Aviation Safeguards

National Labor Relations Board - Board Decisions

Jan 28, 2003

338 N.L.R.B. 770 (N.L.R.B. 2003)

DECISIONS OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD 770
Command Security Corporation d/b/a Aviation Safe-
guards and Local 148, Production Workers Un-
ion, International Union of Allied Novelty and
Production Workers, AFL–CIO. Case 29–RC–
9442
January 28, 2003
DECISION AND ORDER
BY CHAIRMAN BATTISTA AND MEMBERS SCHAUMBER
AND ACOSTA
On March 15, 2000, the Union filed a petition seeking
to represent a bargaining unit of all full-time and regular
part-time baggage handlers employed by the Employer at
its facilities at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK), terminals
6 and 7 and Tower Airlines Terminal, Jamaica, New
York.
The Employer provides baggage handling, wheelchair
attendant and skycap services to air carriers who are sub-
ject to the Railway Labor Act (RLA). At the time of the
hearing, the Employer had contracts to supply these ser-
vices to United Airlines, British Airways, and Tower Air
(the Carriers). The Employer contends that its employ-
ees perform work which is integral to the work of these
Carriers and that the Carriers exercise significant control
over its business and employees. Therefore, the Em-
ployer contends that its employees are subject to the
RLA and that the National Labor Relations Board (the
Board) lacks jurisdiction under Section 2(2) of the Na-
tional Labor Relations Act. After a hearing, the Regional
Director transferred the proceeding to the Board.
The National Labor Relations Board has delegated its
authority in this proceeding to a three-member panel.
On the entire record in this case, the Board finds as
follows
As noted, the Employer provides baggage handling,
wheelchair attendant, and skycap services pursuant to
contracts with three Carriers. The record indicates that
these Carriers exercise substantial control over the Em-
ployer’s operations. Thus, the Employer is required to
provide its services in compliance with the requirements
of its contracts with the Carriers and must adjust its ser-
vice to meet any new Carrier demands. While the Em-
ployer supervises its employees, the Carriers have re-
tained the right to demand the removal of an employee.
The Employer must comply with such a demand. A re-
quest by a carrier for a particular employee or employees
for an assignment is honored by the Employer and, on
occasion, the Carriers will direct the work of the employ-
ees. Under the terms of the contracts, the Employer’s
records on reimbursement and charges are subject to in-
spection by the Carriers.
Section 2(2) of the National Labor Relations Act pro-
vides that the term “employer” shall not include “any
person subject to the Railway Labor Act.” 29 U.S.C. §
152(2). Similarly, Section 2(3) of the Act provides that
the term “employee” does not include “any individual
employed by an employer subject to the Railway Labor
Act.” 29 U.S.C. § 152(3). The Railway Labor Act, as
amended, applies to:
Every common carrier by air engaged in interstate or
foreign commerce, and every carrier by air transport-
ing mail for or under contract with the United States
Government, and every air pilot or other person who
performs any work as an employee or subordinate
official of such carrier or carriers, subject to its or
their continuing authority to supervise and direct the
manner or rendition of his service.
45 U.S.C. § 151 First and 181.
The Board requested that the National Mediation
Board (NMB) study the record in this case and determine
the application of the Railway Labor Act to the Em-
ployer. The NMB subsequently issued an opinion indi-
cating that, in its view, the Employer is subject to the
Railway Labor Act. See Aviation Safeguard, 27 NMB
581 (Sept. 11, 2000).
Having considered the facts set forth above in light of
the opinion issued by the NMB, we find that the Em-
ployer is engaged in interstate air common carriage so as
to bring it within the jurisdiction of the NMB pursuant to
Section 201 of Title II of the Railway Labor Act.1 Ac-
cordingly, we shall dismiss the petition.
ORDER
IT IS ORDERED that the petition in Case 29–RC–9442 is
dismissed.

1 The NMB uses a two-pronged jurisdictional analysis: (1) whether
the work is traditionally performed by employees of air and rail carri-
ers; and (2) whether a common carrier exercises direct or indirect own-
ership or control. The NMB concluded that both prongs of the test had
been met.

338 NLRB No. 94