Aluminum Co. of America v. Employment Appeal Board

SNELL, Justice.

In late May and early June of 1986, the Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) plant in Davenport was beset by labor difficulties. Contracts between ALCOA and its two unions, the Aluminum, Brick and Glass Workers (ABG) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) were to expire simultaneously at midnight on May 31. The parties’ practice with regard to negotiating new contracts had been that ALCOA negotiated with the ABG, the larger of the unions (2000 members), and after settlement extended a similar offer to the IBEW (150 members).

Prior to May 31, ALCOA and the…