Operating Engineers Local 3 (Schnitzer Steel)

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

May 20, 1991

303 N.L.R.B. 13 (N.L.R.B. 1991)

13
303 NLRB No. 5
OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 3 (SCHNITZER STEEL)
1 The Employer claims that employees represented by Local 886 have been
performing the line work for approximately 20 years.
2 The record shows that during the period in which the cargo loading proc-
ess was performed using the barge-based crane, the hatchtender was respon-
sible for giving directions by hand signal to the crane operator and also acted
as safety man; the supercargo performed paperwork relative to the cargo load-
ing; and the walking boss oversaw the loading operations. Upon installation
and use of the dockside crane, the Employer eliminated these positions, all
previously performed by ILWU members. It asserts that because of the unique
construction of the new crane and other procedures now used, these positions
are no longer necessary.
Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 of the
International Union of Operating Engineers,
AFL–CIO, and International Longshoremen
and Warehousemen’s Union, AFL–CIO, Locals
10, 34, and 91 and Schnitzer Industries d/b/a
Schnitzer Steel Products Company, Inc. and
Shipyard Laborers, Local 886, Laborers Inter-
national Union of North America. Case 32–CD–
123
May 20, 1991
DECISION AND DETERMINATION OF
DISPUTE
BY CHAIRMAN STEPHENS AND MEMBERS
CRACRAFT AND OVIATT
The charge in this Section 10(k) proceeding was
filed June 22, 1991, by the Employer, alleging that the
Respondents, International Longshoremen and
Warehousemen’s Union, AFL–CIO, Locals 10, 34, and
91 (Local 10, Local 34, Local 91, or ILWU collec-
tively) violated Section 8(b)(4)(D) of the National
Labor Relations Act by engaging in proscribed activity
with an object of forcing the Employer to assign cer-
tain work to employees they represent rather than to
employees represented by Shipyard Laborers, Local
886, Laborers International Union of North America
(Local 886), and that the Respondent, Operating Engi-
neers Local Union No. 3 of the International Union of
Operating Engineers, AFL–CIO (Local 3), violated
Section 8(b)(4)(D) of the Act by engaging in pro-
scribed activity with an object of forcing the Employer
to assign certain work to employees it represents rather
than to employees represented by the ILWU. The hear-
ing was held August 16, 1990, December 14, 1990,
and January 23, 1991, before Hearing Officers Louise
Houston and Clark Finkbinder.
The National Labor Relations Board has delegated
its authority in this proceeding to a three-member
panel.
The Board affirms the hearing officers’ rulings, find-
ing them free from prejudicial error. On the entire
record, the Board makes the following findings.
I. JURISDICTION
The Company, an Oregon corporation, is engaged in
the business of scrap metal processing, recycling, and
sale for export of scrap metal at its facility in Oakland,
California, where it annually receives revenues in ex-
cess of $50,000 directly from business located outside
the State of California. We find that the Employer is
engaged in commerce within the meaning of Section
2(6) and (7) of the Act.
The record shows, and we find, that Local 10, Local
3, and Local 886 are labor organizations within the
meaning of Section 2(5) of the Act. The parties present
at the hearing agreed that Local 91 represents only su-
pervisors. We find, based on the record, that Local 91
is not a labor organization. The Employer asserted that
Local 34 only represents supervisors. The ILWU rep-
resentative did not endorse the Employer’s assertion,
but the ILWU introduced no evidence concerning
Local 34’s labor organization status. Because the
record lacks any evidence establishing the labor orga-
nization status of Local 34, we are unable to find that
Local 34 is a labor organization within the meaning of
the Act.
II. THE DISPUTE
A. Background and Facts of Dispute
The Employer processes, recycles, and exports scrap
metal at a dockside facility in Oakland, California. The
Employer loads and unloads ships at the dock. The
loading operation consists of tying up and letting go of
ships (also called line work) and operating a crane. In
August 1990, the Employer began operating a newly
constructed shiploading facility, using a dockside crane
to load scrap metal onto ships. Prior to the installation
of the new crane, the Employer used a barge-based
crane to load the ships.
Before commencing operation of the dockside crane,
the Employer contacted the attorney representing the
ILWU locals on two occasions to discuss work assign-
ments related to the new operation. In April 1990, the
Employer stated that laborers should continue doing
the line work. On June 13, the ILWU attorney stated
that the ILWU local would claim the tying up, letting
go,1 and shiploading functions in connection with the
loading of bulk scrap metal onto ocean-going vessels,
including operation of the crane, and the positions of
hatchtender, walking boss, and supercargo. The attor-
ney also stated that they would picket if the work were
awarded to employees represented by another union.
The Employer notified Local 3 of the ILWU’s posi-
tion. Local 3 responded that it would picket if the
work of operating the dockside crane were awarded to
employees represented by another Union.
On June 22, 1990, the Employer filed the instant un-
fair labor practice charge against the ILWU and Local
3 and a unit clarification petition pertaining to
hatchtenders, supercargoes, and walking bosses.2 The
Regional Director has held the unit clarification pro-
14 DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
3 The record shows that the disputed shiploading functions involve work re-
lated to the operation of the new crane.
4 We deny the request to consolidate on the grounds that the Regional Di-
rector acted within his discretion in deciding to hold the unit clarification pro-
ceeding in abeyance pending resolution of this case.
We also deny the motion to revoke the ILWU’s certification as inappropri-
ate in a 10(k) proceeding.
5 We note that although Local 10 made its threat to picket before the Em-
ployer actually began using the new shiploading facility with dockside crane,
the Employer at that time had already made a specific assignment of the line
work. The Board has held that jurisdictional disputes regarding prospective
work assignments are appropriate for the Board’s consideration in 10(k) pro-
ceedings. See Stage Employees IATSE Local 659 (King Broadcasting Co.),
216 NLRB 860, 862 (1975).
ceeding in abeyance pending the outcome of this 10(k)
proceeding.
During the hearing, the attorney representing Local
886 stated that Local 886 would picket if the line work
were assigned to the employees represented by the
ILWU locals. Subsequently, Local 886 sent a letter to
the Regional Director disclaiming the line work. Dur-
ing the hearing, the ILWU also sent a letter to the Re-
gional Director disclaiming the work of operating the
new dock crane.
B. Work in Dispute
The disputed work involves the tying up, letting go,
and shiploading functions in connection with the load-
ing of bulk3 (as distinguished from shredded) scrap
metal onto ocean-going vessels at the Employer’s Oak-
land, California facility.
C. Contentions of the Parties
The Employer contends that operation of the new
crane should be awarded to employees represented by
Local 3 based on economy and efficiency, industry
practice, and employer preference and past practice,
and that the line work should be awarded to employees
represented by Local 886 based on economy and effi-
ciency, employer preference and past practice, and in-
dustry practice. The Employer further claims that
Local 886’s disclaimer is ineffective because the em-
ployees represented by Local 886 have continued to
perform the line work. Finally, the Employer requests
that the 10(k) and the unit clarification proceedings be
consolidated and that the Board clarify that the classi-
fications of hatchtender, supercargo, and walking boss
involved in the loading of ships no longer exist and
therefore should not be included in any work assign-
ment award, or that the Board revoke the ILWU’s cer-
tification.4
Local 10 asserts that there is no jurisdictional dis-
pute over a portion of the work in dispute because it
has disclaimed interest in the operation of the new
crane. Local 10 also asserts that there is no jurisdic-
tional dispute over the line work because, although
Local 10 continues to claim the work, Local 886 has
disclaimed the work. Finally, Local 10 asserts that
there is no jurisdictional dispute over the hatchtender,
supercargo, and walking boss classifications because
no other union has claimed the work.
Local 3 neither filed a brief, nor appeared at the
hearing.
Local 886 did not file a brief, and did not make a
statement of position at the hearing.
D. Applicability of the Statute
As discussed above, both Local 886 and Local 10
claimed the work of tying up and letting go at the Em-
ployer’s facility. The attorney representing the ILWU
locals stated that the ILWU claimed the work of tying
up and letting go of ships at the Employer’s facility,
and that if the work were assigned to another union,
the ILWU would picket. The attorney representing
Local 886 stated at the hearing that Local 886 claimed
the work of tying up and letting go of the ships at the
Employer’s facility, and that if the work were assigned
to another union, Local 886 would picket. Subse-
quently, Local 886 sent a letter to the Regional Direc-
tor disclaiming the line work. Local 886-represented
employees, however, continue to do the line work
without (so far as the record shows) restraint, dis-
cipline, or threats from their Union. Therefore, we find
that Local 886’s disclaimer is ineffective. See Elec-
trical Workers Local 610 (Landau Outdoor Sign Co.),
225 NLRB 320, 321 (1976).
We find reasonable cause to believe that a violation
of Section 8(b)(4)(D) has occurred insofar as the line
work is concerned and that there exists no agreed upon
method for voluntary adjustment of the dispute within
the meaning of Section 10(k) of the Act. Accordingly,
we find that the dispute involving the line work is
properly before the Board for determination.5
As discussed above, the attorney representing the
ILWU locals stated at the hearing that the ILWU dis-
claims any interest in operating the dockside crane.
There is no evidence that the ILWU has acted in any
way inconsistent with its disclaimer of the work since
making the disclaimer.
We find that the ILWU effectively disclaimed the
work of operating the crane, and that there are cur-
rently no competing claims for that work. See Painters
Local 1396 (Wolff & Sons Painting), 246 NLRB 442,
444 (1979). Accordingly, our determination of dispute
will be limited to the line work.
E. Merits of the Dispute
Section 10(k) requires the Board to make an affirm-
ative award of disputed work after considering various
factors. NLRB v. Electrical Workers IBEW Local 1212
(Columbia Broadcasting), 364 U.S. 573 (1961). The
Board has held that its determination in a jurisdictional
dispute is an act of judgment based on common sense
15OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 3 (SCHNITZER STEEL)
6 The Employer does not admit that it is a party to the ILWU contract in
the record, but the Employer concedes that it has an understanding with the
ILWU covering the line work.
and experience, reached by balancing the factors in-
volved in a particular case. Machinists Lodge 1743
(J. A. Jones Construction), 135 NLRB 1402 (1962).
The following factors are relevant in making the de-
termination of the dispute.
1. Certification and collective-bargaining
agreements
Neither Local 10 nor Local 886 is a certified rep-
resentative of Schnitzer Steel’s employees. Local 886
has a collective-bargaining agreement with the Em-
ployer which arguably covers the line work. Local 10
asserts that it, too, has a collective-bargaining agree-
ment with the Employer which arguably covers the
line work.6 We find that this factor favors neither
group of employees.
2. Employer preference
The Employer prefers that the line work be awarded
to employees represented by Local 886. Therefore, we
find that the factor of employer preference favors an
award to the employees represented by Local 886.
3. Past practice
The Employer claims that Local 886-represented
employees have been performing the line work for ap-
proximately 20 years. However, Local 10 claims that
employees it represents have been performing the
work. We find the record concerning the Employer’s
past practice ambiguous and therefore do not rely on
this factor.
4. Area practice
There are two other employers in the area with oper-
ations comparable to the Employer’s. At one employ-
er’s facility, the line work is performed by Local 3-
represented employees, and at the other, the work is
performed by Teamsters-represented employees. This
factor does not favor an award of the line work to ei-
ther group of employees.
5. Relative skills
The Employer claims that because the employees
represented by Local 886 have been performing the
line work for over 20 years, they have greater relative
skill. However, Local 10 also claims that employees it
represents have been performing the work. We find the
record inconclusive and do not rely on this factor.
6. Economy and efficiency of operations
The Employer employs approximately 70 employees
represented by Local 886, who perform various main-
tenance duties in the yard. The line work takes ap-
proximately 30–60 minutes to perform. The Local 886-
represented employees can leave their maintenance du-
ties to perform the line work and return to their other
duties when the line work is finished. While a ship is
in the dock, the Local 886-represented employees’
shifts can be expanded from 8 to 12 hours and there
can be back-to-back shifts.
The Local 10-represented workers are not regular
employees. The ILWU master agreement provides for
an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday with a second shift begin-
ning at 7 p.m. The agreement also requires that ILWU-
represented employees be paid for a minimum of sev-
eral hours.
We conclude that it is more efficient for the Em-
ployer to use Local 886-represented employees. They
are available throughout the day and night shifts con-
tinuously and are available to do other work before
and after the work in dispute is completed. We find
that this factor favors an award of the work to the em-
ployees represented by Local 886.
Conclusions
After considering all the relevant factors, we con-
clude that employees represented by Local 886 are en-
titled to perform the disputed tying up and letting go
work. We reach this conclusion relying on the factors
of employer preference and economy and efficiency of
operations.
In making this determination, we are awarding the
work to employees represented by Local 886, not to
that Union or its members. The determination is lim-
ited to the controversy that gave rise to this proceed-
ing.
DETERMINATION OF DISPUTE
The National Labor Relations Board makes the fol-
lowing Determination of Dispute.
1. Employees of Schnitzer Industries d/b/a Schnitzer
Steel Products Company, Inc. represented by Shipyard
Laborers, Local 886, Laborers International Union of
North America are entitled to perform the work of
tying up and letting go of ships at the Oakland, Cali-
fornia dockside facility.
2. International Longshoremen and Warehousemen’s
Union, AFL–CIO, Local 10 is not entitled by means
proscribed by Section 8(b)(4)(D) of the Act to force
the Employer to assign the disputed work to employ-
ees represented by it.
3. Within 10 days from this date, International
Longshoremen and Warehousemen’s Union, AFL–
CIO, Local 10 shall notify the Regional Director for
Region 32 in writing whether it will refrain from forc-
ing the Employer, by means proscribed by Section
8(b)(4)(D), to assign the disputed work in a manner in-
consistent with the determination.