Labor Relations: Striking a Balance 4th Edition by John Budd

Exercise 9

Interestingly, the conversations between Acosta, Meraz, and Delgado occurred at the Nogales distribution center in Mexico, not in the United States. Moreover, Acosta was a Mexican citizen who worked in Mexico for a Mexican company. Acosta was not employed by SPT but instead worked for SPT's major customer in Mexico. Nevertheless, Acosta frequently assigned routes to the truck drivers for their return to the United States and sometimes disciplined them. He was seen by the SPT drivers not only as a supervisor but as the voice and authority of SPT in Mexico. In Silva's words, Acosta was his "eyes and ears" in Nogales. Do you still think Acosta'a actions violated American labor law (the NLRA)?