Law Commons^™

Labor Law - Labor-Management Relations Act - Rights Of Replaced "Economic" Strikers Under Section 8 (A)(3), David R. Macdonald S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

One hundred and seventy employees of the respondent, predominantly union members, engaged in an "economic'' strike. Thirty of them returned during the strike; the others were permanently replaced. After the strike had ceased, the union asked the respondent if it would take back the remaining strikers as soon as possible, to which the respondent replied that it would rehire them when it could. About 100 strikers then applied for employment and 73 were rehired. The remaining strikers caused a complaint to be filed, alleging discrimination in violation of section 8 (a) (3) of the amended National Labor Relations Act. The …

Labor Law - Labor-Management Relations Act - Effect Of Section 8(D) On The Right To Strike, Lawrence W. Sperling

Michigan Law Review

A union gave notice of its desire to modify the existing collective bargaining agreement sixty days before the date when, according to the terms of the contract, modification would be allowed. Eight months later, but prior to the termination date of the contract, the union called a strike. After several weeks the employees returned to work but the employer refused to reinstate them on the ground that they had struck before the expiration date of the contract in contravention of section 8(d) of the amended National Labor Relations Act and had thereby lost their employees status. On petition to the …

Labor Law - Labor-Management Relations Act - Applicable Remedies When An Employer Transers To A New Location To Avoid Dealing With A Union, John F. Dodge, Jr. S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

An interstate trucking concern with depots in numerous cities, was approached by a union seeking recognition as the bargaining representative of the office and clerical workers at one of the depots. The employer, after interrogating the employees involved as to their union affiliation, transferred the clerical work done at that depot to an office in a different city, but continued operating the trucking depot itself. The clerical employees were discharged but were offered reinstatement at the new location, together with reimbursement of the expenses of moving to the new location. Held, the employer violated sections 8(a)(1), 8(a)(3), and 8(a)(5) …

Labor Law - State Jurisdiction Over Acts Which Are Unfair Labor Practices Under Federal Labor Legislation, Eugene Alkema S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Extensive federal labor legislation under the commerce clause has created a perplexing jurisdictional problem in the state courts, which are confronted increasingly with the critical issue of possible conflict with a federal preemptive area of operation. The extent to which the federal government has superseded state jurisdiction over labor matters has remained unsettled under the current case law and the legislative history of the federal acts, and the need for clarification is apparent at a time when labor cases are reaching the courts in increasing numbers. It is natural for unions to raise the issue of lack of jurisdiction in …

Labor Law - Legality Of A Temporary Lockout As A Countermeasure To A Strike, John F. Dodge, Jr. S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

After several months of unsuccessful negotiations on a new contract, a local union of truck drivers, affiliated with the A.F.L. Teamsters International Union, struck one of the members of a multi-employer bargaining association. The following day the remaining members of the association locked out their non-striking employees after advising the union that the action was the result of the union's strike against one member of the association, and that the employees who had been laid off would be recalled if the union withdrew its picket line and ended the strike. The union processed a complaint to the National Labor Relations …

Labor Law - Objects Of Union Action - Organization Of Managers Of Retail Chain Stores As Proper Object, John F. Dodge Jr., S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The owner and operator of retail food stores located throughout the nation brought action to enjoin strike activities by the defendant union, which sought recognition as bargaining agent for managers and clerks in the local stores. Both clerks and store managers had been members of the defendant local unions since 1937, and the latter, acting under certification as bargaining representative for both groups of employees under the National Labor Relations Act, had negotiated contracts with the plaintiff covering managers and clerks continuously since that time. Upon the refusal of the plaintiff to include the store managers in the contract, or …

Constitutional Law - State Action - Trade Union's Authority Is Not Derived From The State, S. I. Shuman S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiffs claimed that defendant union and defendant company conspired to discriminate against Negro cab driver employees by means of a working regulation intended to compel plaintiffs to pick up passengers only in wards inhabited primarily by Negroes. Two bases for original jurisdiction in federal court were advanced. First, it was contended that the cause of action involved more than $3,000 and arose under the laws of the United States because the bargaining power of the union was conferred upon it by the National Labor Relations Act. Second, it was maintained that the Civil Rights Act vested jurisdiction, on the ground …

Labor Law-Relationship Of Federal And State Authority Over Labor Relations, Ralph E. Hunt S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In three recent cases, the United States Supreme Court has been required to determine the impact of federal labor relations legislation on certain state enactments in this area. The importance of these decisions, concerning a problem which has caused difficulty since enactment of the National Labor Relations Act in 1935, is increased by their consideration of the significance of the amendments contained in the Labor-Management Relations Act of 1947.

(1.) The appellant La Crosse Co., which handled interstate telephone calls, had made a collective bargaining agreement with appellant A. F. of L. union, to continue from year to year. During …

Labor Law-Compulsory Arbitration Of Labor Disputes, James A. Sprunk S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In 1947, seven states adopted legislation for compulsory arbitration of labor disputes in public utilities. Four more provide for seizure of such industries in cases of strikes or lockouts, and one prohibits picketing or interference with the service of a public utility. In addition, procedures for conciliation, mediation, or voluntary arbitration with suspension of the right to strike or lockout during such procedures, are provided by still others. Such legislative activity reflects the growing public concern regarding labor disputes and indicates that many state legislators are convinced that to secure industrial peace more is required than the mere imposition of …

Labor Law-Labor-Management Relations Act-Jurisdiction Of Federal Courts To Enjoin Unfair Labor Practices, W. J. Schrenk, Jr. S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Following a breakdown in negotiations over contract extension, plaintiff union, the certified representative of defendant's employees, sued in a federal district court, alleging that defendant was guilty of an unfair labor practice under the Labor-Management Relations Act in refusing to bargain in good faith. An injunction was sought requiring defendant to bargain with the union. The district court overruled motions' to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction and granted the relief requested. On appeal, held, reversed. The district court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit. Amazon Cotton Mills Co. v. Textile Workers Union, (C.C.A. 4th, 1948) 167 F. (2d) …

Labor Law-Some Developments During The Past Five Years-(A Service For Returning Veterans), Russell A. Smith

Michigan Law Review

It will be helpful in appraising labor relations problems of today to recall that unionism in this country has trodden a rough and thorny path over the past century. Unions were not welcomed by employers, worker inertia itself was a considerable obstacle, and by and large the general public was dubious as to the value of unionism. Facing these difficulties unions from the- beginning felt compelled to resort to self-help--the strike, the picket line, the boycott, etc.--to achieve their aims. In so doing they encountered vigorous and successful opposition in the courts, as injured economic interests, and even the government, …

Labor Unions-Suability Of Unincorporated Labor Union In Its Common Name, Joseph R. Brookshire S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff brought suit in a district court of the United States against the defendant union in its common name, and officers of the union for an alleged libel. The union was not incorporated, no substantive right protected by federal law was involved, and the state wherein the suit was brought, Illinois, did not have a statute permitting actions at law against an unincorporated association in its own name. The district court dismissed the action against the union on the ground that it was not a legal entity; the plaintiff appealed. Held, under the common law of Illinois, an unincorporated …

The Authority Of The National War Labor Board Over Labor Disputes, Leonard B. Boudin

Michigan Law Review

The National War Labor Board has reached the respectable age of two years. Supported originally only by the President's war powers, it has secured compliance with its orders, has weathered a minor congressional investigation, and has built up a body of decisions whose effect will continue after the war. These facts, as well as certain signs of the conservatism which appears to strike all government agencies at one time or another, entitle the board to a short survey of certain aspects of its jurisdiction and authority.

Reinstatement Of Employees Under The Fair Labor Standards Act, George W. Crockett, Jr.

Michigan Law Review

The Fair Labor Standards Act is one of several comprehensive federal enactments regulating the relationship between employers and their employees in interstate commerce. These enactments have not followed a common pattern, nor have the means provided for their effective administration and enforcement been the same in each instance. Taken together, however, they establish our national labor policy. The underlying theory of this policy is that employees do not stand upon an equal footing with organized management and are unable to exert, individually, sufficient bargaining power to prevent management from imposing upon them conditions of employment detrimental to their welfare and …

Labor Law - National Labor Relations Board - Conflicting Jurisdictional Areas Of National And State Labor Boards, Harry M. Nayer

Michigan Law Review

The!! National Labor Relations Board proceeded against defendant corporation, which was admittedly engaged in interstate commerce and subject to the National Labor Relations Act, to enforce its order enjoining the use of unfair labor practices and compelling the reinstatement of employees discharged because of union activities. Defendant attacked the board's jurisdiction on the ground that prior to the board's proceeding, the Wisconsin Labor Relations Board, acting under the Wisconsin labor law, had assumed jurisdiction of the case and had disposed of it, thus precluding subsequent action by the National Labor Relations Board. Held, the N. L. R. B. is …

Labor Law- Collective Bargaining Contract As Barring Questions Concerning Representation Of Employees, Charles J. O' Laughlin

Michigan Law Review

The employer entered into a collective bargaining agreement with the employees as represented by Union A, recognizing Union A as the exclusive bargaining agent and giving it a closed shop. The contract was entered into in September, 1940, and was to last until September, 1942, with a provision for certain modifications before that time. Pending negotiations for modifications, a large number of the members of Union A decided to transfer affiliation to Union B. On September 24, 1941, Union B filed a petition under the Wagner Act to be certified as the sole bargaining agent. Union A resisted …

Labor Law - Appropriate Bargaining Unit - Appropriateness Of Multiple-Plant Unit Where Majority In One Plant Oppose Such Unit, Oliver B. Crager

Michigan Law Review

The Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co., a Pennsylvania corporation, had six plants in its plate glass division located in five scattered states. In 1938 a C. I. O. affiliate filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board that the company had violated the National Labor Relations Act by dominating and interfering with a company union at the Missouri plant. The company union was not a party to the proceeding. The company consented to a stipulation and consent decree directing it to cease and desist from dominating or recognizing the company union. Shortly thereafter in certification proceedings, the board held that …

Labor Law - Power Of The Nlrb To Order Employer To Reimburse Employees For Sums Deducted From Their Wages To Support An Employer-Dominated Union, Michigan Law Review

Michigan Law Review

Defendant was engaged in a business affecting interstate commerce and was found by the National Labor Relations Board to have dominated and interfered with the administration of an employees' association. The board ordered defendant to reimburse its employees for sums deducted from their wages for association dues and assessments since the effective date of the National Labor Relations Act. The board petitioned to enforce the order. Held, a reimbursement of the money paid to the association by means of the checkoff was not authorized by the statute, and would violate the fundamental principles of equity. The dissenting judge contended …

Labor Law - Back Pay - Requirement Of Deduction For Reimbursement Of Governmental Relief Agencies, Rex B. Martin

Michigan Law Review

Having found that the petitioner, by discharging employees for union activities, had engaged in an unfair labor practice, the National Labor Relations Board ordered the employees' reinstatement with back pay, less monies received during the period of discharge for work performed upon federal, state, county, municipal or other work-relief projects, and the payment of this amount received to the appropriate fiscal agencies of the government or governments which. supplied the funds for the work-relief projects. The Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit directed enforcement of the board's order. On petition for a writ of certiorari to that court, …

Labor Law - Collective Agreements- Validity After Change Of Union Affiliation By Employees, William F. Andersen

Michigan Law Review

Among the problems raised in magnified form by the AFL-CIO schism is the determination of rights and duties under a collective agreement when there is a change in affiliation of the members of the union which negotiated the agreement. Suppose that union A, as sole bargaining representative for the employees in the particular unit, has negotiated an agreement with the employer, that thereafter a majority of union A shift their allegiance to union B. Does the agreement continue to canter rights upon employees who have changed their affiliation? Upon the employees who have not changed their affiliation? This …

The Labor Relations Acts-Their Effect On Industrial Warfare, Lennart Larson

Michigan Law Review

This article is addressed to the query whether the labor relations acts have any effect on the ends and means of labor warfare. During the hey-day of the NIRA, decisions may be found which indicated that industrial warfare for the objects within the regulatory power of the code authorities was unlawful. Strikes and picketing were enjoined where carried on for higher wages and hours, objects which were thought properly to be for code authorities to adjust. Those decisions were of dubious soundness, but they suggest an argument which may be advanced under the labor relations acts. The NIRA was of …