bill johnson restaurants nlrb argued march decided may one helton waitress petitioner restaurant filed unfair labor practice charges national labor relations board nlrb alleging fired efforts organize union helton others including waitresses picketed restaurant distributed leaflets petitioner three filed suit damages injunctive relief helton demonstrators arizona state alleging defendants harassed customers blocked access restaurant created threat public safety libeled plaintiffs false statements leaflets following day helton filed second charge nlrb alleging inter alia petitioner filed civil suit retaliation defendants protected concerted activities filing charges petitioner nlrb consolidated hearing unfair labor practice complaints administrative law judge alj concluded basis record observation witnesses evidence failed support allegations complaint action action thus lacked reasonable basis prosecution retaliatory violation national labor relations act act petitioner appeal nlrb adopted minor exceptions alj findings recommendations ordered petitioner withdraw complaint appeals enforced nlrb order held nlrb may halt prosecution lawsuit regardless plaintiff motive unless suit lacks reasonable basis fact law retaliatory motive lack reasonable basis essential prerequisites issuance order state suit pp filing prosecution lawsuit may enjoined unfair labor practice even commenced plaintiff desire retaliate defendant exercising rights protected act act provisions guaranteeing employees enjoyment rights unionize engage concerted activity utilize nlrb processes without fear coercion retaliation employer liberally construed however countervailing considerations allowing nlrb condemn filing suit unfair labor practice include first amendment right access courts compelling interests maintaining domestic peace protecting citizens health welfare thus nlrb interpretation act essential element violation employer retaliatory motive filing suit untenable pp however enjoinable unfair labor practice prosecute baseless lawsuit intent retaliating employee exercise rights protected act suits within scope first amendment protection state interests noted enter play suit reasonable basis pp determining whether suit lacks reasonable basis nlrb limited considering bare pleadings suit inquiry must structured manner preserve state plaintiff right jury judge resolve genuine material factual legal disputes pertaining lawsuit therefore nlrb called upon determine whether suit unlawful prior time state renders final judgment state plaintiff show genuine material factual legal issues exist nlrb must await results adjudication respect merits state suit state proceedings result judgment adverse plaintiff nlrb may consider matter found lawsuit filed retaliatory intent nlrb may find violation order appropriate relief pp case must returned nlrb consideration light proper standards alj province based evaluation evidence determine libel counts petitioner suit fact without merit limited inquiry question whether petitioner evidence raised factual issues genuine material furthermore enforcing nlrb order appeals ultimately relied fact substantial evidence supported nlrb finding prosecution lawsuit violated act nlrb error cured pp white delivered opinion unanimous brennan filed concurring opinion post lawrence allen katz argued cause filed briefs petitioner carolyn corwin argued cause respondent brief solicitor general lee deputy solicitor general wallace norton come linda sher candace carroll albert woll laurence gold michael gottesman jeremiah collins filed brief american federation labor congress industrial organizations amicus curiae urging affirmance edward miller matthew mcarthur stephen bokat filed brief chamber commerce amicus curiae justice white delivered opinion must decide whether national labor relations board may issue order halt prosecution civil suit brought employer retaliate employees exercising federally protected labor rights without also finding suit lacks reasonable basis fact law present controversy arises labor dispute bill johnson big apple east one four restaurants owned operated petitioner phoenix ariz began august petitioner fired myrland helton one senior waitresses restaurant believing termination result efforts organize union filed unfair labor practice charges restaurant board september investigation board general counsel issued complaint day helton joined three others picketed restaurant picketers carried signs asking customers boycott restaurant management unfair waitresses petitioner manager confronted picketers threatened get even last thing petitioner president telephoned husband one picketing waitresses impliedly threatened couple get hurt lose new home wife continued participate protest picketing continued september addition picketers distributed leaflet accused management making nwarranted sexual advances maintaining filthy restroom women employees leaflet also stated complaint restaurant filed board helton fired suggesting union organized morning september petitioner three filed verified complaint helton demonstrators arizona state plaintiffs alleged defendants engaged mass picketing harassed customers blocked public ingress egress restaurant created threat public safety complaint also contained libel count alleging leaflet contained false outrageous statements published defendants malicious intent injure plaintiffs complaint sought temporary restraining order preliminary permanent injunctive relief well compensatory damages punitive damages appropriate legal equitable relief app hearing state declined enjoin distribution leaflets otherwise issued requested restraining order expedited depositions also permitted defendants retained counsel hearing plaintiffs motion preliminary injunction november dissolved temporary restraining order denied preliminary injunctive relief meanwhile day suit filed helton filed second charge board alleging petitioner committed number new unfair labor practices connection dispute waitresses restaurant among charge petitioner filed civil suit retaliation defendants protected concerted activities filed charges act general counsel issued complaint based new charges october relevant complaint alleged petitioner filing prosecuting state suit attempting retaliate helton others violation national labor relations act nlra act december administrative law judge alj held consolidated hearing two unfair labor practice complaints september alj rendered decision concluding petitioner committed total seven unfair labor practices course labor dispute regard matter presently us alj agreed general counsel prosecution civil suit violated alj applied rationale power systems enf denied board held unfair labor practice employer institute civil lawsuit purpose penalizing discouraging employees filing charges board seeking access board processes power systems board inferred employer acted retaliatory animus fact employer lacked reasonable basis upon assert suit merit similarly present case alj found petitioner suit lacked reasonable basis concluded fact suit violated act attempt penalize helton filed charges board penalize defendants assisting helton protest unfair labor practice committed bolstered conclusion noting direct evidence suit filed retaliatory purpose threats get even hurt defendants ibid alj reached conclusion petitioner state suit lacked reasonable basis basis record observation witnesses including demeanor upon extensive briefs parties view alj evidence fail ed support complaint allegations picketers clogged sidewalks harassed customers blocked entrances exits restaurant libel count deemed baseless evidence establishe truthfulness everything stated leaflet petitioner appeal board adopted minor exceptions alj findings conclusions law recommended order accordingly petitioner ordered undertake number remedial measures among things petitioner required withdraw complaint reimburse defendants legal expenses connection suit appeals enforced board order entirety holding substantial evidence supported board findings employer lawsuit lacked reasonable basis fact filed penalize helton picketers engaging protected activity petitioner sought certiorari urging properly enjoined maintaining action granted writ vacate remand proceedings ii question whether board may issue order halt allegedly retaliatory lawsuit filed employer state checkered history board first carter employer sued obtained injunction barring employees holding union meetings company property divided board held prosecution suit constituted unfair labor practice board analogized common law malicious prosecution rejected employer contention resort proceedings lawful exercise basic right dissent objected board recognize employer right present case judicial forum even motive interfere employees rights herzog chairman dissenting ten years later clyde taylor employer obtained injunction banning peaceful union picketing protest unlawful discharges board overruled carter adopted view earlier dissent next years clyde taylor board decisions appear us entirely consistent power systems board concluded since found respondent reasonable basis lawsuit lawsuit purpose unlawful objective penalizing employee filing charge board suit therefore enjoined unfair labor practice gravamen offense thus held unlawful objective inferred lack reasonable basis employer suit although board power systems purported distinguish clyde taylor progeny basis lawsuit cases tactic calculated restrain employees exercise rights act distinction illusory clyde taylor board found unfair labor practice despite alj specific finding employer lawsuit purpose preventing employees exercising rights guaranteed act rather purpose advancing legitimate interest since board consistently adhered power systems rule employer union sues employee retaliatory motive guilty violation act line cases board brief counsel remarks oral argument present case confirm board regard lack merit employer suit independent element unfair labor practice rather asserts essential element violation retaliatory motive iii first blush board position seems substance sections act broad remedial provisions guarantee employees able enjoy rights secured act including right unionize right engage concerted activity mutual aid protection right utilize board processes without fear restraint coercion discrimination interference employer liberally construed laws prohibiting wide variety employer conduct intended restrain likely effect restraining employees exercise protected activities lawsuit doubt may used employer powerful instrument coercion retaliation board observed suing employee files charges board engages protected activities employer place employees notice anyone engages conduct subjecting possibility burdensome lawsuit regardless unmeritorious employer suit employee likely retain counsel incur substantial legal expenses defend power systems supra furthermore appeals present case noted chilling effect state lawsuit upon employee willingness engage protected activity multiplied complaint seeks damages addition injunctive relief suit filed waitresses individuals lack backing union need allow board intervene provide remedy greatest weighty countervailing considerations however militate allowing board condemn filing suit unfair labor practice enjoin prosecution california motor transport trucking unlimited recognized right access courts aspect first amendment right petition government redress grievances accordingly construed antitrust laws prohibiting filing lawsuit regardless plaintiff anticompetitive intent purpose unless suit mere sham filed harassment purposes sensitive first amendment values construing nlra present context board recognized oing judicial body redress alleged wrongs stands apart forms action directed alleged wrongdoer right access important called unfair labor practice solely ground sought enjoin employees exercising protected right peddie buildings enf denied grounds see also clyde taylor moreover recognition compelling interest maintenance domestic peace construed act providing civil remedy conduct touching interests deeply rooted local feeling responsibility san diego building trades council garmon therefore repeatedly held employer right seek local judicial protection tortious conduct labor dispute see sears roebuck carpenters farmer carpenters linn plant guard workers construction workers laburnum construction linn plant guard workers supra held employer properly recover damages tort action arising labor dispute prove malice actual injury see also farmer carpenters supra board allowed enjoin prosecution state lawsuit necessarily follows state plaintiff subject injunction totally deprived remedy actual injury since board award damages impose penalty give relief plaintiff linn supra thus extent board asserts right declare filing meritorious suit violation act runs headlong basic rationale linn farmer cases declined infer congressional intent ignore substantial state interest protecting health citizens farmer supra see also sears roebuck carpenters supra linn supra course light board special competence applying general provisions act complexities industrial life interpretations act entitled deference even position entirely consistent nlrb weingarten nlrb literal language considered inclined uphold board present construction statute irrational considering first amendment right access courts state interests identified cases linn farmer however conclude board interpretation act untenable filing prosecution lawsuit may enjoined unfair labor practice even commenced plaintiff desire retaliate defendant exercising rights protected act although unlawful act prosecute meritorious action true suits based insubstantial claims suits lack use term coined board reasonable basis suits within scope first amendment protection first amendment interests involved private litigation compensation violated rights interests psychological benefits vindication public airing disputed facts advanced litigation based intentional falsehoods knowingly frivolous claims furthermore since sham litigation definition involve bona fide grievance come within first amendment right petition similarly state interests recognized farmer line cases enter play suit basis since definition plaintiff baseless suit suffered legally protected injury state interest protecting health citizens farmer supra implicated negligible interest insubstantial claims adjudicated courts particularly face strong federal interest vindicating rights protected national labor laws considerations analogous led us antitrust context adopt mere sham exception california motor transport trucking unlimited follow similar course nlra right litigate important one board consider evidence utmost care ordering cessation lawsuit proper case however believe congress intended allow board provide remedy therefore hold enjoinable unfair labor practice prosecute baseless lawsuit intent retaliating employee exercise rights protected nlra iv concluded prosecution improperly motivated suit lacking reasonable basis constitutes violation act may enjoined board inquire steps board may take evaluating whether suit lacks requisite basis petitioner insists board prejudgment inquiry must go beyond four corners complaint position long complaint seeks lawful relief state jurisdiction grant board must allow state litigation proceed board hand apparently perceives limitations scope determination whether lawsuit reasonable basis present case example alj conducted virtual trial merits petitioner claims based de facto trial alj concluded independent judgment based part observation witnesses including demeanor petitioner suit lacked reasonable basis agree either party although board inquiry need limited bare pleadings genuine issue material fact turns credibility witnesses proper inferences drawn undisputed facts view concluded suit enjoined suit presents genuine factual issues state plaintiff first amendment interest petitioning state redress grievance interest factual dispute resolved jury state interest protecting health welfare citizens lead us construe act permitting board usurp traditional function jury judge hence conclude state plaintiff able present board evidence shows lawsuit raises genuine issues material fact board proceed unfair labor practice proceedings stay proceedings suit concluded present case disputed issues state lawsuit appear factual nature cases however state plaintiff case turns issues state law upon mixed question fact law board must refrain deciding genuinely disputed material factual issues respect state suit likewise must deprive litigant right genuine legal questions decided state judiciary board need stay hand plaintiff position plainly foreclosed matter law otherwise frivolous board allow issues decided state tribunals realistic chance plaintiff legal theory might adopted instances board must allow lawsuit proceed employer case state ultimately proves meritorious judgment employees employer also prevail board filing meritorious lawsuit even retaliatory motive unfair labor practice judgment goes employer state however suit withdrawn otherwise shown without merit employer day interest state providing forum citizens vindicated board may proceed adjudicate unfair labor practice case employer suit proved unmeritorious board warranted taking fact account determining whether suit filed retaliation exercise employees rights violation found board may order employer reimburse employees wrongfully sued attorney fees expenses may also order proper relief effectuate policies act board argues since petitioner sought review factual findings state suit present case lacked reasonable basis filed retaliatory motive judgment affirmed concluded board may enjoin suit circumstances petitioner however challenge right board issue order circumstances present board reach determination accordance opinion noted alj reservations weighing evidence making credibility judgments based evaluation evidence concluded libel count petitioner suit lacked merit statements leaflet true business interference counts groundless evidence failed support petitioner factual allegations see supra alj province make factual determinations determined whether statements leaflet true rather whether genuine issue whether knowingly false similarly decided facts regarding business interference counts rather limited inquiry question whether petitioner evidence raised factual issues genuine material furthermore enforcing board order appeals ultimately relied fact substantial evidence supported board finding prosecution lawsuit violated act board error cured accordingly without expressing view whether petitioner suit fact enjoinable shall return case board consideration light proper standards vi summarize hold board may halt prosecution lawsuit regardless plaintiff motive unless suit lacks reasonable basis fact law retaliatory motive lack reasonable basis essential prerequisites issuance order state suit board inquiry must structured manner preserve state plaintiff right jury judge resolve genuine material factual legal disputes pertaining lawsuit therefore board called upon determine whether suit unlawful prior time state renders final judgment state plaintiff show genuine material factual legal issues exist board must await results adjudication respect merits state suit state proceedings result judgment adverse plaintiff board may consider matter found lawsuit filed retaliatory intent board may find violation order appropriate relief short although unfair labor practice prosecute unmeritorious lawsuit retaliatory purpose offense enjoinable unless suit lacks reasonable basis view foregoing judgment appeals vacated case remanded instructions remand case board proceedings consistent opinion ordered footnotes march alj matter submission state issued order granting defendants motion summary judgment business interference claims leaving libel count trial state issued ruling defendants filed counterclaim alleging abuse process malicious prosecution wrongful injunction libel slander parties apparently summary judgment claim counterclaim state order march dismissed abuse process count counterclaim left libel counterclaim trial see app brief petitioner meanwhile developments october board regional director petitioned district pursuant act order enjoining petitioner maintaining suit pending final board decision january district denied request injunction app brief petitioner alj apparently made aware state denial summary judgment libel count fact apparent virtue alj statement defendants counterclaim abuse process still pending state noted supra state dismissed abuse process counterclaim time denied summary judgment libel counts claim counterclaim merits brief petitioner first time argues board erred concluding taking defendants depositions constituted unfair labor practice brief petitioner issue presented petition certiorari decline consider see rule kept mind involved employer lawsuit federal law bar except allegedly retaliatory motivation dealing suit claimed beyond jurisdiction state courts preemption suit objective illegal federal law petitioner concedes board may enjoin latter types suits brief petitioner reply brief petitioner successfully argued otherwise upheld board orders enjoining unions prosecuting suits enforcement fines lawfully imposed act see granite state joint board textile workers union enf denied rev booster lodge machinists aerospace workers enf relevant part app aff concluded board request district may enjoin enforcement injunction board federal power field nlrb also requires rejection petitioner assertion board precluded enjoining suit virtue subject certain exceptions prohibits enjoining proceedings state held inapplicable instances board files action restrain unfair labor practices purpose avoid unseemly conflict state federal courts litigants private persons hamstring federal government agencies use federal courts protect federal rights compare nichols marcy peddie buildings aircraft pratt whitney division modified cert denied stanford employees local international organization masters mates pilots enf app television wisconsin see sheet metal workers union local credit bureau america enf cert denied george angle enf see brief respondent oral argument despite close questioning board counsel declined rule possibility prosecution totally meritorious suit might deemed board unfair labor practice filed retaliatory purpose tr oral arg see nlrb scrivener nlrb gissel packing nlrb exchange parts republic aviation nlrb phelps dodge nlrb balmer sham litigation antitrust laws buffalo rev accord clipper exxpress rocky mountain motor tariff bureau fischel antitrust liability attempts influence government action basis limits doctrine chi rev civil practice genuine issue test used adjudging motions summary judgment see fed rule civ proc substantively close reasonable jury rule applied motions directed verdict see brady southern directed verdict granted evidence without weighing credibility witnesses one reasonable conclusion verdict civil context courts treat two standards identically although found slight differences see generally wright miller kane federal practice procedure moore lucas moore federal practice primary difference two motions procedural summary judgment motions usually made trial decided documentary evidence directed verdict motions made trial decided evidence admitted ibid making determinations board may draw guidance summary judgment directed verdict jurisprudence although bound either genuine disputes material historical facts left state plainly unsupportable inferences undisputed facts patently erroneous submissions respect mixed questions fact law may rejected although leave particular procedures making determinations entirely board discretion see reason board want hear employer evidence support state suit necessary determined early stage case involves genuine issues material fact law appropriate cases board might prefer rely documentary evidence alone done civil practice summary judgment motions hand board might prefer conduct hearing let us assume example picketing employees distribute leaflet accusing manager doe making sexual advance employee roe specific date claiming leaflet maliciously false doe sues libel state board general counsel files complaint alleging state suit retaliatory lacks reasonable basis hearing alj roe testifies accusation leaflet true doe fails testify come forward evidence leaflet maliciously false least acceptable explanation present evidence cf fed rule civ proc summary judgment may denied opponent needs time discover essential facts see reason board enjoin doe suit lack reasonable basis situation state plaintiff failed show genuine issues state decide inference suit groundless strong ignore light strong federal policy deterring exercise employees collective rights contrast suppose doe testifies claims elsewhere date alleged sexual incident question whether libel suit merit thus turns substantial part truth falsity doe testimony circumstances doubt congress intended board resolve credibility issue perhaps disbelieve doe story enjoin lawsuit lack reasonable basis thereby effectively depriving doe right factual dispute resolved jury true question turned proper factual inferences drawn undisputed facts present case involves libel claim course governed entirely state law since federal law superimposes malice requirement linn plant guard workers board power take action limited availability injured employees malicious prosecution action dual remedies appropriate state substantial interest deterring filing baseless litigation courts federal government equally strong interest enforcing federal labor laws federal government need rely state remedies ensure interests served remand state denial summary judgment libel count given careful consideration order issued unless petitioner deemed waived point failing bring state ruling attention alj prior decision see nn supra ordinary case although board bound res judicata sense ruling see reason state judgment question whether lawsuit presents triable factual issues entitled deference event decision disregarded without cogent explanation petitioner also argues weight given fact federal district denied board petition temporary injunctive relief see ibid least context present case disagree district denied relief felt petitioner lawsuit raised triable issues erroneous view state suit never enjoined unless sought unlawful objective example union sues enforce unlawful contract app brief petitioner appears libel count remains pending state petitioner claims finally adjudicated lacking merit remand board may reinstate finding petitioner acted unlawfully prosecuting unmeritorious claims board adheres previous finding suit filed retaliatory purpose justice brennan concurring holds today national labor relations board may enjoin prosecution lawsuit unless suit lacks reasonable basis ante find suit lacks reasonable basis factual grounds board must find genuine issue material fact ante delphic pronouncements standards take content basic structures federal state administrative judicial authority labor disputes read artificial way ignores provenance important remember focus case function judicial review one hand national labor relations act constitutes board principal arbiter federal labor policy cases must recognize board special function applying general provisions act complexities industrial life republic aviation labor board phelps dodge labor board appraising carefully interests sides controversy diverse circumstances particular cases special understanding actualities industrial relations labor board steelworkers ultimate problem balancing conflicting legitimate interests function striking balance effectuate national labor policy often difficult delicate responsibility congress committed primarily national labor relations board subject limited judicial review labor board truck drivers union nlrb erie resistor interpret statute think best rather narrower inquiry whether nlrb construction sufficiently reasonable accepted reviewing train natural resources defense council zenith radio satisfy standard necessary find agency construction reasonable one even reading reached question initially arisen judicial proceeding fec democratic senatorial campaign committee spirit reasonable basis genuine material dispute standards must understood phrases encapsulate complex judgment limits may infer board broad authority set federal labor policy vindicate policy enjoining prosecution state lawsuit specific meaning derived close attention particular constitutional considerations upon based recognized right first amendment seek redress grievances state courts california motor transport trucking unlimited congress state causes action providing exclusive federal jurisdiction certain types disputes see complete lightly implied also held congress completely right sue state defamation occurs connection labor dispute linn plant guard workers accordingly appropriate infer case implicating first amendment rights congress intend authorize nlrb enjoin prosecution unpreempted lawsuit even plaintiff subjective intent frustrate operation federal labor law except plaintiff first amendment interests weakest suit without reasonable basis fact law however makes clear ante board ability enjoin prosecution state suit measure ability determine prosecution constitutes unfair labor practice ability provide remedies vindicate federal labor policy cf new york times white concurring failure government justify prior restraints measure constitutional entitlement conviction criminal publication necessity scope remedies board entitled high degree deference somewhat different concerns affect standards procedures board makes reasonable basis determination constitution protects person right file prosecute lawsuit state guarantee state law rather federal law provide ground decision fact regard labor disputes federal state law rule exception may accomplished congressionally authorized administrative action well legislation fidelity federal savings loan assn de la cuesta even areas state law may federal overlay defamation actions like one involved case limited federal requirement malice proved see linn supra constitution guarantee particular questions fact decided state jury extent litigant interest factual dispute resolved jury ante interest completely derivative state interest providing particular cause action particular procedures yet state right may federal law whenever congress authorized agent determines federal interest labor relations industries affecting commerce requires different rules hen set federal labor policy congress plainly meant simply alter substantive law sought well restructure fundamentally processes effectuating policy deliberately placing responsibility applying developing comprehensive legal system hands expert administrative body rather federalized judicial system motor coach employees lockridge say congress authorized board disregard altogether rights jury determinations factual issues rulings state law linn progeny make clear nlra requires accommodation state interests question much reasonable inference draw structure relations area board may enjoin prosecution state lawsuit addition whatever findings required decide unfair labor practice committed determines controlling federal law bars plaintiff right relief clear state law makes case frivolous reasonable jury make findings fact favor plaintiff necessary applicable law understand phrase genuine material disputes ante way regard questions fact crucial case see ante jackson virginia provides analogy proper allocation factfinding authority charged protecting federal rights state lawsuit may regarded reasonable basis reasonable factfinder give verdict plaintiff even state interest entertaining frivolous lawsuits providing unreasonable juries interest need prevent swift effective vindication federal labor policy scope review procedures board uses accomplish mission limited constitutional constraints attenuated unless agency goes entirely beyond statutory mandate violates procedures fails provide affected party due process law role specifying methods may may use finding facts reaching conclusions law policy see vermont yankee nuclear power natural resources defense council acknowledges notes leave particular procedures making determinations entirely board discretion ante specifically board may take evidence although need every case wise every case ibid thus board retains broad power deal ways resort judicial process may used powerful instrument coercion retaliation ante constitutionally privileged method harassing punishing exercise rights protected nlra board may enjoin prosecution unpreempted state lawsuit unless finds suit reasonable basis may decide suit reasonable basis fact reasonable jury view facts differently may take measures less direct impact plaintiff first amendment rights may investigate matter full extent deems necessary vindicate federal interest protecting participants labor disputes coercive lawsuits said federal election commission fec democratic senatorial campaign committee nlrb also precisely type agency deference presumptively afforded vested primary substantial responsibility administering enforcing act provided extensive rulemaking adjudicative powers ibid authorized formulate general policy respect administration act ibid see also nlrb weingarten justice frankfurter writing astutely observed interpreting national labor relations act involves complicated perceptive process conveyed delusive phrase ascertaining intent legislature san diego building trades council garmon reasonable people differ wisdom deciding nonfrivolous suit withdrawn plaintiff ultimately prevail constitutes unfair labor practice see ante question labor policy board decide first instance