Plumbers’ Union v. Door County, 359 U.S. 354 (1959)

Plumbers, Steamfitters, Refrigeration, Petroleum Fitters,

and Apprentices of Local 298, A. F. of L., v. County of Door
No. 396

Argued March 26, 1959
Decided May 4, 1959
359 U.S. 354

CERTIORARI TO THE SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN

Syllabus

A county, a general contractor, and a plumbing contractor sued in a State Court to enjoin picketing by a plumbers’ union, because of the employment of nonunion plumbers, which had stopped work on an addition to the county courthouse, about half of the total cost of which was the cost of materials brought from outside the State.

Held: The controversy was exclusively within the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board, and the State Court had no jurisdiction. Pp. 355-359.

(a) Since about half the cost of the entire project was the cost of materials brought from outside the State, the controversy had sufficient effect on interstate commerce to give the National Labor Relations Board jurisdiction. P. 356.

(b) The dispute involved is the kind over which the Board normally has exclusive power. Pp. 356-357.

(c) That one of the parties is a county, and that political subdivisions are expressly excluded from the definition of "employer" in the National Labor Relations Act, does not prevent the Board from having jurisdiction. Teamsters Union v. New York, N. H. & H. R. Co., 350 U.S. 155. Pp. 357-359.

4 Wis.2d 142, 89 N.W.2d 920, reversed.