Pattern Makers' League of North America, Afl-Cio, et al. v. National Labor Relations Board et al.

Decided June 27, 1985. Lewis Franklin Powell Jr. delivered the opinion of the Court.

Docket 83-1894 · 473 U.S. 95 (1985) · Cited 122 times

Holding

In related cases this Court has invariably yielded to Board decisions on whether fines imposed by a union "restrained or coerced" employees.

The Court’s statement of the holding, from the opinion’s syllabus. The syllabus is prepared by the Reporter of Decisions and is not part of the opinion of the Court — read the official opinion for authority.

How the Justices voted

Decided 5–4.

“Concurring” means agreeing with the outcome; any split shown is the Court’s judgment, not each Justice’s reasoning. Source: the Supreme Court Database (Spaeth et al.), Washington University.

Precedents cited

Supreme Court decisions this opinion relies on, ordered by how often it cites each. Cases in our collection link through; others are named.

• National Labor Relations Board v. Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. · 388 U.S. 175 (1967)
• Scofield v. National Labor Relations Board · 394 U.S. 423 (1969)
• National Labor Relations Board v. Industrial Union of Marine & Shipbuilding Workers of America · 391 U.S. 418 (1968)
• National Labor Relations Board v. Drivers, Chauffeurs, Helpers, Local Union No. 639 · 362 U.S. 274 (1960)
• National Labor Relations Board v. Boeing Co. · 412 U.S. 67 (1973)
• Ford Motor Co. (Chicago Stamping Plant) v. National Labor Relations Board · 441 U.S. 488 (1979)
• National Labor Relations Board v. United Steelworkers of America · 357 U.S. 357 (1958)
• Allied Chemical & Alkali Workers of America, Local Union No. 1 v. Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. · 404 U.S. 157 (1971)
• National Labor Relations Board v. MacKay Radio & Telegraph Co. · 304 U.S. 333 (1938)
• National Labor Relations Board v. Brown · 380 U.S. 278 (1965)
• Radio Officers' Union of the Commercial Telegraphers Union v. National Labor Relations Board · 347 U.S. 17 (1954)
• Ellis v. Brotherhood of Railway, Airline & Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express & Station Employes · 466 U.S. 435 (1984)
• Mastro Plastics Corp. v. National Labor Relations Board · 350 U.S. 270 (1956)
• National Labor Relations Board v. J. Weingarten, Inc. · 420 U.S. 251 (1975)
• National Labor Relations Board v. Erie Resistor Corp. · 373 U.S. 221 (1963)
• American Ship Building Co. v. National Labor Relations Board · 380 U.S. 300 (1965)
• National Labor Relations Board v. Insurance Agents' International Union · 361 U.S. 477 (1960)
• Metropolitan Edison Co. v. National Labor Relations Board · 460 U.S. 693 (1983)
• Gulf Oil Corp. v. Copp Paving Co. · 419 U.S. 186 (1974)
• Local 1976, United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners v. National Labor Relations Board · 357 U.S. 93 (1958)
• National Labor Relations Board v. City Disposal Systems, Inc. · 465 U.S. 822 (1984)
• National Labor Relations Board v. General Motors Corp. · 373 U.S. 734 (1963)
• Emporium Capwell Co. v. Western Addition Community Organization · 420 U.S. 50 (1975)

Cited by

Later Supreme Court opinions in our collection that cite this case.

• Communications Workers of America v. Beck · 487 U.S. 735 (1988)
• Edward J. DeBartolo Corp. v. Florida Gulf Coast Building & Construction Trades Council · 485 U.S. 568 (1988)
• Marquez v. Screen Actors Guild, Inc. · 525 U.S. 33 (1998)
• Trans World Airlines, Inc. v. Independent Federation of Flight Attendants · 489 U.S. 426 (1989)
• National Labor Relations Board v. Financial Institution Employees, Local 1182 · 475 U.S. 192 (1986)

Official text

Read the official opinion (U.S. Reports, govinfo.gov)

Explore from here

Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.’s profile · All Supreme Court opinions · The Supreme Court

Source: Supreme Court of the United States, slip opinions (1985). Citation count from the Free Law Project’s CourtListener bulk data. Data last verified 2026-07-03. Informational only; verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).