The fundamental issues may, for discussion purposes, gen-
erally be summarized as follows:
1. Whether the Company discharged some 34 specifically
named employees1 on December 29, 1989.2
2. If it is decided in issue 1 that the Company did dis-
charge the referenced employees, did it do so because of
their membership in and/or referral from Local Union 527?
3. Whether the Company was motivated in any of its ac-
tions at issue by antiunion animus and/or whether its actions
were inherently destructive of employees’ rights.
4. If it is decided in issue 3 that the Company’s actions
were inherently destructive of employees’ rights, did the
343CATALYTIC INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE
3 Delgado explained ‘‘the concept of that [GPA type] agreement was that
it would be an agreement used to come into areas where there were non-Union
jobs in a non-Union marketplace, to try and initiate and . . . establish at least
a first agreement in a non-Union workplace and then to try to bring those
agreements up to standard agreements in the future.’’ Delgado did not view
the Texas City, Texas area as appropriate for a GPA type agreement.
4 Delgado said he did not make specific recommendations to International
President Barry because he was ‘‘not in the habit of asking the president to
do any kind of action’’ but rather just expressed his views to him.
5 There was also communication involving another worksite in the same ge-
ographic area, namely, the Union Carbide site, at which the Company obtained
a maintenance contract. That site will be more fully addressed elsewhere in
this decision.
Company advance business justifications that would out-
weigh such adverse effects on employees’ rights?
B. Background and Operative Facts
CIMCO is a subdivision of UE & C Catalytic. Both com-
panies provide industrial maintenance and capital improve-
ment modification services to various chemical and related
industries throughout the United States. The two (CIMCO,
UE & C Catalytic) provide their services at approximately 50
sites across the United States. The Sterling site is the one in-
volved in the instant dispute.
The Sterling site is a chemical processing plant which, as
has been noted, is located at Texas City, Texas. The Com-
pany entered into a contract with Sterling Chemical in 1986
to perform the maintenance work in question. In performing
its services at the Sterling site, the Company utilizes workers
from virtually all the building and construction trade crafts.
The Company utilized approximately 300 such employees
per day in 1987 with a ‘‘somewhat’’ increased work force
in 1988 and utilized approximately 600 workers per day in
1989. According to Company Site Manager Woody
Silvertooth (Site Manager Silvertooth), the two most critical
crafts at the Sterling site are the mechanical and electrical
employees with approximately 90 percent of all work per-
formed at the site being supported in some manner by elec-
tricians.
Craft employees are referred to the Company by various
craft unions pursuant to a General Presidents’ Project Main-
tenance Agreement (the GPA), which was executed by the
Company for the Sterling site effective January 5, 1987. The
GPA involves approximately 14 international craft unions in-
cluding the International union. The GPA agreement with the
Company was to remain ‘‘in full force and effect for a pe-
riod of one (1) year . . . and . . . continue from year to year
thereafter unless sixty (60) days notice of termination is
given by either party.’’ Although the International unions
were, and are, the parties to the GPA, it is the local unions
that actually refer employees to the Company from their
local hiring halls. Local Union 527 Business Manager
Charles R. Delgado testified Local Union 527 had a specific
obligation to refer, on request, employees to CIMCO as a re-
sult of the International’s participation in the GPA for that
site.
It is recognized by all parties that the GPA is a prehire
type collective-bargaining agreement covered by Section 8(f)
of the Act. The ‘‘Intents and Purposes’’ of the GPA is de-
scribed at article 1 as:
1. This Agreement is for the joint use and benefit of
the contracting parties, and the provisions herein de-
fined and set forth shall be construed as binding upon
and effective in determining the relations between the
parties and/or subordinate sub-divisions thereof signing
hereto: and to set forth herein the basic Agreement cov-
ering the rates of pay, hours or work, and conditions of
employment to be observed by the parties hereto.
It is mutually understood that the following terms
and conditions relating to the employment of workmen
covered by this Agreement has been decided upon by
means of collective bargaining and that the following
provisions will be binding upon the Contractor and the
Unions during the term of this Agreement and any re-
newal thereafter. It is further agreed that the employees
working under this Agreement shall constitute a bar-
gaining unit separate and distinct from all others. This
Agreement may be modified by mutual consent in writ-
ing by the parties signatory hereto. (Bulletin #001.)
The wage rates called for under the GPA for the Sterling site
was at 90 percent of the wages paid under each local union’s
construction contracts including the employees at issue,
namely, the electricians.
Local Union 527 Business Manager Delgado testified he
did not see any need for a GPA arrangement at the Sterling
site3 and wanted to negotiate locally for the terms and condi-
tions of employment on any worksite from which workers
would be referred by Local Union 527. Delgado testified that
in the spring of 1989, he expressed ‘‘what problems [he]
had’’ with the GPA concept to International Union President
J. J. Barry.4
Whether as a result of Delgado’s views or otherwise,
International Union President Barry in a letter dated August
30, advised CIMCO Labor Relations Manager Bruce
Uffelman:
This correspondence will serve as official notifica-
tion of the IBEW’s termination of its participation in
the General Presidents’ Project Maintenance Agreement
presently in effect at the Sterling Chemical facility lo-
cated at Texas City, Texas.
As you are aware, the General Presidents’ Project
Maintenance Agreement by Contract states, ‘‘This
Agreement shall be in full force and effect for a period
of one (1) year from the date of signature and shall
continue from year to year thereafter unless sixty (60)
days notice of termination is given by either party.’’
Since the Agreement was originally approved on De-
cember 31, 1986, and has continued in effect from year
to year thereafter with the last approval being granted
for the year ending December 31, 1989, the IBEW will
terminate its participation at the above referenced site,
effective December 31, 1989.
At the time of International Union President Barry’s letter,
the entire electricians’ crew at the Company had been re-
ferred to that job by Local Union 527.
After receiving International Union President Barry’s letter
regarding the Sterling site,5 Company Labor Relations Man-
ager Uffelman testified his immediate superior—Iz Cakrane,
manager of corporate relations for UE & C Catalytic—con-
tacted the International union for a meeting to discuss the sit-
344 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
6 Another purpose for the requested meeting was to discuss the situation at
the Union Carbide site.
7 International Union Director of Construction and Maintenance Fisher testi-
fied he conveyed International Union President Barry’s position to the two
company representatives at the September meeting. He explained Barry’s posi-
tion was that ‘‘the International would not be a party to the General Presi-
dents’ Agreement on the Sterling Chemical job.’’ Fisher’s assistant, Reilly,
testified it was explained that ‘‘it’s President Barry’s policy that he is not
going to force Local Unions to work under a national agreement that provides
for less than 100 percent.’’
8 Fisher’s and Reilly’s testimony supports Uffelman’s that they did not spe-
cifically say the Sterling job would not be manned after December 31. Man-
ager of Labor Relations Cakrane was the only one of the four to so testify.
Although all four of the witnesses appeared believable, I am persuaded
Cakrane’s testimony on this particular point is less reliable than the other three
witnesses recollections.
uation at the Sterling site.6 The meeting took place on or
about September 28, at the Washington, D.C. headquarters of
the International union. Present for the Company were
Uffelman and Cakrane. Present for the International union
were International Construction Maintenance Department Di-
rector Charles ‘‘Bud’’ Fisher and his immediate assistant
International Representative Patrick Reilly. Labor Relations
Manager Uffelman testified regarding the meeting as follows:
A. Essentially, I believe Iz Cakrane opened the meet-
ing with . . . the other two gentlemen and myself. First
recognizing that these letters had been written and, per-
haps, that it was our first time that ourselves, as a con-
tractor, and/or the International had been faced with this
kind of a problem where one individual craft had elect-
ed to . . . bow out or to rescind their agreement under
the General Presidents’ Agreement.
. . . .
Sort of unprecedented. And I think we were both
. . . parties were a little confused that such a thing had
happened. Mr. Cakrane explained that we were there to
do anything in our power to . . . try to prevent this and
to try to, perhaps, reach some settlement that would
permit us not to go through with this and to restore the
General Presidents’ Agreement to that job. Essentially
that’s what we were there for. Unfortunately, Mr. Fish-
er had explained that this was a policy set by the IBEW
General President,7 a policy that was made on the floor
above, I believe he referred to it, and we were all on
the floor below, and that certainly and understandably
that his position was to reinforce that policy and to up-
hold that policy, which in a sense was that the General
President would not require any Local to work any-
where under the agreement at less than 100 percent
wages if, in fact, that Local chose not to do so. This
was a dilemma which we all concluded at our levels
could not be overcome, and that we were both power-
less to alter that policy decision, and it looked like very
little could be done to restore the General Presidents’
Agreement to that project.
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] All right.
After your discussion which seemed to indicate that the
nature of the problem was not susceptible to being re-
solved, anything else discussed beyond that?
A. [By Uffelman] Yes. We . . . in light of the fact
that it appeared that the IBEW was not going to change
their position, nor were there . . . nor was there rel-
atively little felt that could be done, we advised both
Mr. Fisher and Mr. Reilly that we had no place to go,
no alternative but to comply with our contractual obli-
gations with Sterling Chemical which included pro-
viding electrical services, maintenance services. And
that under the agreement there is a provision that if the
Local does not supply the men within the 48 hours that
we may get them from another source. We explained
that in light of our total commitment and belief that
Local 527 would not man this job following December
31, 1989, that we would have to in fact solicit gate
hires and man that job and fulfill out contractual obli-
gations for the client.
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] Yes, sir.
Did anyone with the IBEW respond to your announced
intentions?
A. [By Uffelman] Response I believe, if I had to
characterize it, would have been that they understood
our position. I don’t think Mr. Fisher or Mr. Reilly
wanted to see this kind of thing happen . . .
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] Excuse me,
sir, but can we stay with your memory of what’s being
discussed, if you can do it for us, not what you think
they may have felt?
A. [By Uffelman] I believe that the general con-
sensus that I personally got out of Mr. Fisher and Mr.
Reilly was that they agreed that we didn’t have much
of a choice.
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] Now, does
that conclude what occurred at this meeting in Sep-
tember to the best of your memory?
A. [By Uffelman] The best that I can recall, that was
. . . the primary purpose of this meeting and that was
the meat of the discussion as I recall it.
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] All right,
sir. Now, up to that point, had the International advised
you that the job at Sterling would not be manned?
A. [By Uffelman] Excuse me. Do you mean other
than this letter?
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] Yes, sir.
A. [By Uffelman] Mr. Levy, I’m not sure I’m fol-
lowing you. They . . . sent us this official letter. . . .
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] Yes, sir.
A. [By Uffelman] . . . saying they wouldn’t be in
there. Do you mean did they give me something else?
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] If I am a
person with the IBEW, do I say to you, Mr. Uffelman,
we’re not going to man that job or words to that effect?
Does that happen?
A. [By Uffelman] Well, they didn’t say it.8 They
wrote it, sir.
Q. [By counsel for the General Counsel] All right.
We’ll all read the letter. It says whatever it says. Be-
yond that, was there any communication from the Inter-
national that advised they were not going to man the
Sterling Chemical job? Did that happen?
A. [By Uffelman] I don’t recall specific conversation
with Mr. Fisher or Mr. Reilly representing the IBEW
beyond that meeting that said any more about them not
working. We already concluded they weren’t going to
work.
345CATALYTIC INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE
9 Manager of Corporate Labor Relations Cakrane candidly admitted he did
not at any time contact Local Union 527 to ascertain if the Local would man
the Sterling site after December 31. His assistant, Uffelman, likewise did not
contact the Local.
10 Silvertooth testified ‘‘I instruct[ed] my current staff, Mr. Dewey Butler,
Mr. Bill Cox, Mr. Sid Spears, to find out if they possibly could what the feel-
ings of the employees on the job site was.’’
11 Delgado testified Superintendent Butler told him all the onsite electrical
employees were in the process of submitting resumes for employment and
wanted to know what was going on. Delgado told Butler he assumed they
were answering the newspaper advertisements for employment. Delgado testi-
fied he told Superintendent Butler ‘‘the Union would take absolutely no action
whatsoever against any of the employees who were hired.’’
12 GPA Administrator Owens testified Uffelman reported to him that all the
onsite electricians at Sterling had applied for positions of employment in re-
sponse to the newspaper advertisements and that Local Union 527 Business
Manager Delgado had indicated he had no objection to the Local’s members
working on a nonunion basis at the Sterling site.
13 Uffelman later that day presented an unrelated grievance to the GPA
Committee. Manager of Corporate Labor Relations Cakrane also attended por-
tions of the GPA committee meeting.
14 Manager of Corporate Labor Relations Cakrane sent memorandums on
December 19 and 20 to GPA Administrator Owens and the GPA committee
members in which he advised those concerned that the Company intended to
hire electricians from sources other than Local Union 527 because it had been
advised in writing by the International union that it would no longer work
under the GPA at the Sterling site after December 31.
Following this September meeting, the Company
(Uffelman and/or Cakrane) engaged in a number of discus-
sions with GPA Administrator Thomas Owens. Owens testi-
fied that in the discussions, Uffelman expressed the opinion
that Local Union 527 would not man the Sterling site after
December 31. Owens said he thereafter communicated with
the International union (Fisher and Reilly) and specifically
asked whether Local Union 527 would man the Sterling site
after that date. Owens testified:
I . . . specifically asked that question, did . . . the let-
ter mean that . . . the IBEW would no longer man this
job, and they . . . the answer to that was that would
be up to the Local Union, that the International Union
would be completely out of this and it would be up to
the Local Union to decide that issue.
Owens testified he reported the International union’s position
to Uffelman. Owens stated he did not, however, at any time
contact Local Union 527 about whether it would man the
Sterling site after December 31. Owens testified he asked
Uffelman if Uffelman had contacted Local Union 527 and
was told he had not.9
Thereafter on or about December 9, 10, and 11, the Com-
pany placed advertisements in local newspapers for elec-
tricians to work at its Sterling site. Site Manager Silvertooth
testified that before the Company placed its advertisements
he had received reports from his three site superintendents
(Butler, Cox, and Spears) ‘‘that the people on the job was
fully convinced that the IBEW would not allow them to
work after December 31st.’’10 Silvertooth said he reported
the superintendents ‘‘information’’ to Uffelman.
Site Manager Silvertooth testified Superintendent Butler,
without being instructed to do so, contacted Local Union 527
Business Manager Delgado around mid-December to ascer-
tain if the Local would object to its members continuing to
work at the Sterling site after December 31. Silvertooth testi-
fied Butler reported to him:
To the best of my memory, he indicated that Mr.
Delgado would allow the people on the jobsite to apply
for a position without repercussions if we would hire
them as non-Union electricians.11
Silvertooth reported Butler’s findings to Company Labor Re-
lations Manager Uffelman. Uffelman testified that each of
the employees that were onsite at Sterling as of December
29, had, prior to that time, submitted ‘‘a resume or an appli-
cation’’ for employment in response to the Company’s early
December newspaper advertisements.12 Uffelman acknowl-
edged the onsite employees ‘‘were very definitely’’ qualified
as electrical workers.
A GPA committee meeting was held on December 14.
International Union Representative Reilly was among those
in attendance at the meeting. GPA Administrator Owens re-
ported at the meeting that Houston, Texas Building Trades
Council Secretary Jim Stinson had advised him a few days
earlier that Stinson had been getting telephone calls from
various area local unions affiliated with the trades council
that Local Union 527 would not be manning the Sterling site
after December 31, and was going to picket that site. Owens
stated Reilly did not take issue with or object to the com-
ments he made regarding Local Union 527. Owens said he
reported that same information to Company Labor Relations
Manager Uffelman later that same day.13
Thereafter14 on December 28, Uffelman sent International
Union President Barry the following letter via fax:
By letter dated August 30, 1989, you advised Cata-
lytic Industrial Maintenance Company (‘‘CIMCO’’) of
the intention of the International Brotherhood of Elec-
trical Workers (‘‘IBEW’’) to terminate its participation
in the General Presidents Project Maintenance Agree-
ment (‘‘GPA’’) at the Sterling Chemical site in Texas
City, Texas effective December 31, 1989. Please be ad-
vised that it is the position of CIMCO that this notice
of termination of the GPA is improper, and that the
IBEW’s action constitutes a breach of that Agreement.
CIMCO is willing to resolve any dispute concerning the
GPA through the grievance and arbitration procedure of
that Agreement. If you choose to rescind your letter of
August 30 in a timely fashion, and permit the IBEW
to continue to work under the GPA, CIMCO will con-
tinue to meet its contractual obligations to the IBEW
and its members employed at the Sterling Chemical
site.
Because the International and Local 527, in accord-
ance with your letter, are refusing to permit members
of Local 527 to continue to work under the terms of
the GPA after December 31, 1989, CIMCO has been
required to hire qualified personnel to perform craft
electrical work at the Sterling Chemical site from a
source other than Local 527. Those individuals will
commence employment with CIMCO at the Sterling
Chemical site after December 31, 1989. CIMCO is tak-
ing this action because it has been effectively advised
through your letter that the members of Local 527 cur-
rently employed at the site will no longer be permitted
to work by the IBEW and Local 527 under the terms
of the GPA, and because CIMCO has a contractual ob-
ligation to the Union parties to the GPA to perform all
346 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
15 Silvertooth testified the Company had not made commitments to hire any-
one as of December 29.
work assigned to it by Sterling Chemical Company, in-
cluding electrical work, under the terms of the GPA.
It is the intention of CIMCO to take all appropriate
steps to meet its contractual obligations to Sterling
Chemical, to protect its interests under the GPA, and to
hold the IBEW and Local 527 responsible for any inju-
ries suffered as a result of this action by the IBEW.
Neither the International union nor Local Union 527 re-
sponded to the above letter.
On December 29 (the last work day in 1989), Site Man-
ager Silvertooth, on instructions from Company Labor Rela-
tions Manager Uffelman, held a meeting with all onsite elec-
tricians, all of whom attended the meeting. Silvertooth testi-
fied:
I opened the meeting up by telling the people that
I was sure that they were aware of what had been tran-
spiring for the last couple of months, and if they were
not familiar with it I presented the letter that was dated
August the 30th by Mr. Barry, indicating that unless
this letter would be rescinded that the electricians were
withdrawing from the General Presidents’ Agreement
effective December 31.
. . . .
Okay. At that point, I said at that point we would
consider you as a voluntary quit, that we would provide
gate passes for all individuals to remove their tools
from the plant that afternoon.
. . .
I said that we had started a interview system on re-
sumes, that we had interviewed a number of people for
potential positions that would be required after the first
of the year, and once our core group had been met that
we would consider their resumes along with all the oth-
ers.
Silvertooth testified the onsite electrical employees did not
believe they would be considered for future employment.
Silvertooth said the employees also objected to being told
they had voluntarily quit their employment. He testified:
They just began to respond very vocally that they
couldn’t be terminated, they weren’t quitting, and they
would not accept a voluntary quit as an explanation.
. . . .
At some point in time, during that conversation,
there were so many people trying to talk at the same
time, protesting what I said about voluntary quit, I fi-
nally basically said to . . . you will be given your
passes and that’s the end of the conversation.
Company Labor Relations Manager Uffelman testified the
onsite electricians were treated as having ‘‘voluntarily quit’’
their employment because they had been referred to the job
by Local Union 527.
Site Manager Silvertooth testified the Company decided it
needed a core complement of electricians after December 31,
that were other than those referred to the Sterling site prior
to that date by Local Union 527. Silvertooth stated the Com-
pany instructed him to first hire a ‘‘core complement’’ and
after that he was free to hire applicants including those who
had ‘‘voluntarily quit’’ that had been employed at the site on
and before December 29. Silvertooth testified the Company
did not have any electricians onsite as of the first workday
(January 2) of 1990.15 Silvertooth said work was, however,
available on that day. Silvertooth testified ‘‘calls were
made’’ and ‘‘some electricians [were] hired in on January
3.’’ He further testified: ‘‘We staggered our work force com-
ing up. There was numbers that came in, I’d say three to
four on each day up until we reached in the neighborhood
of 20 people.’’
It is undisputed that after the Company hired a ‘‘core com-
plement’’ of electricians that had not been referred by Local
Union 527, it thereafter hired some of the electricians that
had worked at the Sterling site on and before December 29
and that had been referred by Local Union 527.
Manager of Corporate Labor Relations Cakrane testified
he made the decision to use ‘‘gate hires’’ at the Sterling site
after December 31. He testified:
Well, the basis . . . the basis of the decision was
really . . . was an evolutionary process. It wasn’t one
specific thing that occurred. We had started off with the
Union Carbide project where Mr. Uffelman and Mr.
Morello, I believe it is, met and Mr. Morello indicated
very clearly to Mr. Uffelman that they would not man
that project at Union Carbide. Certainly, at that point in
time, I new we were going to have the same problem
at Sterling Chemicals. There was no reason to believe
that Local 527 or the IBEW would be inconsistent on
two projects within the 527 jurisdiction. So I personally
began thinking about it at that time. Then certainly
when the letters came in . . . in August of 19 . . . of
August 30 of 1989, it was very evident to me what was
. . . what was going to occur. In addition to that, we
had our meeting in late September with Mr. Fisher and
Mr. Reilly. It was obvious. We walked away from that
meeting clearly that IBEW 527 wasn’t manning the job
and that we were going to have to gate hire. Then, in
addition to that, the next event was the meeting that’s
been discussed, the December 14 General Presidents’
Committee meeting where Mr. Uffelman and I at-
tended. At that time we . . . Mr. Uffelman gave a pre-
sentation with regard to where we saw the problems
with regard to Sterling Chemicals and the refusal of
527 to man that project. We had conversation with Mr.
Owens at that time. Mr. Owens told us that it was his
belief that Local 527 would not man the project come
January 1st and that, furthermore, it was his belief that
we were going to have a strike similar to what we had
at Union Carbide. And Union Carbide played very,
very strongly in my decision that I made. It was deja
vu. It was just the same situation all over again, still
very, very fresh in my mind obviously.
As alluded to elsewhere in this decision, it is undisputed
the Company was awarded a contract by the Union Carbide
Company for certain maintenance work at its Texas City,
Texas facility. The Company executed a GPA for the work
to be performed at Union Carbide. The Company on August
29, by fax advised the International union it intended to im-
plement the GPA at the Union Carbide site effective Septem-
ber 18. International Union President Barry advised the Com-
347CATALYTIC INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE
16 It is acknowledged that all 34 of the onsite craft electricians were skilled
at their craft.
17 In light of the above conclusion, I find it unnecessary to address the issue
of whether the Company’s actions were motivated by antiunion animus under
the analysis set forth in Wright Line, 251 NLRB 1083 (1980), enfd. 662 F.2d
899 (1st. Cir. 1981), cert. denied 455 U.S. 989 (1982).
18 Although Uffelman spoke in terms of their having voluntarily quit the
evidence as outlined above shows otherwise.
19 The issue of whether the International union could validly withdraw from
participation in the GPA at a particular location such as the Sterling site is
irrelevant to the issues here.
pany (Uffelman) by a faxed letter on August 30, ‘‘the IBEW
will not participate in the implementation and application of
the General Presidents’ Maintenance Agreement at the
[Union Carbide] site.’’ Notwithstanding that notification, the
Company on September 15, made a written request to Local
Union 527 that it supply electricians to start work on Sep-
tember 18, at the Union Carbide site. Local Union 527 did
not respond to the request and the Company employed gate
hire’’ electricians at its Union Carbide site. Thereafter, Local
Union 527 engaged in substandard wage picketing at the
Union Carbide site. Included among those present during the
picketing was Local Union 527’s business manager Delgado.
The picketing caused some work disruption at the Union
Carbide site.
Analysis, Discussion, and Conclusions
The Company’s contention that the 34 workers involved
here voluntarily quit their employment on December 29 is
without merit. The actions of the onsite workers as well as
Local Union 527’s business manager Delgado belie any such
contention by the Company. All the onsite electricians vigor-
ously protested when Site Manager Silvertooth asserted they
had voluntarily quit their employment. Each of them had
made known their desire to continue their employment at the
Sterling site in that all had made application to continue
working after December 31. Their union, through Business
Manager Delgado, had made it known to the Company
through Site Superintendent Butler that no action would be
taken against them if they continued to work at the Sterling
site after December 31.16 The Board’s decision in Jack
Welsh Co., 284 NLRB 378 (1987), on which the Company
relies to justify its having considered all the onsite elec-
tricians to have voluntarily quit on December 29, is factually
distinguishable. In Jack Welsh Co., employee Gary Welsh on
being told the company therein was going ‘‘open shop’’ im-
mediately’’ stated he would leave the company because he
‘‘belonged to a union.’’ The Board in that case concluded
that because the company’s action in going ‘‘open shop’’
was ‘‘legally permissible’’ and in view of Gary Welsh’s im-
mediate response that he would have to quit, the company
was justified in considering he had in fact voluntarily quit his
employment. In the instant when the 34 onsite electricians
learned the International union had withdrawn from partici-
pation in the GPA at the Sterling site specifically sought out
their status vis-a-vis Local Union 527. After learning no ac-
tion would be taken against them by Local Union 527, they
each specifically and individually made application to con-
tinue their employment with the Company after December
31, and adamantly objected to the Company considering they
had in any fashion ‘‘voluntarily quit’’ their employment.
Thus, I conclude the 34 onsite electricians did not voluntarily
quit their employment on December 29 but rather were ter-
minated by the Company.
Having concluded the Company terminated the 34 employ-
ees in question on December 29, I shall consider whether its
action violated the Act. In that respect, I agree with counsel
for the General Counsel that the terminations were ‘‘inher-
ently destructive’’ of employees’ rights within the meaning
of NLRB v. Great Dane Trailers, 388 U.S. 26, 33–34 (1967),
and thus violated Section 8(a)(3) and (1) of the Act.17
In Great Dane Trailers, the Supreme Court held:
Some conduct, however, is so ‘‘inherently destructive
of employee interests’’ that it may be deemed pro-
scribed without need for proof of an underlying im-
proper motive . . . . That is, some conduct carries with
it ‘‘unavoidable consequences which the employer not
only foresaw but which he must have intended and thus
bears its own indicia of intent.’’
The key to my finding with respect to the 34 onsite elec-
tricians is found in Labor Relations Manager Uffelman’s ad-
mission that they were terminated18 on December 29, be-
cause they had been referred to the Company by Local
Union 527. The evidence supports the contention of counsel
for the General Counsel that the Company took the action it
did because the International union would not agree to rein-
state its participation in the GPA at the Sterling site.19 The
Board in National Fabricators, 295 NLRB 1095 (1989),
enfd. 903 F.2d 396 (5th Cir. 1990), noted that mass dis-
charges or layoffs of union adherents are particularly de-
structive of rights of employees guaranteed to them in Sec-
tion 7 of the Act. The Board in D & S Leasing, 299 NLRB
658 (1990), held:
With regard to what conduct may be characterized as
‘‘inherently destructive,’’ we have described such con-
duct as the type ‘‘which would inevitably hinder future
bargaining or create visible and continuing obstacles to
the future exercise of employee rights.’’ Swift Inde-
pendent Corp., 289 NLRB 423, 427 (1988), remanded
sub nom. Esmark, Inc. v. NLRB, 887 F.2d 739 (7th Cir.
1989).
It is clear beyond peradventure that the discharge of all em-
ployees of a particular craft because of their affiliation with,
and referral from, a union, as was the case here, creates
‘‘continuing obstacles to the future exercise of employee
rights.’’
Having found the Company engaged in conduct ‘‘inher-
ently destructive’’ of employees’ Section 7 rights under
Great Dane Trailers, supra, the burden shifts to the Com-
pany to establish it was motivated by ‘‘legitimate objec-
tives,’’ 388 U.2. 26 at 34. I find the Company has failed to
satisfy its burden. The Company’s stated belief that the Ster-
ling site would not be manned by Local Union 527 elec-
tricians after December 31, was not well founded in light of
all it knew. The Company knew all of them desired to con-
tinue working in that each had made application with the
Company to do so after December 31. The Company also
knew the Union’s position regarding their being allowed to
work after December 31, in that Business Manager Delgado
had assured Superintendent Butler they could continue their
348 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
employment without any action being taken against them by
the Union. Simply stated, the record evidence does not sup-
port the Company’s asserted business justification, that it had
to have a ‘‘core complement’’ of electricians that had not
been referred to it by Local Union 527 in order to ensure
it had a work force to perform its mission at the Sterling site
after December 31. Further evidence that its asserted busi-
ness justification is without merit is found in the fact that
after it had ridded itself of all Local Union 527 referred elec-
tricians on December 29, it did not immediately attempt to
replace them. Even when it did commence replacing the
Union referred electricians with nonunion referred ones, it
did so only at the pace of ‘‘three to four’’ per day until it
reached its stated goal of approximately 20 ‘‘core com-
plement’’ electricians. Thus, its asserted business justification
of attempting to meet an urgent need to ensure it was able
to carry out its maintenance mission at the Sterling site is not
borne out by its own actions. Still further evidence that it
was not responding to an urgent need to ensure uninterrupted
maintenance is demonstrated by the fact it could have but did
not wait until January 3, 1990, to observe whether Local
Union 527 electricians reported for work or not on that date.
This is so because the Company did not extend offers to hire
nonunion referred electricians until on and after January 3,
1990. The Company’s haste in ridding itself of electricians
referred by Local Union 527 and its unhurried hiring of non-
union replacements indicates it had as an objective some-
thing other than ensuring it had a ‘‘core complement’’ of
workers to immediately carry out its maintenance mission at
its Sterling site. I am, as stated earlier, persuaded the Com-
pany was by its actions attempting to bring pressure on the
International union to reinstate its participation in the GPA
at the Sterling site.
The Company’s further assertion that it was justified in
terminating its onsite workers based on the International
union’s August 1989 letter withdrawing from the GPA at the
Sterling site and Local Union 527’s actions at its Union Car-
bide site is likewise without merit. First, the International
union’s withdrawal from participation in the GPA at the Ster-
ling site did not address whether Local Union 527 would
permit, or would in any manner interfere with, its members
continuing their employment at the Sterling site. It is noted
the Company was not told at its September meeting with rep-
resentatives of the International union that the Sterling site
would not be manned after December 31. In fact, GPA Ad-
ministrator Owens subsequently questioned representatives of
the International union on that specific point and was told it
was up to Local Union 527 whether to man the Sterling site
or not after December 31. GPA Administrator Owens made
that information known to the Company. Local Union 527,
as is set forth above, made its position known to the Com-
pany through Superintendent Butler that it would allow the
onsite electricians to continue working at the Sterling site
without repercussions. Accordingly and in light of all the
above, I am persuaded the Company’s speculation that Local
Union 527 would not permit its members to continue work-
ing at the Sterling site after December 31, does not constitute
an adequate business justification for its actions. The Com-
pany fairs no better in attempting to justify its conduct by
establishing what actions, or lack thereof, the International
union and/or Local Union 527 took at its other worksite in
Local Union 527’s jurisdiction. In that regard there is no dis-
pute that the Company obtained a contract for maintenance
work at the Union Carbide Company in Texas City, Texas,
nor is there any dispute that the Company asked for and ob-
tained a GPA agreement at that location. However, the Inter-
national union was never a party to the GPA agreement at
that particular location. Local Union 527 never at any time
provided or agreed to provide the Company with referrals for
that facility. Inasmuch as neither the International union nor
Local Union 527 had any relationship with the Company at
its Union Carbide site, the Company may not use Local
Union 527’s actions, of lack thereof, at that site to justify its
actions at its Sterling site. It would be nothing more than
mere speculation for me to try to assess the Union’s overall
strategy related to its picketing at the Union Carbide site and
its refusal to refer electricians there in light of the fact it had
no relationship with the Company at that site.
None of the Company’s asserted business justifications
taken separately or collectively constitute legitimate and/or
substantial justification for its action of discharging its 34
Sterling site electricians on December 29. Even if any or all
of the Company’s asserted reasons had merit I would still
conclude, in striking the proper balance between the asserted
business justifications and the invasion of employees’ rights,
that the evidence here weighs against the asserted justifica-
tions and in favor of protecting employees from an invasion
of their rights. National Fabricators, supra. Accordingly, I
find the Company violated the Act as alleged in the com-
plaint when it discharged its 34 onsite electricians on De-
cember 29.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. Catalytic Industrial Maintenance Co. (CIMCO) is an
employer engaged in commerce within the meaning of Sec-
tion 2(2), (6), and (7) of the Act.
2. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local
527 is a labor organization within the meaning of Section
2(5) of the Act.
3. By terminating and thereafter failing and refusing to re-
instate C. H. Austin, B. A. Taylor, B. E. Black Jr., Nellie
Elizabeth Boles, Ernest R. Chance, F. F. Cheatham Jr., Jesse
R. Ciabattoni, Jerry Devona, Ronald A. Plake, William Neil
Floyd, Owen Lee Groves, Rasheed Hameed, B. J. Hender-
son, Bert J. Henderson, Louis Hunter, Donald G. Lawson,
J. A. McMullen III, W. T. Miller Jr., Charles C. Montes,
Johnny J. Ramirez, James E. Ridens, Thomas Rodriques,
Jimmy J. Rogers, Donald R. Rogers, Walter L. Ryan Sr.,
Thomas Neil Speights, George E. Spiers Jr., Ralph A. Wil-
liams, Alonzo J. Wisdom Jr., Byron G. Remmerling, Edward
P. Martinez, J. D. Sumrall, N. F. Simon, and P. A. Busler
the Company violated Section 8(a)(3) and (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.
THE REMEDY
Having found that the Company has engaged in unfair
labor practices in violation of Section 8(a)(3) and (1) of the
Act, I shall recommend that it be ordered to cease and desist
and to take certain affirmative action designed to effectuate
the policies of the Act.
349CATALYTIC INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE
20 Under New Horizons, interest is computed at the ‘‘short-term Federal
rate’’ for the underpayment of taxes as set out in the 1986 amendments to
26 U.S.C. § 6621. Interest accrued before January 1, 1987 (the effective date
of the amendment) shall be computed as in Florida Steel Corp., 231 NLRB
651 (1977).
21 If no exceptions are filed as provided by Sec. 102.46 of the Board’s Rules
and Regulations, the findings, conclusions, and recommended Order shall, as
provided in Sec. 102.48 of the Rules, be adopted by the Board and all objec-
tions to them shall be deemed waived for all purposes.
22 If this Order is enforced by a judgment of a United States court of ap-
peals, the words in the notice reading ‘‘Posted by Order of the National Labor
Relations Board’’ shall read ‘‘Posted Pursuant to a Judgment of the United
States Court of Appeals Enforcing an Order of the National Labor Relations
Board.’’
It having been found that the Company discriminatorily
terminated employees C. H. Austin, B. W. Taylor, B. E.
Black Jr., Nellie Elizabeth Boles, Ernest R. Chance, F. F.
Cheatham Jr., Jesse A. Ciabattoni, Jerry Devona, Ronald W.
Plake, William Neil Floyd, Owen Lee Groves, Rasheed
Hameed, B. J. Henderson, Bert J. Henderson, Louis Hunter,
Donald G. Lawson, J. A. McMullen III, W. T. Miller Jr.,
Charles C. Montes, Johnny J. Ramirez, James E. Ridens,
Thomas Rodriques, Jimmy J. Rogers, Donald R. Rogers,
Walter L. Ryan Sr., Thomas Neil Speights, George E. Spiers
Jr., Ralph A. Williams, Alonzo J. Wisdom Jr., Byron G.
Kemmerling, Edward P. Martinez, J. D. Sumrall, H. F.
Simon, and P. A. Busler, I shall recommend that it be or-
dered to offer them immediate and full reinstatement to their
former positions, or, if those positions no longer exist, to
substantially equivalent positions without prejudice to their
seniority or other rights and privileges previously enjoyed
and make them whole for any loss of earnings they may
have suffered by reason of the discrimination against them
with interest. Backpay shall be computed in the manner as
prescribed in F. W. Woolworth Co., 90 NLRB 289 (1950),
plus interest, as computed in New Horizons for the Retarded,
283 NLRB 1173 (1987).20
Likewise, it is recommended the Company be ordered to
remove from its files any reference to the above named em-
ployees having been terminated and notify them in writing
this has been done and that evidence of that unlawful action
will not be used as a basis for any future personnel actions
against them. Finally, it is recommended the Company be or-
dered to post a notice to its employees attached hereto as
‘‘Appendix’’ for 60 days in order that employees may be ap-
prised of their rights under the Act and the Company’s obli-
gation to remedy its unfair labor practices.
On these findings of fact and conclusions of law, and on
the entire record, I issue the following recommended21
ORDER
The Company, Catalytic Industrial Maintenance Co.
(CIMCO), Texas City, Texas, its officers, agents, successors,
and assigns, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Terminating or otherwise discriminating against em-
ployees because of their membership in, activities on behalf
of, or referral from, International Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, Local 527, or any other labor or organization.
(b) In any like or related manner interfering with, restrain-
ing, or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guar-
anteed them by Section 7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action necessary to ef-
fectuate the policies of the Act.
(a) Offer C. H. Austin, B. W. Taylor, B. E. Black Jr., Nel-
lie Elizabeth Boles, Ernest R. Chance, F. E. Cheatham Jr.,
Jesse W. Ciabattoni, Jerry Devona, Ronald W. Plake, Wil-
liam Neil Floyd, Owen Lee Groves, Rasheed Hameed, B. J.
Henderson, Bert J. Nenderson, Louis Hunter, Donald G.
Lawson, J. W. McMullen III, W. T. Miller Jr., Charles C.
Montes, Johnny J. Ramirez, James E. Ridens, Thomas
Rodriques, Jimmy J. Rogers, Donald R. Rogers, Walter L.
Ryan Sr., Thomas Neil Speights, George E. Spiers Jr., Ralph
W. Williams, Alonzo J. Wisdom Jr., Byron G. Kemmerling,
Edward P. Martinez, J. D. Sumrall, H. F. Simon, and P. A.
Busler immediate and full reinstatement to their former jobs,
or, if their jobs no longer exist, to substantially equivalent
positions, without prejudice to their seniority or any other
rights or privileges previously enjoyed, and make them
whole for any loss of earnings and other benefits suffered as
a result of the discrimination against them in the manner set
forth in the remedy section of this decision.
(b) Remove from its files any reference to its unlawful ter-
mination of C. H. Austin, B. R. Taylor, B. E. Black Jr., Nel-
lie Elizabeth Boles, Ernest R. Chance, F. F. Cheatham Jr.,
Jesse W. Ciabattoni, Jerry Devona, Ronald W. Plake, Wil-
liam Neil Floyd, Owen Lee Groves, Rasheed Hameed, B. J.
Henderson, Bert J. Henderson, Louis Hunter, Donald G.
Lawson, J. W. McMullen III, W. T. Miller Jr., Charles C.
Montes, Johnny J. Ramirez, James E. Ridens, Thomas
Rodriques, Jimmy J. Rogers, Donald R. Rogers, Walter L.
Ryan Sr., Thomas Neil Speights, George E. Spiers Jr., Ralph
W. Williams, Alonzo J. Wisdom Jr., Byron G. Kemmerling,
Edward P. Martinez, J. D. Sumrall, H. F. Simon, and P. A.
Busler, and notify them in writing this has been done and
that these actions will not be used against them in any way.
(c) Preserve and, on request, make available to the Board
or its agents for examination and copying, all payroll records,
social security payment records, timecards, personnel records
and reports, and all other records necessary to analyze the
amount of backpay due under the terms of this Order.
(d) Post at its Texas City, Texas facility copies of the at-
tached notice marked ‘‘Appendix.’’22 Copies of the notice,
on forms provided by the Regional Director for Region 16,
after being signed by the Company’s authorized representa-
tive, shall be posted by the Company immediately upon re-
ceipt and maintained for 60 consecutive days in conspicuous
places including all places where notices to employees are
customarily posted. Reasonable steps shall be taken by the
Company to ensure that the notices are not altered, defaced,
or covered by any other material.
(e) Notify the Regional Director in writing within 20 days
from the date of this Order what steps the Company has
taken to comply.
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES
POSTED BY ORDER OF THE
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
An Agency of the United States Government
The National Labor Relations Board has found that we vio-
lated the National Labor Relations Act and has ordered us
to post and abide by this notice.
350 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Section 7 of the Act gives employees these rights.
To organize
To form, join, or assist any union
To bargain collectively through representatives of
their own choice
To act together for other mutual aid or protection
To choose not to engage in any of these protected
concerted activities.
WE WILL NOT terminate our employees because of their
membership in, affiliation with, activities on behalf of, or re-
ferral from, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers,
Local 527 or any other labor organization.
WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner interfere with,
restrain, or coerce you in the exercise of the rights guaran-
teed you by Section 7 of the Act.
WE WILL offer C. H. Austin, B. A. Taylor, B. E. Black
Jr., Nellie Elizabeth Boles, Ernest R. Chance, F. F. Cheatham
Jr., Jesse W. Ciabattoni, Jerry Devona, Ronald A. Plake,
William Neil Floyd, Owen Lee Groves, Rasheed Hameed,
B. J. Henderson, Bert J. Henderson, Louis Hunter, Donald
G. Lawson, J. A. McMullen III, W. T. Miller Jr., Charles C.
Montes, Johnny J. Ramirez, James E. Ridens, Thomas
Rodriques, Jimmy J. Rogers, Donald R. Rogers, Walter L.
Ryan Sr., Thomas Neil Speights, George E. Spiers Jr., Ralph
W. Williams, Alonzo J. Wisdom Jr., Byron G. Kemmerling,
Edward P. Martinez, J. D. Sumrall, H. F. Simon, and P. A.
Busler immediate and full reinstatement to their former jobs
or, if those jobs no longer exist, to substantially equivalent
positions without prejudice to their seniority or other rights
and privileges previously enjoyed and WE WILL make them
whole for any loss of earnings and benefits suffered as a re-
sult of the discrimination against them less any net interim
earnings, plus interest.
WE WILL notify each of them that we have removed from
our files any reference to their terminations and their termi-
nations will not be used against them in any way.
CATALYTIC INDUSTRIAL MAINTENANCE CO.
(CIMCO)