nlrb bell aerospace argued january decided april petition labor union representation election national labor relations board nlrb held buyers employed respondent company constituted appropriate unit directed election nlrb stated even though buyers might managerial employees nevertheless covered national labor relations act nlra absence showing union organization buyers create conflict interest labor relations subsequently buyers voted union nlrb certified exclusive bargaining representative company refused bargain however found guilty unfair labor practice ordered bargain appeals denied enforcement grounds certain nlrb decision rested factual determination buyers true managerial employees rather new view erroneous holding nlrb free regard managerial employees covered act unless duties met touchstone view previous contrary decisions nlrb required proceed rulemaking rather adjudication determining whether buyers managerial employees held congress intended exclude protections nlra employees properly classified managerial positions susceptible conflicts interest labor relations unmistakably indicated nlrb early decisions purpose legislative history amendments nlra nlrb subsequent construction act two decades decisions courts appeals pp nlrb required proceed rulemaking rather adjudication determining whether buyers types buyers managerial employees pp nlrb precluded announcing new principles adjudicative proceeding choice rulemaking adjudication initially lies within nlrb discretion sec chenery nlrb view large number buyers employed manufacturing wholesale retail units wide variety buyers duties depending company industry generalized standard marginal utility nlrb thus reason proceed caution develop standards manner attention specific character buyers authority duties company powell delivered opinion burger douglas blackmun rehnquist joined white filed opinion dissenting part brennan stewart marshall joined post norton come argued cause petitioner brief solicitor general bork peter nash john irving patrick hardin linda sher richard moot argued cause filed brief respondent john fillion stephen schlossberg abe levy victor van bourg charles hackler jack levine filed brief international union automobile aerospace agricultural implement workers america amicus curiae urging reversal milton smith gerard smetana jerry kronenberg filed brief chamber commerce amicus curiae justice powell delivered opinion case presents two questions first whether national labor relations board properly determined managerial employees except whose participation labor organization create conflict interest job responsibilities covered national labor relations act second whether board must proceed rulemaking rather adjudication determining whether certain buyers managerial employees answer questions negative respondent bell aerospace division textron company operates plant wheatfield new york engaged research development design fabrication aerospace products july amalgamated local automobile aerospace agricultural implement workers america union petitioned national labor relations board board representation election determine whether union certified bargaining representative buyers purchasing procurement department company plant company opposed petition ground buyers managerial employees thus covered act relevant facts adduced representation hearing follows purchasing procurement department receives requisition orders departments plant responsible purchasing company needs outside suppliers items standardized may purchased shelf various distributors suppliers items must made company specifications requisition orders may accompanied detailed blueprints technical plans requisitions often designate particular vendor instances buyer must obtain approval selecting different one vendor specified buyer free choose one absent specific instructions contrary buyers full discretion without dollar limit select prospective vendors draft invitations bid evaluate submitted bids negotiate price terms prepare purchase orders buyers execute purchase orders may place cancel orders less signature commitments excess buyers must obtain approval superior higher levels approval required purchase cost increases minute man missile project represents company sales purchase decisions made team personnel engineering quality assurance finance manufacturing departments buyer serves team chairman signs purchase order representative pricing negotiation department participates working terms representation hearing regional director transferred case board may board issued decision holding company buyers constituted appropriate unit purposes collective bargaining directing election relying recent decision north arkansas electric cooperative board first stated even though company buyers might managerial employees nevertheless covered act entitled protections board rejected company alternative contention representation denied buyers authority commit company credit select vendors negotiate purchase prices create potential conflict interest buyers union members company essence company argued buyers receptive bids union contractors also influence make buy decisions favor make thus creating additional work sister unions plant board thought however possible conflict unsupported conjecture since buyers discretion latitude independent action must take place within confines general directions employer established possible temptation allow sympathy sister unions influence decisions effectively controlled employer june representation election conducted buyers voted union nine august board certified union exclusive bargaining representative company buyers day however appeals eighth circuit denied enforcement another board order nlrb north arkansas electric cooperative held managerial employees covered act therefore entitled protections encouraged eighth circuit decision company moved board reconsideration earlier order board denied motion stating disagreed eighth circuit adhere decision north arkansas board view congress intended exclude act managerial employees associated formulation implementation labor relations policies case fundamental touchstone whether duties responsibilities managerial employee group managerial employees include determinations made free conflict interest arise person involved participating member labor organization ibid turning present case board reiterated prior finding company shown union organization buyers create conflict interest labor relations company stood contention buyers managerial employees covered act refused bargain union unfair labor practice complaint resulted board finding company violated act order compelling company bargain union subsequently company petitioned appeals second circuit review order board enforcement appeals denied enforcement reviewing legislative history act stat board decisions area concluded congress intended exclude true managerial employees protection act explained exclusion embraced employee closely related aligned management place employee position conflict interest employer one hand fellow workers also one formulating determining effectuating employer policies discretion independent employer established policy performance duties illinois state nlrb cir added however board precluded proper proceedings determining buyers types buyers true managerial employees consequently come within protection ibid turning merits present case acknowledged substantial evidence company buyers sufficiently high managerial hierarchy constitute true managerial employees nevertheless denied enforcement two reasons first certain board decision rested factual determination buyers true managerial employees rather new view erroneous holding free regard managerial employees covered act unless duties met touchstone second although board precluded holding buyers types buyers managerial employees thought view board long line cases holding contrary accomplish change position adjudication rather board conduct rulemaking proceeding conformity act therefore remanded case board proceeding granted board petition certiorari ii begin question whether managerial employees rather positions susceptible conflicts interest labor relations excluded protections act board early decisions legislative history act stat subsequent board decisions provide necessary guidance inquiry examining authorities draw several established principles statutory construction addition importance legislative history may accord great weight longstanding interpretation placed statute agency charged administration especially congress statute without pertinent change circumstances congressional failure revise repeal agency interpretation persuasive evidence interpretation one intended congress also recognized subsequent legislation declaring intent earlier statute entitled significant weight application principles leads us conclude appeals congress intended exclude protections act employees properly classified managerial wagner act stat expressly mention term managerial employee act passage however board developed concept managerial employee series cases involving appropriateness bargaining units first cases established managerial employees included unit employees freiz sons example board excluded expediters proposed unit production maintenance workers closely related management similarly spicer mfg expediters excluded unit containing office technical clerical professional employees authority possessed expediters exercise discretion making commitments behalf company stamps managerial rationale soon applied buyers see hudson motor car vulcan barrett division allied chem dye electric controller mfg board summarized policy managerial employees ford motor customarily excluded bargaining units rank file workers executive employees position formulate determine effectuate management policies employees considered still deem managerial express make operative decisions management say however buyers expediters denied right collective bargaining act precise relationship buyers expediters management determined us maryland drydock supra subsequently overruled packard motor car board held foremen constitute appropriate unit collective bargaining board position upheld packard nlrb view subsequent legislative reversal packard decision dissenting opinion justice douglas especially pertinent stated present decision tends obliterate line management labor lends sanctions federal law unionization levels industrial hierarchy tends emphasize basic opposing forces industry management labor operating group one hand stockholder bondholder group industrial problem defined comes contest fair division gross receipts industry two groups struggle control power management labor becomes secondary growing unity common demands ownership believe exaggerated statement basic policy questions underlie present decision foremen employees within meaning national labor relations act managers assistant managers superintendents assistant superintendents indeed payroll company including president commonly referred management exception directors union applied recognition collective bargaining agency see deny yet allow present application managers superintendents foremen unionized management labor become solid phalanx separate factions warring camps congress enacted national labor relations act mind basic change industrial philosophy left clear unmistakable trace purpose find none packard decision major factor bringing act stat house bill sess provided exclusion supervisors category broadly defined include individual authority hire transfer promote discharge reward discipline employees effectively recommend action also excluded authority determine effectively recommend amount wages earned employees ii employed labor relations personnel employment departments well police timestudy personnel iii confidential employees senate version bill sess also excluded supervisors defined category narrowly house version distinguishing straw bosses leadmen men minor supervisory employees one hand supervisor vested genuine management prerogatives right hire fire discipline make effective recommendations respect action senate view employees straw bosses minor supervisory duties included within act protections significantly house report senate report voiced concern board broad reading term employee include clearly within managerial hierarchy focusing justice douglas dissent packard senate report specifically mentioned even vice presidents might unionized board decision ibid also noted unionization supervisors hurt productivity increased accident rate upset balance power collective bargaining tended blur line management labor house report echoed concern reduction industrial output noted unionization supervisors deprived employers loyal representations entitled criticizing board expansive reading act definition term employees house report noted hen congress passed labor act concerned said preamble welfare workers wage earners boss conference committee adopted senate version bill conf house managers statement explanation conference committee report stated conference agreement definition supervisor limits term individuals treated supervisors senate amendment case persons working labor relations personnel employment departments thought necessary make specific provision done house bill since board treated presumably continue treat persons outside scope act prevailing board practice respect people confidential secretaries well intention conferees alter practice respect conference agreement treat personnel guards supervisors house bill since however employees may qualify professional personnel special provisions senate amendment applicable respect professional employees cover many category case guards conference agreement permit certification labor organization bargaining representative guards admits membership affiliated organization admits membership employees guards congress recognized persons much clearly managerial inconceivable board treat employees surely congress supposed confidential secretaries organized bosses words congress failed enact portion justice douglas packard dissent relating organization executives disagreed deemed unnecessary omitted following passage act board adhered view managerial employees outside act denver dry goods assistant buyers required set good sales records examples sales employees assist buyers selection merchandise assume buyer duties latter present excluded board ground interests employees closely identified management board reiterated reading act palace laundry dry cleaning determination managerial like determination supervisory extent necessarily matter degree authority exercised past passage recent amendments act recognized defined managerial employees executives formulate effectuate management policies expressing making operative decisions employer excluded managerial employees bargaining units believe act amended contemplates continuance practice citations omitted employer maintains buyers representatives management appears buyers authorized make substantial purchases employer find representatives management may accorded bargaining rights act finally swift board reaffirmed understanding scope act refusing approve unit procurement drivers found representative management board declared clear intent congress exclude coverage act individuals allied management individuals deemed employees purposes act accordingly reaffirm board position representatives management may accorded bargaining rights act footnotes omitted board exclusion managerial employees defined formulate effectuate management polices expressing making operative decisions employer also approved courts without exception see westinghouse electric nlrb cert denied illinois state nlrb continental insurance nlrb cert denied retail clerks international assn nlrb app burger cert denied international ladies garment workers union nlrb marshall nlrb north arkansas electric cooperative eighth circuit reviewed history act specifically disapproved board departure earlier position sum board early decisions purpose legislative history act board subsequent consistent construction act two decades decisions courts appeals point unmistakably conclusion managerial employees covered act agree appeals board free read new restrictive meaning act view conclusion case must remanded permit board apply proper legal standard determining status buyers sec chenery ftc sperry hutchinson express opinion whether buyers fall within category managerial employees iii appeals also held although board precluded determining buyers types buyers managerial employees invoking rulemaking procedures act disagree outset precise nature present issue must noted question whether board resorted rulemaking fact improperly promulgated rule context prior representation proceeding held act covers managerial employees except meeting new conflict interest labor relations touchstone conclusion board applied wrong legal standard makes consideration issue unnecessary rather present question whether remand board must invoke rulemaking procedures determines light opinion buyers managerial employees act appeals thought rulemaking required board finding company buyers managerial contrary prior decisions presumably nature general rule designed fit cases times similar issue presented second decision sec chenery chenery ii respondent corporation argued adjudicative proceeding commission apply general standard formulated first time proceeding rather commission required resort instead rulemaking procedures desired promulgate new standard govern future conduct rejecting contention first noted commission statutory duty decide issue hand light proper standards duty remained regardless whether standards previously spelled general rule regulation continued function filling interstices securities act performed much possible promulgation rules applied future rigid requirement effect make administrative process inflexible incapable dealing many specialized problems arise every principle essential effective administration statute cast immediately mold general rule principles must await development others must adjusted meet particular unforeseeable situations performing important functions respects therefore administrative agency must equipped act either general rule individual order insist upon one form action exclusion exalt form necessity words problems may arise case administrative agency reasonably foresee problems must solved despite absence relevant general rule agency may sufficient experience particular problem warrant rigidifying tentative judgment hard fast rule problem may specialized varying nature impossible capture within boundaries general rule situations agency must retain power deal problems basis administrative process effective thus definite place evolution statutory standards emphasis added nlrb upheld board order enforcing election list requirement first promulgated earlier adjudicative proceeding excelsior underwear plurality opinion justice fortas joined chief justice justice stewart justice white recognized djudicated cases may serve vehicles formulation agency policies applied announced therein cases generally provide guide action agency may expected take future cases nlrb supra concurring opinion justice black joined justice brennan justice marshall also noted board adjudicative rulemaking powers choice two within informed discretion views expressed chenery ii make plain board precluded announcing new principles adjudicative proceeding choice rulemaking adjudication lies first instance within board discretion although may situations board reliance adjudication amount abuse discretion violation act nothing present case justify conclusion indeed ample indication adjudication especially appropriate instant context appeals noted must tens thousands manufacturing wholesale retail units employ buyers hundreds thousands latter moreover duties buyers vary widely depending company industry doubtful whether generalized standard framed marginal utility board thus reason proceed caution developing standards manner attention specific character buyers authority duties company board judgment adjudication best serves purpose entitled great weight possible reliance industry board past decisions respect buyers require different result shown adverse consequences ensuing reliance substantial board precluded reconsidering issue adjudicative proceeding furthermore case new liability sought imposed individuals past actions taken reliance board pronouncements fines damages involved event concern consequences largely speculative board yet finally determined whether buyers managerial true course rulemaking provide board forum soliciting informed views affected industry labor embarking new course surely board discretion decide adjudicative procedures case may also produce relevant information necessary mature fair consideration issues immediately affected buyers company particular case accorded full opportunity heard board makes determination judgment appeals therefore affirmed part reversed part cause remanded directions remand board proceedings conformity opinion ordered footnotes opinion revealed board member jenkins view company buyers exercising managerial functions therefore considered employees act extent production maintenance employees majority board however apparently accepted company contention buyers managerial employees mentioned board relied north arkansas decision present case eighth circuit earlier opinion concerning related issue case reported section act defines term employee follows term employee shall include employee shall limited employees particular employer unless subchapter explicitly otherwise shall include individual whose work ceased consequence connection current labor dispute unfair labor practice obtained regular substantially equivalent employment shall include individual employed agricultural laborer domestic service family person home individual employed parent spouse individual status independent contractor individual employed supervisor individual employed employer subject railway labor act amended time time person employer herein defined supervisory employees expressly excluded protections act term defined term supervisor means individual authority interest employer hire transfer suspend lay recall promote discharge assign reward discipline employees responsibility direct adjust grievances effectively recommend action connection foregoing exercise authority merely routine clerical nature requires use independent judgment red lion broadcasting fcc zemel rusk udall tallman norwegian nitrogen zemel rusk supra commissioner noel estate nlrb gullett gin helvering reynolds tobacco norwegian nitrogen supra zemel rusk supra costanzo tillinghast midwest oil red lion broadcasting fcc supra fha darlington section house bill defined term supervisor follows term supervisor means individual authority interest employer hire transfer suspend lay recall promote demote discharge assign reward discipline individuals employed employer adjust grievances effectively recommend action ii determine make effective recommendations respect amount wages earned individuals employed employer apply make effective recommendations respect application factors upon basis wages individuals employed employer determined connection foregoing exercise authority merely routine clerical nature requires exercise independent judgment employed labor relations personnel employment police matters connection claims matters employees employers employed act respects employer dealing individuals employed employer employed secure furnish employer information used employer connection foregoing nature duties given employer information confidential nature available public competitors employees generally use interest employer section senate bill contained following definition term supervisor term supervisor means individual authority interest employer hire transfer suspend lay recall promote discharge assign reward discipline employees adjust grievances effectively recommend action connection foregoing exercise authority merely routine clerical nature requires use independent judgment report also makes evident congress concerned possibility conflict interest labor relations supervisors unionized supervisors management people distinguished work demonstrated ability take care without depending upon pressure collective action one forced become supervisors abandoned collective security rank file voluntarily believed opportunities thus opened valuable security seems wrong wrong subject people kind demonstrated initiative ambition ability get ahead leveling processes seniority uniformity standardization recognizes fundamental principles unionism case national labor relations board wrong foremen discourages things made foremen first place reason discourages best qualified get ahead wrong industry particularly future strength productivity country report stated reference confidential employees people receive employers information confidential also available public competitors employees generally people qualify confidential employees executives excluded act event board normally excludes bargaining units confidential clerks secretaries people ibid emphasis added ford motor board narrowed definition confidential employees embrace exercised managerial functions field labor relations discussion confidential employees house conference committee reports however unmistakably refers term defined house bill limited labor relations thus although congress may misconstrued recent board practice clearly thought act cover confidential employees even broad definition term dissenting opinion first asserts act plain face covers employees except expressly excluded post later concedes conference committee implied certain groups employees excluded post dissent argues managerial employees among impliedly excluded explicit direction set forth ibid overlooks fact case confidential employees working labor relations personnel employment departments explicit exclusionary provision necessary board never approved organization managerial employees either separate unit part unit indeed every prior board decision resulted exclusion employees managerial moreover denied congress thought executives excluded act house report stated express terms see supra congressional debates along senate report evinced concern possible extension act cover corporate vice presidents executives part management see cong rec addition dissent completely ignores fundamental change industrial philosophy accomplished unionization managerial employees justice douglas explained packard dissent wagner act designed protect laborers workers vice presidents others clearly within managerial hierarchy extension act cover true managerial employees indeed revolutionary eviscerate traditional distinction labor management congress intended result drastic unreasonable expect said expressly dissent also relies upon specific inclusion professional employees within act support assertion managerial employees similarly treated post see professional employees however plainly managerial employees conference committee report explained term professional employees refers persons legal engineering scientific medical personnel together junior professional assistants conf contrast managerial employees defined terms authority formulate determine effectuate management policies ford motor errata comma inserted post see eastern camera photo general tel ohio cases excluding buyers exercising buyers functions units legion see ed foodland springfield albuquerque acf weaver motors kearney trecker temco aircraft federal tel radio surprisingly dissent maintains board actually held twice managerial employees covered act post difficult reconcile undisputed fact decision north arkansas board never even certified separate unit managerial employees stated case case managerial employees accorded bargaining rights act palace laundry dry cleaning american locomotive swift cases cited palace laundry dry cleaning supra see ford motor retail clerks international assn nlrb supra chief justice circuit judge burger explained board policy managerial employees board also excludes protections act managerial employees formulate determine effectuate employer policies discretion performance jobs discretion must conform employer established policy eastern camera photo store managers set prices managerial rationale board policy though unarticulated seems reasonable belief congress intended exclude protection act comprised part management allied theory one workers needed protection emphasis added international ladies garment workers union nlrb supra justice circuit judge marshall explained lthough act makes special provision managerial employees board policy long duration category personnel excluded protection act contrary interpretation act urged dissent results although shop foreman excluded act wide range executives included major company example may scores executive officers formulate effectuate management policies yet supervisory responsibility identifiable conflict interest labor relations congress intended unionization executives certainly made design plain see supra board ample experience defining term managerial manner think act contemplates see eastern camera photo supra course specific job title employees involved controlling rather question whether particular employees managerial must answered terms employees actual job responsibilities authority relationship management sure also appropriate board exclude employees unit ground participation labor organization create conflict interest job responsibilities new england telephone see also retail clerks international assn nlrb app respect respondent suggested never afforded fair notice opportunity introduce evidence relating specifically possibility conflict interest labor relations tr oral arg representation hearing hearing officer indicate standard relevant respondent proceeded assumption question whether buyers managerial employees app present record may well adequate purposes determination however new relevant information point tendered remand board consider reopening record purposes admission section provides board shall authority time time make amend rescind manner prescribed administrative procedure act rules regulations may necessary carry provisions subchapter administrative procedure act apa defines rule whole part agency statement general particular applicability future effect designed implement interpret prescribe law policy rulemaking requirements include publication federal register notice proposed rulemaking hearing opportunity interested persons participate statement basis purpose proposed rule publication federal register rule adopted apa defines adjudication agency process formulation order order defined whole part final disposition whether affirmative negative injunctive declaratory form agency matter rule making including licensing proceedings certification worker representatives exempted act procedural requirements adjudication sections national labor relations act nlra empower board investigate petitions involving questions unit representation conduct hearings petitions direct representation elections certify results thereof board determinations representation questions appear constitute orders within meaning apa see nlra specify instances board must resort rulemaking number board decisions excluded buyers units employees see supra american locomotive swift appear cases board held buyers entitled organize separate unit chenery ii involve apa nevertheless analogous justice white justice brennan justice stewart justice marshall join dissenting part concur part iii opinion insofar holds board required resort rulemaking deciding case dissent holding part ii managerial employees class employees within meaning national labor relations act section act provides mployees shall right form join assist labor organizations bargain collectively representatives choosing section makes unfair labor practice interfere rights guaranteed unfair practice employer refuse bargain collectively representatives employees purposes foregoing sections term employee defined act means employee employer shall include individual employed agricultural laborer domestic service family person home individual employed parent spouse individual status independent contractor individual employed supervisor individual employed employer subject railway labor act act plain face employee specified exclusions entitled benefits act exclusions narrow precisely defined class none mentions managerial employees supervisors excluded precise definition class much narrower class managerial employees provided individual authority interest employer hire transfer suspend lay recall promote discharge assign reward discipline employees responsibly direct adjust grievances effectively recommend action connection foregoing exercise authority merely routine clerical nature requires use independent judgment congress defined special subclass professional employees special skills duties involving consistent exercise discretion judgment performance work employees obviously employees purposes act investing board powers necessary decide units appropriate collective bargaining provided board shall hold bargaining unit appropriate unit includes professional employees employees professional employees unless majority professional employees vote inclusion unit apparent seems many professional employees qualify managerial employees yet act clearly treats employees purposes act congress assumed full organizational bargaining rights unless provided otherwise accordance congressional desires hence insofar face act concerned compared exclusion managerial employees present ruling board excludes managerial employees whose work may involve conflict interest permitted bargain collectively far narrower exclusion adhering much closely rationale supervisory exclusion apparent intent congress nevertheless holds term employee may construed exclude managerial employees also must construed narrower exclusion said addition expressly provided satisfy act although appear difficult questionable feat rewrite statute substantially purports find license result legislative history amendments act read light previous subsequent board decisions true exclusion supervisors definition employees first occurred respect find basis history amendments read light prior board cases concluding congress intended exclude managerial employees addition supervisors benefits act understand decisions board time prior completely excluded broad category managerial employees class employees protected act concedes board cases period involved exclusion managerial employees bargaining units workers board statements may ambiguous board case held occasion hold managerial employees group protected act acknowledges board one decision excluding buyers expediters unit office clerical employees pointedly expressed caveat say however buyers expediters denied right collective bargaining act dravo hudson motor car board excluded buyers bargaining unit office clerical employees reason given exclusion duties closely allied management differing materially clerical employees vulcan board excluded buyer production maintenance employees unit managerial employee accorded bargaining rights ecause responsibility position peculiar relationship management view fact interests apparently different production maintenance employees line board decisions addressed question whether certain managerial employees sufficient community interest employees included bargaining unit board exercising power designate appropriate bargaining units clear board time held managerial employees outside scope act period prior amendments board position respect supervisors class vacillated time board first excluding supervisors units recognizing units confined supervisory employees refusing recognize bargaining units supervisors finally returning earlier rule even board determined short period supervisors permitted organize either employees separate units never went far hold supervisors employees act understanding board position packard nlrb case prompted congress go board ever gone exclude supervisors entirely category employees accorded bargaining rights act maryland drydock board longer convinced mere determination supervisor employee follows supervisors may constitute appropriate bargaining units benefits supervisory employees might achieve certified units outweighed dangers inherent commingling management employee functions also possible restrictive effect upon organizational freedom rank file employees shortly thereafter board faced claim employer foremen employees within meaning act address possible ground decision held instead persuaded factors militating establishment units supervisory employees set forth maryland drydock case obviated circumstance union seeking represent employees independent unaffiliated union general motors moreover board held soss mfg bargaining unit supervisory employees might appropriate supervisor like employees nonetheless protected unfair labor practice conclude supervisors employees supervisory status force remove employee protection section act ultimately packard cases board reverted earlier rule bargaining units supervisors entitled recognition act long included members congress undertook amend act following decision packard upholding board inclusion supervisors employees act acting light renewed board policy permit supervisory employees organize separate units mantle act protection enduring board policy exclude supervisors statutory definition employees policy excluded managerial employees units never denied right establish separate bargaining units placed outside act definition employee amendments adopted congress light pattern board practice clearly intended away packard decision approving board authority grant recognition unions supervisors house senate proposed exclude supervisors individuals defined employees purposes act senate definition supervisor limited individuals authority employer interest take recommend action involving employment employees exercise authority required use independent judgment proposed house definition also identified excluded supervisors determine effectively recommend wages paid employees employees responsibility area labor relations personnel employment police matters confidential employees neither proposals sought exclude express terms entire category managerial employees position formulate determine effectuate management policies beyond area labor relations whether defining persons supervisors proposing separate exclusion managerial employees step easily taken congress intended exclude individuals protection act despite fact board recently considered whether certain employees denied organizational rights either supervisory separately job responsibilities involved exercise managerial discretion see ford motor electric controller mfg one expect congress intended eliminate board authority accord bargaining rights managerial employees well supervisors said particularly board practice treated two categories separately differently fill gap referring house managers statement accompanying conference committee report explaining adoption narrower senate definition excluded supervisors report indeed instructive indicates even clearly opinion congress contemplate exclusion managerial employees coverage act conference agreement definition supervisor limits term individuals treated supervisors senate amendment case persons working labor relations personnel employment departments thought necessary make specific provision done house bill since board treated presumably continue treat persons outside scope act prevailing board practice respect people confidential employees well intention conferees alter practice respect conference agreement treat personnel guards supervisors house bill since however employees may qualify professional personnel special provisions senate amendment applicable respect professional employees cover many category case guards conference agreement permit certification labor organization bargaining representative guards admits membership affiliated organization admits membership employees guards provision dealing certification bargaining units guards dealt section conference agreement conf house managers statement accompanying conference committee report explains act amended expressly exclude labor relations confidential employees coverage act already prevailing board practice exclude employees entirely accurate representation board practice seemed hold employees included bargaining units necessarily protections act see murray ohio mfg ford motor even accepting house managers statement authoritative direction workers considered employees within meaning follow groups employees regarding explicit direction set forth board treated manner also intended excluded statement implied certain groups employees excluded also noted timestudy personnel qualify professional employees therefore organize units majority approved guards wholly excluded act restricted units composed solely guards given congress made specific provision timestudy plant protection employees entitled bargaining rights expressed desire exclude labor relations confidential employees thought board previously held outside act reason suppose congressional silence special provisions whether inclusion exclusion intended respect categories employees argued absence express treatment managerial employees congress somehow intended codify prior board practice unavoidable fact board decisions held managerial employees unprotected act excluded bargaining units moreover indication legislative history congress might perceived board rule respect managerial employees class position much advanced passing references house report floor debates cites ante nn assumption executives excluded act apart whether confidential employees discussion supervisors representatives management amendments sought exclude none cited passages category managerial employees board defined ever addressed focus remarks clearly directed exclusion supervisors defined proposed amendments perhaps clear congress confidential secretary superior excluded act individual either confidential employee supervisor referred nothing debates congressional materials category managerial employees distinguished class supervisory employees distinction board previously drawn discussed finally consider amendments intending enact views dissenting justices packard noted dissent interpreted national labor relations act put employer category acted management formulating also executing labor policies emphasis supplied see also limiting exclusion managerial employees charged formulation implementation labor relations policies board done case us entirely consistent view purposes act senate report noted concern changing law respect supervisory employees constructed packard balance power process upset successful efforts labor organizations invoke wagner act covering supervisory personnel traditionally regarded part management organizations composed subservient unions men hired supervise see also cong rec employee may deemed managerial nature duties apart supervision employees however reason suppose union affiliation least separate units raise labor relations concern following amendments board continued hold frequently held buyers others managerial interests excluded bargaining units employees denver dry goods palace laundry dry cleaning denton wise smith westinghouse electric american locomotive board rejecting inclusion buyers office clerical employees unit placement separate bargaining unit said appears buyers authorized make substantial purchases employer find representatives management may accorded bargaining rights act reliance statement placed wise smith case westinghouse electric case involved appropriateness placing managerial employees particular bargaining unit swift board held proposed unit procurement drivers accorded bargaining rights even separate unit board flatly asserted clear intent congress exclude coverage act individuals allied management sole support statement board repudiated reference statutory definitions employee employer conference committee report explanation term supervisors quoted reprinted congressional record board thereafter continued exclude managerial employees bargaining units employees occasionally citing swift copeland refrigeration frequently excluding managerial employees particular units without citing case suggesting excluded workers protected employees mack trucks diana shop federal tel radio kearney trecker weaver motors eastern camera photo board overruled swift north arkansas electric cooperative thus actually held twice managerial employees afforded protection act support conclusion without persuasive appeal true course board held contrary either various courts appeals interpreted deferred board position one total exclusion managerial employees scope act although none cases conclusion necessary result reached board rejected broad exclusion question whether current view sustained board refuses follow prior precedents reason overturn frequently sustained board decisions overruling prior interpretations act golden state bottling nlrb packard nlrb face act events demonstrate board present decision permissible construction statute congress amended statute expressly impliedly enact approve statutory interpretation announced swift co amendments dealt secondary boycotts picketing cited nothing suggesting attention congress time directed focused question whether managerial employees covered excluded statute congressional silence imply legislative approval board rulings theretofore made noted boys markets retail clerks union overruled sinclair refining atkinson agree conclusive weight accorded failure congress respond sinclair theory congressional silence interpreted acceptance decision cautioned best treacherous find congressional silence alone adoption controlling rule law girouard therefore absence persuasive circumstances evidencing clear design congressional inaction taken acceptance sinclair mere silence congress sufficient reason refusing consider decision board decisions area established cohesive precise pattern rulings often difficult tell whether individual decision based propriety excluding certain employees particular bargaining unit whether worker consideration thought outside scope act consistently said accept board determination whether particular individual employee act determination warrant record reasonable basis law nlrb hearst publications nlrb insurance reason hamstring board deny broad category employees protections act neither statutory language legislative history requires simply board one time interpreted act erroneously seems exclude managerial well supervisory employees respectfully dissent board held supervisory employees may organize independent union union collieries coal affiliated union godchaux sugars held unit appropriate organization supervisory employees maryland drydock boeing aircraft murray america general motors case young spring wire jones laughlin steel california packing board earlier conclusions progressive boldness shown union collieries godchaux sugars cases none series cases board hold supervisors employees see soss manufacturing majority argues explicit exclusionary provision necessary board never approved organization managerial employees either separate unit part unit ante dispute however board never disapproved organization either admits board stated dravo excluding buyers clerical employees unit mean say denied bargaining rights act board held managerial employees excluded prior congress address class managerial employees term reference board definition therefore justification excluding statutory designation employee entire class board previously excluded congress expressly deal amendments act legislative materials surrounding adoption congress intended exclude managerial employees said something since took great pains discuss supervisors labor relations confidential plant protection employees majority expresses concern extending organizational bargaining rights managerial employees permit extension act vice presidents high level executives thereby blurring distinction management labor concern overblown executives obviously super supervisors confidential employees professionals within board definition employees whose organization result conflict interest respect company labor policies remaining executives outside categories also excluded board told exclude particular group rather exclude managerial class reach vertically laterally deny hundreds thousands buyers relatively management employees organizational benefits protections act otherwise available employee argue majority congress intended include managerial employees said expressly ignores fact act covers employee burden properly falls exclude managerial employees demonstrate intent congress exclude category legislated directly exclude supervisory employees