Southwestern Transportation Co.

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Aug 10, 1965

154 N.L.R.B. 374 (N.L.R.B. 1965)

374 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
Southwestern Transportation Company and International Broth-
erhood of Teamsters , Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers
of America, Local No. 146. Case No. 127-CA-17044. August 10,
1965
DECISION AND ORDER
On June 8, 1965, Trial Examiner WWTallace E. Royster issued his
Decision in the above-entitled proceeding, finding that the Respondent
had engaged in and was engaging in certain unfair labor practices and
recommending that it cease and desist therefrom and take certain
affirmative action, a8 set forth in the attached Trial Examiner's Deci-
sion. Thereafter, the Respondent filed exceptions to the Trial Exam-
iner's Decision and a supporting brief.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 (b) of the National Labor
Relations Act, as amended, the National Labor Relations Board has
delegated its powers in connection with this case to a three-member
panel [Members Fanning, Brown and Jenkins].
The Board has reviewed the rulings of the Trial Examiner made at
.the hearing and finds that no prejudicial error was committed. The
xulings are hereby affirmed. The Board has considered the Trial
Examiner's Decision, the exceptions and brief, and the entire record
in the case, and hereby adopts the findings, conclusions, and recom-
mendations of the Trial Examiner, as modified below.'
The Trial Examiner in his Decision found that the Respondent had
coercively interrogated employees in violation of Section 8(a) (1) of
the Act. However, he inadvertently omitted such findings in his con-
clusions of law and his Recommended Order. We hereby amend his
conclusions of law accordingly and also amend his Recommended
Order as provided herein.
ORDER
Pursuant to Section 10(c) of the National Labor Relations Act, as
amended, the National Labor Relations Board hereby adopts as its
Order the Recommended Order of the Trial Examiner, as modified
herein, and orders that the Respondent, Southwestern Transportation
Company, Canon City, Colorado, its officers, agents, successors, and
assigns, shall take the action set forth in the Trial Examiner's Recom-
mended Order, as so modified :
1. Delete paragraph 1 (b) of the Trial Examiner's Recommended
Order and substitute the following paragraph :
"(b) Refusing to bargain, threatening to discharge, or threatening
lessened work opportunities and job loss in the event employees persist
'A' L R.B. V. Southeastern Rubber Mfg. Co , Inc , 213 F. 2d 11, 15 (CA 5) ; N L.R.B
v Armco Drainage & Metal Products , Inc., Fabricating Division, 220 F. 2d 573 , 576-577
(C.A 6), cert denied 350 U.S 838 ; Joy Silk Mills, Inc. v. NLR.B., 185 F. 2d 732,
741-742 (CAD C.), cert. denied 341 U.S. 914
154 NLRB No. 23.
SOUTHWESTERN TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 375
in seeking union representation, coercively interrogating employees
about their union activity, or in any other manner interfering with,
restraining, or coercing its employees in the exercise of their right to
self-organization, to form labor organizations, to join or assist the said
Union, to bargain collectively through representatives of their own
choosing, and to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of col-
lective bargaining or other mutual aid or protection, or to refrain from
any or all activities, except to the extent that such right may be affected
by an agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a
condition of employment, as authorized in Section 8(a) (3) of the
National Labor Relations Act, as amended."
2. Delete the second substantive paragraph of the Appendix of the
Trial Examiner's Recommended Order, and substitute the following
paragraph :
WE WILL NOT by refusing to bargain, by threatening discharge,
by threatening lessened work opportunities or job loss in the event
employees persist in seeking union representation, by coercively
interrogating employees about their union activity, or in any other
manner interfere with, restrain, or coerce our employees in the
exercise of their right to self-organization, to join or assist the
above-named Union or any other labor organization, to engage in
concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or
other mutual aid or protection, or to refrain from any or all such
activities, except to the extent that such right may be affected by
an agreement requiring membership in a labor organization as a
condition of employment, as authorized in Section 8(a) (3) of the
National Labor Relations Act, as amended.
TRIAL EXAMINER'S DECISION
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
This matter was tried before Trial Examiner Wallace E. Royster in Canon City,
Colorado, on March 25, 1965.1 At issue is whether Southwestern Transportation
Company, Canon City, Colorado , herein called the Respondent , upon request, has
refused unlawfully to bargain wtih International Brotherhood of Teamsters , Chauf-
feurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America , Local No. 146, herein called the
Union. It is alleged that by such refusal and by coercive interrogations of employ-
ees, threats to cease business , and predictions of lessened work opportunities, the
Respondent has engaged in unfair labor practices within the meaning of Section
8(a)(1) and ( 5) of the National Labor Relations Act, as amended , herein called
the Act.
Upon the entire record in the case, from my observation of the witnesses, and in
consideration of the briefs filed with me, I make the following.
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. THE BUSINESS OF THE RESPONDENT
The Respondent is a Colorado corporation with a place of business in Canon
City, Colorado, where it is engaged in the transportation of mineral ores , house-
hold goods , and general freight. During the year preceding the issuance of the
1 Charges filed November 4 and December 23, 1964 . Complaint issued December 29,
1964, and was amended January 8, 1965 All dates mentioned hereinafter are in 1964
376 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
complaint , the Respondent performed services valued in excess of $50,000 for Colo-
rado Fuel and Iron Corp. and the Cotter Corporation . Each of these latter entities
is located in the State of Colorado and each annually produces and ships goods
valued at more than $50,000 directly to points outside the State of Colorado.
Respondent's answer admits the accuracy of the foregoing business data and I find
that the Respondent is engaged in commerce and in activities affecting commerce
within the meaning of Section 2(6) and (7) of the Act.2
II. THE LABOR ORGANIZATION INVOLVED
The Union is a labor organization within the meaning of Section 2(5) of the Act.
III. THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
Joseph E. Berta and Earl Berta are the sole owners of the Respondent and its only
officers. The two are also members of a partnership , Berta Brothers , which is also
engaged in some form of hauling by truck. Both operations appear to be conducted
from a terminal in Canon City . Respondent's employees , excepting the office force,
consist of several truckdrivers and a mechanic . The drivers occasionally do some
work in Respondent's warehouse and occasionally assist in truck maintenance. The
truckdrivers are paid $ 1.75 when working on an hourly basis and sometimes receive
a mileage rate.
On a number of occasions in October , the Respondent rented trucks to another
employer, Goodell Construction Company, which was engaged in some sort of con-
struction in or near Colorado Springs. The Respondent also supplied drivers for
the trucks from among its employees . The drivers were paid directly by Goodell
and at a higher rate than that paid by the Respondent . In behalf of the Respond-
ent, it is contended that those among the drivers who worked on the Goodell project
were at least for the time they were so engaged not employees of the Respondent.
I find no merit in this position . One of the drivers, Max Berry , appears to have
worked almost exclusively for Goodell pay in October ; other drivers, Merlino, Ham-
ilton, Prebble, and Humphrey , spent a good part of the month at the Goodell job.
Each of these men was, however , assigned to this work by the Respondent, each,
with the possible exception of Berry, worked some portion of the month directly
for the Respondent , and each, after finishing his stay on the Goodell job, was
returned to the Respondent 's payroll.
On October 15 Union Organizer Robert Menapace met with a group of Respond-
ent's employees and secured the signatures of the seven men present to cards author-
izing the Union to represent them 3 On October 16 the Union sent a letter to the
Respondent asserting that it represented "all Truckdrivers , Warehousemen and
Mechanics" in Respondent 's employ and requesting a meeting for the purposes of
negotiating a bargaining agreement This demand was received by the Respondent
on October 17. Also on October 16 the Union mailed a petition for an election to
the Denver office of the Board asking for certification in the same unit.
Robert Hamilton , one of the drivers, testified credibly and without contradiction
that on October 17, a Saturday , Earl Berta called him to Respondent 's office and
asked why the men had acted to have a union and if Hamilton had signed a card.
Hamilton replied that he was "going along with the guys" and that he had signed a
card. On the same date , according to the undenied and credited testimony of
Joseph McBeth, a mechanic , Earl Berta showed him the Union 's letter and asked
McBeth to tell him what he knew about it. McBeth said that he knew nothing. On
Sunday , October 18 , according to the undenied and credited testimony of driver
Nick Merlino , he was questioned by the two Berta brothers and their father , Joseph
J. Berta,4 concerning his knowledge of the Union 's demand letter Merlino said that
2 The allegation in the answer that it is not reasonable to assume that the Respondent
will have comparable business operations in the coming year finds record support only
in speculation and in any event raises an immaterial issue
3 All of the individuals who signed the cards , except Paul Prebble , testified to the fact
of signing . Prebble did not appear at the hearing , perhaps because he is said now to be
working In California The testimony of others in attendance establishes satisfactorily
that he filled out and signed the card at the October 15 meeting . The cards are un-
ambiguous designations of the Union as bargaining representative and evidence taken at
the hearing establishes that the signers were aware that this was and is so
It was stipulated at the hearing that Joseph J Berta was a supervisor within the
Act's meaning . He did not appear as a witness In the course of the hearing, counsel
for the Respondent suggested that Joseph J. Berta was too ill to attend
SOUTHWESTERN TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 377
the Bertas knew as much about it as he did. Merlino was then asked if he thought
that the Respondent "could operate" if the Union represented the men. He answered
that he did not know. Tempers began to rise at this point, Merlino recalled, and he
left. At some point during the discussion or interrogation, Merlino testified, there
was mention by one of the Bertas that "if it had to go union" work opportunities
would be affected; the Respondent might not be able to operate. On Monday, Octo-
ber 19, Joseph J. Berta asked driver Cecil Humphrey what he knew about the Union.
Humphrey answered that there had been a meeting and that the men had signed
cards. Berta became angry at this and said that if he could have his way he would
"wipe the board off and hire all new help." The board referred to is a daily or
weekly listing of driver assignments maintained in Respondent's terminal. About
November 1, still according to Humphrey, President Berta asked him what he
thought of the Union Humphrey answered that he was "all for it." Berta then
went on to ask why the men thought they should have a union. Humphrey explained
that it probably was because of a number of little things. Berta observed that under
existing tariffs, he could not operate if he had to pay union scale; he would have
to close the doors. Again, about November 15, Humphrey was asked by the two
Berta brothers to tell them what his complaints were and how he felt about the
Union. None of Humphrey's testimony set forth above was denied and it is wholly
credited.
It is unnecessary to decide whether in the circumstances of this case the Respond-
ent was entitled to question its employees about their connection with the Union in
an effort to determine whether the Union's claim of majority status had substance,
for it is not claimed that the interrogation was so motivated. It stands in the record
wholly explained by any witness for the Respondent. In any event the expressed
desire on the part of Joseph J Berta to "wipe the board off and hire all new help"
because the employees wanted the Union was a threat to continued employment.
So, too, were Respondent's articulated fears that the advent of the Union would or
might lessen work opportunities or cause the closing of the business. I find that
by questioning employees about the Union and in that connection threatening
directly or indirectly that their employment because of interest in the Union was in
hazard, the Respondent interfered with, restrained, and coerced its employees in
the exercise of rights guaranteed in Section 7 of the Act and thereby engaged in
unfair labor practices within the meaning of Section 8 (a)( 1) of the Act.
On October 21, responding to the request of the Board's Regional Office in Denver
for such information, the Respondent listed the following individuals as in its
employ:
C. M. Anderson Roy Bogeart Joe McBeth
Max Berry Gale Camper Nick Merlino
Ignace Blatnick Robert Hamilton Paul Prebble
Cecil Humphr[ey]
At the hearing the Respondent contended and Camper testified that the latter was
not an employee of the Respondent in October; that rather he was working then and
in later months for the partnership, Berta Brothers. Camper earned $40 in wages
from the Respondent in October and testified that he received this pay for some
extra work apart from his employment with Berta Brothers. At the time of the
hearing Camper was on Respondent's payroll I find it unnecessary to decide what
the relationship between the Respondent and Camper may have been in October
It is possible, of course, that he was assigned by the Respondent to work for the
partnership as others were to work for Goodell. Lacking evidence in that particu-
lar I do not find that he was. Having found contrary to the Respondent's contention
that those who were assigned to work for Goodell were not its employees, I find
that on October 17 when the Union demanded recognition there were nine in the
bargaining unit.5 On that day, excluding the card signed by Camper, the Union
had been authorized by six of the nine to represent them for purposes of bargaining.
I find that the Union was on October 17 the exclusive representative of Respond-
ent's employees in the appropriate unit
On October 28, representatives of the Respondent and of the Union met with
an agent of the Board to discuss an election. Disagreement arose only in respect
to an election date. The Respondent offered no objection to eligibility list 6 or unit.
i The nine are those named above excepting Camper There is no genuine dispute about
the unit I find it to be all truckdrivers, warehousemen, and mechanic employees, ex-
cluding office clerical employees, guards, professional employees, and supervisors as defined
in the Act
6 Consisting of the 10 named in the list of October 21.
378 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOAR'S
The Union desired that an election be conducted immediately; the Respondent wanted
a delay of a month, allegedly because the Berta brothers had some work to perform
in New Mexico.
President Berta was the only officer of the Respondent to testify in this proceed-
ing. He said from the stand that at the time the Union demanded recognition the
Respondent "had a good-faith doubt that these men did sign cards or wanted the
union for their bargaining agent." He did not refer in his testimony to the occa-
sions when he, his brother, or his father questioned employees about their interest
in the Union. Hamilton told Earl Berta that he had signed a card; Humphrey told
President Berta that he favored the Union; whether other employees were ques-
tioned about card signing does not appear. So the basis, if any, for President
Berta's doubt is not evident. The fact that he, his brother Earl, and his father sug-
gested to employees that the advent of the Union might mean less work for them
or might force the Respondent to close its business , and the father's reaction that
all should be replaced, argues that the Respondent feared and believed the worst:
the Union actually had been chosen by their employees. In consequence by threats
and predictions the Respondent sought to discourage the desire that the employees
had manifested and thus to coerce them to drop their interest in union representa-
tion An election in such a small unit could have been conducted quickly. The
insistence of the Respondent that an election be delayed for a month is further evi-
dence that it feared to permit the Union's claim to be tested until time afforded it
greater opportunity to dissuade the employees by means of threats and predictions.
I find that the Respondent on October 17 held no good-faith doubt concerning the
representations of the Union and that it sought thereafter by means of delay and
threats to undermine the Union's majority. The Respondent thereby refused unlaw-
fully to bargain with the majority representative of its employees in an appropriate unit
and has thereby engaged in unfair labor practices within the meaning of Section
8(a) (5) of the Act.
IV. THE EFFECT OF THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES UPON COMMERCE
The activities of the Respondent set forth in section III, above, occurring in connec-
tion with its operations described in section I, above, have a close, intimate, and sub-
stantial relation to trade, traffic, and commerce among the several States, and tend to
lead to labor disputes burdening and obstructing commerce and the free flow thereof.
V. THE REMEDY
Having found that the Respondent has committed unfair labor practices violative
of Section 8(a)(1) and (5) of the Act, it will be recommended that the Respondent
cease and desist therefrom and take certain affirmative action designed to effectuate
the purposes of the Act.
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and the entire record in this case,
I reach the following
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
1. The Respondent is engaged in commerce within the meaning of Section 2(6)
and (7) of the Act
2. The Union is a labor organization within the meaning of Section 2(5) of the Act.
3. All truckdrivers, warehousemen, and mechanic employees of the Respondent
employed at its Canon City, Colorado, establishment, exclusive of office clerical
employees, guards, professional employees, and supervisors as defined in the Act,
constitute a unit appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining within the
meaning of Section 9(b) of the Act.
4. On October 15, 1964, and at all times thereafter, the Union was and now is the
exclusive representative of the employees in the appropriate unit for purposes of col-
lective bargaining with respect to rates of pay, wages, hours of employment, and
other terms and conditions of employment
5. By failing and refusing to extend recognition to the Union upon receipt of the
Union's demand on October 17, 1964, the Respondent has engaged in unfair labor
practices within the meaning of Section 8(a) (5) of the Act.
6. By the refusal to bargain, by threatening to discharge employees, and by pre-
dicting lessened work opportunities or loss of employment should its employees per-
sist in seeking representation by the Union, the Respondent has interfered with,
restrained, and coerced its employees in the exercise of rights guaranteed in Section 7
of the Act and has thereby engaged in unfair labor practices within the meaning of
Section 8 (a) (1) of the Act.
SOUTHWESTERN TRANSPORTATION COMPANY 379'
7. The aforesaid unfair labor practices are unfair labor practices affecting com-
merce within the meaning of Section 2(6) and ( 7) of the Act.
RECOMMENDED ORDER
Upon the basis of the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, and pur-
suant to Section 10(c) of the National Labor Relations Act, as amended , it is recom-
mended that the Respondent , Southwestern Transportation Company, Canon City,
Colorado, its officers, agents , successors , and assigns , shall:
1. Cease and desist from:
(a) Refusing to bargain with the Union as the exclusive representative of Respond-
ent's employees in the appropriate unit.
(b) Refusing to bargain , threatening to discharge , or predicting lessened work
opportunities and job loss in the event employees persist in seeking union representa-
tion, or in any other manner interfering with, restraining , or coercing its employees
in the exercise of their right to self-organization , to form labor organizations , to join
or assist the said Union , to bargain collectively through representatives of their own
choosing , and to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargain-
ing or other mutual aid or protection , or to refrain therefrom , as guaranteed in Sec-
tion 7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action which I find will effectuate the purposes
of the Act:
(a) Upon request , bargain with the Union as the exclusive representative of the
employees in the appropriate unit and, if an understanding is reached , embody such
understanding in a signed agreement.
(b) Post at its terminal in Canon City , Colorado, copies of the attached notice
marked "Appendix ." 7 Copies of said notice , to be furnished by the Regional Direc-
tor for Region 27 , shall, after being duly signed by the Respondent , be posted by it
immediately upon receipt thereof, and be maintained by it for 60 consecutive days
thereafter , in conspicuous places, including all places where notices to employees
are customarily posted. Reasonable steps shall be taken by the Respondent to insure
that such notices are not altered , defaced, or covered by any other material.
(c) Notify the Regional Director for Region 27, in writing , within 20 days from
the date of receipt of this Decision , what steps have been taken to comply herewith.8
I In the event that this Recommended Order be adopted by the Board , the words "a
Decision and Order" shall be substituted for the words " the Recommended Order of a
Trial Examiner " in the notice . In the further event that the Board 's Order be enforced
by a decree of a United States Court of Appeals , the words , "a Decree of the United States
Court of Appeals , Enforcing an Order " shall be substituted for the words "a Decision
and Order".
' In the event that this Recommended Order be adopted by the Board , this provision
shall read : "Notify the said Regional Director , in writing , within 10 days from the date
of this Order , what steps the Respondent has taken to comply herewith "
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES
Pursuant to the Recommended Order of a Trial Examiner of the National Labor
Relations Board, and in order to effectuate the policies of the National Labor Rela-
tions Act, as amended, we hereby notify our employees that-
WE WILL , upon request , bargain collectively with International Brotherhood
of Teamsters , Chauffeurs , Warehousemen and Helpers of America , Local No.
146, and, if an understanding is reached , embody such understanding in a signed
agreement . The bargaining unit is:
All truckdrivers , warehousemen, and mechanic employees at our Canon
City establishment, exclusive of office clerical employees , guards, profes-
sional employees , and supervisors as defined in the National Labor Rela-
tions Act.
WE WILL NOT by refusing to bargain , by threatening discharge , by predicting
lessened employment opportunities or loss of jobs , or in any other manner
interfere with, restrain , or coerce our employees in the exercise of their right
to self-organization , to join or assist the above -named Union or any other labor
organization , to engage in concerted activities for the purpose of collective bar-
gaining or other mutual aid or protection , or to refrain from any or all such
380 DECISIONS OF NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
activities, except to the extent that such right may be affected by an agreement
requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment as
authorized in Section 8(a) (3) of the National Labor Relations Act, as amended.
SOUTHWESTERN TRANSPORTATION COMPANY,
Employer.
Dated------------------- By-------------------------------------------
(Representative) (Title)
This notice must remain posted for 60 consecutive days from the date of posting,
and must not be altered, defaced, or covered by any other material.
If employees have any question concerning this notice or compliance with its pro-
visions, they may communicate directly with the Board's Regional Office, 609 Railway
Exchange Building, 17th and Champa Streets, Denver, Colorado, Telephone No.
297-3551.
Traylor -Pameo and Michael Cordisco . Case No. 19-CA-2808.
August 101 1965
DECISION AND ORDER
On October 12, 1964, Trial Examiner William E. Spencer issued his
Decision in the above-entitled proceeding, finding that the Respondent
had engaged in and was engaging in certain unfair labor practices
and recommending that it cease and desist therefrom and take certain
affirmative action, as set forth in the attached Trial Examiner's Deci-
sion. He further found that the Respondent had not engaged in cer-
tain unfair labor practices alleged in the complaint. Thereafter,
the Respondent and the General Counsel filed exceptions to certain
portions of the Trial Examiner's Decision and supporting briefs. The
Respondent further filed a reply to General Counsel's exceptions to
Trial Examiner's Decision.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(b) of the National Labor
Relations Act, as amended, the National Labor Relations Board has
delegated its powers in connection with this case to a three-member
panel [Members Fanning, Brown, and Jenkins].
The Board has reviewed the rulings of the Trial Examiner made at
the hearing and finds that no prejudicial error was committed. The
rulings are hereby affirmed. The Board has considered the Trial
Examiner's Decision, the exceptions and briefs, Respondent's reply
to the General Counsel's exceptions, and the entire record in this case,
and hereby adopts the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of
the Trial Examiner.1
ORDER
Pursuant to Section 10(c) of the National Labor Relations Act, as
amended, the Board hereby adopts as its Order the Order recommended
1 We agree with our dissenting colleague that the assertion of rights arising out of a
collective-bargaining agreement is within the scope of Section 7 of the Act. However,
the Trial Examiner concluded, and properly so, in our opinion, that Respondent did not
discharge either Cordisco or Owen for such reason, but that it did discharge them for
insubordinate violation of instructions.
154 NLRB No. 24.