International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1547 v. National Labor Relations Board

MEMORANDUM *

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 1547 (the IBEW) petitions for a review of a decision of the National Labor Relations Board (the NLRB or Board) dismissing a complaint against Matanuska Electric Association, Inc. (MEA). MEA adopted a bylaw making ineligible for membership on its governing board any person who was a member of any union local acting as a bargaining agent for any group of MEA employees or who lived in the same household and was financially dependent on such a person. The IBEW charged that adoption of the bylaw violated section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (the NLRA), 29 U.S.C. § 151 et seq. The Board ruled that the bylaw had a business justification. In agreement with the Board, we deny the IBEW’s petition.

FACTS

The principal facts were stipulated by the parties. We summarize them:

1. MEA is a non-profit electrical cooperative of approximately 33,000 members organized pursuant to the Alaska Electric and Telephone Cooperative Act. Provisions for electrical cooperative membership, board of directors, bylaws and other related topics are set forth under Alaska state law ( Alaska Stat. § 10.25.010 et seq.). MEA’s…