International Warehouse Group (29-CA-197057)

United States Government

National Labor Relations Board

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

Advice Memorandum

DATE:

October 5, 2017

TO:

Kathy Drew King, Regional Director

Region 29

FROM:

Jayme Sophir, Associate General Counsel

Division of Advice

SUBJECT: International Warehouse Group, Inc.

Case 29-CA-197057

506-0170

506-4033-1700

506-4033-2600

506-4033-5100

506-4033-5500

506-6050-1200

506-6090-1900

512-5030-0175

512-5030-4080-5000

512-5030-4080-5020

512-5030-4090

512-5036-0133

512-5036-6720-5000

512-5072-8600

512-7550-6000

The Region requested advice as to whether International Warehouse Group, Inc.

(the “Employer”) violated Section 8(a)(1) by: (1) interrogating employees about their

support for the February 16, 20171 “A Day Without Immigrants” national protest; (2)

interrogating and threatening employees regarding the Day Without Immigrants

activities; and 3) discharging or constructively discharging three employees on

February 17 in retaliation for their participation in the Day Without Immigrants.

We conclude that the employees’ participation in the “Day Without Immigrants”

was for their mutual aid or protection and constituted a protected strike. The

Employer therefore violated Section 8(a)(1) by discharging or constructively

discharging employees for engaging in a protected strike vis-à-vis the “Day Without

Immigrants,” interrogating and threatening to discharge employees about their

intention to participate in the “Day Without Immigrants,” and interrogating

employees after the strike and publicly discharging employees directly in front of

1 Unless otherwise noted, all dates herein are 2017.

protected strike vis-à-vis the “Day Without

Immigrants,” interrogating and threatening to discharge employees about their

intention to participate in the “Day Without Immigrants,” and interrogating

employees after the strike and publicly discharging employees directly in front of

1 Unless otherwise noted, all dates herein are 2017.

Case 29-CA-197057

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In the weeks leading up to the “Day Without Immigrants,” President Trump

implemented a number of measures designed to crack down on undocumented

immigrants living in the country and curb the influx of foreign nationals.5 Consistent

with the President’s campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented

immigrants, the administration issued an executive order that, among other things,

tripled the number of immigration enforcement officers and redefined the

Department of Homeland Security’s deportation priorities, greatly expanding the

class of immigrants targeted for deportation.6 Specifically, under the executive order,

anyone who has been charged with a crime or has merely committed acts that

constitute a chargeable criminal offense is a priority for deportation.7 Experts believe

this standard is broad enough to target up to 8 million unauthorized laborers, the

vast majority of whom have worked in violation of law by making false claims on

federal employment forms in order to secure a job.8

Without Immigrants’ Workers Show Their Presence by Staying Home, N.Y. TIMES, Feb.

16, 2017, available at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/16/nyregion/day-without-

immigrants-boycott-trump-policy.html (grassroots “boycott” and “protest”).

4 See, e.g., Robbins & Correal, supra note 3.

5 For example, the administration issued highly-publicized executive orders

directing, inter alia, the construction of a physical wall along the southern border, a

temporary ban on entry by individuals from majority-Muslim countries, and the

suspension of refugee admissions programs. Exec

rump-policy.html (grassroots “boycott” and “protest”).

4 See, e.g., Robbins & Correal, supra note 3.

5 For example, the administration issued highly-publicized executive orders

directing, inter alia, the construction of a physical wall along the southern border, a

temporary ban on entry by individuals from majority-Muslim countries, and the

suspension of refugee admissions programs. Exec. Order No. 13767, Border Security

and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, 82 Fed. Reg. 8793, 8794 (Jan. 30,

2017); Exec. Order No. 13769, Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry

Into the United States, 82 Fed. Reg. 8977, 8978-79 (Feb. 1, 2017).

6 Exec. Order No. 13768, Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States,

82 Fed. Reg. 8799, 8800 (Jan. 30, 2017). See also Nat’l Immigration Law Ctr.,

Understanding Trump’s Executive Order Affecting Deportations & “Sanctuary” Cities,

Feb. 24, 2017, https://www.nilc.org/issues/immigration-enforcement/exec-order-

deportations-sanctuary-cities/ (hiring 10,000 new officers would triple current

workforce of 5,000); Liz Robbins & Caitlin Dickerson, Immigration Agents Arrest 600

People Across U.S. in One Week, N.Y. TIMES, Feb. 12, 2017, available at

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/12/nyregion/immigration-arrests-sanctuary-

city.html (executive order “vastly expanded the group of immigrants considered

priorities for deportation”).

7 Exec. Order No. 13768, 82 Fed. Reg. at 8800.

8 Brian Bennett, Not Just ‘Bad Hombres,’: Trump is Targeting Up to 8 Million People

for Deportation, L.A. TIMES, Feb. 4, 2017, available at

arrests-sanctuary-

city.html (executive order “vastly expanded the group of immigrants considered

priorities for deportation”).

7 Exec. Order No. 13768, 82 Fed. Reg. at 8800.

8 Brian Bennett, Not Just ‘Bad Hombres,’: Trump is Targeting Up to 8 Million People

for Deportation, L.A. TIMES, Feb. 4, 2017, available at

Case 29-CA-197057

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During the week prior to the “Day Without Immigrants,” immigration agents

conducted a series of large-scale raids that created a sense of panic among immigrant

communities.9 To many, the raids signaled a new, more aggressive crackdown on

undocumented immigrants, and validated fears that bystanders without criminal

records would not be spared if they happened to be present during a raid.10 As a

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-deportations-20170204-story.html.

See also Hoffman Plastic Compounds, Inc. v. NLRB, 535 U.S. 137, 148 (2002)

(Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 “makes it a crime for an unauthorized

alien to subvert the employer verification system by tendering fraudulent

documents.”).

9 See Robbins & Dickerson, supra note 6; Chappell, supra note 3; Lisa Rein et al.,

Federal Agents Conduct Immigration Enforcement Raids in at Least Six States, WASH.

POST, Feb. 11, 2017, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-

agents-conduct-sweeping-immigration-enforcement-raids-in-at-least-6-

states/2017/02/10/4b9f443a-efc8-11e6-b4ff-

ac2cf509efe5_story.html?utm_term=.7289747fd555.

10 See Robbins & Dickerson, supra note 6; Chappell, supra note 3; Rein, supra note 9;

Camila Domonoske, 75 Percent of Immigration Raid Arrests Were for Criminal

Convictions, NAT’L PUBLIC RADIO, Feb

.washingtonpost.com/national/federal-

agents-conduct-sweeping-immigration-enforcement-raids-in-at-least-6-

states/2017/02/10/4b9f443a-efc8-11e6-b4ff-

ac2cf509efe5_story.html?utm_term=.7289747fd555.

10 See Robbins & Dickerson, supra note 6; Chappell, supra note 3; Rein, supra note 9;

Camila Domonoske, 75 Percent of Immigration Raid Arrests Were for Criminal

Convictions, NAT’L PUBLIC RADIO, Feb. 13, 2017, http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-

way/2017/02/13/515032423/75-percent-of-immigration-raid-arrests-were-for-criminal-

convictions-dhs-says (prior week’s arrests “included ‘collateral damage,’ or people who

were picked up despite not being targeted in the operations—because, for example,

they were in the same place as a person who was targeted, and did not have

documentation”); Nicholas Kulish, et al., Immigration Agents Discover New Freedom

to Deport Under Trump, N.Y. TIMES, Feb. 25, 2017, available at

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/25/us/ice-immigrant-deportations-trump.html

(Under the Trump administration, “[b]ystanders are now being taken in if they are

suspected to be undocumented, even if they have committed no crime, known within

the agency as ‘collateral’ arrests. While these arrests occurred under the Obama

administration, they were officially discouraged, to the frustration of many

[immigration] agents.”). See also Maria Sacchetti & Ed O’Keefe, ICE Data Shows

Half of Immigrants Arrested in Raids Had Traffic Convictions or No Record, WASH.

POST, Apr. 28, 2017, available at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-

issues/ice-data-shows-half-of-immigrants-arrested-in-raids-had-traffic-convictions-or-

no-record/2017/04/28/81ff7284-2c59-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.html?utm_

term=.9db6db4fe48e (arrests of immigrants with no criminal record more than

doubled in early 2017 as compared to same period in 2016).

s://www.washingtonpost.com/local/social-

issues/ice-data-shows-half-of-immigrants-arrested-in-raids-had-traffic-convictions-or-

no-record/2017/04/28/81ff7284-2c59-11e7-b605-33413c691853_story.html?utm_

term=.9db6db4fe48e (arrests of immigrants with no criminal record more than

doubled in early 2017 as compared to same period in 2016).

Case 29-CA-197057

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result of these raids, many immigrants became fearful of going to work.11 The raids

took place in both homes and workplaces and were reminiscent of enforcement efforts

by previous administrations involving worksite raids that rounded up all

unauthorized workers.12 Many had predicted that workplace apprehensions would

play a vital role in meeting President Trump’s goal of swiftly deporting millions of

undocumented immigrants,13 and anxiety about the possible revival of workplace

raids appears to have been well-founded.14

11 See Mizue Aizeki, Families Fearing Deportation Because of Trump’s Immigration

Policies Prepare for I.C.E. Raid, NEWSWEEK, June 28, 2017, available at

http://www.newsweek.com/immigration-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-ice-

donald-trump-628896 (“many immigrants scared to take their children to school or to

show up for work”).

12 Rein, supra note 9.

13 See Brian Bennett, When Trump Says He Wants to Deport Criminals, He Means

Something Starkly Different Than Obama, L.A. TIMES, Nov. 14, 2016, available at

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-immigration-criminals-20161114-

story.html (“Trump’s advisors are drafting plans to resume workplace raids . . . in an

effort to meet Trump’s goal to deport 2 million to 3 million migrants who he says are

criminals. . . . To boost the tallies, his advisors say, Trump will probably reinstate

workplace raids to find those in the country illegally, to push illegal immigrants out of

jobs and to send a signal across the borders . .

ry.html (“Trump’s advisors are drafting plans to resume workplace raids . . . in an

effort to meet Trump’s goal to deport 2 million to 3 million migrants who he says are

criminals. . . . To boost the tallies, his advisors say, Trump will probably reinstate

workplace raids to find those in the country illegally, to push illegal immigrants out of

jobs and to send a signal across the borders . . . .”); Amy Chozick, Raids of Illegal

Immigrants Bring Harsh Memories, and Strong Fears, N.Y. TIMES, Jan. 2, 2017,

available at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/02/us/illegal-immigrants-raids-

deportation.html (experts anticipate return of workplace raids to meet Trump’s

deportation goals); Brian Bennett, As Soon As He is Inaugurated, Trump Will Move to

Clamp Down on Immigration, L.A. TIMES, Jan. 19, 2017, available at

http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-pol-trump-immigration-actions-20170119-

story.html (advocates predict workplace raids).

14 See Aizeki, supra note 11 (50 percent increase in community arrests, such as at

work, during first 100 days of 2017 compared to 2016). See also Tim Carman & Avi

Self, An ICE Agent Visited a Restaurant. About 30 Employees Quit the Next Day, Its

Owner Says. WASH. POST, June 27, 2017, available at

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/food/wp/2017/06/27/an-ice-agent-visited-a-

restaurant-about-30-employees-quit-the-next-day-its-owner-

says/?utm_term=.12db1d70b788; Associated Press, ICE Agents Eat Breakfast,

Compliment Chef, Then Arrest 3 Workers at Michigan Restaurant, CHI. TRIB., May 26,

2017, available at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/midwest/ct-

michigan-restaurant-immigration-arrests-20170525-story.html; Michael Matza, After

ICE Raid at Chesco Mushroom Farm, Anxiety High Among Immigrant Workers,

kfast,

Compliment Chef, Then Arrest 3 Workers at Michigan Restaurant, CHI. TRIB., May 26,

2017, available at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/midwest/ct-

michigan-restaurant-immigration-arrests-20170525-story.html; Michael Matza, After

ICE Raid at Chesco Mushroom Farm, Anxiety High Among Immigrant Workers,

Case 29-CA-197057

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ACTION

The Region should issue complaint, absent settlement, alleging that the

Employer violated Section 8(a)(1) by: terminating or constructively discharging

employees who engaged in a protected strike in support of their own workplace

grievances and the “Day Without Immigrants,” interrogating and threatening to

discharge employees about their intention to participate in the “Day Without

Immigrants,” and interrogating and publicly discharging employees specifically for

their engagement in these protected concerted activities so as to chill other employees

from engaging in protected concerted activities.

I.

The Employees Engaged in Protected Concerted Activity within Section

7’s Mutual Aid or Protection Clause

Section 7 grants employees the right to engage in “concerted” activities for the

purpose of “mutual aid or protection.” The latter element “focuses on the goal of

concerted activity,” specifically, “whether there is a link between the activity and

matters concerning the workplace or employees’ interests as employees.”15 The Board

analyzes whether an activity is for “mutual aid or protection” using an objective

standard; thus, employees’ subjective motives are irrelevant.16

The “mutual aid or protection” clause covers employee efforts to improve their

terms and conditions of employment through direct actions targeted at their specific

employer, as well as efforts to “improve their lot as employees through channels

outside the immediate employee-employer relationship” and activities “in support of

employees of employers other than their own.”17

rrelevant.16

The “mutual aid or protection” clause covers employee efforts to improve their

terms and conditions of employment through direct actions targeted at their specific

employer, as well as efforts to “improve their lot as employees through channels

outside the immediate employee-employer relationship” and activities “in support of

employees of employers other than their own.”17 The Board has long recognized that

Section 7 protection extends to concerted political advocacy when the subject matter

of that advocacy has a direct nexus to employees’ “interests as employees,” based on a

PHILA. INQUIRER, May 7, 2017, available at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/ice-

raid-mushroom-fear-deport-chester-county.html.

15 Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market, 361 NLRB No. 12, slip op. at 3 (Aug. 11, 2014).

16 Id. (quoting Dreis & Krump Mfg. Co. v. NLRB, 544 F.2d 320, 328 n.10 (7th Cir.

1976)) (“‘The motive of the actor in a labor dispute must be distinguished from the

purpose for his activity.’”).

17 Eastex, Inc. v. NLRB, 437 U.S. 556, 559-60, 565 (1978) (upholding Section 7

protection for distribution of literature that, inter alia, urged employees to vote for

candidates supporting a federal minimum wage increase and to lobby legislators

against incorporation of right-to-work statute into state constitution).

Case 29-CA-197057

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totality of the circumstances.18 For example, in Kaiser Engineers,19 the Board held

that a group letter to Congress, in which employees opposed a competitor’s rumored

application to the labor department to ease restrictions on visas for foreign engineers,

was protected where the apparent reason for the letter was concern that an influx of

foreign workers would threaten the job security of the employees and others in the

profession.20

Here, the employees’ participation in the “Day Without Immigrants” was

motivated, in large part, by the mistreatment the employees suffered at their

wo

ent to ease restrictions on visas for foreign engineers,

was protected where the apparent reason for the letter was concern that an influx of

foreign workers would threaten the job security of the employees and others in the

profession.20

Here, the employees’ participation in the “Day Without Immigrants” was

motivated, in large part, by the mistreatment the employees suffered at their

workplace. This falls within the scope of the Act’s “mutual aid or protection” clause.

One of the Act’s fundamental purposes is to facilitate peaceful resolutions of

18 Id. at 565-67 (efforts to “improve working conditions through resort to

administrative and judicial forums” and “appeals to legislators to protect their

interests as employees” are protected). See Nellis Cab Co., 362 NLRB No. 185, slip op.

at 2 (Aug. 27, 2015) (extended break during which taxicab drivers drove down

boulevard honking and flashing lights while refusing to pick up passengers protected

where object was to protest taxicab authority’s possible issuance of additional

medallions, which would likely decrease drivers’ pay); Kaiser Engineers, 213 NLRB

752, 755 (1974), enforced, 538 F.2d 1379 (9th Cir. 1976); Guideline Memorandum

Concerning Unfair Labor Practice Charges Involving Political Advocacy,

Memorandum GC 08-10, dated July 22, 2008, at 3-7; see also Five Star

Transportation, Inc., 349 NLRB 42, 45 (2007) (quoting Endicott Interconnect

Technologies, Inc., 345 NLRB 448, 450 (2005), enforcement denied, 453 F.3d 532 (D.C.

Cir. 2006)) (“written communication must be viewed ‘in its entirety and in context’ in

order to determine whether there is a nexus”), enforced, 522 F.3d 46 (1st Cir. 2008);

Senior Citizens Coordinating Council, 330 NLRB 1100, 1104 n.15 (2000) (quoting Atl.-

Pac. Constr. Co. v. NLRB, 52 F.3d 260, 263 (9th Cir. 1995)) (nexus “‘gleaned from the

totality of the circumstances’”).

19 213 NLRB 752, cited with approval in Eastex, 437 U.S. at 566 n.16.

20 Id. at 755

d in context’ in

order to determine whether there is a nexus”), enforced, 522 F.3d 46 (1st Cir. 2008);

Senior Citizens Coordinating Council, 330 NLRB 1100, 1104 n.15 (2000) (quoting Atl.-

Pac. Constr. Co. v. NLRB, 52 F.3d 260, 263 (9th Cir. 1995)) (nexus “‘gleaned from the

totality of the circumstances’”).

19 213 NLRB 752, cited with approval in Eastex, 437 U.S. at 566 n.16.

20 Id. at 755. See also Petrochem Insulation, Inc., 330 NLRB 47, 49 (1999) (union’s

intervention before state environmental and other regulatory permit proceedings

protected where objective was to secure a living wage for non-unionized employees,

thereby expanding union job opportunities, improving union’s ability to bargain for

higher wages, and furthering employee health and safety), enforced, 240 F.3d 26 (D.C.

Cir. 2001); Tradesmen International, Inc., 332 NLRB 1158, 1159-60 (2000) (union

organizer’s testimony to municipal board that nonunion contractor was subject to

bonding requirement protected because union sought to level the playing field

between union and nonunion contractors, thereby protecting job opportunities of

unionized employees), enforcement denied, 275 F.3d 1137 (D.C. Cir. 2002).

Case 29-CA-197057

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industrial disputes about wages, hours, and other working conditions.21 Thus, it is

axiomatic that the employees’ demands for their full wages, fair distribution of

overtime hours between Latino and non-Latino workers, and adequate breaks, in

particular bathroom breaks, are goals that fall within the Act’s “mutual aid or

protection” clause.

The employees’ other goal, to support the “Day Without Immigrants,” also falls

within the Act’s “mutual aid and protection” clause, as it concerns their interests as

employees

r full wages, fair distribution of

overtime hours between Latino and non-Latino workers, and adequate breaks, in

particular bathroom breaks, are goals that fall within the Act’s “mutual aid or

protection” clause.

The employees’ other goal, to support the “Day Without Immigrants,” also falls

within the Act’s “mutual aid and protection” clause, as it concerns their interests as

employees. The “Day Without Immigrants” was a response to, inter alia, the sudden

crackdown on undocumented immigrants living and working in the United States and

the possible revival of immigration raids in the workplace.22 On a basic level,

President Trump’s executive orders plainly threaten the job security of unauthorized

workers, many of whom came to this country to seek employment and are now at risk

of deportation because they presented false documents in order to secure a job.23

Given that up to 8 million unauthorized laborers are now priorities for deportation, it

is no coincidence that missing work was a central element of the day of action.

Immigrants’ absence from work was not only a political gesture aimed at the new

administration—it was also a show of strength aimed at employers and the business

community for the purpose of eliciting respect and support for their labor and

continued presence in the country.

Moreover, the subject matter of the employees’ advocacy on the “Day Without

Immigrants” is connected to employees’ interests as employees because more vigorous

immigration enforcement will likely cause employment standards and working

21 29 U.S.C. § 151 (outlining purpose of the Act and the need to protect employees’

right to collectively organize for their mutual aid and protection); see Eastex, 437 U.S.

at 569-70 (acknowledging that “[f]ew topics are of such immediate concern to

employees as the level of their wages”); American Mfg. Concern, 7 NLRB 753, 759

n enforcement will likely cause employment standards and working

21 29 U.S.C. § 151 (outlining purpose of the Act and the need to protect employees’

right to collectively organize for their mutual aid and protection); see Eastex, 437 U.S.

at 569-70 (acknowledging that “[f]ew topics are of such immediate concern to

employees as the level of their wages”); American Mfg. Concern, 7 NLRB 753, 759

(1938) (holding that a walk-out motivated by a demand for a forty-hour work week

was a protected strike).

22 Whether workplace raids actually have or will become a common practice again

under the Trump administration is irrelevant. See, e.g., Union Carbide Corp., 259

NLRB 974, 977 (1981) (taxpayer petition complaining of employer’s use of

government funds to fund anti-union campaign protected “whether the premise on

which it was based was ill founded or not”), enforced in relevant part, 714 F.2d 657

(6th Cir. 1983).

23 See Kaiser Engineers, 213 NLRB at 755 (political letter protected where employees

evidently feared that relaxing immigration laws might affect job security).

Case 29-CA-197057

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conditions to deteriorate for all workers, especially in lower-wage industries.24 Laws

that protect employees’ wages, health and safety, and entitlement to breaks, not to

mention collective-bargaining rights, largely rely on workers filing complaints with

government authorities.25 In a climate of aggressive immigration enforcement,

undocumented immigrants are less likely to initiate complaints, or exercise their

right to organize for better working conditions, for fear that their employer will

retaliate by contacting immigration authorities, a tactic commonly used by

employers.26 Indeed, even documented immigrants may be reluctant to report

workplace violations or attempt to otherwise better their working conditions due to

concern that it may expose co-workers or family members to scrutiny by immigration

authorities.27 This is part

ng conditions, for fear that their employer will

retaliate by contacting immigration authorities, a tactic commonly used by

employers.26 Indeed, even documented immigrants may be reluctant to report

workplace violations or attempt to otherwise better their working conditions due to

concern that it may expose co-workers or family members to scrutiny by immigration

authorities.27 This is particularly true in the current climate, given that immigration

officers have more freedom to arrest bystanders when conducting raids, including at

homes and workplaces.28 In light of these realities, workers participating in the “Day

24 See Laura D. Francis, Fear of Immigration Raids May Harm Workplace Rights,

BLOOMBERG BNA, Mar. 1, 2017, https://www.bna.com/fear-immigration-raids-

n57982084586/; Justin Miller, Trump’s Immigration Crackdown is Dangerous for

Workers (Not Just Immigrants), AMER. PROSPECT, Jan. 31, 2017, available at

http://prospect.org/article/trump%E2%80%99s-immigration-crackdown-dangerous-

workers-not-just-immigrants.

25 See Kati L. Griffith, Laborers or Criminals? The Impact of Crimmigration on Labor

Standards Enforcement, in THE CRIMINALIZATION OF IMMIGRATION: CONTEXTS AND

CONSEQUENCES 89, 93-94 (Alissa R. Ackerman & Rich Furman eds., 2014), available

at http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=

2059&context=articles.

26 Id. at 95-96. See also Michael J. Wishnie, The Border Crossed Us: Current Issues in

Immigrant Labor, 28 N.Y.U. REV. L. & SOC. CHANGE 389, 392-93 (2004) (fact that 55

percent of workplace immigration raids in New York City occurred in the midst of a

wage and hour or other labor dispute “not surprising, as some employers have long

seized upon [immigration] raids as a tool to retaliate against workers and escape

liability for labor violations”).

27 See Labriola Baking Co., 361 NLRB No. 41, slip op. at 3 n.7 (Sept. 8, 2014)

(quoting Rivera v. NIBCO, Inc., 364 F.3d 1057, 1065 (9th Cir

ation raids in New York City occurred in the midst of a

wage and hour or other labor dispute “not surprising, as some employers have long

seized upon [immigration] raids as a tool to retaliate against workers and escape

liability for labor violations”).

27 See Labriola Baking Co., 361 NLRB No. 41, slip op. at 3 n.7 (Sept. 8, 2014)

(quoting Rivera v. NIBCO, Inc., 364 F.3d 1057, 1065 (9th Cir. 2004)) (“even

documented workers may be intimidated by threatened scrutiny of their

immigration status, for they ‘may fear that their immigration status would be

changed, or that their status would reveal the immigration problems of their family

or friends’”); Miller, supra note 24.

Case 29-CA-197057

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Without Immigrants” would reasonably be concerned about greater exploitation on

the job as a result of the new administration’s more vigorous approach to immigration

enforcement.

Finally, the subject matter of employees’ advocacy is linked to work-related

concerns because workplace raids and stricter enforcement will likely diminish

workers’ employment opportunities. First, employers may avoid hiring immigrants

due to fear that employing an immigrant workforce may prompt a workplace raid,

increase the risk of criminal and civil sanctions under immigration laws, or create

unwanted turnover due to employee deportations.29 Even documented workers’

employment prospects could be affected, since vigorous immigration enforcement

would likely discourage employers from hiring individuals who merely look or sound

“foreign.”30 In addition, undocumented workers may feel so threatened by the

possibility of workplace raids that they might limit their job search to so-called

“sanctuary” employers or jurisdictions that require employers to mitigate the impact

of workplace raids on their employees.31

We would reject any argument by the Employer that the nexus between the

2017 “Day Without Immigrants” and immigrants’ concerns as employ

umented workers may feel so threatened by the

possibility of workplace raids that they might limit their job search to so-called

“sanctuary” employers or jurisdictions that require employers to mitigate the impact

of workplace raids on their employees.31

We would reject any argument by the Employer that the nexus between the

2017 “Day Without Immigrants” and immigrants’ concerns as employees is too

tenuous because the primary thrust of the 2017 protests concerned deportation itself,

28 See Domonoske, supra note 10; Kulish, supra note 10.

29 See Vin Gurrieri, Trump’s Immigration Plans Put Employers, Workers On Edge,

LAW360, Mar. 1, 2017, https://www.law360.com/articles/897103/trump-s-immigration-

plans-put-employers-workers-on-edge (employers concerned about “heightened

scrutiny” by immigration enforcement agents, being caught for immigration

violations, and losing a “large segment of [their] workforce”).

30 See Griffith, supra note 25 at 93-94.

31 Hundreds of restaurants nationwide have designated themselves “sanctuary

restaurants,” a label indicating that an employer has received education about how to

handle immigration agents during a possible raid. See Justin Phillips, Bay Area

Restaurants Register As Sanctuary Businesses, S.F. CHRON., Feb. 16, 2017, available

at http://www.sfchronicle.com/restaurants/article/Bay-Area-restaurants-register-as-

sanctuary-10938249.php. The California legislature is considering a bill that would

require employers to take measures to shield workers during workplace raids, such as

by insisting on a judicial warrant or subpoena before granting access to immigration

agents. Associated Press, California Assembly OKs Protection Against Workplace

Raids, VENTURA COUNTY STAR, June 1, 2017, http://www.vcstar.com/story/

news/2017/06/01/assembly-oks-protection-against-workplace-raids/361111001/.

rkplace raids, such as

by insisting on a judicial warrant or subpoena before granting access to immigration

agents. Associated Press, California Assembly OKs Protection Against Workplace

Raids, VENTURA COUNTY STAR, June 1, 2017, http://www.vcstar.com/story/

news/2017/06/01/assembly-oks-protection-against-workplace-raids/361111001/.

Case 29-CA-197057

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rather than, as in 2006, proposed legislation expressly regulating the employment of

undocumented immigrants. Loss of employment is an inevitable consequence of

deportation, and thus job-related concerns are naturally implicated when employees

perceive a greater risk of being expelled from the country. Moreover, as explained

above, there is a direct nexus here because employees could reasonably believe that

the Trump administration’s immigration agenda—particularly the more aggressive

immigration enforcement, including workplace raids—would harm their terms of

employment and work prospects.32 Indeed, the Employer recognized that the day of

action work stoppage was for the purpose of valuing and protecting immigrants’ labor,

since it reacted to the employees’ plans to partake by suggesting that it was not at

fault for the Trump administration’s immigration policies, and jibing that it was the

Employer, and not Trump, who was “going to pay your rent.”

Likewise, any contention that participation in the 2017 protests should be

unprotected because the new administration’s executive orders do not specifically

mention the employment of immigrants is unavailing. The Board has found activity

to be protected even when the subject matter of the government petitioning is not

explicitly or obviously connected to workplace concerns

your rent.”

Likewise, any contention that participation in the 2017 protests should be

unprotected because the new administration’s executive orders do not specifically

mention the employment of immigrants is unavailing. The Board has found activity

to be protected even when the subject matter of the government petitioning is not

explicitly or obviously connected to workplace concerns. For example, in Petrochem

Insulation,33 the Board found that a union campaign, which consisted of filing various

environmental objections and challenging the issuance of permits, was protected, and

therefore the employer violated Section 8(a)(1) by filing a meritless and retaliatory

lawsuit to enjoin the union’s activities.34 The Board reasoned that the petitioning

was protected because the union’s objective was to secure a living wage for employees

at non-union construction companies, which the Board considered to be a form of

area-standards campaign.35 Likewise, in Tradesmen International,36 the Board

found protected a union organizer’s testimony before a city building standards board

urging application of a surety bond requirement to a labor supply firm. Although the

ordinance did not relate to working conditions, nor did the testimony refer to that

subject,37 the Board reasoned that there was a nexus because the testimony was

32 See Senior Citizens Coordinating Council, 330 NLRB at 1104 (complaint about

lack of supervision to city agency had a “direct impact” on working conditions where

employees “could reasonably believe” their jobs might be in jeopardy).

33 330 NLRB 47.

34 Id. at 48, 50-51.

35 Id. at 49.

36 332 NLRB 1158.

37 See id. at 1162 (Member Hurtgen, dissenting).

dinating Council, 330 NLRB at 1104 (complaint about

lack of supervision to city agency had a “direct impact” on working conditions where

employees “could reasonably believe” their jobs might be in jeopardy).

33 330 NLRB 47.

34 Id. at 48, 50-51.

35 Id. at 49.

36 332 NLRB 1158.

37 See id. at 1162 (Member Hurtgen, dissenting).

Case 29-CA-197057

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must not run afoul of the Act. As further analyzed herein, we conclude that both the

object and means of the employees’ concerted activity constituted a protected strike;

thus, the Employer unlawfully discharged the employees that went on strike on

February 16.

II. The Employer Unlawfully Terminated Employees Engaged in Protected

Strike

Employees have a statutorily protected right to withhold labor from their

employer in an effort to improve their terms and conditions of employment.42 The

Supreme Court has stated that the right to strike is a pillar of the collective-

bargaining system, and “is to be given a generous interpretation within the scope of

the [L]abor Act.”43 Indeed, this generous interpretation is evident in Board decisions

liberally finding strikes of unorganized workers protected,44 as well as extending

Section 7 protection to a work stoppage regardless of whether a specific demand is

42 See NLRB v. Drivers, Chauffeurs, Helpers, Local 639 (Curtis Bros.), 362 U.S. 274,

281 (1960) (Section 13 “provides, in substance, that the Taft-Hartley Act shall not be

taken as restricting or expanding either the right to strike or the limitations or

qualifications on that right . . . unless ‘specifically provided for’ in the Act itself”);

NLRB v. Preterm, Inc., 784 F.2d 426, 429 (1st Cir. 1986) (pursuant to Section 7,

“employees are granted the right to peacefully strike, picket and engage in other

concerted activities”).

43 NLRB v. Erie Resistor Corp., 373 U.S

s restricting or expanding either the right to strike or the limitations or

qualifications on that right . . . unless ‘specifically provided for’ in the Act itself”);

NLRB v. Preterm, Inc., 784 F.2d 426, 429 (1st Cir. 1986) (pursuant to Section 7,

“employees are granted the right to peacefully strike, picket and engage in other

concerted activities”).

43 NLRB v. Erie Resistor Corp., 373 U.S. 221, 233-34 (1963) (noting that the

“solicitude for the right to strike” is so strong that “when Congress chose to qualify

the use of the strike, it did so by prescribing the limits and conditions of the

abridgement in exacting detail” so that the “positive command of S[ection] 13” would

be preserved).

44 NLRB v. Washington Aluminum, 370 U.S. 9, 14-15 (1962) (employees’ spontaneous

work stoppage protected; having no bargaining representative and no established

procedure for negotiating with the company, they took the most direct course to let

the company know that they wanted a warmer place in which to work); see, e.g.,

Serendippity-Un-Ltd., 263 NLRB 768, 775 (1982) (employees’ joint cessation of work

to protest perceived safety violations and inadequate health insurance coverage

protected, especially where there was no bargaining representative, notwithstanding

the reasonableness of their perception, any lack of notification to the employer of their

intent to cease work, or the existence of alternative methods of solving the problems);

Polytech, Inc., 195 NLRB 695, 696 (1972) (noting that employees were unrepresented

and lacked “structured procedures to protest . . . working conditions” in finding single

concerted refusal to work overtime protected).

on to the employer of their

intent to cease work, or the existence of alternative methods of solving the problems);

Polytech, Inc., 195 NLRB 695, 696 (1972) (noting that employees were unrepresented

and lacked “structured procedures to protest . . . working conditions” in finding single

concerted refusal to work overtime protected).

Case 29-CA-197057

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proffered before, during, or even after a strike.45 The right to strike is, of course, not

without limitation.46 Whether a work stoppage is protected depends, in part, on its

purpose. To obtain protection, employees must be withholding labor to pressure their

employer to remedy a work-related complaint or grievance.47

Although it is not entirely clear whether, in order to find a protected “strike,” the

employer must in fact be able to remedy the employees’ work related complaint, in

Eastex the Supreme Court suggested in dicta that an employer should have some

degree of control over resolution of the objective of striking employees in order for the

application of economic pressure to fall within the Act’s protection.48 Following the

2006 “Day Without Immigrants,” General Counsel Meisburg adopted the Supreme

Court’s suggestion and concluded that, while the purpose of the 2006 “Day Without

Immigrants”—to protest proposed legislation affecting the employment of

undocumented immigrants—was protected under the mutual aid or protection clause

of Section 7, the employees’ means of achieving that protected purpose—withholding

their labor—was not a protected “strike” because employees’ underlying grievance

45 Washington Aluminum, 370 U.S. at 14 (employees’ work stoppage protected despite

failure to make specific demand upon employer to remedy objectionable condition).

46 For instance, strikes that are unlawful, violent, or in breach of contract are not

protected. Id

f achieving that protected purpose—withholding

their labor—was not a protected “strike” because employees’ underlying grievance

45 Washington Aluminum, 370 U.S. at 14 (employees’ work stoppage protected despite

failure to make specific demand upon employer to remedy objectionable condition).

46 For instance, strikes that are unlawful, violent, or in breach of contract are not

protected. Id. at 14-17 (employees’ strike did not include illegal conduct that would

have made it lose the Act’s protection, which superseded employer’s plant rules).

47 See, e.g., New York State Nurses Assn., 334 NLRB 798, 800 (2001) (citing Empire

Steel Mfg. Co., 234 NLRB 530, 532 (1978), enforced mem., 605 F.2d 652 (9th Cir.

1979)) (nurses’ concerted refusal to volunteer for overtime work was strike because it

was “intended to put pressure on the [employer] to change its staffing practices”); cf.

Quantum Electric, Inc., 341 NLRB 1270, 1279 & n.29 (2004) (leaving work early to

attend union meeting was unprotected where not intended as protest of working

conditions); Bird Engineering, 270 NLRB 1415, 1415 n.3 (1984) (noting that workers’

protest against the employer’s new on-campus lunch policy might have been protected

had they engaged in a proper work stoppage, rather than merely violating the new

rule).

48 Eastex, Inc., 437 U.S. at 568 n.18 (quoting Getman, The Protection of Economic

Pressure by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, 115 U.PA.L.REV. 1195, 1221

270 NLRB 1415, 1415 n.3 (1984) (noting that workers’

protest against the employer’s new on-campus lunch policy might have been protected

had they engaged in a proper work stoppage, rather than merely violating the new

rule).

48 Eastex, Inc., 437 U.S. at 568 n.18 (quoting Getman, The Protection of Economic

Pressure by Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, 115 U.PA.L.REV. 1195, 1221

(1967) (“The argument that the employer's lack of interest or control affords a

legitimate basis for holding that a subject does not come within ‘mutual aid or

protection’ is unconvincing. The argument that economic pressure should be

unprotected in such cases is more convincing.”)).

Case 29-CA-197057

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concerning the proposed legislation was not one that their employers could remedy.49

More recently, in Nellis Cab Company, the Board acknowledged the Supreme

Court’s dicta in Eastex that an employer should have some degree of control over the

outcome of a political dispute for economic pressure in support of that dispute to be

protected.50 Without explicitly agreeing with the Court’s suggestion, the Nellis Board

concluded that the employer taxicab company had some control over whether a state

agency issue more taxi medallions because the employer, along with the other fifteen

local taxicab companies, could influence the state agency’s decision.51 Therefore, the

taxicab drivers’ brief protest in opposition to the increase in medallions, during which

the drivers refused to pick up passengers, was a protected strike designed to

“influence the influencers.”52

In this case, the employees who withheld their labor in support of their

workplace grievances and the “Day Without Immigrants” were engaged in a protected

strike

decision.51 Therefore, the

taxicab drivers’ brief protest in opposition to the increase in medallions, during which

the drivers refused to pick up passengers, was a protected strike designed to

“influence the influencers.”52

In this case, the employees who withheld their labor in support of their

workplace grievances and the “Day Without Immigrants” were engaged in a protected

strike. One of the employees’ goals was to pressure the Employer to improve the

wages, hours, and conditions of employment at their workplace; specifically, they

sought full wages, fair distribution of overtime hours between Latino and non-Latino

workers, and adequate breaks. The Employer clearly was in a position to resolve

these workplace concerns. And, as discussed above, the employees also withheld their

labor to highlight and counteract the negative impact they believe President Trump’s

administration is having on the job security, workplace standards, and employment

opportunities for documented and undocumented immigrant employees.53 Although

49 Memorandum GC 08-10, supra note 18, at 10; see also Reliable Maintenance, Case

18-CA-18119, Advice Memorandum dated Oct. 31, 2006 (finding employees who left

work to attend demonstrations to protest federal immigration policies were not

engaged in valid strikes, even though the walkouts were for mutual aid or protection,

because the conduct was not “directed at an employer who has control over the subject

matter of the dispute. . . .”).

50 362 NLRB No. 185, slip op. at 2.

51 Id., slip op. at 2 & n.11 (noting the Supreme Court’s acknowledgement that

“Congress entrusted to the Board, ‘in the first instance,’ the task of delineating the

boundaries of the ‘mutual aid or protection’ clause.”).

52 Id., slip op. at 2.

53 See supra pp. 10-12; National Immigration Law Center, Understanding Trump’s

Executive Order Affecting Deportations & “Sanctuary” Cities (last revised Feb

ip op. at 2 & n.11 (noting the Supreme Court’s acknowledgement that

“Congress entrusted to the Board, ‘in the first instance,’ the task of delineating the

boundaries of the ‘mutual aid or protection’ clause.”).

52 Id., slip op. at 2.

53 See supra pp. 10-12; National Immigration Law Center, Understanding Trump’s

Executive Order Affecting Deportations & “Sanctuary” Cities (last revised Feb. 24,

2017) (highlighting how President Obama’s policy focused predominantly on criminals

and gang affiliated undocumented immigrants in stark contrast to President Trump’s

Case 29-CA-197057

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not presented to the Employer in a formal strike notice, the Employer was made

aware of both of these goals. Employee A states that, on February 16,

and other

workers explained to

that they planned to participate in the “Day Without

Immigrants” to protest problems at the workplace, e.g., underpayments and pressure

to forgo bathroom visits and to work too fast. Previously, in December 2016,

employees had confronted

with their grievances about disproportionate

amounts of overtime assigned to Latino workers. Moreover,

learned

through

polling that the employees were not reporting to work in protest of their

wages, hours, and conditions of employment, as well as the workplace rights of Latino

immigrants as a whole.

Any chance of these unorganized employees opening a fruitful dialogue with the

Employer to address these concerns was remote, absent further action, because past

efforts were stonewalled and the language barrier strained communication between

the two parties.54 Thus, the employees’ best option to demand resolution of their

grievances was to withhold their labor in support of the “Day Without Immigrants”

and pressure the Employer to take action to improve their terms of employment and,

to the extent possible, insulate its workplace from the threat of job loss resulting from

work raids and deportations

trained communication between

the two parties.54 Thus, the employees’ best option to demand resolution of their

grievances was to withhold their labor in support of the “Day Without Immigrants”

and pressure the Employer to take action to improve their terms of employment and,

to the extent possible, insulate its workplace from the threat of job loss resulting from

work raids and deportations.

We reject the Employer’s argument that it does not have control over resolution

of the employees’ concerns. First, it is incontrovertible that the Employer can resolve

the employees’ specific grievances about the wages, hours, and conditions of

employment at its workplace. Second, the Employer could reassure employees that it

will not exploit their vulnerable immigration status in denying them fair treatment at

work.55 Third, the Employer also has a number of options that it could implement to

desire to deport “virtually any removable noncitizen”); ICE Arrests 600 in Nationwide

Raids After Trump Order Expands Criminalization of Immigrants, (Democracy Now!

Feb. 13, 2017) (interviewing President of the California State Senate Kevin de León,

who stated “I can tell you half of my family would be eligible for deportation under the

executive order, because if they got a false Social Security card, if they got a false

identification, if they got a false driver’s license prior to us passing AB 60, if they got a

false green card—and anyone who has family members, you know, who are

undocumented knows that almost entirely everybody has secured some sort of false

identification. That’s what you need to survive, to work”).

54 See supra note 44 (discussing the Board’s broad interpretation of the right to strike

and willingness to find strikes of unorganized workers protected).

55 Sophia Tareen, Restaurants Nationwide seek ‘Sanctuary’ Status for Immigrant

Employees, PBS NEWSHOUR (Jan

nows that almost entirely everybody has secured some sort of false

identification. That’s what you need to survive, to work”).

54 See supra note 44 (discussing the Board’s broad interpretation of the right to strike

and willingness to find strikes of unorganized workers protected).

55 Sophia Tareen, Restaurants Nationwide seek ‘Sanctuary’ Status for Immigrant

Employees, PBS NEWSHOUR (Jan. 25, 2017)

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/restaurants-nationwide-seek-sanctuary-

(b) (6), (b

(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)

(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)

(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)

(b) (6), (b) (

Case 29-CA-197057

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help alleviate the concerns created by the administration’s immigration policies. For

example, the Employer could pledge that it will not call ICE to investigate its

employees. In the event ICE attempts to investigate or raid its workplace, the

Employer could refuse to permit ICE to enter its property or search its files unless

and until a warrant or subpoena is produced,56 upon which the Employer could

proactively limit ICE’s search to the strict confines of that document to minimize

exposure to its workforce and prevent collateral arrests.57 Further, the Employer

could serve as a conduit between its employees and immigrant or legal aid groups so

that employees can learn about their rights and how to best protect themselves if

confronted by ICE.58 The Employer could publicly denounce the administration’s

actions and advocate for more liberal immigration policies. The Employer could also

publicly designate itself a so-called “sanctuary” employer.59 Thus, although the

status-immigrant-employees/ (employers are reaffirming their adherence to anti-

discrimination policies and creating safe spaces for their employees in an effort to

alleviate fear of deportation and other harassment); Oakland May Call for Employers

to Establish Sanctuary Workplaces, CBS SF (Apr

mployer could also

publicly designate itself a so-called “sanctuary” employer.59 Thus, although the

status-immigrant-employees/ (employers are reaffirming their adherence to anti-

discrimination policies and creating safe spaces for their employees in an effort to

alleviate fear of deportation and other harassment); Oakland May Call for Employers

to Establish Sanctuary Workplaces, CBS SF (Apr. 18, 2017)

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2017/04/18/oakland-city-council-sanctuary-

workplaces-proposal/ (proposing a resolution that will force employers to respect and

refrain from threatening their workers’ immigration status).

56 Davis Bae, How to Prepare for an ICE Raid on your Workplace, FAST COMPANY

(Mar. 10, 2017), https://www.fastcompany.com/3068857/how-to-prepare-for-an-ice-

raid-on-your-workplace (providing steps employers should take in the event of an ICE

raid); Michael H. Neilfach & Amy L. Peck, What Employers Need to Know about

Immigration Raids on Their Premises, JACKSON LEWIS (Mar. 29, 2017),

https://www.jacksonlewis.com/publication/what-employers-need-know-about-

immigration-raids-their-premises (same).

57 Bae, supra note 56; Neilfach & Peck, supra note 56.

58 Neilfach & Peck, supra note 56.

59 Hundreds of restaurants nationwide have designated themselves “sanctuary

restaurants,” a label indicating that an employer has received education about how to

handle immigration agents during a possible raid. See Justin Phillips, Bay Area

Restaurants Register As Sanctuary Businesses, S.F. CHRON., Feb. 16, 2017, available

at http://www.sfchronicle.com/restaurants/article/Bay-Area-restaurants-register-as-

sanctuary-10938249.php. The California legislature is considering a bill that would

require employers to take measures to shield workers during workplace raids, such as

by insisting on a judicial warrant or subpoena before granting access to immigration

agents

Businesses, S.F. CHRON., Feb. 16, 2017, available

at http://www.sfchronicle.com/restaurants/article/Bay-Area-restaurants-register-as-

sanctuary-10938249.php. The California legislature is considering a bill that would

require employers to take measures to shield workers during workplace raids, such as

by insisting on a judicial warrant or subpoena before granting access to immigration

agents. Associated Press, California Assembly OKs Protection Against Workplace

Case 29-CA-197057

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Employer does not personally control the administration’s immigration agenda, it

could take a stand with hundreds of other companies and thereby influence the

administration to change course just as the Board found cab companies could sway

the state agency’s determination in Nellis Cab Company.60

In a case such as this, in which Employee A was constructively discharged61

and Employee B and Employee C were terminated for engaging in a protected strike,

the Employer’s motive is not at issue.62 In finding that the employees engaged in a

Raids, VENTURA COUNTY STAR, June 1, 2017, http://www.vcstar.com/story/

news/2017/06/01/assembly-oks-protection-against-workplace-raids/361111001/.

60 Nellis Cab Co., 362 NLRB No. 185, slip op. at 2.

61 An employee is constructively discharged when an employer presents a clear and

unequivocal “Hobson’s choice of resignation or continued employment conditioned on

the relinquishment of rights guaranteed by Section 7 of the Act.” White-Evans Service

Co., 285 NLRB 81, 81 (1987). Here, the Employer’s conduct resulted in Employee A

reasonably believing that

only options were waiving

right to engage in

protected concerted activity on February 16 or face termination, a clear violation of

Section 8(a)(1)

of resignation or continued employment conditioned on

the relinquishment of rights guaranteed by Section 7 of the Act.” White-Evans Service

Co., 285 NLRB 81, 81 (1987). Here, the Employer’s conduct resulted in Employee A

reasonably believing that

only options were waiving

right to engage in

protected concerted activity on February 16 or face termination, a clear violation of

Section 8(a)(1). See Transportation Management, 257 NLRB 760, 760 (1981) (finding

that employer constructively discharged employees for refusing to waive their right to

strike), enforced, 686 F.2d 63 (1st Cir. 1982); see also Atlas Refinery, Inc., 354 NLRB

1056, slip op. at 17 (2010) (finding manager’s threat to discharge locked-out employee

if he did not return to work under terms implemented by employer violated 8(a)(1);

noting that questions of manager’s subjective motive and whether his presentation of

a “Hobson’s choice” succeeded or failed in coercing the employee are irrelevant to

finding the violation), enforced, 620 F. App’x 99 (3d Cir. 2015).

62 Compare Atlantic Scaffolding Co., 356 NLRB 835, 838 (2011) (clarifying that the

judge erred in analyzing the 8(a)(1) discharge allegation under Wright Line because,

in cases in which employees are discharged for engaging in a protected work

stoppage, motive is irrelevant to the existence of an 8(a)(1) violation), with Quantum

Electric, Inc., 341 NLRB at 1279 (analyzing the employees’ work stoppage under

Wright Line after finding that leaving work early to attend a union meeting did not

constitute a strike). See also CGLM, Inc., 350 NLRB 974, 974 n.2 (2007) (quoting

Burnup & Sims, Inc., 256 NLRB 965, 976 (1981)) (concluding the existence or lack of

unlawful animus is not material when the “‘very conduct for which employees are

disciplined is itself protected concerted activity’”), enforced mem. per curiam, 280 F.

App’x 366 (5th Cir. 2008).

(b) (6), (b) (7

, 350 NLRB 974, 974 n.2 (2007) (quoting

Burnup & Sims, Inc., 256 NLRB 965, 976 (1981)) (concluding the existence or lack of

unlawful animus is not material when the “‘very conduct for which employees are

disciplined is itself protected concerted activity’”), enforced mem. per curiam, 280 F.

App’x 366 (5th Cir. 2008).

(b) (6), (b) (7

(b) (6), (b) (7

Case 29-CA-197057

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protected strike, we therefore conclude that the Employer violated the Act by

terminating employees for engaging in a protected strike.63

III. The Employer’s Interrogations and Threats of Discharge Prior to the

“Day Without Immigrants” Violated Section 8(a)(1)

We also conclude that the Employer violated Section 8(a)(1) by interrogating and

threatening its employees about their decision to engage in protected concerted

activity prior to the “Day Without Immigrants.” Questioning employees regarding

their intention to participate in a strike, with certain exceptions, is inherently

coercive and tends to interfere with employees’ Section 7 rights.64 The Board thus

only permits an employer to poll employees regarding their strike intentions where

there is a reasonable basis for believing a strike is imminent such that the employer

has a legitimate need to determine its ability to adequately staff its operations.65

63 A Wright Line analysis is unnecessary at this time. When the very conduct for

which an employee is disciplined is itself alleged to be a protected concerted activity,

such as a strike, the employer’s motive is not at issue. See, e.g., Readyjet, Inc., 365

NLRB No.120, slip op. at 1 n.4 (Aug. 16, 2017). Here, the Employer is not arguing

that it would have taken the same adverse action in the absence of protected

concerted activity

t this time. When the very conduct for

which an employee is disciplined is itself alleged to be a protected concerted activity,

such as a strike, the employer’s motive is not at issue. See, e.g., Readyjet, Inc., 365

NLRB No.120, slip op. at 1 n.4 (Aug. 16, 2017). Here, the Employer is not arguing

that it would have taken the same adverse action in the absence of protected

concerted activity. In the event the Employer alters its strategy to include a Wright

Line defense, such that an argument in the alternative may be appropriate, see the

Wright Line analysis in EZ Industrial Solutions, Inc., Case No. 07-CA-193475, Advice

Memorandum dated Aug. 30, 2017, at 19-21, for guidance.

64 See Transportation Management Corp., 257 NLRB at 767 (ALJ, affirmed by Board,

found that employer unlawfully polled drivers as to whether they would waive their

right to strike because such polling inherently subjects employees to fear of

discrimination and reprisals and employer lacked legitimate basis to conduct the

poll); Preterm, Inc., 240 NLRB 654, 656 (1979) (citing Johnnie’s Poultry Co., 146

NLRB 770 (1964), enforcement denied, 344 F.2d 617 (8th Cir. 1965)) (in order to

lessen the inherently coercive effect of polling its employees as to whether they would

participate in a strike, employer obligated to explain fully the purpose of the

questioning, assure employees that no reprisals would be taken as a result of their

response, and refrain from otherwise creating a coercive atmosphere).

65 See, e.g., W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co., 199 NLRB 242, 242-43 (1972) (employer cannot

rely on unsubstantiated rumor as justification for questioning employees concerning

their intent to strike or cross a picket line), enforced, 486 F.2d 180 (8th Cir

ioning, assure employees that no reprisals would be taken as a result of their

response, and refrain from otherwise creating a coercive atmosphere).

65 See, e.g., W.A. Sheaffer Pen Co., 199 NLRB 242, 242-43 (1972) (employer cannot

rely on unsubstantiated rumor as justification for questioning employees concerning

their intent to strike or cross a picket line), enforced, 486 F.2d 180 (8th Cir. 1973);

Transportation Management, 257 NLRB at 767 (rumors of a strike, even where a

union has conducted a strike vote, did not provide a reasonable basis for believing a

strike was imminent); see also Mosher Steel Co., 220 NLRB 336, 336 (1975)

(systematic questioning of employees concerning participation in a strike before a

Case 29-CA-197057

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Notwithstanding this right, an employer’s poll may still run afoul of the Act if the poll

is coupled with coercive conduct.66

In this case, the Employer had a reasonable basis for believing that a sizable

portion of its workforce, the majority of which were Latino immigrants, would

participate in the “Day Without Immigrants.”67 Therefore, the Employer’s initial

polling of its employees was not a per se violation of the Act. By adding an explicit

threat of discharge to the poll, however, the Employer exceeded the bounds of

permissible inquiry and violated the Act by forcing employees to choose between their

rights under the Act or losing their jobs.

IV. The Employer’s Post-strike Interrogation and “Public Execution” of

Strikers Further Violated Section 8(a)(1)

The Employer’s post-strike interrogation of employees and the “public execution”

of Employee B and Employee C on

each constitute separate violations of

Section 8(a)(1)

d violated the Act by forcing employees to choose between their

rights under the Act or losing their jobs.

IV. The Employer’s Post-strike Interrogation and “Public Execution” of

Strikers Further Violated Section 8(a)(1)

The Employer’s post-strike interrogation of employees and the “public execution”

of Employee B and Employee C on

each constitute separate violations of

Section 8(a)(1). In analyzing whether the post-strike interrogation violates Section

8(a)(1), the Board analyzes “[w]hether under all of the circumstances the

interrogation reasonably tends to restrain, coerce, or interfere with rights guaranteed

by the Act.”68 We conclude that requesting employees to publicly identify themselves

strike vote was taken and before negotiations had reached impasse violated 8(a)(1)),

enforced mem., 532 F.2d 1374 (5th Cir. 1976).

66 Compare Transportation Management, 257 NLRB at 767 (clarifying in arguendo

that even if the employer had a reasonable expectation of an imminent strike, the

employer’s poll still violated the Act because it elicited employees to waive their right

to strike), with Industrial Towel & Uniform Service Co., 172 NLRB 2254, 2254 (1968)

(reversing ALJ’s finding and holding that an employer who merely asked an employee

whether he intended to join the ongoing strike did not interfere with the employee’s

exercise of his statutory rights).

67 Regardless of whether

overheard employee discussions about

supporting the “Day Without Immigrants,” or

merely heard about the protest

through the media and speculated that the Employer’s predominantly Latino

immigrant workforce might consider participating,

reasonably believed that a

strike involving at least some employees was imminent.

68 Rossmore House, 269 NLRB 1176, 1177 (1984), aff’d, 760 F.2d 1006 (9th Cir

verheard employee discussions about

supporting the “Day Without Immigrants,” or

merely heard about the protest

through the media and speculated that the Employer’s predominantly Latino

immigrant workforce might consider participating,

reasonably believed that a

strike involving at least some employees was imminent.

68 Rossmore House, 269 NLRB 1176, 1177 (1984), aff’d, 760 F.2d 1006 (9th Cir. 1985);

see Sunnyvale Medical Clinic, 277 NLRB 1217, 1218 (1985) (the Board considers a

number of factors in determining whether the interrogation was coercive, including:

whether the employee interrogated was an open and active union supporter; whether

there is a history of employer hostility towards or discrimination against union

(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)

(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)

(b) (6), (b)

(b) (6), (b) (

Case 29-CA-197057

- 23 -

as participants in the strike, particularly in light of

previous threat to

discharge anyone who participated in the “Day Without Immigrants,” would tend to

restrain and coerce employees in violation of the Act.69 Furthermore,

dramatic “public execution” of the employees who acknowledged that they engaged in

a strike the previous day would undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the

remaining work force and chill concerted activities for the foreseeable future.70

Accordingly, based on the foregoing, the Region should issue complaint, absent

settlement, alleging that the Employer violated Section 8(a)(1).

/s/

J.L.S.

ADV.29-CA-197057.Response. InternationalWarehouseGroup

supporters; whether the questions were general and nonthreatening; and whether the

management official doing the questioning had a casual and friendly relationship

with employee being questioned).

69 See Nellis Cab, 362 NLRB No. 185, slip op

that the Employer violated Section 8(a)(1).

/s/

J.L.S.

ADV.29-CA-197057.Response. InternationalWarehouseGroup

supporters; whether the questions were general and nonthreatening; and whether the

management official doing the questioning had a casual and friendly relationship

with employee being questioned).

69 See Nellis Cab, 362 NLRB No. 185, slip op. at 1, 11 (concluding that the employer’s

interrogation of employees about why they went on strike and who their leader was

violated Section 8(a)(1)).

70 Garvey Marine, Inc., 328 NLRB 991, 993, 995 (1999) (concluding the employer took

steps to ensure that disciplinary action was purposefully dramatic and public to send

a message to the rest of the employees in violation of the Act), enforced, 245 F.3d 819

(D.C. Cir. 2001).

(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)

(b) (6), (b) (7)(C)

(b) (6), (b) (7)(