Universal Manufacturing Co, Inc.

UNIVERSAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC.and UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA, CIO, Petitioner. Case No. 15-RC-1012. March 22, 1954 DECISION AND DIRECTION OF ELECTION Upon a petition filed under Section 9 (c) of the National Labor Relations Act, a hearing was held before Paul A. Cassady, hearing officer. The hearing officer's rulings made at the hearing are free from prejudicial error and are hereby affirmed. Upon the entire record in this case, the Board finds: 1. The Employer is engaged in commerce within the meaning of the Act. 2. The labor organizations involved claim to represent cer- tain employees of the Employer. 3. A question affecting commerce exists concerning the representation of certain employees of the Employer, within the meaning of Section 9 (c) (1) and Section 2 (6) and (7) of the Act. 4. The Steelworkers petitions for a plantwide unit, in which the Intervenor, the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Shipbuilders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, A. F. L., was certified as exclusive representative in 1951. At the hearing, the Boilermakers argued that a unit composed of welder-burners and maintenance men was also appropriate, although it admitted that such a unit was not composed of true craftsmen. The Employer took no position on the unit. The Steelworkers contends, among other things, that the Board should adhere to its policy of refusing severance of mainte- nance department units. There is no question but that these employees do not constitute a traditional "departmental unit." As the Boilermakers concedes that the unit it seeks is not composed of true craftsmen, we find that for th4t reason alone it is inappropriate for severance purposes. Accordingly, we find that the following employees of the Employer constitute a unit appropriate for the purposes of collective bargaining within the meaning of Section 9 (b) of the Act: All production and maintenance employees at the Employer's Bossier City, Louisiana, plant, excluding office clerical em- ployees, professional employees, guards and watchmen, and supervisors as defined in the Act. [Text of Direction of Election omitted from publication.] Member Beeson took no part in the consideration of the above Decision and Direction of Election. 108 NLRB No. 2 339676 0 - 55 - 2 1