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LABOR LAW I:

 

AN INTRODUCTION TO U.S. LABOR RELATIONS LAW

 

Fall, 2004

Professor Ira Sills

 

Required course materials:

 

1.  The casebook [“CB”] is a set of photocopied materials edited by Karl E. Klare and entitled AN INTRODUCTION TO U.S. LABOR LAW:  CASES, LEGAL MATERIALS & PROBLEMS.  Note:  Gaps have been inserted at several points in the casebook pagination sequence of the casebook in anticipation of future updating and editing changes.

 

 

2.  STATUTORY SUPPLEMENT [“Supp”] to the Twelfth Edition of Cox, Bok, Gorman & Finkin, LABOR LAW:  CASES & MATERIALS, Foundation Press, available at the University Bookstore.

 

 

3.      Ehrenreich, Barbara – Nickel and Dimed; On (Not) Getting By In America (2001).

 

 

4.      Hoerr, John – We Can’t Eat Prestige; The Women Who Organized Harvard (1997).

 

 

5.      American Dream (video) – Produced and Directed by Barbara Kopple.

 

 

6.      Bread & Roses (video).

 

Call the bookstore (617/373-2286) or Gnomon Copy (617/536-4600) to determine if the course materials are available in advance.

 

 

 

 

Note:  Please bring the Statutory Supplement to every class session.

 

 

COURSE OUTLINE AND REQUIRED READING ASSIGNMENTS

 

 

    I.      INTRODUCTION TO EMPLOYMENT LAW

 

            A.  Course introduction and overview of structure of modern employment law

 

                  News clipping, “N.H. Man Loses Job Over 35 Cents,”  CB:  3-1 to 3-2

                  Notes & Questions CB:  3-3 to 3-5

                  The Danbury Hatters Case, CB:  3-13 to 3-16

                  Freeman & Medoff, CB:  3-25 - 3-32

                  Chart, Structures of Workplace Rights, CB:  1-1

                  Int’l Covenant, CB:  1-2

 

  II.       INTRODUCTION TO THE NLRA

 

            A.  Overview of the NLRA;  introduction to section 7 rights;  NLRB procedure  in ULP cases

 

                  Chart, Basic Labor Relations Statutes, CB:  1-3

                  Read through the National Labor Relations Act, Supp:  25-49.  On this first run-through, you may skim most of the statute aiming to get the general idea.  However, read the following sections carefully: §§ 1,2 (particularly 2(2) and 2(3), 7,8(a)(1)-(5), 8(b)(1)-(3), 9(a)-(c), 10(a)-(f), and 13.  Also, pay close attention to footnote* on Supp: 25, which explains how the statute is printed.  The cases will not make sense unless you pay careful attention to which version of the Act was in force on the relevant date.  You are responsible for a careful reading of the entire text of the statute at some point during the course.

 

                  Chart, ULP Procedure, CB:  1-4

                  Glance at reproductions of NLRB Charge forms and sample remedial notice, Supp:  126-130

                  Read:  Dunlop Commission Statistical Exhibits III-3 and III-5, CB:  1-9 and 1-12, and Chart, Case Processing Time Frames, CB:  1-14 to 1-22

                  Note, NLRA Jurisdiction and coverage, CB:  4-1 to 41e

 

            B.   Statutory definition of employee

 

                  Read NLRA  §§ 2(2), 2(3), 2(11), 2(12), 10(a), 14(a), 14(c)

                  H & H Pretzel, CB: 4-2a to 4-4

                  Packard Motor, CB:  4-5 to 4-5e

                  Notes, CB:  4-5f to 4-5g

                  Yeshiva University, CB: 4-6 to 4-15

 

 

 III.      THE SECTION 7 RIGHTS OF EMPLOYEES

 

            A.  Protected, concerted activity:  “mutual aid or protection” and “concert”, waiver of section 7 rights

 

                  Read:  NLRA  §§ 7 and 8(a)(1)

                  Chart, Elements of  § 8(a)(1) Case, CB:  5-5a

                  Memo, Legality vs. Protection, CB:  5-5b to 5-5c

                  Washington Aluminum, CB:  5-1 to 5-5

                  J. Weingarten, Inc., CB: 5-6 to 5-11

                  Sears, CB:  5-15 to 5-16

                  Prudential, CB:  5-17

                  Meyers, CB:  5-18 to 5-31b

                  Chart, Overview of s.7 Rights, CB: 5-31c

 

            B.   “Loss” of section 7 protection;  indefensible disloyalty;  partial strikes and slow-downs; worker efforts to organize production; sit-down strikes

 

                  Fansteel Metallurgical, CB:  5-32 to 5-36

                  Jefferson Standard, CB:  5-39 to 5-44

                  Notes, Indefensible Disloyalty, CB:  5-45

                  Note, Primary Boycott Appeals, 5-45a

                  Bird Engineering, CB:  5-46

                  Elk Lumber, CB:  5-49 to 5-50

                  Harrah’s, CB:  5-60 to 5-62

                  Chart, Loss of  § 7 Protection, CB:  5-70

 

 IV.      THE PROCESS OF ORGANIZATION

 

            A.  Access to the premises

 

                  Access to employer premises;  constitutional, statutory, and common law considerations, what does it mean to say that “the workplace belongs to the employer” or “the workplace is the employer’s property”?

 

                  Republic Aviation, CB:  6-1 to 6-4

                  Note, Access Presumptions, CB:  6-5

                  Beth Israel, CB:  6-6 to 6-15

                  Read:  NLRA  §§ 2(14) and 8(g)

                  Northeastern University, 1st. excerpt, CB:  6-16 to 6-17

                  Eastex, CB:  6-18 to 6-24

                  Problem, CB:  6-25

 

                  Access, con’d;   the distinction between employees and nonemployees organizers; waiver

 

                  Babcock & Wilcox, CB:  6-30 to 6-33

                  Lechmere, CB:  6-34 to 6-41

                  Shack, CB:  6-42 to 6-45

                  Optional:  N.J. Coalition, CB:  6-46 to 6-60

                  Note, Off Duty Employees, CB:  6-61 to 6-62

                  Magnavox, CB:  6-63 to 6-66

                  Outline, Factors Analyzed in Access Cases, CB:  6-75 to 6-76

 

            B.   Campaign tactics

 

            1.   Employer campaign tactics;  use of supervisors;  playing hardball;  racism, sexism, and collective action

                  Discussion problem, CB:  7-1

                  United Packinghouse Workers, CB:  7-2 to 7-5

                  Note, Race & Gender Discrimination Under the NLRA, CB:  7-6 to 7-8

                  Deutsch excerpt, CB:  7-8a to 7-8d

                  Georgine Testimony CB: 7-60 to 7-72

                  A&E Stores, CB: 7-52 to 7-53 (Review, CB: 1-9 to 1-10)

 

            2.   Employer campaign speech;  the Board’s ULP jurisdiction vs. its representation election jurisdiction;  “objectionable conduct”, “laboratory conditions”, threats vs. predictions;  First Amendment considerations;  a Canadian comparison

 

                  Federbush Co., CB:  7-9

                  Virginia Electric & Power, CB:  7-10 to 7-12

                  Read NLRA s. 8(c)

                  General Shoe Corp., CB:  7-13 to 7-15

                  Chart, CB: 7-15a

                  Dal-Tex Optical, CB:  7-16 to 7-20

                  Gissel Packing (1st. excerpt), CB:  7-21 to 7-23

                  American Airlines, CB: 7-24 to 7-27

                  Problems, CB:  7-28 to 7-29a

 

            3.   Employer campaign speech, con’d;  racial speech;  misrepresentation;  on-site right to reply?;  interrogation;  promise of benefit;  grant of benefit

 

                  Exchange Parts, CB:  7-30 to 7-32

                  Sewell Mfg., CB:  7-35 to 7-39

                  Archer Laundry, CB:  7-40 to 7-43

                  Livingston Shirt Corp., B\CB:  7-46 to 7-49

                  May Dep’t. Stores Co., CB:  7-50 to 7-51

 

            4.   Discriminatory discharge;  discriminatory refusal to hire;  retaliatory plant closure;  runaway shops

 

                  Read:  NLRA  § 8(a)(3) [at this point, you need read only the first three lines of this section, up to the Proviso]; § 10(m)

                  Read:  Dunlop Statistical Exhibit III-4, CB: 1-9 to 1-11

                  Elements of an 8(a)(3) Discrimination Case, CB:  8-1 to 8-3

                  Note on Phelps Dodge, CB:  8-4

                  Edward G. Budd Mfg., CB:  8-10

                  Burnup & Sims, Inc., CB:  8-11 to 8-12

                  Wright Line, CB:  8-20 to 8-25

                  A & T Mfg. Co., CB:  8-26 to 8-31

                  Jupiter 8, CB:  8-32

                  Discussion problem, CB:  8-35 and 8-40

                  Darlington Mfg. Co., CB:  8-50 to 8-54

                  Weather Tamer, CB:  8-60 to 8-62

                  Problem, CB:  8-64

 

            C.  Employer domination of labor organizations;  company unions;  contemporary employee participation programs

 

                  Read:  NLRA  §§ 2(5), 8(a)(2)

                  Classic s. 8(a)(2), CB:  9-1 to 9-1c

                  Northeastern University, 2nd. excerpt, CB:  9-2 to 9-5

                  Streamway, CB:  9-6 to 9-11

                  Electromation, CB:  9-13 to 9-21

                  Klare testimony, CB:  9-35 to 9-45

                  Optional, CB:  9-50 to 9-54

                  Team Act, CB:  9-50 to 9-51

 

   V.     OBTAINING REPRESENTATION RIGHTS

 

            A.  Representation elections; R-Case procedure;  question concerning representation (QCR); appropriate bargaining units;  conduct of the election;  time-bar doctrines

 

                  Read:  NLRA § 9

                  Chart, R-Case Procedure, CB:  1-5

                  See:  Reproduction of Petition Form, Supp:  124-125

                  See:  Sample Union authorization Card, CB:  1-6

                  Read:  Dunlop Commission Statistical Exhibits III-1 and III-2, CB:  1-7 and 1-8, and Chart

                  Case Processing Time Frames, CB:  1-13, R-Case Outcomes, CB: 1-19

                  QCR, CB:  10-1

                  Time Bars, CB: 10-1a to 10-1b

                  Sample Units, CB: 10-1c to 10-1e

                  Cobble, CB: 10-2 to 10-5a

                  Klare, CB:  10-6 to 10-9

            B.   Other means of obtaining bargaining rights;  bargaining orders;  voluntary recognition (“card-check”);  recognitional strikes;  withdrawal of recognition; pre-hire agreements

 

                  Note, ILGWU, CB:  10-12

                  Read S. 8 (F) NLRA

                  Note, Polling Employees, CB:  10-15

                  Gissel Packing, 2nd. excerpt, CB:  10-20 to 10-33

                  Review Memo, CB:  10-34 to 10-35

                  Linden Lumber, CB:  10-40 to 10-46

                  Withdrawal of Recognition, CB:  10-51

 

  VI.     ECONOMIC WEAPONS STRIKES, BOYCOTTS, PICKETING, LOCKOUTS, AND

            OTHER TACTICS

 

            A.  Constitutional power to regulate labor-management conflict and tactics;  the role of economic weapons in the NLRA industrial relations model;  once gain:  the distinction between protected activities, unprotected but legal activities, and prohibited/illegal activities

 

                  Note, Right to Strike, CB:  11-20 to 11-27

                  Note and excerpts, “Constitutional Treatment of Picketing,” CB: 11-30 to 11-35

                  Insurance Agents’ Int’l.  Union, CB:  11-40 to 11-48

                  Re-read:  Chart, Categories of Labor Activity, CB: 5-5b to 5-5c

 

            B.   The distinction between economic strikes and unfair labor practice strikes;  strike replacements;  post strike order of recall;  other strike resistance tactics;  waiver

 

                  Mackay Radio, CB:  12-1 to 12-4

                  Note, Categories of Strikes, CB:  12-5

                  Proposed legislation on Mackay, CB:  12-6 to 12-7

                  Excerpt, British Columbia Labour Code, CB:  12-10

                  Fleetwood, CB:  12-11 to 12-13

                  Note on Laidlaw, CB:  12-14

 

            C.  Strike resistance, con’d;  lockouts and replacements

 

                  Erie Resistor, CB:  12-21 to 122-26

                  Great Dane, CB:  12-27 to 12-29

                  Note, TWA Case, CB:  12-30 to 12-35

                  Gem City, CB:  12-36

                  Balancing Weapons, CB:  12-36a

                  Illegal Motive, CB:  12-36b to 12-36c

                  American Ship Building, CB:  12-37 to 12-45

                  Note, Categories of Lockouts, CB:  12-46

                  Note on Brown, CB:  12-47

                  Note on Harter Equipment, CB:  12-48

           

            D.  Waiver of the right to strike;  no-strike clauses;  wildcat strikes;  strikes and representation rights

 

                  Read:  NLRA § 8(d)

                  Read:  Article XIII of sample collective bargaining agreement, Supp:  120

                  Note on Sands Manufacturing, CB:  12-49

                  Mastro Plastics, CB:  12-50 to 12-55

                  Note on Mastro Plastics, CB:  12-56

                  Note on TNS, Inc., CB:  12-60 to 61

                  Read s. 502 LMRA, Supp:  64

 

            E.   Sympathy Strikes, Waiver, Strike Discipline

                  Manpower Inc., CB:  12-70 to 12-75

                  Indianapolis Power and Light, CB:  12-76

                  Allis Chalmers and Notes  CB:  12-80 to 12-84

                  Pattern Makers League, CB:  12-85 to 12-97

 

 VII.     MAJORITY RULE & THE DUTY TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH

 

            A.  The principle of majority rule;  dissenting concerted activity

 

                  Read:  NLRA §§ 8(a)(5), 8(b)(3), and 9(a)

                  J.I. Case and Notes, CB:  15-1 to 15-6

                  Emporium Capwell, CB:  15-15 to 15-25

 

            B.   Good faith bargaining; hard bargaining vs. surface bargaining;  information disclosure;  “freedom of contract” in American collective bargaining theory;  the first-contract problem

 

 

                  Read:  NLRA § 8(d)

                  Reed & Prince, CB:  16-1 to 16-7

                  A-1, CB:  16-11 to 16-15

                  H.J. Heinz, CB: 16-17 to 16-18

                  Problem, CB: 16-19 to 16-20

                  H.K. Porter, CB:  16-21 to 16-26

                  Chart, First Contract Success Rate, CB:  1-15

                  Ontario Labour Relations Amendments, CB:  16-27

                  Excerpt British Columbia Labour Code, CB:  16-28

                  Weiler Data, CB:  1-20

 

            C.  Unilateral changes;  impasse;  the subjects of bargaining doctrine; mandatory, permissive, and illegal subject of collective bargaining;  the management rights clause and the waiver of “co-participation rights”;  the “core of entrepreneurial control” doctrine

 

                  Crompton-Highland, CB”  17-1 to 17-2

                  Note on Katz, CB:  17-3 to 17-4

                  Note on Midterm Bargaining, CB:  17-4a to 17-4c

                  American Nat’l. Insurance Co., CB:  17-5 to 17-10

                  Read:  Article III, sample collective bargaining agreement, Supp:  114

                  Borg-Warner, CB:  17-11 to 17-15

                  Chart, Subjects of Bargaining Doctrine, CB:  17-16

                  Categorization of Bargaining Doctrine, CB:  17-17 to 17-18a

                  Polish Strikers, CB:  17-19

 

            D.  The duty top bargain over the firm’s strategic decision, decision-bargaining vs. effects-bargaining;  midterm bargaining, waiver, and zipper clauses

 

                  Fibreboard Paper Products, CB:  17-25 to 17-32

                  First Nat’l. Maintenance, CB:  17-33 to 17-42

                  UFCW, CB:  17-43 to 17-52

                  News Clipping, CB:  17-53 to 17-54

                  Clause Talk, CB:  17-55 to 17-56

                  For discussion:  Proposed Legislation, CB:  17-57

                  Read:  Article XVII, sample collective bargaining agreement, Supp: 122

 

            E.   Capital mobility and successorship corporate reorganization, privitation and union avoidance; bankruptcy and the duty to bargain

 

                  John Wiley & Sons, CB:  18-1 to 18-3

                  Burns, CB:  18-4 to 18-11

                  Howard Johnson CB:  18-12 to 18-19

                  News Clipping, CB:  18-19a to 18-19b

                  Saks, CB:  18-20 to 18-24

                  Harley-Davidson, CB:  18-30 to 18-31

                  Wheelabrator, CB:  18-32 to 18-53