This аppeal relates to two National Labor Relations Board decisions concerning the American Bread Company, Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Helpers and Taxicab Drivers Local 327 (hereinafter Teamsters), and the American Bakery and Confectionary Workers’ International Union (hereinafter ABC).
The complex factual situation and liti-gational background are fully set forth in the decisions of the Board and the reports of the Trial Examiner.
Nos. 18,566-18,650
American Bread Company is engaged in the baking, sale and distribution of bread and other bakery products. It employs transport drivers, route salesmen, and production and maintenance workers. The seven transport drivers haul bakery products from Nashville, Tennessee to fifteen warehouses located throughout Tennessee and nearby Kentucky. Once the products reach the warehouses, the driver-salesmen take over and handle the local distribution. In addition to maintenance and production workers, the Company employs thrift store workers, warehouse keepers and some part-time help.
In April of 1965 the Teamsters sought recognition as the bargaining agent for the route salesmen and the production and maintenance workers, but the Company, doubting the majority, refused recognition. Finally, after the Company’s refusal of a card check, a strike resulted. The Teamsters filed a charge with the N. L. R. B. concerning the Company’s refusal to bargain; but the record is incomplete as to its disposition. The Company filed unfair labor practice charges against the Teamsters, alleging violations of Section 8(b) (1) and (7) (C) of the National Labor Relations Act (hereinafter Act), 29 U.S.C. § 158 (b) (1) and (7) (C). At the same time the Company petitioned for a representative election. On May 21, 1965 the Regional Director refused issuance of a complaint against the Teamsters, but did direct an expedited election.
The Teamsters continued picketing of the American Bread Company after the expedited election, but did alter the wording on their placards.
In early July, the Regional Director issued a report overruling the Teamsters’ challenges to the ballots. However, the Regional Director reopened the case and permitted the Teamsters to submit evidence by treating the Teamsters’ request for an appeal as a motion for reconsideration. On July 16, 1965, the Regional Director filed a Supplemental Report permitting the ballots to be opened and counted. The Teamsters then requested special permission to appeal the Supplemental Report and sought to stay the Regional Director from certifying the re-suits. These requests were denied and the election results were certified.
The Tеamsters continued to picket American Bread after certification of the election on the theory that the results were contrary to legal precedent. In July and August the Company filed charges which resulted in the Regional Directer issuing a complaint and charging the Teamsters with violations of Section 8(b) (4) (i) and (ii) (B) and Section 8(b) (7) (B) of the Act.
On December 7, 1965 a consolidated hearing was held concerning National Labor Relations Board cases Nos. 26-CC-94 and 26-CP-19.
Some two years later, on March 7, 1968, the Board reversed the Trial Examiner in part.
No. 18,567
During the period the above causes were pending before the Trial Examiner and the Board, events occurred which added confusion to an already complex situation.
On April 5, 1966, ABC claimed it had signed a majority of a unit composed of production and maintenance employees, route salesmen, and transport drivers. President Evers once again polled some of his employees to discover the strength of ABC. He learned that there was a good possibility that ABC did have a majority. Evers agreеd to a card check by a clergyman. After running a check of the card signatures against those on payroll receipts, the clergyman concluded that the ABC had a majority.
In early June of 1966 the Regional Director issued a сomplaint against the Company for a violation of Section 8(a) (1) and (2) of the Act by recognizing one of two rival unions while a real question concerning representation existed. In a subsequent hearing the Board found the Company guilty of the alleged violations and ordered it to stop recognizing ABC.
This Court has permitted both the Teamsters and ABC to file- briefs as intervenors.
In the adjudication of these consolidated aрpeals numerous questions are raised. However, in our opinion there are three basic questions to which we address our attention: (1) Did the Board abuse its discretion by ordering the Trial Examiner to take evidence concerning the appropriateness of the election unit? (2) Did the picketing by the Teamsters at E. I. du Pont, the Flaming Steer Restaurant, and Shoney’s Big Boy Restaurant constitute unlawful secondary activity? and (3) On April 5, 1966 when the American Bread Company recognized ABC, was there a real question concerning representation existent?
No. 18,566
Unit Determination:
It is the basic contention of American Bread that since the question regarding “unit determination” had previously been litigated, it could not be attacked collaterally in á subsequent unfair labor practice dispute. However, the parties agree that the question pertaining to the legality of the recognitional picketing of American Bread turns on whether a valid election took place.
American Bread places great reliance on the rules and regulations which the Board has promulgated under its discretionary authority. National Labor Relations Board v. A. J. Tower Co.,
The long standing policy of the Board had been to automatically include truck drivers in a comprehensive unit where there was no disagreemеnt as to its composition. See Valley of Virginia Cooperative Milk Producers Ass’n.,
In the instant case there was not an arbitrary or capricious finding as American Bread insists. The Trial Examiner considered the circumstances surrounding the transport drivers’ employment and their relation to the Teamsters’ organizational plan. It is quite evident from the record that the Teamsters were not trying to organize the transport drivers. See Ballentine Packing Co.,
After the policy change in Koester Bakery Co.,
No. 18,650
Secondary Picketing:
We now turn our attention to the allegations concerning, the secondary picketing at E. I. du Pont de Nemours Company, Shoney’s Big Boy Restaurant, and the Flaming Steer Restaurant.
It is the Teamsters’ contention that they are permitted to participate in this type of consumer picketing as long as it is limited to following the struck product. N. L. R. B. v. Fruit and Vegetable Packеrs Local 760,
The situation facing this Court is quite similar to the one dealt with in Honolulu Typographical wherein the Union’s request that people refrain from buying the products advertised in a newspaper was deemed by the Court to be an unlawful secondary boycott. The Court distinguished that case from the Suprеme Court decision in Tree Fruits on the basis of a product which had lost its identity and become fully integrated into the output of the party being hit with the secondary picketing. In Tree Fruits, Washington State apples were being sold in retail outlets and could be distinguished from other apples by the consumer. There the consumers could continue their normal shopping and still sympathize with the Union by refraining from the purchase of Washington State apples. In the case before us consumers would have to stop ordering sandwiches, baked goods and аll meals served or made with bread. It is this Court’s opinion that the picketing of these restaurants produced illegal secondary boycotts since the subject matter of the picketing had become so integrated into the food served that to cease purchasing the single item would almost amount to customers stopping all trade with the secondary employer. As such, this Court feels that the picketing was in violation of Section 8(b) (4) (i) and (ii) (B) of the Act. Honolulu Typographical Union No. 37 v. N. L. R. B.,
It should also be noted that in Tree Fruits, the Union conducted a rather orderly boycott. There were no side effects such as refusals to load or unload apples or work stoppages. The time periods of the picketing were such that it was geared to reach only the patrons of the store — and not to influence employees going to and coming from work. Such was not the case in the picketing at DuPont’s cafeteria which was operated by a concessionaire, Progressive Cafeterias. The Teamsters’ representative informed DuPont that unless the American Bread Company deliveries to the cafeteria were stopped, picketing at DuPont would result. The intent was to pressure DuPont into forcing the concessionaire to stop purchasing from American Bread. Since DuPont had contracted out the cafeteria concession, it
No. 18,567
Question Concerning Representation:
The question now facing the Court is whether there existed a real question concerning representation when the Company recognized ABC as the exclusive bargaining agent. Midwest Piping & Supply Company, Inc.,
This Court is asked to order the Company to refrain from recognizing ABC. However, the record indicates that ABC and the Company have had a successful as well as peaceful relationship since May of 1966. One of the objectives of the National Labor Relations Act is to promote peace and tranquility between labor and management while insuring employees the opportunity to be represented by the union of their choice. However, this alone is not sufficient if at the time of recognition of ABC, there existed a real question concerning representation. Midwest Piping & Supply Company Inc.,
As stated in N. L. R. B. v. Standard Steel Spring Co.,
“This is not a case where a company has interfered with the right of its employees to a fair, unhampered choice of their bargaining representative, or where it has intruded its economic powers to assert or encourage, or to oppose or discourage adherence to a particular labor organization. Respondent Company did not enter a race between competing unions, nor give onе an improper advantage during a campaign for the employees’ favor.” N. L. R. B. v. Standard Steel Spring Co.,180 F.2d 942 , 946 (6th Cir. 1950).
See Iowa Beef Packers, Inc. v. N. L. R. B„
We do not find that the record substantially supports the holding of the Board. The Company treated the claims of the Teamsters and ABC in substantially the same manner. N. L. R. B. v. North Electric Co.,
The Company would have us review the Board’s order directing a second election. However, the Court is without jurisdiction to do so under either Section 9(d) or Sections 10(e) and (f) of the Act.
“American Federation of Labor v. NLRB, 1940,308 U.S. 401 ,60 S.Ct. 300 ,84 L.Ed. 347 ; [and] NLRB v. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, 1940,308 U.S. 413 ,60 S.Ct. 306 ,84 L.Ed. 354 , * * * [made it] * * * clear that Courts of Appeals do not have the power to review representation proceedings. And jurisdiction does not come into being because the representation order arises out of a consolidated hearing as to which the Court of Appeals has jurisdiction to review the order concerning unfair labor practices.” Hendrix Manufacturing Co. v. N. L. R. B.,321 F.2d 100 , 106 (5th Cir. 1963).
See Boire v. Greyhound Corp.,
In Case No. 18,566 and Case No. 18,-650 we conclude there was no error in the proceedings before the Trial Examinеr or the Board. Accordingly, the Board’s order will be enforced without modification.
In Case No. 18,567 we find there was not substantial evidence supporting the Board’s decision. Therefore, enforcement of the Board’s order will be denied.
Notes
. The Board’s decisions are reported at 170 N.L.R.B. No. 19 (March 7, 1968) and 170 N.L.R.B. No. 20 (March 7, 1968).
. Prior to the expedited election the placards had read: “Unfair labor practice. Sunbeam Bakery on strike. Local 327.” In the post-election picketing the “Unfair labor practice” portion was scratched out.
. The Teamsters lost 131-125 in the final tabulation.
. The Regional Director refused issuance of a complaint in Case No. 26-CC-94, on the charge of a violation of Section 8(b) (4) (A) and (B) of the Act, but complaints were issued on other charges. In No. 26-CP-19 violations related to picketing carried on at the American Bread Company, -while in No. 26-CC-94 violations related to secondary picketing at restaurants which handled American Bread products.
. This was a unit determination by the Board prior to the expedited election of May 28, 1965.
. This decision is rеported at 170 N.L.R.B. No. 19 (March 7, 1968).
. The Trial Examiner’s Supplemental Decision in Nos. 18,566 and 18,650 was issued on November 8, 1966. It dealt not only with Cases Nos. 26-CC-94 and 26-CP-19, but also Case No. 26-RM-182 wherein the bargaining unit had been found by the Regional Director. The Board’s decision was not filed until March 7, 1968, 170 N.L.R.B. No. 19 (March 7, 1968).
. ABC signed 170 out of 295 employees.
. This decision may be found at 170 N.L. R.B. No. 20 (March 7, 1968). It should be noted that this decision and the one at 170 N.L.R.B. No. 19 (March 7, 1968) were pending before the Board for over fifteen months. For an even longer period, the Company and ABC had been enjoying successful and peaceful relations.
. ABC had procured 170 newly signed cards out of the unit of 295.
