NLRB v. Sands Manufacturing Co. Key Labor Law Decision

The NLRB v. Sands Manufacturing Co. case was a significant labor law decision that had far-reaching implications for employers and employees alike.

In 1963, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled in favor of the Sands Manufacturing Co., a Pennsylvania-based company, in a case involving a strike by the company's employees.

The NLRB held that the company's refusal to bargain with the union was not an unfair labor practice, as the company had not engaged in any coercive or intimidating behavior towards its employees.

The court's decision was a major victory for employers, as it provided them with greater flexibility in their dealings with unions.

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The company Sands Manufacturing Co. was based in Cleveland, Ohio, and made water heaters. It's interesting to note how the company's policies affected its employees.

In the spring of 1934, Sands Manufacturing Co.'s employees joined the Mechanics Educational Society of America. The employees agreed to a 60-day contract that was repeatedly extended.

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A government contract was won by the company in 1934, which led to the hiring of new employees. These new employees were paid a lower wage and were the first to be discharged when work slacked off.

The company reached a new contract in June 1935, giving management the right to disregard seniority rights and wage rates of transferred employees. This change in policy significantly impacted the employees.

The company closed its heater tank department after the government contract ended. It then sought to hire workers in its machine shop, but wanted to hire the "new men" rather than transferring "old men" from other departments.

The union argued that "old men" should be hired in the machine shop before any "new men." This disagreement led to the company closing its plant in August 1935.

After the plant reopened in September 1935, the company offered employment to several "old men" at much lower wage rates. The union refused this offer, leading to picketing outside the plant.

The National Labor Relations Board found that Sands Manufacturing Co. had refused to bargain with the union, discriminated against union members in hiring, and discouraged membership in the union.

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