National Labor Relations Board, Petitioner, v. Bricklayers Local No. 7, Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers'international Union of America, Afl-cio, Respondent, 563 F.2d 977 (9th Cir. 1977)

The issue on this appeal is whether there is substantial evidence on the record as a whole to support the Board's finding that the Union violated sections 8(b) (2) and (b) (1) (A) of the National Labor Relations Act. It was asserted that the union forced the company to terminate the employment of Charles Toney without legitimate basis and because Toney was not a member of the Union.

The underlying facts are undisputed.¹  Toney had worked for his employer for two years continuously when he asked the company superintendent for four to six weeks vacation leave. Although there was no contractual requirement that Local No. 7 be notified, Toney did notify the steward of Local No. 7 of his plans. On November 8, 1974, the company laid off six employees for lack of work. On November 11, 1974, Toney returned to work. The other bricklayers refused to work under orders of the union steward and the company was notified that Toney would have to be discharged and return as a "new hire." Toney was thereupon terminated and the other bricklayers returned to work.

Upon these facts the Board found, contrary to the Administrative Law Judge, that the Union had violated sections 8(b) (2) and (b) (1) (A) by causing the company to terminate Toney without a legitimate reason for doing so. It is clear that a union is forbidden under section 8(b) (2) to discriminate against an employee in violation of section (a) (3). A union does so discriminate when it causes interference with an employee's employment status on arbitrary grounds. Kling v. NLRB, 503 F.2d 1044 (9th Cir. 1975). See Radio Officers v. NLRB, 347 U.S. 17, 74 S. Ct. 323, 98 L. Ed. 455 (1954).

Here, where the employee was exercising legitimate leave authorized by the company, he was not a "new hire" upon his return to work and the Union was acting in violation of the law in causing Toney's discharge. Kling v. NLRB, supra at 1044.

The Board's order will be enforced.