141 F. 3d 1178 - Royal Manor Convalescent Hospital Inc v. National Labor Relations Board

MEMORANDUM*

The parties are familiar with the factual and procedural history of this case, therefore we will not recount it here.

Royal Manor claims that the ALJ's failure to address the Regional Director's unit determination bars the imposition of the Board's order for a new election. Direct judicial review of the Regional Director's unit determination is unavailable. To obtain review, an employer must refuse to bargain and raise the issue in a subsequent § 8(a)(5) unfair labor practice proceeding for refusing to bargain. See Magnesium Casting Co. v. NLRB, 401 U.S. 137, 139, 91 S.Ct. 599, 27 L.Ed.2d 735 (1971). The ALJ properly declined to address the unit determination.

The Board's unfair labor practice findings are supported by substantial evidence. The Board's finding that Royal Manor violated § 8(a)(1) by interrogating various employees was supported by substantial evidence. See Clear Pine Mouldings, Inc. v. NLRB, 632 F.2d 721, 725 (9th Cir.1980). Its findings that Royal Manor improperly conveyed the impression of surveillance of the union activities of its employees is also supported by substantial evidence in the record. NLRB v. Anchorage Times Pub. Co., 637 F.2d 1359, 1366 (9th Cir.1981). Statements made by a Royal Manor administrator to employees regarding the futility of selecting the union were aptly found to be unfair labor practice violations, NLRB v. Naum Bros., Inc., 637 F.2d 589, 592 (6th Cir.1981), and these statements are not deserving of protection under § 8(c) of the Act. The Board's finding that Royal Manor President Jennings' attempt to solicit an employee to campaign against the union constituted an unfair labor practice violation is supported by substantial evidence. See e.g., NLRB v. L.B. Foster Co., 418 F.2d 1, 2 (9th Cir.1969). Finally, the Board correctly affirmed the ALJ's finding of an unfair labor practice stemming from the solicitation of employee grievances. Idaho Falls Consol. Hospitals, Inc. v. NLRB, 731 F.2d 1384, 1386-87 (9th Cir.1984).

This court does not have jurisdiction to review the Board's order of a new election. Raley's, Inc. v. NLRB, 725 F.2d 1204, 1206 (9th Cir.1984) (en banc).

Royal Manor's appeal is DISMISSED and the Board's order is ENFORCED.