Public Case No. R 1992-011
International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 2 v.
Carpenters' District Council of St. Louis and Housing Authority of the City of St. Louis, Missouri
IUOE filed a petition seeking to represent certain employees of the St. Louis Housing Authority. Specifically, they wanted all Lead Maintenance Mechanics, Maintenance Mechanics, Maintenance Engineers Aides, Warehouse Personnel, Lead Exterminators, Exterminators, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition Technicians. The employer argued that the Lead Maintenance Mechanics should be excluded as supervisors.
The Board concluded that the Lead Maintenance Mechanics did not meet the test. The Board relied on the fact that the Lead Maintenance Mechanics had no consistent role in hiring, firing, or evaluating employees. The Board also noted that while Lead Mechanics as a class were paid 5% more than Mechanics, some Mechanics were paid more than some Lead Mechanics. Finally, they noted that the Lead Mechanics performed the same type of work as regular Mechanics most of the time, and whatever supervisory role they did have was limited to supervising activities rather than employees. The Board, therefore, included Lead Mechanics and found the unit appropriate.