National Labor Relations Board v. Essex Wire Corporation, a Corporation, Doing Business as Essex Wire Corporation of California

The National Labor Relations Board here seeks enforcement of an order requiring Essex Wire Corporation to cease and desist certain labor practices, and to post notices that it will not engage in such practices.

Respondent company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of wire products in several states, including California. The labor practices here in question occurred at the company’s manufacturing plant in San Diego. The employees of that plant were represented in collective bargaining by Silvergate District Lodge No. 50, in behalf of Automotive Electric Lodge No. 1930 of the International Association of Machinists (I.A.M.). Several employees of the plant, however, became interested in United Mine Workers of America, District 50, unaffiliated (U.M. W.), as a possible bargaining agent. They began a membership campaign at the plant in behalf of that union.

When this activity came to the attention of the production manager, he sought the advice of the company’s main office, in Detroit. He was advised to follow a “middle course” and to avoid any display of partisanship in the “factional” dispute, but to insist that no organizational activity be conducted during working hours. A…