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Official Organ of the Office F.mployes International Union of the A. F. of L. No. 108 DEC1EMBER, 1953 NLRB Ruling Forces Clerical Workers into Production Unit In the forthcoming election of the G. E. employes at Lynn, Mass., where the OEIU has petitioned for an election among the clerical employes, the NLRB recently handed down a clarification of the original decision which stated in effect that all salaried and hourly clerical employes who work in the physical proximity of production workers will be included in the production workers unit. This ruling was handed down not- withstanding the fact that the izing committee will be barred from OEIU has received signed cards voting with the clerical workers from a very large majority of these unit. employes. It is difficult for the International From your International Officers to you and the members of your family The effect of this ruling is to Union to understand how the NLRB HOWARD COUGHLIN J. HOWARD HICKS virtually imprison the clerical could render a decision where, re- President Secretary-Treasurer workers within the production unit. gardless of the type of work is It would be unrealistic for anyone performed, clerical employes should Vice Presidents to believe that the four or five be forced to vote in a uroduction hundred clerical workers affected workers' unit merely because the J. 0. BLOODWORTH NICHOLAS JULIANO by this ruling will have the right employer unilaterally determines EMILY BURNS JOHN B. KINNICK to determine by secret ballot whom that their place of employment BERNARD H. COSGROVE MAX J. KRUG they wish to represent them, when should be physically established in they are included in a unit of 20,000 close proximity to the production JOHN T. FINNERTY MARIE MANN production workers. workers. GEORGE P. FIRTH TERRY PARKER This ruling could have very Is the NLRB attempting to de- ILA E. HOWARD EDWARD P. SPRINGMAN serious consequences in the forth- prive clerical employes the right coming election, since approximate- to be represented by a union of ' .e":1-4 ,? t .4, V* '41, 14. V, ly 90 per cent of the OEIU organ- their own choice ? Board Hails Organizational Plan President Coughlin Gets "Cabbage" The Executive Board of the In- ternational Union on November 30, Federation of Labor have already received an organizational report agreed to make contributions to- by President Coughlin at its meet- ward the Organizational Confer- ing in the Hotel Statler, Washing- ences in their respective states. ton. The members of the Board Other state federations have indi- were enthusiastic in their discus- cated that they would be willing to sions and comments. They, in turn, consider contributions toward the reported that the program had gen- furtherance of the program. erated much enthusiasm in the The Executive Board instructed ranks of our International Union. the executive officers to explore all It was emphasized that all con- possible sources of fund-raising for ferences were looking forward to organizational purposes and au- successful programs in their re- thorized them to make necessary spective areas. Local unions not arrangements. yet included in organizational con- President Coughlin and Secre- ferences are petitioning for the tary-Treasurer Hicks reported on formation of further organizational a welfare. plan to cover the office conferences. employes and staff members of the The need for organizational International Union. They further funds was discussed at great reported that this welfare plan can length. President Coughlin re- be used to cover any of the em- During the course of the Executive Board meeting, President Coughlin ported on his meetings with George ployes of our local unions or any emphasized the need for additional sources of revenue in order to Meany, president of the American groups represented by our local provide the necessary funds for our organizational program. In point- Federation of Labor, and stated unions. Details of this welfare ing out this need he referred to organizational funds as "cabbage." that he was awaiting an answer to plan will be forwarded to each lo- Members of the Board, during a recess period, proceeded down to the his request for money grants for cal union in the near future. Washington market place and at the reconvening of the Tuesday session, organizational purposes. A summary of the minutes of presented Howard with a large supply of cabbage as in the above The California State Federation this meeting will be forwarded to picture. This was one of the few humorous incidents during a serious of Labor and the Washington State each and every local union. three-day Board session. 2 THE OFFICE WORKER Payroll Tax Boost Executive Board Meeting in Washington Supported by AFL Washington, D. C.-The Ameri- can Federation of Labor is sup- porting the payroll tax which is scheduled, by law, to increase on January 1 from the present rate of 11,4 per cent on employers and employes alike to the rate of 2 per cent. Such an increase is neces- sary to insure the solvency of the Social Security system and to build up and maintain the trust fund from which old age benefits will be paid to future generations of re- International officers and Executive Board members are shown in session in Washington. Left to right tired workers as well as those pres- around the table are: J. 0. Bloodworth, Marie Mann, Emily Burns, Bernard H. Cosgrove, Terry Parker, ently drawing benefits. Mary Elder, secretary to Secretary-Treasurer J. Howard Hicks, Secretary-Treasurer Hicks, President The AFL stand was explained in Howard Coughlin, Organization Director H. B. Douglas, George P. Firth, Edward P. Springman, John B. a letter that went out under Presi- Kinnick, Ila E. Howard, Nicholas Juliano, John T. Finnerty and Max J. Krug. dent George Meany's signature on November 12 to all state federa- exceed the amount by which a low- and capable of supporting benefit "Not only would this seriously tions and central labor unions. er-paid workers' income taxes are payments in future years. Ac- handicap our efforts to secure some Noting that certain members of reduced through the automatic 10 cording to the most reliable ac- liberal benefits under Social Secu- Congress have recently declared per cent reduction scheduled for tuarial estimates, unless the in- rity-it would actually endanger their intention to introduce legisla- next year. This is, however, in no crease is permitted to stand, the our ability to maintain the existing tion designed to roll back, retro- sense a valid argument against the Social Security trust fund will not level of benefits. If the advocates actively, the Social Security tax step-up in the Social Security tax. only fail to build up the necessary of the tax freeze succeed in their rate and to "freeze" it at its pres- Rather, it offers a good demonstra- interest-yielding reserve, but will efforts, future benefits will depend ent level of 11,4 per cent, President tion of the unfairness of a flat actually show a deficit by 1960. -not upon a sound, self-sustaining Meany states the following facts percentage across-the-board meth- "Nowhere else can so much in trust fund-but upon annual hand- should be borne in mind: od of reducing income taxes, which the way of economic security be outs from the Treasury, subject to "(1) To freeze the Social Secu- brings large tax cuts to the obtained by workers at so little the whims and political complexion rity tax at its present rate would wealthy, and very small cuts to actual cost as through their Social of each succeeding Congress. involve no real savings for workers. the wage earner. This cannot be Security contributions. The small "This is a risk which the workers Rather, it would serve to deprive corrected by any retroactive freez- payroll tax, matched by employer of America cannot afford to take- them of the benefit of the matching ing of the Social Security tax rate. payments, is the source, and the particularly when there is nothing increase in contributions scheduled The appropriate and fair method only source, of the many real and to gain by so doing except a trifl- to be paid by their employers. It of correcting this inequity would substantial benefits derived from ing, temporary and largely illusory is a disguised tax cut for employ- be through a revision in the income Social Security. To keep the con- postponement of a cost which will ers, at the expense of the Social tax structure to make it more pro- tribution rate down to a level below have to be paid sooner or later. Security trust fund and of workers gressive, with-among other things that required, according to all ac- And the longer it is postponed, the whose future benefits must be de- -an increase in personal exemp- tuarial estimates, for the soundness higher that cost will have to be, rived from that fund. . . . tions, as has been proposed by the and self-sustaining nature of the unless benefits are to suffer dras- "(2) It is true, of course, that American Federation of Labor. fund would sooner or later spell tically. It is our belief that the the scheduled increase in the So- "(3) The increase in the Social ruin for the program and for the workers of America should and cial Security payroll tax, while Security tax rate is necessary if future security of workers and will accept this necessary increase small in amount, may equal or the trust fund is to remain solvent their families. in contributions, not begrudgingly but willingly, knowing that they High Jinx on Friday, the 13th, for Local 241 are thereby insuring their own present and future welfare and security."

THE OFFICE WORKER Official organ of OFFICE EMPLOYES INTERNATIONAL UNION

HOWARD COUGHLIN, President J. HOWARD HICKS, Sec.-Treas. 625 Bond Building Washington 5, D. C.

PUBLISHED MONTHLY Entered in the Post Office at Washing- ton, D. C., as second-class mail matter.

Local 241 in Quebec City, Can., held its first dance and cocktail party on Friday, the 13th, but there was Reproduction by the Labor Press of any no jinx on the affair. It was an enjoyable evening for all as the picture of the group shows. Eleanor or all material herein contained is not only permitted, but wholly desirable in the Nicholls was crowned Queen, Brian Kelly was named Prince and Louis P. Martel, minstrel. Among the Interest of workers' education. guests were representatives of Anglo-Canadian Pulp & Paper Mills management and President Alphonse Dubueau of Local 191 at Beaupre. Subscription Price $1 a Year. THE OFFICE WORKER 3 Pacific Northwestern Organizational Conference

Arizona. Of the 16 local unions, Organization Plan 15 responded and were present. The local unions unanimously adopted the Conference organiza- Welcomed in West tional plan as presented by Presi- President Howard Coughlin and dent Coughlin and Director of Or- Director of Organization H. B. ganization Douglas. Many area Douglas have recently completed problems were discussed in detail. a series of meetings with Western Subsequently, John Kinnick was local unions. Our organizational Terry Parker, left, elected president of the Western at was elected secretary-treasurer of the Pacific Organizational Conference and plan was received very enthusi- Northwestern Organizational Conference established at Seattle, Wash., astically in all cities visited. Anita Amado was elected secre- and Al O'Brien was elected president. Shown in the group with Presi- tary-treasurer. Denver dent Coughlin are representatives of local unions of Washington, Oregon and British Columbia, who unanimously adopted the organizational plan. Holly wood On his way to Seattle for the Leroy Patterson, president, and purpose of setting up the Pacific- Conference, which embraced the by Secretary-Treasurer Northwestern Organizational Con- Jim Beyer Max Krug, business representative local unions of Washington, Oregon and President Arthur Gulley, of Hollywood Local 174, extended ference, President Coughlin met and British Columbia, our organ- agreed with with the officers and Executive the tentative proposal an invitation to President Coughlin izational plan was presented. The made by President Coughlin for to address the Hollywood Board of Local 5 at Denver, Colo., local on plan was adopted unanimously and the purpose of resolving some im- November 9. A well-attended on November 5. This group was meet- all delegates present agreed to mediate problems of our Portland ing listened to our president outline headed by Marie Mann, interna- strongly recommend to their local local. tional vice president. These rep- the many social gains that have unions affiliation with the Pacific been attained by organized resentatives of Local 5 very graci- Tacoma labor. Northwestern Conference. He stressed the fact that white ously agreed to meet with Presi- Al O'Brien was elected president On November 6, Business Rep- dent Coughlin the Denver collar workers throughout the at air- of the Conference and Terry Parker resentative Calvin Winslow and United States port during a short stopover there. the Executive are the classification was elected secretary-treasurer. Board of Local 23 at of workers making up the large President Coughlin gave a brief During his Seattle visit Presi- Tacoma graciously extended an number of "free riders" outline of our organizational plans. invitation to Brothers today. He dent Coughlin met with many rep- Coughlin emphasized the great need for un- All agreed that the plan was sound and Douglas to be resentative groups. A committee in attendance ionization of clerical workers in and was something greatly needed representing the B. C. Electric Of- at a special meeting called in honor Los by our organization. The Denver of Angeles and throughout the fice Employes Association, now their visit. After presentation country, if we hoped representatives emphasized the of to retain the affiliated with the Trades and Labor a general outline of our organ- wonderful gains for our member- need for a conference in the inter- izational Pacific Congress of Canada, conferred at plans for the ship already attained by Local 174. mountain area as soon as circum- great length with President Cough- Northwest, a discussion ensued as stances can permit the establish- lin on common problems regarding to the Tacoma potential and pos- San Francisco ment of such a conference. organization, contract negotiations sibilities. Our executive officers On November 10, President Seattle and plans for exchange of informa- were much impressed with the in- Coughlin addressed the member- tion. President Coughlin was most terest displayed by the representa- ship of Local 3. He urged them to Washington State Federation of pleased with the cooperative atti- tives of the Tacoma local. use the resources at their disposal Labor President E. M. Weston tude displayed by these Canadian Riverside to bring about the unionization of welcomed OEIU President Cough- representatives. clerical workers in San Franicsco. lin and Director of Organization President Coughlin and Director H. B. Douglas at a pre-conference Portland of Organization Douglas presented Oakland membership meeting of Seattle A special meeting with the Port- our Organizational Conference President Coughlin addressed Local 8 on November 6. Both Di- land representatives was held on plan to the delegates present at a the combined Executive Boards of rector of Organization Douglas and November 7, at which time much conference meeting held in River- Locals 2, 29, 30 and 243. He out- President Coughlin addressed this discussion took place with respect side, Calif., on November 8. This lined the organizational plans of meeting. Thereafter, at the Pacif- to our Portland local's organiza- Conference covers all of local un- the international union through the ic Northwestern Organizational tional plans. The delegates, headed ions in the states of California and (Continued on page 4) 4 THE OFFICE WORKER Western Organizational Conference Formed

Representatives of local unions of the states of California and Arizona are shown at the meeting in Riverside, Calif., which adopted the organizational conference plan presented by President Coughlin and Organization Director Douglas and established the Western Conference. City of Hope Receives Donation

Anita Amado, chosen secretary- treasurer of the Western Organiza- 0- 1,, tional Conference. Akar OEIU President Coughlin and other guests at a dinner in Los Angeles honoring Teamster President Dave Beck in connection with collection Organizational Plan of S153,000 for the medical center, City of Hope. At Coughlin's right (Continued from page 3) are Supervisor John A. Ford and Sheriff Eugene Biscailuz. At his left: Tom Ranfod of the Central Labor Union, Movie Actor Pat O'Brien and establishment of area Organiza- John Doolittle, business representative of Local 30. Seated at extreme John Kinnick, elected president tional Conferences throughout the right are Leroy Patterson, president of Local 174, and Vice President of the Western Organizational Con- country. He emphasized the need Max Krug. ference at Riverside, Calif. for affiliation and active participa- tion by all of the local unions in agreed to a jurisdictional line of Portsmouth the Bay area. He stated, in effect, demarcation to he presented to the Workers Renews Ordnance that unless all local unions accept next International Executive Board Give Vote to OEIU their responsibilities and partici- meeting. Works Contract pate in organizational campaigns Thereafter, Business Representa- George Firth, International Vice Donald A. Morgan, secretary- regardless of jurisdictional grants, President, continued in tive John Doolittle of Local 30, his winning treasurer of Local 293, reports im- unionization of clerical workers and the Bay area will suffer. President Leroy Patterson ways at the Pike County Atomic provement in the contract with the "Unless our program is success- Business Representative Max Krug Energy Plant, Portsmouth, Ohio, Badger Ordnance Works, Badger, of Local 174, and President Cough- with another victory as a result of Wis. ful," he said, "wage rates you have Am- already attained for your members lin attended a dinner at the an NLRB election conducted De- A general in honor of Team- wage increase for all will be imperiled when economic bassador Hotel cember 7. More than 100 office employes, reduction in ster President Dave Beck. At this the proba- conditions have produced unem- workers voted for OEIU Local 308 tionary period from 90 to 60 days; extent that cleri- dinner the City of Hope presented at a ratio of more than 5 to 1. ployment to the Hope to Dave prorated vacation if an employe cal will be available for a Torch of President Contract negotiations for the of- voluntarily resigns workers Beck. President Beck announced after complet- work at lower wage rates." fice employes of the Peter Kiewit ing one or more years of con- Representatives of the groups that a total of $153,000 was col- Company and the Grinnell Com- tinuous service; improved sick present expressed confidence in the lected by the Teamster movement pany are presently being conducted leave provisions and automatic sal- that suc- on behalf of the City of Hope. He by Vice President Firth at Ports- program and indicated also promised of ary progression every 13 weeks cessful results would be obtained that the amount mouth. The addition of the Rey- after completion of the probation- in the Bay area. money collected for this National nolds- Newberry office workers ary period are some of the im- Representatives of Locals 30 and Medical Center at Duarte, Calif., brings the total of unionized cler- provements won. 174 met with President Coughlin would total one million dollars in icals at Portsmouth to approxi- Arthur J. Lewandowski of Local on November 12 and tentatively the next seven years. mately 1,000. 9 assisted in these negotiations.