Service Abatement Co.

303 NLRB No. 117 DOR D--2117 Jewett, TX UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BEFORE THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD SERVICE ABATEMENT COMPANY and ASBESTOS WORKERS LOCAL NO. 21, AFFILIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION DF HEAT AND FROST INSULATORS AND ASBESTOS WORKERS Case July 23,1991 By Members Devoney, Oriatt, and Randelaugh DECISION AND ORDER On May 23, 1991, the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board issued a complaint alleging that the Respondent has violated Section 8(a) (5) and (1) of the National Labor Relations Act by refusing the Union's request to bargain following the Union's certification in Case 16--RC--9333. (Official notice is taken of the ''record'' in the representation proceeding as defined in the Board's Rules and Regulations, Secs. 102.68 and 102.69(g); Frontier Hotel, 265 NLRB 343 (1982).) The Respondent filed an answer admitting in part and denying in part the allegations in the complaint. On June 13, 1991, the General Counsel filed a Motion for Summary Judgment. On June 18, 1991, the Board issued an order transferring the proceeding to the Board and a Notice to Show Cause why the motion should not be granted. The Respondent did not file a response. The National Labor Relations Board has delegated its authority in this proceeding to a three-member panel. 303 NLRB No. 117 D--2117 Ruling on Motion for Summary Judgment In its answer the Respondent admits its refusal to bargain, but attacks the validity of the certification on the basis of its objections to the election in the representation proceeding. All representation issues raised by the Respondent were or could have been litigated in the prior representation proceeding. The Respondent does not offer to adduce at a hearing any newly discovered and previously unavailable evidence, nor does it allege any special circumstances that would require the Board to reexamine the decision made in the representation proceeding. We therefore find that the Respondent has not raised any representation issue that is properly litigable in this unfair labor practice proceeding. See Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. V. NLRB, 313 U.S. 146, 162 (1941). Accordingly, we grant the Motion for Summary Judgment. On the entire record, the Board makes the following Findings of Fact I. Jurisdiction The Respondent, a Texas corporation with an office and place of business in Beaumont, Texas, is engaged in the business of asbestos abatement, performing services for the Houston Light and Power Company in Jewett, Texas, the jobsite involved. During the 12 months preceding issuance of the complaint, the Respondent in the course and conduct of its operations provided services valued in excess of $50,000 directly to customers located outside the State of Texas. The Respondent admits and we find that the Respondent is an employer within the meaning of Section 2(6) and (7) of the Act and that the Union is a labor organization within the meaning of Section 2(5) of the Act. D--2117 II. Alleged Unfair Labor Practices A. The Certification Following the election held October 25, 1990, the Union was certified on March 15, 1991, as the collective-bargaining representative of the employees in the following appropriate unit: All insulating employees employed at the Houston Light & Power facility in Limestone County near Jewett, Texas during the payroll period ending September 7, 1990; excluding all other employees, including office clericals, guards, supervisors and others as defined in the Act. The Union continues to be the exclusive representative under Section 9(a) of the Act. B. Refusal to Bargain Since on or about April 11, 1991, the Union has requested the Respondent to bargain, and, since on or about April 15, 1991, the Respondent has refused. We find that this refusal constitutes an unlawful refusal to bargain in violation of Section 8(a) (5) and (1) of the Act. Conclusions of Law By refusing on and after April 15, 1991, to bargain with the Union as the exclusive collective-bargaining representative of employees in the appropriate unit, the Respondent has engaged in unfair labor practices affecting commerce within the meaning of Section 8(a)(5) and (1) and Section 2(6) and (7) of the Act. Remedy Having found that the Respondent has violated Section 8(a) (5) and (1) of the Act, we shall order it to cease and desist, to bargain on request with the Union, and, if an understanding is reached, to embody the understanding in a signed agreement. To ensure that the employees are accorded the services of their selected bargaining agent for the period provided by law, we shall construe the initial D--2117 period of the certification as beginning the date the Respondent begins to bargain in good faith with the Union. Mar-Jac Poultry Co., 136 NLRB 785 (1962); Lamar Hotel, 140 NLRB 226, 229 (1962), enfd. 328 F.2d 600 (5th Cir. 1964), cert. denied 379 U.S. 817 (1964); Burnett Construction Co., 149 NLRB 1419, 1421 (1964), enfd. 350 F.2d 57 (10th Cir. 1965). ORDER The National Labor Relations Board orders that the Respondent, Service Abatement Company, Jewett, Texas, its officers, agents, successors, and assigns, shall 1. Cease and desist from (a) Refusing to bargain with Asbestos Workers Local No. 21, affiliated with International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, as the exclusive bargaining representative of the employees in the bargaining unit. (b) In any like or related manner interfering with, restraining, or coercing employees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed them by Section 7 of the Act. 2. Take the following affirmative action necessary to effectuate the policies of the Act. (a) On request, bargain with the Union as the exclusive representative of the employees in the following appropriate unit on terms and conditions of employment and, if an understanding is reached, embody the understanding in a signed agreement: All insulating employees employed at the Houston Light & Power facility in Limestone County near Jewett, Texas during the payroll period ending September 7, 1990; excluding all other employees, including office clericals, guards, supervisors and others as defined in the Act. D--2117 (b) Post at its facility in Jewett, Texas, copies of the attached notice marked ''Appendix. ... Copies of the notice, on forms provided by the Regional Director for Region 16, after being signed by the Respondent's authorized representative, shall be posted by the Respondent immediately upon receipt and maintained for 60 consecutive days in conspicuous places including all places where notices to employees are customarily posted. Reasonable steps shall be taken by the Respondent to ensure that the notices are not altered, defaced, or covered by any other material. (c) Notify the Regional Director in writing within 20 days from the date of this Order what steps the Respondent has taken to comply. Dated, Washington, D.C. July 23, 1991 Dennis M. Devaney, Member Clifford R. Oviatt, Jr., Member John N. Raudabaugh, Member NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD (SEAL) 1 If this Order is enforced by a judgment of a United States court of appeals, the words in the notice reading ''POSTED BY ORDER OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD'' shall read ''POSTED PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS ENFORCING AN ORDER OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD. D--2117 APPENDIX NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES Posted by Order of the National Labor Relations Board An Agency of the United States Government The National Labor Relations Board has found that we violated the National Labor Relations Act and has ordered us to post and abide by this notice. WE WILL NOT refuse to bargain with Asbestos Workers Local No. 21, affiliated with International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Asbestos Workers, as the exclusive representative of the employees in the bargaining unit. WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner interfere with, restrain, or coerce you in the exercise of the rights guaranteed you by Section 7 of the Act. WE WILL, on request, bargain with the Union and put in writing and sign any agreement reached on terms and conditions of employment for our employees in the bargaining unit: All insulating employees employed at the Houston Light & Power facility in Limestone County near Jewett, Texas during the payroll period ending September 7, 1990; excluding all other employees, including office clericals, guards, supervisors and others as defined in the Act. SERVICE ABATEMENT COMPANY (Employer) Dated By (Representative) (Title) This is an official notice and must not be defaced by anyone. This notice must remain posted for 60 consecutive days from the date of posting and must not be altered, defaced, or covered by any other material. Any questions concerning this notice or compliance with its provisions may be directed to the Board's Office, 819 Taylor Street, Room 8A24, Forth Worth, Texas 76102-6178, Telephone 817--334--2921.