NLRB v. International Paper

**NLRB v. International Paper (1993)** This case involved five workers at International Paper Company who were fired after participating in a strike. The company claimed all five employees engaged in serious misconduct during the strike, but the workers argued their firings were unfair retaliation for striking. The court reached different conclusions for each worker. It upheld the firing of three strikers—Chicoine, Hamlin, and Storer—finding they did commit serious misconduct during the strike that justified their discharge. However, the court ordered the company to reinstate one striker, Bilodeau, because his firing was unlawful. The company had treated him more harshly than other workers who committed similar acts, which violated his rights. For the fifth worker, Flagg, the court disagreed with an earlier decision and confirmed his firing was proper because his misconduct was more serious than other comparable cases. **What this means for workers:** While employees have the right to strike, they can still be fired for serious misconduct during strikes. However, employers cannot single out certain strikers for harsher punishment than others who engaged in similar behavior. Companies must apply discipline consistently and fairly, even during labor disputes.