Penello v. Retail Store Employees Local Union No. 692

188 F. Supp. 192, 46 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 3021, 1960 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3648
District Court, D. Maryland·Decided September 23, 1960·No. Civ. No. 12472·Published·Cited by 9 cases

Opinion

THOMSEN, Chief Judge.

Facts

This proceeding is before the court on a petition of the Regional Director of the Fifth Region of the National Labor Relations Board, on behalf of the Board, pursuant to sec. 10(f) of the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, 61 Stat. 149, 73 Stat. 544, 29 U.S.C.A. § 160 (Í), for a temporary injunction pending the final disposition of a charge filed by Irvins, Inc., against respondent Union. The charge alleges that respondent has engaged in an unfair labor practice within the meaning of sec. 158(b) (7) (B),1 set out at the beginning of the “Discussion”, below, which proscribes recogni-tional and organizational picketing within twelve months after a valid election.

The petition filed herein is based on petitioner’s conclusion that there is reasonable cause to believe that respondent has engaged in the unfair labor practice charged and that a complaint of the Board based on that charge should issue. The injunctive relief prayed is interlocutory to the final determination of the charge pending before the Board. This court must decide, from the evidence taken in this court proceeding, whether there is reasonable cause to believe that there has been such a violation and what relief is “just and proper”. Sec. 160 (l)•

Most of the facts are stipulated. The dispute is about the inferences and conclusions to be drawn from respondent’s acts, and about the proper construction of sec. 158(b) (7).

Findings of Fact

Irvins operates four department stores in Baltimore selling soft goods. It caters to a working-class clientele. [196] All sales are for cash and there are few deliveries, but it is conceded that the requisite amount of interstate commerce is involved. Respondent is a labor organization within the meaning of secs. 152(5), 158(6) and (7) and 160(1).

Early in 1960 respondent began a campaign to organize the employees of Irvins, visiting their homes, mailing them literature, giving out leaflets at the stores, and obtaining “cards” signed by individual employees authorizing respondent to represent them for the purpose of collective bargaining. On May 6, 1960, respondent notified the Regional Director that it had been conducting such an organizational campaign for more than three months, and complained that the management had threatened to discharge employees who attended Union meetings.

On May 9 respondent filed with the Regional Director a petition for certification of representatives, seeking a unit of all employees in the employer’s retail establishments, excluding all employees in the employer’s warehouse and offices at 9 South Bond Street, watchmen, guards, drivers and supervisors. On May 26 a hearing was held on that petition, the sole issue being the composition of the appropriate unit for the purposes of collective bargaining. At the close of the hearing respondent withdrew its petition.

On May 31 respondent commenced picketing the Irvins’ stores with signs reading: “Irvins refuses to recognize Local 692 — Retail Store Employees Union — R.C.I.A., AFL-CIO”.

On June 10 Irvins filed a charge under sec. 158(b) (7) (C), alleging in substance that the picketing was being conducted without a petition under sec. 159 (c) having been timely filed. On June 13 respondent filed a second petition for certification of representatives, similar to its earlier petition, but seeking an expedited election under sec. 158(b) (7) (C). On June 17 the Regional Director advised Irvins that its charge under sec. 158(b) (7) (C) had been dismissed. On the same day the Regional Director forwarded to Irvins and to respondent notice of an election, to be held on June 23.

On June 22 respondent filed charges alleging that “The Company, by its Officers and Agents, by acts of interference, such as intimidation, threats and coercion, and by other acts and conduct, it, by its Officers and Agents, interfered with, restrained and coerced its employees in the exercise of their rights guaranteed in Section 7 of said Act.” The Regional Director postponed the election which had been scheduled for June 23, pending disposition of respondent’s charges. On June 30 respondent filed further charges against Irvins, specifying the alleged acts of intimidation.

On July 8 respondent and Irvins entered into a settlement agreement disposing of the charges in both cases, pursuant to which Irvins posted notices set out in Note 2, below.

[197] On August 9 the Regional Director, having determined that a free and un-coerced election could be conducted, rescheduled the election for August 18, and notified the parties that a pre-election conference would be held on August 17. On August 15 respondent sent a telegram to Irvins requesting equal time to address the employees. No action was taken on this request.

On August 18 the election was held at the five voting places specified, respondent appearing as the only Union on the ballot. The election resulted in a clear defeat for the Union. On August 26 the Regional Director sent respondent and Irvins a Certificate of the Result of Election.

Meanwhile, on August 19, respondent had written Irvins as follows:

“In view of the results of the National Labor Relations Board election Retail Store Employees Union, Local No. 692, AFL-CIO, hereby withdraws any demands for collective bargaining representation for the Irvins store employees. Our Union does not intend to request recognition, nor will we accept recognition until the majority of the employees indicate their desire to be represented by our Union.
“However, due to your conduct and that of your supervisors, agents and representatives threatening, coercing and intimidating your employees, our Union feels that it is obligated to the Baltimore Labor movement and the people of this city to inform them of your anti-uniom position. Labor-hating and labor-baiting are things of the past, our Union plans to advertise to the pub- • lie what we consider your reprehensible anti-union position.
“We once again reiterate — we are not requesting nor will we accept recognition as the collective bargaining representative of your employees, until a majority indicate their desire to be represented by our Local Union.”

Respondent continued its picketing of the four Irvins retail stores, changing its signs to read: “This is a Non Union Store. Irvins Opposes Union for its Employees. Please Do Not Patronize Retail Store. Employees Union Local 692— R.C.I.A., AFL-CIO”.

On August 29 Irvins filed the charges against respondent under sec. 158(b) (7) (B), which are now pending before the Board.3

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Penello v. Retail Store Employees Local Union No. 692, 188 F. Supp. 192, 46 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 3021, 1960 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3648 (D. Md. 1960).

188 F. Supp. 192 (Penello v. Retail Store Employees Local Union No. 692) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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