National Labor Relations Board v. International Ass'n of Heat & Frost Insulators & Asbestos Workers, Local No. 7, A.F.L

The Board instituted this proceeding to procure enforcement of its order requiring the respondent Union to cease and desist from enforcing a closed-shop provision of the contract herein described.

On June 30, 1943 the Seattle Construction Council, an organization of employers in the construction business, including Charles R. Brower & Co., entered into an agreement with Seattle, Washington, Building and Construction Trades Council, an association of construction labor organizations including the respondent Union, whereby it was agreed that the employers would “employ none other than members of the party of the second part [Trades Council],” as enumerated in the agreement. In this enumeration were “asbestos workers”, the group represented by the respondent Union.

At various times between September, 1949 and February 8, 1950 the Union, insisting upon the closed-shop provisions of this contract, required Charles R. Brower & Co., here called the Company, to lay off or refuse to hire six employees named in the complaint. These employees had previouslj been engaged as asbestos workers doing insulation work for the Company. They were not permitted to join respondent Union but…