A group of employees who left the premises after being given the choice of going back to work or leaving during a brief work stoppage were properly discharged, a divided National Labor Relations Board panel rules. The decision overturns an administrative law judge opinion that the discharge was an unfair labor practice. In dispute was whether the plant manager had condoned the work stoppage by indicating to the workers that they were not fired, and to “come back tomorrow.” When the workers attempted to return the next day, they were subsequently told that they were considered to have voluntarily quit. In a 2-1 ruling, the majority says that at best the plant manager’s statements were ambiguous, but at no time did he assure the employees that their actions were forgiven or that no further consequences would ensue. Fineberg Packing Co. Inc. and Billy J. Exum.
NLRB OKs Firing One Day Strikers
A group of employees who left the premises after being given the choice of going back to work or leaving during a brief work stoppage were properly discharged, a divided National Labor Relations Board panel rules. The decision overturns an administrative law judge opinion that the discharge was an unfair labor practice. In dispute was whether the plant manager had condoned the work stoppage by indicating to the workers that they were not fired, and to “come back tomorrow.” When the workers attempted to return the next day, they were subsequently told that they were considered to have voluntarily quit. In a 2-1 ruling, the majority says that at best the plant manager’s statements were ambiguous, but at no time did he assure the employees that their actions were forgiven or that no further consequences would ensue. Fineberg Packing Co. Inc. and Billy J. Exum.
