370 NLRB No. 36
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL UNION NO. 100, AFFILIATED WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHER
370 NLRB No. 36
NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before publication in the
bound volumes of NLRB decisions. Readers are requested to notify the Ex-
ecutive Secretary, National Labor Relations Board, Washington, D.C.
20570, of any typographical or other formal errors so that corrections can
be included in the bound volumes.
Truck Drivers, Chauffeurs and Helpers Local Union
No. 100, affiliated with the International Broth-
erhood of Teamsters (Beta Productions LLC) and
Samuel J. Bucalo. Case 09‒CB‒232458
October 21, 2020
DECISION AND ORDER
BY CHAIRMAN RING AND MEMBERS KAPLAN AND
EMANUEL
On October 24, 2019, Administrative Law Judge Arthur
J. Amchan issued the attached decision. The General
Counsel and Respondent each filed exceptions and a sup-
porting brief.
The National Labor Relations Board has delegated its
authority in this proceeding to a three-member panel
The Board has considered the decision and the record in
light of the exceptions and briefs and has decided to affirm
the judge’s rulings, findings, and conclusions only to the
extent consistent with this Decision and Order.1
I. INTRODUCTION
This case involves the hiring hall rules the Respondent
Union promulgated in June 2018 after entering into a set-
tlement agreement that resolved two unfair labor practice
charges filed against it by union dissident Samuel Bucalo.2
That agreement required the Union, among other things,
to refer individuals in accordance with written, objective
standards. In a nutshell, the rules the Union adopted pro-
vide as follows.
First, resident active (i.e., non-retiree) drivers are given
priority over nonresident active drivers.
Second, all active drivers—regardless of their resi-
dence—are given priority over retirees, i.e., individuals
who currently receive a pension or Social Security retire-
ment benefits. Thus, the rules place retired drivers such
as Bucalo in the lowest priority group, below active driv-
ers who reside both within and outside the Union’s terri-
torial jurisdiction. Applying Wright Line,3 the judge
found the preference for all active drivers over retired
drivers was motivated by animus towards Bucalo’s dissi-
dent union activities and therefore unlawful.
1 We shall modify the judge’s recommended Order to conform to our
findings and the Board’s standard remedial language, and in accordance
with our recent decision in Danbury Ambulance Service, Inc., 369 NLRB
No. 68 (2020). We shall substitute a new notice to conform to the Order
as modified.
2 We recently found, in connection with another unfair labor practice
charge filed by Bucalo, that the Respondent Union violated Sec. 8(b)(2)
and 8(b)(1)(A) by failing to refer Bucalo to a job in early 2018. See
Third, resident active drivers are given priority over
other resident active drivers depending upon their experi-
ence performing “Teamster work” in the “Teamsters
Movie Industry” (and the same is true with respect to the
nonresident active drivers). The judge found that this pro-
vision was also unlawful.
The Respondent excepts, claiming that the complaint
should be dismissed in its entirety. The General Counsel
also excepts, contending, among other things, that the
preference for active drivers is unlawfully arbitrary even
absent evidence of unlawful motivation. As explained be-
low, we reverse the judge’s Wright Line finding, and we
find no merit in the General Counsel’s exception. We
agree, however, that granting priority to drivers based on
experience performing “Teamster work” in the “Team-
sters Movie Industry” is unlawful.
II. ANALYSIS
A. The Preference for Active Drivers Over Retirees
We disagree with the judge’s finding that the Respond-
ent’s decision to place retirees in the lowest priority group
for referral to film work was unlawful under the Wright
Line analytical framework.4 Wright Line requires proof of
unlawful motivation. Although the Respondent knew of
Bucalo’s dissident union activity prior to promulgating the
referral rules, we find that the General Counsel failed to
carry his burden of showing that the Union structured its
referral preferences the way it did because of opposition
to Bucalo’s dissident union activity.
The judge cited three reasons in support of his finding
the referral preferences unlawfully motivated. First, the
judge observed that Bucalo’s “name came up in the Un-
ion’s discussions during the drafting of the referral policy
for reasons not adequately explained.” But, as the judge
noted elsewhere, Transportation Captain Metzger men-
tioned Bucalo’s name in the context of discussing his de-
sire for rules to address absenteeism. The record indicates
that Metzger truthfully stated that Bucalo had missed work
recently, but that fortunately, he (Metzger) had been able
to find someone to cover for Bucalo. In addition, the rec-
ord in Wicked Films, of which the judge took administra-
tive notice by agreement of the parties, shows that before
referring Bucalo to work on a different movie, Metzger
had told him that drivers were not allowed to miss work,
and that Bucalo missed work on that job. In these
Truck Drivers, Chauffeurs & Helpers Union Local No. 100 (Wicked
Films, LLC), 370 NLRB No. 15 (2020) (Wicked Films).
3 251 NLRB 1083 (1980), enfd. 662 F.2d 899 (1st Cir. 1981), cert.
denied 455 U.S. 989 (1982).
4 Chairman Ring agrees that the Union treated retirees lawfully under
its referral rules, but he expresses no view as to whether Sec. 8(b)(2)
allegations should be analyzed under Wright Line.
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
2
circumstances, the mere fact that Bucalo’s name “came
up” in discussions of absenteeism does not support a find-
ing that the Union’s treatment of retirees for referral pur-
poses was unlawfully motivated.
Second, the judge noted that the Union was obligated to
promulgate referral rules as a result of unfair labor prac-
tice charges filed by Bucalo. However, the judge points
to no evidence that any Union official was angry or resent-
ful about having to promulgate written referral rules. And
the settlement agreement that required the Union to do so
contained a nonadmissions clause and thus does not con-
stitute evidence of animus. See Metal Assemblies, Inc.,
156 NLRB 194, 194 fn. 1, 200 fn. 16 (1965). Neither do
the allegations in Bucalo’s settled charges. See Diamond
Electric Mfg. Corp., 346 NLRB 857, 859 (2006) (rejecting
claim that presettlement allegations constituted evidence
of animus where the allegations were encompassed by an
informal settlement agreement containing a nonadmis-
sions clause); accord BPH & Co., Inc. v. NLRB, 333 F.3d
213, 222 (D.C. Cir. 2003) (Where parties enter into an in-
formal settlement agreement containing a nonadmissions
clause, the charged party “has not agreed to remedy unfair
labor practices. Rather, [it] has agreed to take certain ac-
tions to secure a dismissal of the pending unfair labor
practice charges—nothing more and nothing less.”) (em-
phasis in original). Accordingly, we find that the second
factor relied on by the judge does not support a finding of
unlawful motivation.
Third, the referral rules went through three drafts, and
the judge found that the Union did not adequately explain
the change in the treatment of retirees from draft to draft.
The initial draft placed retirees in the lowest priority
group. After a handful of experienced drivers with whom
the Union was consulting opined that resident retirees
should be afforded preference over nonresident (but not
resident) active drivers, a union attorney circulated a sec-
ond draft incorporating that suggestion. Subsequently,
however, the Union’s executive board decided that it was
not appropriate to put retirees ahead of nonresidents who
were trying make a living, and the Union’s attorney re-
vised the second draft accordingly.
We disagree with the judge’s finding that the changes
from draft to draft were inadequately explained. The ex-
perienced drivers suggested a change, and the Union’s at-
torney revised the initial draft to incorporate their
5 In Wicked Films, we found it unnecessary to pass on the judge’s
finding that the Union’s failure to refer Bucalo was unlawful under
Wright Line. 370 NLRB No. 15, slip op. at 1 fn. 1.
6 After unsuccessfully running for union president, Bucalo posted an
open letter on Facebook, which stated, “I am ashamed [of Webster] for
his dishonesty and for his selling-out the membership. I believe his leg-
acy will be that he fostered corruption and weak leadership at the Union
hall.” Bucalo blamed his loss on poor voter turnout, and he asserted that
suggestion. There is no evidence that the Union’s seven-
member executive board instructed the attorney to do so,
and there is no evidence that the Union delegated final de-
cision-making authority over the referral rules to this
handful of experienced drivers. It strikes us as entirely
reasonable, therefore, that the Union’s executive board de-
cided to review the recommendation of the experienced
drivers. Moreover, no version of the rules treated resident
retirees (such as Bucalo) on par with resident active driv-
ers. And the testimony of Union President Webster, who
was at the April 25 executive board meeting, and Union
Attorney Ford, who participated in part of the meeting via
conference call, shows that the executive board concluded
that active drivers, whether resident or nonresident, de-
serve priority over retirees because the latter receive a pen-
sion or Social Security retirement benefit. Accordingly,
we find that the third reason relied on by the judge is also
insufficient to warrant a finding of unlawful motivation.
In finding that the General Counsel did not prove that
the Respondent’s placement of retirees in the lowest pref-
erence category was unlawfully motivated, we have also
considered whether the record in Wicked Films, supra,
supports a finding of unlawful motivation here. We con-
clude that it does not. Preliminarily, we note in this regard
that Judge Gollin, who presided over that case, did not find
any evidence that Union President Webster or Transporta-
tion Captain Metzger made any unlawful threats to retali-
ate against Bucalo.
We recognize that in addition to finding that the Union’s
failure to refer Bucalo was unlawful under the duty-of-
fair-representation framework, Judge Gollin found that
the same failure was also unlawful under Wright Line.5 In
this regard, Judge Gollin inferred unlawful motivation
from (a) President Webster’s comment regarding Bucalo’s
Facebook post criticizing Webster and his administration,
(b) the Union’s deviations from its alleged practice of re-
ferring active drivers in order of their placement on the
active list ahead of registered retiree drivers, and (c) the
Union’s disparate handling of employer requests. Judge
Amchan adopted Judge Gollin’s findings.
We find this evidence insufficient to support a finding
of unlawful motivation here. First, Webster’s Facebook
comment contained no threat of reprisal or force or prom-
ise of benefit.6 Accordingly, it was protected by Section
there was a spoiler slate whose organizer “was paid-off by Webster and
UPS” to ensure victory “by Webster and his evil minions.”
On January 1, 2017, Webster posted the following response:
All this coming from the man who has cost our local union (members’
dues) more than any man in the history of our great local because of the
attorney fees we’ve had to spend on all the frivolous charges he has
brought forward. I suppose after these latest protests and charges are
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL UNION NO. 100 (BETA PRODUCTIONS LLC)
3
8(c)7 and cannot constitute evidence of an unfair labor
practice.8 In any event, Webster wrote the comment
nearly a year and a half before the Respondent promul-
gated the rules in question. Second, none of the deviations
cited by the judge involved retirees being referred to jobs
ahead of active drivers who could perform the work in
question. As for the Union’s alleged disparate handling of
employer requests, Judge Gollin did not cite any instance
in which the Union had honored a name request for a re-
tiree when there was an available active driver capable of
performing the work, as there was when the employer in
Wicked Films requested Bucalo to work as a set decoration
driver.9 Judge Gollin also relied on the Union’s honoring
another employer’s request for female drivers, but the rec-
ord showed that the Union honored the request by refer-
ring active female drivers. Moreover, while Judge Gollin
found that the referred female drivers were not registered
at the time of the employer request, there is no evidence
that any of the retired drivers who had expressed interest
in being referred for film work were female drivers, so the
Union could not have satisfied that employer’s request for
female drivers by referring one of those retired drivers.
In sum, we find that the record in this case, whether con-
sidered in isolation or together with the record in Wicked
Films, falls short of establishing that the Respondent
dismissed he will blame it on Russian interference. We invite, welcome,
any member to come to the union hall and inspect our financial records.
Perhaps it’s time for Mr. Bucalo to start writing for the “National En-
quirer”! Wishing everyone a most happy, healthy and prosperous New
Year.
7 Sec. 8(c) of the Act provides that “[t]he expressing of any views,
argument, or opinion . . . shall not constitute or be evidence of an unfair
labor practice . . . , if such expression contains no threat of reprisal or
force or promise of benefit.” See, e.g., Children’s Center for Behavioral
Development, 347 NLRB 35, 35‒36 (2006) (employer’s public criticism
of union for causing it to incur legal expenses protected by Sec. 8(c)).
8 See United Site Services of California, Inc., 369 NLRB No. 137,
slip op. at 14 fn. 68 (2020).
9 The record in Wicked Films established that the individual referred
to work as a set decoration driver was qualified to perform the work.
10 The General Counsel excepts to the judge’s failure to find the Un-
ion’s preference for active drivers over retirees who receive a pension or
Social Security retirement benefit unlawfully arbitrary. We find no merit
in this exception. Union actions are arbitrary only if the union’s conduct
is “so far outside a ‘wide range of reasonableness’ as to be irrational.”
Air Line Pilots Assn., Intern. v. O’Neill, 499 U.S. 65, 67 (1991) (citation
omitted); see Roadway Express, Inc., 355 NLRB 197, 202 fn. 22 (2010),
enfd. mem. per curiam 427 Fed. Appx. 838 (11th Cir. 2011). Under the
terms of a settlement agreement, the Union was required to formulate
written, objective referral standards. In doing so, it had to accord some
registrants priority over others, and there was nothing irrational in its de-
cision to accord priority to those who depend on referrals to earn a living
over those who draw a pension or receive Social Security. Indeed, the
General Counsel concedes that as an abstract matter, giving priority to
active drivers over retirees is “laudable” as a matter of policy. The Gen-
eral Counsel nevertheless argues that the Union’s conduct was arbitrary,
Union placed retirees last because of Bucalo’s dissident
union activity. Accordingly, we reverse the judge’s
Wright Line finding.10
B. The Respondent Union’s Classification of Employees
According to Experience in the “Teamsters Movie
Industry” and the Number of Productions on Which
They Have Been Performing “Teamster Work”
Where, as in this case, a union operates an exclusive hir-
ing hall, “it must refer applicants . . . without regard to
union affiliation.” NLRB v. IBEW, Local Union 112, 827
F.2d 530, 532 (9th Cir. 1987). It is also unlawful, outside
the construction industry, for a union to grant referral pref-
erences based on prior employment with union-signatory
employers. Newspaper & Mail Deliverers (New York
Post), 361 NLRB 245, 245, 248 (2014), enfd. 644 Fed.
Appx. 16 (2d Cir. 2016). “Such discrimination violates
the Act because it favors those who are union members
and/or are or have been employed by union-signatory em-
ployers, and disfavors individuals who have exercised
their Section 7 right to refrain from union activity.” Id. at
248.11
We find that the Union’s hiring hall rules may reasona-
bly be read as granting such preferences. Thus, for exam-
ple, the rules provide that in order to be placed in the
but his arguments cannot withstand scrutiny under the applicable “wide
range of reasonableness” standard.
We note that the General Counsel does not invoke the Ohio Contrac-
tors rebuttable presumption under the duty-of-fair-representation frame-
work, which provides that “[w]hen a union prevents an employee from
being hired or causes an employee’s discharge, it has demonstrated its
influence over the employee and its power to affect his livelihood in so
dramatic a way that we will infer—or, if you please, adopt a presumption
that—the effect of its action is to encourage union membership on the
part of all employees who have perceived that exercise of power.” Local
18, Operating Engineers (Ohio Contractors Assn.), 204 NLRB 681, 681
(1973), enf. denied on other grounds 555 F.2d 552 (6th Cir. 1977). We
agree that the presumption does not apply here. The preference for active
drivers over retirees would not presumptively encourage membership—
i.e., it would not encourage employees to be “good” members and refrain
from dissident union activity—because union dissidents enjoy the pref-
erence so long as they do not retire, and drivers who retire and receive a
pension or Social Security are no longer entitled to the preference even
if they were “good” union members before retiring. Cf. NLRB v. New
York Typographical Union No. 6, 632 F.2d 171, 182 (2d Cir. 1980) (pref-
erence accorded to Category A employees over all other employees did
not violate Sec. 8(b)(2) and (1)(A) because there was no rational basis
for inferring that the preference would have the effect of encouraging
union membership or restraining employees in the exercise of their Sec.
7 rights).
11 The Board has held that Sec. 8(f)(4) of the Act immunizes agree-
ments in the construction industry under which referral preference is
given to applicants represented by the union at places of prior employ-
ment. See Bechtel Power Corp., 229 NLRB 613, 613 (1977), vacated
597 F.2d 1331 (10th Cir. 1979); Interstate Electric Co., 227 NLRB 1996,
1996‒1999 (1977). However, driving work in the motion picture indus-
try is not construction-industry work, and the Union does not invoke Sec.
8(f)(4).
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
4
second-highest priority group for referrals (Group II), the
applicant must, among other things, “have two (2) or more
years of experience in the Teamsters Movie Industry . . .
and . . . been employed performing Teamster work in the
Movie Industry on at least three productions in the past
two (2) years in the geographical jurisdiction of the Un-
ion” (emphasis added).
The Respondent Union contends that no violation may
be found because the language in question was not in-
tended to grant any such preferences but was merely in-
tended to give priority to employees with experience per-
forming the driving work that Teamsters-represented em-
ployees typically perform in the motion picture industry.
That may well be, but we agree with the judge that “such
a distinction would not necessarily be apparent to a lay
person reading the referral rules” because the rules do not
afford preference to employees based on their driving ex-
perience.12 The Union also points out that the referral
rules provide that the Union shall not discriminate based
on membership or nonmembership in the Union. How-
ever, this language does not give any assurance that the
Union will not discriminate on the basis of experience
with Teamsters-signatory employers. “[A]t best,” as the
judge noted, the rules “create an ambiguity which must be
resolved against the Union.”
ORDER
The Respondent, Truck Drivers, Chauffeurs and Help-
ers Local Union No. 100, affiliated with the International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, Cincinnati, Ohio, its officers,
agents, and representatives, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Operating an exclusive hiring hall pursuant to a re-
ferral procedure and rules that describe the requisite work
experience as “Teamster work” or experience in the
“Teamsters Movie Industry.”
(b) In any like or related manner 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.
12 See Operating Engineers Local 132 (National Engineering Con-
tracting Co.), 266 NLRB 977, 980‒981 (1983) (rejecting argument that
provision granting referral preference to “parent body members who are
physically handicapped or fifty (50) years of age or older” was lawful
because the reference to “parent body members” was merely intended to
denote employees who possess 3 years’ experience, and stating that the
argument “is not meritorious because the clause does not provide that
operators with 3 or more years’ experience who are physically handi-
capped or 50 years or older will have preference . . . ; it provides that
parent body members meeting such criteria will be accorded the prefer-
ence”).
13 If the Union’s office is open to members and employees, the notice
must be posted by the Respondent and delivered to the Regional Director
(a) Revise its referral procedure and rules to delete the
description of the requisite work experience as “Teamster
work” or experience in the “Teamsters Movie Industry.”
(b) Post at its offices in Cincinnati, Ohio, copies of the
attached notice marked “Appendix.”13 Copies of the no-
tice, on forms provided by the Regional Director for Re-
gion 9, after being signed by the Union’s authorized rep-
resentative, shall be posted by the Union and maintained
for 60 consecutive days in conspicuous places including
all places where notices to employees and members are
customarily posted. In addition to physical posting of pa-
per notices, the notices shall be distributed electronically,
such as by email, posting on an intranet or an internet site,
and/or other electronic means, if the Union customarily
communicates with employees and members by such
means. Reasonable steps shall be taken by the Union to
ensure that the notices are not altered, defaced, or covered
by any other material.
(c) Sign and return to the Regional Director sufficient
copies of the notice for physical and/or electronic posting
by Beta Productions, if willing, at all places or in the same
manner as notices to employees are customarily posted.
(d) Within 21 days after service by the Region, file with
the Regional Director a sworn certification of a responsi-
ble official on a form provided by the Region attesting to
the steps that the Respondent has taken to comply.
Dated, Washington, D.C. October 21, 2020
______________________________________
John F. Ring,
Chairman
______________________________________
Marvin E. Kaplan,
Member
________________________________________
William J. Emanuel,
Member
(SEAL) NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
for posting by the Employer, if it wishes, within 14 days after service by
the Region. If the office involved in these proceedings is closed due to
the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the notices must
be posted and delivered within 14 days after the office reopens and a
substantial complement of members and employees have returned to ac-
cessing the office for referrals. Any delay in the physical posting of pa-
per notices also applies to the electronic distribution of the notice if the
Respondent customarily communicates with its members by electronic
means. 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 Na-
tional 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.”
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL UNION NO. 100 (BETA PRODUCTIONS LLC)
5
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERS
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 vi-
olated Federal labor law and has ordered us to post and
obey this notice.
FEDERAL LAW GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO
Form, join, or assist a union
Choose representatives to bargain with us on your
behalf
Act together with other employees for your bene-
fit and protection
Choose not to engage in any of these protected ac-
tivities.
WE WILL NOT operate our exclusive hiring hall pursuant
to referral procedures and rules that describe the requisite
work experience as “Teamster work” or experience in the
“Teamsters Movie Industry.”
WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner restrain or
coerce you in the exercise of the rights listed above.
WE WILL revise our Movie Industry Referral Procedure
and Rules to delete the description of the requisite work
experience in the referral groups as “Teamster work” or
experience in the “Teamsters Movie Industry.”
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL
UNION 100, A/W THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD
OF TEAMSTERS (BETA PRODUCTIONS LLC)
The
Board’s
decision
can
be
found
at
www.nlrb.gov/case/09-CB-232458 or by using the QR
code below. Alternatively, you can obtain a copy of the
decision from the Executive Secretary, National Labor
Relations Board, 1015 Half Street, S.E., Washington, D.C.
20570, or by calling (202) 273‒1940.
Naima R. Clarke, Esq., for the General Counsel.
John R. Doll and Julie C. Ford, Esqs. (Doll, Jensen, and Ford,
Dayton, Ohio), for the Respondent.
1 Tr. 385, line 7 should read 2017 rather than 2014.
DECISION
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
ARTHUR J. AMCHAN, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE. This case
was tried on August 26 and 27, 2019, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sam-
uel J. Bucalo filed the charge giving rise to this case on Decem-
ber 10, 2018. The General Counsel issued the complaint on June
13, 2019.
The General Counsel alleges that Respondent violated Section
8(b)(1)(A) of the Act by promulgating on June 26, 2018, and
since maintaining an illegal hiring hall referral system for the
motion picture industry. According to the General Counsel this
system is illegal in classifying all “retirees,” that is job applicants
who are receiving a pension, other retirement benefits and/or so-
cial security benefits in the lowest of seven referral categories.
Thus, these employees are referred to jobs in the movie industry
only after those applicants in the first six categories. The Gen-
eral Counsel alleges that the classification of retirees in the low-
est preference group was motivated by a desire to discriminate
against the Charging Party, Samuel Bucalo, in retaliation for his
dissident activities. The General Counsel further alleges that Re-
spondent violated Section 8(b)(1)(A) and 8(b)(2) by refusing to
register the Charging Party Bucalo in the second highest group
for referral due to his union dissident activity.
The General Counsel also alleges that the hiring hall rules are
illegal on their face because they classify employees according
to work in the “Teamster Movie Industry” and the number of
productions on which they have been performing “Teamsters
work,” complaint paragraphs 6(a)(iii) and 8.
On the entire record,1 including my observation of the de-
meanor of the witnesses, and after considering the briefs filed by
the General Counsel and Respondent Union, I make the follow-
ing
FINDINGS OF FACT
I. JURISDICTION
Beta Productions is a limited liability company engaged in the
production of nationally distributed motion pictures. Beta has an
office in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Respondent Union, Teamsters
Local 100, is a labor organization within the meaning of the Act.
The Union and Beta Productions are parties to an agreement re-
quiring that the Union be the exclusive source of referrals for
vehicle driving work for Beta and other film production compa-
nies in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Area (G.C. Exh. 20).
II. ALLEGED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES
In July 2018, the same parties litigated case 09‒CB‒214166.
On September 11, 2018, Administrative Law Judge Andrew
Gollin rendered a decision in that case which is currently pend-
ing before the Board. I have adopted all of Judge Gollin’s rele-
vant factual findings in the current case.
Judge Gollin found that Respondent violated Section
8(b)(1)(A) and 8(b)(2) in failing or refusing to refer Samuel Bu-
calo for work with as a driver for the film Extremely Wicked with
a different production company in early 2018. The principal is-
sue in the instant case is different, i.e., whether the referral rules
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
6
promulgated by the Union in June 2018 (G.C. Exh. 6) violate the
Act and whether Respondent violated the Act by placing Samuel
Bucalo and possibly other retirees in the least desirable referral
category.
Charging Party Samuel Bucalo’s History with the Union
Samuel Bucalo became a member of the Union in March
1979, after he began working for United Parcel Service (“UPS”).
By 2010, Bucalo was earning about $60,000 a year at UPS. In
late 2010, Bucalo ran for and was elected union secretary-treas-
urer. This was a full-time position, with a three-year term, be-
ginning January 1, 2011, at a salary of between $92,000-$97,000
a year. Upon election to the Union position, Bucalo did not, as
do many, or possibly all other union officers, take a leave of ab-
sence from their employer. UPS employees represented by the
Teamsters are allowed by contract to return to work for UPS
when their union position ends without a loss of seniority or
other benefits.
Bucalo, however, attempted to continue working 1 day a week
instead of seeking a leave of absence. UPS would not agree to
this, so Bucalo retired because he understood that UPS would
terminate him.2 Thus, in early January 2011, after he was
elected, Bucalo retired from UPS and thereafter began receiving
pension benefits. At the time Bucalo was 51 years old. Bucalo
receives a pension from UPS of $2323 a month from which taxes
and health insurance premiums are deducted. I infer that this
amount is based on his age and/or length of service with UPS.
Although, the record is not clear on this point, I infer that Bucalo
received this pension in addition to his $92,000‒97,000 yearly
salary as secretary-treasurer of the Union from 2011‒2016.
In 2010, when Bucalo was elected secretary-treasurer, he was
on a slate of candidates with Butch Lewis, who ran for and was
elected Union President. At some point during their terms, Bu-
calo and Lewis had a falling out. During the 2013 internal Union
elections, Bucalo again ran for secretary-treasurer on a slate with
David Webster, who ran against Lewis for union president. Bu-
calo and Webster both won their respective elections. Bucalo
was re-elected to a second three-year term as secretary-treasurer,
beginning January 1, 2014. Webster was elected to a corre-
sponding three-year term.
About a year into their terms, Bucalo and Webster had a fall-
ing out. Bucalo also had issues with others within the Union. He
filed internal and external charges against the Union and certain
officers and agents. Some of those individuals filed charges
against Bucalo. The merits (or lack thereof) and eventual dispo-
sition of these charges are irrelevant to this proceeding.
In 2016, Bucalo was not selected to be a union delegate to go
to the Teamsters national convention. Later that year, Bucalo
ran against Webster to be Union President. After a highly con-
tentious campaign, Bucalo lost to Webster. Following the elec-
tion, Bucalo filed protests regarding the election campaign, and
he filed internal Union charges. Again, their merits (or lack
thereof) and their eventual dispositions are irrelevant to this pro-
ceeding.
After Bucalo left office at the end of December 2016, the
2 Bucalo’s explanation of what happened with UPS is at Tr. 213‒226.
It appears that rather than take a leave of absence, Bucalo planned to
work 1 day a week and then repeatedly notify UPS 48 hours in advance
Union deemed him to be a retired member and treated him as a
retiree. Bucalo disputes his retiree status. He filed an unfair la-
bor practice charge against the Union asserting that the Union is
violating the Act by classifying him as a retiree. The Region
declined to issue a complaint based on this charge.
In recent years, Bucalo has been a vocal opponent of several
current and former Union officers and agents. He has publicly
criticized how they have managed the Union’s financial affairs,
negotiated collective-bargaining agreements, handled certain
grievances and unfair labor practice charges, and represented the
membership as a whole. Bucalo was particularly critical of Un-
ion President Webster and his slate of candidates during the 2016
Union election. Prior to, during, and after the election, Bucalo
published an unofficial newsletter and maintained a public Face-
book account which he used to voice his views and openly con-
demn Webster and several other current Union officers. In at
least one lengthy Facebook post made after he was voted out of
office, Bucalo lauded his performance and criticized Webster
and his administration. Webster saw and responded to the Face-
book post by posting a “comment” rebuking Bucalo’s claims and
blaming him for causing the Union to waste more dues money
“than any other member in the history of the local” on attorney
fees to defend against Bucalo’s “frivolous charges.” Bucalo also
filed internal and external charges against the Union and/or its
officers, including with the Board, the Equal Employment Op-
portunity Commission, and the Department of Labor.
Bucalo’s attacks did not go unanswered. Some of the individ-
uals Bucalo criticized filed internal charges against him. A sum-
mary of those charges and their statuses were published in the
official Union newsletter prior to the 2016 election. According
to Bucalo, publicizing the statuses of these charges against him
was unprecedented.
On April 21, 2017, Bucalo sent the Union a letter requesting
to be placed on, among others, the film and television referral
list. On around June 9, 2017, the Union added Bucalo’s name to
that referral list as a retiree. Thereafter, Bucalo notified the Un-
ion on a monthly basis that he was interested in being referred
out.
The Union’s Film and Television Referral System
The Union operates multiple referral systems, including refer-
ral systems for construction, pipeline work, and film and televi-
sion. Only the film and television referral system is at issue in
this proceeding. The Union has a standard agreement that it en-
ters into with each of the production companies (usually for each
individual project) covering unit employees. Article V of this
agreement, which is referred to as the Area Standard Agreement
Low Budget Feature Basic Cable Pilot or Series (“Area Standard
Agreement”), states that:
(a)
The parties hereto recognize the condition in this industry
requires frequent hiring of drivers on a daily non-contin-
uing basis. For this purpose, the Union shall maintain, for
the convenience of the producer and the employee, a re-
ferral service which shall in all respects comply with all
that he would be off work for union business. He conceded that, “I think
it was something unique that I was trying” (Tr. 218).
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL UNION NO. 100 (BETA PRODUCTIONS LLC)
7
applicable provisions of law.
(b)
The producer agrees to request referrals for all drivers re-
quired for work covered by the agreement, from the Un-
ion.
The film and television work in the Cincinnati and Northern
Kentucky area is sporadic but lucrative. Very few films were
made in this area between 2000 and 2014. Since 2014, there
have been many more films produced in the area than previously.
In 2017, there were five movies filmed: The Public (early 2017);
Old Man & the Gun (Spring 2017); Strangers II (Spring 2017);
Donnybrook (October through November 2017); and Haunt (Oc-
tober through November 2017). Since 2017, Teamster drivers
worked on films such as Extremely Wicked (January‒March
2018), London Calling (June 2018), Point Blank (August 2018)
and Dry Run (January 2019). The Union referred Bucalo to work
on Donnybrook, Point Blank and Dry Run. These projects typi-
cally last a few weeks but require long hours, and the individuals
can earn a significant amount of money in a short period of time.
Their fringe benefits and meal allowances are paid in cash and
are added to their paychecks.
The Union’s “transportation captain” oversees the film and
television referral service. This is an appointed position that re-
ports to the union president. The transportation captain coordi-
nates with the production companies to determine the number of
drivers needed and any special skills required for the project.
He/she contacts the drivers who are on the referral list(s) to see
who is available and interested in working on a film. He/she also
makes the referrals and arranges the work schedules for the driv-
ers during production. The captain does not receive any com-
pensation from the Union for holding the position, but he/she is
assigned to work on each project and Local 100 pays his or her
union dues. In 2014, Union President Webster appointed Craig
Metzger to be the Union’s film and television transportation cap-
tain. If more than one film is being produced at the same time,
there will be more than one transportation captain.
Bucalo’s Prior Unfair Labor Practice Charges Regarding the
Referral System
Between May 18, 2017, and February 2, 2018, Bucalo filed
11 unfair labor practice charges against the Union related to its
referral services. Region 9 of the Board found merit to allega-
tions in two of those charges (Cases 09‒CB‒199111 and 09‒
CB‒204497), as well as the allegations in the present charge and
the one litigated before Judge Gollin. According to the parties’
stipulations in Judge Gollin’s case, the specific allegations the
Region found merit to in Cases 09‒CB‒199111 and 09‒CB‒
204497 were that: (1) the Union operated a film and television
referral list without using written objective criteria in referring
applicants for employment; (2) the Union failed and refused to
register Bucalo for employment on the Union’s film and televi-
sion referral list for arbitrary, discriminatory or invidious rea-
sons; (3) the Union failed to keep adequate records of the film
and television referral lists; (4) the Union failed to provide Bu-
calo with access to the film and television referral lists; and (5)
the Union failed to provide Bucalo with a copy of the film and
3 The Rules do not mention retirees living outside the of the Greater
Cincinnati area. This appears to be inadvertent.
television referral lists. On June 15, 2018, the Union and the Re-
gional Director for Region 9, on behalf of the General Counsel,
entered into an informal settlement agreement to resolve these
particular allegations. The Settlement Agreement contains a
non-admissions clause. Bucalo declined to join, and later ap-
pealed the Settlement Agreement. His appeal was sustained in
part but was denied insofar as it is relevant to this proceeding on
November 7, 2018.
As part of the settlement agreement, the Union agreed to “op-
erate our exclusive hiring hall for Film and TV work by using
written, objective criteria and standards when making referrals”
and to “maintain records and rules of the operation of our referral
system sufficient to establish that the referral system is being op-
erated based on objective criteria and standards” and to post and
make available written referral criteria for the referral service.
Thereafter, on June 26, 2018, the Union promulgated the written
referral procedures and rules for its film and television referral
service which are the subject of the instant proceeding. (G.C.
Exh. 6).
The Union Promulgates Movie Industry Referral Procedure
and Rules
Shortly after its settlement with the Region, the Union began
drafting referral rules for the movie industry. The principal in-
dividuals involved in the drafting were Union President Webster,
Transportation Captain Metzger and the Union’s outside legal
counsel, Julie Ford. Other union members were consulted in the
process. At a meeting on December 14, 2017, Metzger specifi-
cally brought Bucalo’s name up. Metzger stated that Bucalo had
called off of work on one occasion without explanation. Bucalo
testified in this proceeding that he was sick. Metzger testified he
brought this up as a reason that absenteeism and tardiness had to
be addressed in the rules (Exh. R‒8).
The initial draft rules sent by Ford to Webster and Metzger
around February 1, 2018, placed job applicants in six categories
(R. Exh. 9). Those who were receiving retirement benefits from
any source or social security benefits were placed in the lowest
category (G.C. Exh. 3). This placement scheme would have a
greater impact on Charging Party Bucalo than most other retirees
because most union retirees are not interested in regular employ-
ment (Tr. 110‒111).
A later draft sent by Ford in about March 2018, placed retirees
residing in the greater Cincinnati Tri-State Area (parts of Ohio,
Indiana, and Kentucky) in Group III of VI (R. Exhs. 11 and 12;
G.C. Exh. 4). This gave such retirees a preferred status for film
industry referrals relative to applicants in Groups IV and V and
VI. Those Groups are for applicants not residing in the Greater
Cincinnati area. According to Ford, this change was based on
comments made by three experienced drivers at a meeting oc-
curring between December 2017, and April 2018.
The final version of the rules put retirees living in the Tri-State
Area in a new Group VII, the lowest and least desirable category
(G.C. Exh. 6).3 Thus, retirees have lower priority than non-retir-
ees from outside the Greater Cincinnati area. Ford testified that
this change was made pursuant to comments made by an
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
8
unidentified executive board member or members at an execu-
tive board meeting on April 25, 2018. Union counsel Ford par-
ticipated in the April 25, 2018 meeting by speaker phone and
then only for part of the meeting.
According to Ford, the participants in the April 25 meeting
took the position that individuals living, for example, in the
Cleveland or Columbus area, who were not receiving a pension
should have preference over retirees living in the Greater Cin-
cinnati area (Tr. 437‒439). Ford testified that this unnamed in-
dividual or individuals, also opined that putting retirees in the
lowest referral category was consistent with the Union’s referral
policy for the film industry at least since 2014.4 All members of
the executive board were on the slate of officers headed by David
Webster in 2016 who ran against Bucalo. There is no evidence
of what other deliberations by the executive board led to the re-
version back to the original concept.
All drafts contained language proving that each applicant be
placed in the highest priority group for which he or she qualified.
The final rules were approved by the Executive Board and im-
plemented on June 26, 2018 (G.C. Exh. 2). The Union required
each interested recipient of the new rules to submit an applica-
tion and a resume. Sarah McFarland, the Local’s administrative
assistant, placed the applicants in the various groups. She placed
Bucalo in group 7.
The introductory language to Local 100’s referral procedure
and rules state in pertinent part:
1.
The Union shall refer applicants for employment and ap-
ply these procedures and rules without discrimination
against such applicants by reason of membership or non-
membership in the Union, and such referral shall not be
affected in any way by rules, regulations, bylaws, consti-
tutional provisions or any other aspect or obligation of
Union membership policies or requirements.
The final seven groups are as follows:
Group I
All applicants for employment who have four (4) or more years
of experience in the Movie Industry, who are residents of the
geographical area constituting the normal Movie Industry labor
market in the Greater Cincinnati /Tri -State area and who have
been employed performing Teamster work in the Movie Indus-
try on at least six productions in the past four (4) years in the
geographical jurisdiction of the Union. The Tri -State area shall
be defined to include: Adams, Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clin-
ton, Hamilton, Highland, Pike, Scioto, and Warren Counties in
Ohio; Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties in Kentucky;
and Dearborn, Franklin, Ohio, Ripley, and Switzerland Coun-
ties in Indiana.
Group II
All applicants for employment, who have two (2) or more years
of experience in the Teamsters Movie Industry, are residents of
the geographical area constituting the normal Movie Industry
labor market in the greater Cincinnati /Tri -State area and who
have been employed performing Teamster work in the Movie
4 Respondent has not established that it had an established past prac-
tice of referring retirees to film industry jobs only after exhausting efforts
Industry on at least three productions in the past two (2) years
in the geographical jurisdiction of the Union.
Group III
All applicants for employment who have not worked in the
Teamster Movie Industry trade, who are residents of the geo-
graphical area constituting the normal Movie Industry labor
market in the greater Cincinnati /Tri -State area and who have
a valid Class A CDL?
Group IV
All applicants for employment who have four (4) or more years
of experience in the Teamsters Movie Industry trade, who have
been employed performing Teamster work in the Movie Indus-
try on at least six productions in the past four (4) years, who
have a valid Class A CDL and who are not residents of the ge-
ographical area constituting the normal Movie Industry labor
market in the greater Cincinnati /Tri -State area.
Group V
All applicants for employment who have worked in the Team-
ster Movie Industry trade for more than one (1) year, who have
a valid Class A CDL and who are notresidents of the geograph-
ical area constituting the normal Movie Industry labor market
in the greater Cincinnati /Tri -State area.
Group VI
All applicants for employment who have not worked in the
Teamster Movie Industry trade, who are not residents of the
geographical area constituting the normal Movie Industry labor
market in the greater Cincinnati /Tri -State area and who have
a valid Class A CDL?
Group VII
All applicants for employment, whether or not they have
worked in the Teamster Movie Industry, who are residents of
the geographical area constituting the normal Movie Industry
labor market in the greater Cincinnati /Tri -State area, who have
a valid Class A CDL and who are receiving pension or retire-
ment benefits from any source or Social Security retirement
benefits.
ANALYSIS
Respondent Violated the Act in Placing Retirees in the Lowest
Preference Category for Referral for Film Work
Respondent Union owes a duty of fair representation to its
members. A union’s duty of fair representation applies to all un-
ion activity. A union may not treat a unit employee in a manner
that is arbitrary, discriminatory or in bad faith, Vaca v. Sipes, 386
U.S. 171 (1967); Steelworkers v. Rawson, 495 U.S. 362 (1990);
Air Line Pilots Assn. v. O’Neil, 499 U.S. 65 (1991). A union,
such as Respondent, which operates an exclusive hiring hall vi-
olates Section 8(b)(1)(A) and possibly 8(b)(2) if it discriminates
against employees for dissident union activities, such as running
against the incumbent officers, Development Consultants, 300
to find other drivers. The only example given, from 2000, occurred un-
der very different circumstances.
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL UNION NO. 100 (BETA PRODUCTIONS LLC)
9
NLRB 479 (1990), Chauffeurs Union Local 923, Teamsters (Yel-
low Cab Co.), 172 NLRB 2137 (1968), Laborers Local 158
(Contractors of Pennsylvania) 280 NLRB 1100 (1986).5
When a union interferes with an employee’s employment sta-
tus for reasons other than failure to pay dues, initiation fees, or
other uniformly required fees, a rebuttable presumption arises
that the interference is intended to encourage union membership
in violation of Section 8(b)(1)(A) of the Act. Once the General
Counsel establishes union interference with a member’s employ-
ment status, the union bears the burden of establishing the such
interference was made pursuant to a valid hiring-hall provision,
or that its conduct was necessary for effective performance of its
representational function, IATSE Local 151 (SMG and the Free-
man Cos., d/b/a Freeman Decorating Services), 364 NLRB No.
89, slip opinion at p. 2 (2016).
Putting aside the Union’s animus towards Bucalo, a policy
placing retirees in the lowest referral category would not be ille-
gal. The Union has a valid reason for giving preference to driv-
ers who have no income over those receiving a pension or social
security benefits.
However, this case involves the issue of motivation., i.e.,
whether Local 100’s decision to do this was the product of its
animus towards Bucalo for his dissident union activities. As in
cases against an employer-respondent under Section 8(a)(3) and
(1), to establish a violation of Section 8(b)(1)(A) and (b)(2) the
General Counsel must make an initial showing that Local 100
either put retirees in the lowest category or placed Bucalo into
that category due to his dissent union activity, SSA Pacific Inc.,
366 NLRB No.51 (slip op. at 1) (2018); Teamsters Union No.
200, 357 NLRB 1844, 1852 (2011) affd. 723 F. 3d 778 (7th Cir.
2013). The General Counsel has satisfied his initial burden by
establishing that Bucalo engaged in dissident union activity, that
the Union knew of that activity, had animus towards that activity
and that Bucalo suffered an adverse action [being placed in the
lowest referral group].
Once that showing is made, the Union must show that would
not put retirees and/or Bucalo in the lowest referral category in
the absence of an unlawful motive, CNN America, Inc., 361
NLRB 439, 458‒459 (2014) (enfd. in relevant part, 865 F.3d 740
(D.C. Cir. 2017) and cases cited therein. The appropriate test for
such discrimination generally is set forth in Wright Line, 251
NLRB 1083 (1980) enfd. on other grounds, 662 F.2d 899 (1st
Cir. 1981) cert. denied 455 U.S. 989 (1982), approved in NLRB
v. Transportation Mgmt. Corp., 462 U.S. 393 (1983).
Respondent does not meet its burden by simply showing that
it had a legitimate reason for its action, it must persuasively show
that it would have taken the same action in the absence of the
protected conduct. This is the decisive principle in this case. Lo-
cal 100 clearly has a legitimate reason for placing retirees in the
lowest referral category. However, it has not shown that absent
its animus towards Bucalo, that it would have structured its re-
ferral preferences as it did.
Respondent has not met its burden in this case. The record is
5 If the hiring hall is not an exclusive hiring hall, such discrimination
only violates Sec. 8(b)(1)(A), but not 8(b)(2).
6 I see no basis for taking into account the fact that Bucalo put himself
into the position of having to live off an inadequate pension due to his
replete with evidence from which I infer animus towards Bu-
calo’s dissident activities. His name came up in the Union’s dis-
cussions during the drafting of the referral policy for reasons not
adequately explained. Moreover, the Union was obligated to go
through the rules promulgation process as the result of a ULP
charge filed by Bucalo. The Union has not adequately explained
the change in the drafts
which in its last form placed retirees, including Bucalo in the
lowest category.6 For example, no witness who was present at
the April 25 meeting testified to the deliberations resulting in the
change from the second draft to the third with regard to retirees.
Bucalo clearly falls within the plain meaning of the applicants
described in Group II, being a local resident, with 2 years’ expe-
rience in the film industry, who has worked on at least three films
within the 2 years prior to June 2018. It is irrelevant that other
retirees, who have not engaged in dissident activity are also dis-
advantaged by being placed in Group 7. Being in receipt of a
full pension, this classification is not be as important to these in-
dividuals as it is to Bucalo. Moreover, if they are comfortable
with their pension income, they are free to decline film work
when called by the transportation captain.
In sum, I find that Respondent has not met in burden of rebut-
ting the General Counsel’s initial showing of discrimination. It
has not established that Bucalo and other retirees were placed in
Group 7 for non-discriminatory reasons.
Respondent’s Referral Rules Violate Section 8(b)(1)(A) of the
Act in Classifying Employees According to Experience in the
“Teamster Movie Industry” and the Number of Productions
on Which They Have Been Performing “Teamsters Work.”
While the introductory language of Respondent’s referral
rules assure that the Union will not discriminate on the basis of
union membership, the expressed requirement of experience in
“Teamster work” and reference to the “Teamsters Movie Indus-
try” at best create an ambiguity which must be resolved against
the Union. Respondent explained that its intent was to distin-
guish between driving work on movie sets as opposed to work
not done by Teamster represented employees. Nevertheless,
such a distinction would not necessarily be apparent to a lay per-
son reading the referral rules.
Respondent Did Not Violate Section 8(b)(2) of the Act
The is no evidence that Respondent caused or attempted to
cause an employer to discriminate against any employee. There
is, for example, no evidence that Charging Party Bucalo suffered
any loss of employment opportunities by virtue of being classi-
fied in Group VII. However, if in compliance it turns out that he
did suffer such a loss due to the manner in which he was classi-
fied, Respondent will be required to make him whole for such
losses.
REMEDY
Having found that the Respondent has engaged in certain un-
fair labor practices, I shall order it to cease and desist therefrom
and to take certain affirmative action designed to effectuate the
“unique” machinations when he was elected to union office in 2010. Had
he done what every other union official did, he could have gone back to
work for UPS in 2016.
DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
10
policies of the Act,
In the event it is established that Samuel Bucalo is entitled to
backpay, it shall be computed in accordance with F. W. Wool-
worth Co., 90 NLRB 289 (1950), with interest at the rate pre-
scribed in New Horizons, 283 NLRB 1173 (1987), compounded
daily as prescribed in Kentucky River Medical Center, 356
NLRB 6 (2010). Respondent shall compensate him for his
search-for-work and interim employment expenses regardless of
whether those expenses exceed his interim earnings, computed
as described above.
Respondent shall file a report with the Regional Director for
Region 9 allocating backpay to the appropriate calendar quarters.
Respondent shall also compensate Samuel Bucalo for the ad-
verse tax consequences, if any, of receiving one or more lump-
sum backpay awards covering periods longer than 1 year, Ad-
voServ of New Jersey, 363 NLRB 1324 (2016).
On these findings of fact and conclusions of law and on the
entire record, I issue the following recommended7
ORDER
The Respondent, Truck Drivers, Chauffeurs and Helpers Lo-
cal Union No. 100, Cincinnati, Ohio, its officers, agents, and rep-
resentatives, shall
1. Cease and desist from
(a) Operating an exclusive hiring hall while using a referral
procedure and rules which place retired employees in a distinct
category which results in their being referred for work in the film
industry only after non-retirees are referred.
(b) Operating an exclusive hiring hall pursuant to a referral
procedure and rules which describes the requisite work experi-
ence as “Teamster work” or experience in the “Teamster Movie
Industry” as opposed to a description of the work to be per-
formed that does not ambiguously suggest a preference for mem-
bership in Local 100.
(c) In any like or related manner restraining or coercing em-
ployees in the exercise of the rights guaranteed them by Section
7 of the Act.
2. Take the following affirmative action necessary to effectu-
ate the policies of the Act.
(a) Revise its hiring hall procedure and rules to delete any
provision that places retirees in a category that results in their
being referred to work only after non-retirees are referred.
(b) Revise its referral procedure and rules to describe the
work covered by the rules in such a manner as to unambiguously
convey the proposition that membership or non-membership in
the Union, past or present, will not be a factor in the referral of
employees for work in the film industry.
(c) Make Samuel Bucalo whole for any loss of earnings and
other benefits suffered as a result of being referred for film in-
dustry work pursuant to a policy that resulted in his being re-
ferred only after all non-retired job applicants.
(d) Within 14 days after service by the Region, post at its hir-
ing hall in Cincinnati, Ohio copies of the attached notice marked
7 If no exceptions are filed as provided by Sec. 102.46 of the Board’s
Rules and Regulations, the findings, conclusions, and recommended Or-
der shall, as provided in Sec. 102.48 of the Rules, be adopted by the
Board and all objections to them shall be deemed waived for all purposes.
“Appendix”8 in both English and Spanish. Copies of the notice,
on forms provided by the Regional Director for Region 9, after
being signed by the Respondent’s authorized representative,
shall be posted by the Respondent and maintained for 60 consec-
utive days in conspicuous places including all places where no-
tices to unit members are customarily posted. In addition to phys-
ical posting of paper notices, the notices shall be distributed elec-
tronically, such as by email, posting on an intranet or an internet
site, and/or other electronic means, if the Respondent customar-
ily communicates with unit members by such means. Reasona-
ble steps shall be taken by the Respondent to ensure that the no-
tices are not altered, defaced, or covered by any other material.
In the event that, during the pendency of these proceedings, the
Respondent has gone out of business or closed the facility in-
volved in these proceedings, the Respondent shall duplicate and
mail, at its own expense, a copy of the notice to all individuals
who were unit members at any time since June 26, 2018.
(e) Sign and return to the Regional Director sufficient copies
of the notice for physical and/or electronic posting by Beta Pro-
ductions, if willing, at all places or in the same manner as notices
to employees are customarily posted.
(f) Within 21 days after service by the Region, file with the
Regional Director a sworn certification of a responsible official
on a form provided by the Region attesting to the steps that the
Respondent has taken to comply.
Dated, Washington, D.C. October 24, 2019
APPENDIX
NOTICE TO EMPLOYEES AND MEMBERS
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 vio-
lated Federal labor law and has ordered us to post and obey this
notice.
FEDERAL LAW GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO
Form, join, or assist a union
Choose representatives to bargain on your behalf with
your employer
Act together with other employees for your benefit and
protection
Choose not to engage in any of these protected activi-
ties.
WE WILL NOT discriminate against retired employees vis-à-vis
non-retired employees in referring applicants for work in the film
industry.
WE WILL NOT operate our exclusive hiring hall pursuant to pro-
cedures and rules which ambiguously suggest that an applicant
must be a member of Local 100 in order to be referred for work
8 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.”
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL UNION NO. 100 (BETA PRODUCTIONS LLC)
11
in the film industry.
WE WILL revise our Movie Industry Referral Procedure and
Rules to eliminate any potential for discrimination in referral op-
portunities for job applicants who are receiving a pension or re-
tirement benefits from any source or Social Security retirement
benefits.
WE WILL revise our Movie Industry Referral Procedure and
Rules to describe the work to be performed without any refer-
ence to “Teamster Work,” or experience in the “Teamster Movie
Industry.”
WE WILL make Samuel Bucalo whole for any loss of earnings
and other benefits which may have resulted from his being
placed in the lowest priority group for referrals in the film indus-
try, less any net interim earnings, plus interest compounded
daily.
WE WILL file a report with the Social Security Administration
allocating backpay to the appropriate calendar quarters.
WE WILL compensate Bucalo for the adverse tax conse-
quences, if any, of receiving one or more lump-sum backpay
awards covering periods longer than 1 year.
TRUCK DRIVERS, CHAUFFEURS AND HELPERS LOCAL UNION 100,
A/W THE INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
(BETA PRODUCTIONS LLC)
The Administrative Law Judge’s decision can be found at
www.nlrb.gov/case/09-CB-232458 or by using the QR code be-
low. Alternatively, you can obtain a copy of the decision from
the Executive Secretary, National Labor Relations Board, 1015
Half Street, S.E., Washington, D.C. 20570, or by calling (202)
273‒1940.