Van 7211C2 Official Organ of the Office Employes International Union of the A. F. of L. <4r No. 19 WASHINGTON, D. C., JULY, 1946 R''' 7 CONSOLIDATED STEEL AMERICAN STOVE Gains Won for Workers In 9 Film Exchanges AGREEMENT SIGNED AGREEMENT SIGNED Orange, Texas-The signing of , Calif.-The office outcome of this case and the sub- Local , Ohio-A comprehen- the initial agreement between and clerical workers in nine film ex- stantial gains won for them 133 and the Consolidated Steel cor- sive working agreement has been in this city, where Local through their local union. 17 and the changes poration covering office workers entered into by Local 174 holds contracts and bargaining Scale Opened American Stove Co. covering its CBS Wage employed in the local shipyard of rights, have obtained substantial Another recent accomplishment the company has been announed by Cleveland Division operations, ac- increases and other improve- cording to Pearl A. Hanna, busi- wage of Local 174 has been the obtaining James A. Lewis, secretary-treas- un- ments in their employment condi- of an agreement from the Columbia urer of the local union. Highlight ness representative of the local a of the recent arbi- ion who handled the negotiations. tions as result Broadcasting System under which of this new agreement is the obtain- tration proceedings, according to reopen its ing of a flat 18-cent per hour wage The contract provides for a work representative it obtained the right to week of five consecutive days of Max Krug, business present contract for the purpose of increase retroactive to December 4 eight hours each, Monday through of the local. increasing the present wage scales. for all office workers employed by Friday, with time and one-half for The highlights of the award of The membership employed in the the company. This increase follows all work in excess of eight hours the Board of Arbitration include a local operations of this company the pattern adopted reently by the per day and forty hours per week. 12 per cent general increase apply- are pleased with the opportunity Shipbuilding Stabilization Commit- Overtime rates for Saturday and ing to all office and clerical workers thus gained to obtain upward wage tee and which was approved by the Sunday are fixed at time and one- in these exchanges, the gaining of adjustments above those provided National Wage Stabilization Board. half and double time, respectively, seniority in layoffs and rehiring, in the present contract. Other Benefits provided such days are the sixth and the establishment of a 5-day, The agreement, which assures consecutive days 40-hour week Monday through Fri- and seventh being the maintenance of membership to worked. day, with time and one-half Southern Kraft all members of the local union, also Seven legal holidays are pro- paid for all hours in excess of 8 in provides for the continuation of em- vided for and recognized and the any working day, and for all work Wages Increased ployment for "regular" employes also assures the work- performed in excess of 40 hours agreement Panama City, Florida. Wage in the event of layoffs, one week's ers that they will not be laid off in the work week, as well as time - vacation with pay for hourly pay regular working hours to and one-half for all hours worked adjustments have been obtained for during our membership employed by the employes and two weeks' paid va- equalize any overtime which they on Saturday and Sunday. cation for salaried employes. The may perform. The members employed under Southern Kraft Division of the In- ternational Paper Co. at its Pan- agreement provides for sick leave Comprehensive seniority clauses union shop agreement in the follow- to be allowed on the basis of one are contained assuring job protec- ing exchanges benefit: Twentieth ama City mill, according to Inter- national Union Vice President A. day per month with a maximum of tion to the covered workers. Paid Century Fox, Columbia Pictures, ten days permitted to accrue during of two full weeks after RKO Radio Pictures, Warner R. Carson who assisted Local 80 in vacations its recent wage negotiations. any one year. The agreement also one year's service and one week Brothers, Loew's, Inc., Paramount provides for seven recognized holi- six months' service are guar- Pictures, Republic Pictures, United The amendment to the existing after contract between our local and the days. Also provided in the agree- anteed and leaves of absence with- Artists Pictures Corp. and Univer- ment is the establishment out pay are provided for with ac- sal Film Exchange. The more than company was negotiated establish- of spe- ing eight salary groups similar to cific shift hours and a minimum of cumulation of seniority during 150 members benefiting from this two such leaves. award were indeed pleased with the the salary groups established in our hours' pay when reporting for recent negotiations with the Mobile, an unscheduled shift while time and Severance Pay Assured Ala., operations of this company. one-half will be paid for work per- The contract assures the em- The salary rates established set up formed on an unscheduled shift and ployes who are laid off for lack of FOOD MACHINERY minimums ranging from $125 a on the sixth consecutive day; double work severance pay of two weeks month for the lowest clerical classi- time is to be paid for work per- if they have been employed for ELECTION fication to a minimum of $300 per formed on the seventh consecutive one year or more, or one week if WON month for the classification of as- day. Provision is also made for the they have been employed for six Middleport, N. Y.-Climaxing a sistant mill accountant. Adjust- printing of the agreement by the months but less than one year. whirlwind organizational campaign ments in wage rates were made company. Provision is made for the recog- the office and clerical workers em- bringing all present employes at nition of union stewards and of a ployed in the Niagara Sprayer and least $5 above the minimum rate general committee, and such stew- Chemical Division of the Food Ma- for their group. Such adjustments ards and committeemen are as- chinery Corp. have by more than an (Continued on page 4) FINANCE COMPANY sured of reasonable time without 80 per cent favorable vote estab- pay deductions to handle grievances lished OEIU as their exclusive bar- and negotiations. All members of gaining agency, according to A. F. DRIVE PROGRESSES the general committee who have of L. Organizer Neil J. Cunning- ORGANIZED .-Following its been employed for five years or ham and OEIU Vice President BUS LINE sweeping victory in obtaining ex- more are granted super-seniority. George P. Firth who has been Jacksonville, Fla.-In the NLRB clusive bargaining rights for the Provision is also made for the assisting the group. election just held, the clerical force clerical workers employed by the company to have the agreement An NLRB election was conducted of the Florida Personal Finance Company in its printed by union printers in book- in the latter part of June and a voted overwhelmingly for collective 32 New York branches, great or- let form for distribution to all rally of such workers was held by bargaining through Local No. 73, ganizing interest has been shown workers. Organizer Cunningham on the eve according to Loraine Rhodes, Pres- by the clerical force employed in The wage schedule provided fixed of the election which was indicative ident of the local. More than 85 per Household Finance, General Public, rates by job classifications, which of the results obtained. cent of all votes cast favored union Capital, Family and other small rates for regular employes range These workers have applied for representation, thus establishing loan companies. Local 153 has al- from $127 per month to a maximum and received a charter as OEIU the local's bargaining rights for ready obtained substantial repre- of $308 per month. Local No. 184 and it is anticipated the 84 eligible employes. It is an- sentation among the clerical work- Assisting business representative that contractual relations with the ticipated that contract negotiations ers employed by the Household Hanna in the negotiations were company will be held shortly. will shortly commence. Finance Corp. and is requesting the following committeemen: El- The Florida Greyhound Lines formal recognition as the exclusive mer A. Fischer, Joseph S. Artino, MAGNOi_IA VOTES OEIU formerly functioned as the Florida collective bargaining agency of Frank Knight and John R. Arthur. Motor Lines until it was recently such workers, according to reports Beaumont, Texas.-By a land- purchased by the Southeastern of Howard J. Coughlin, business slide vote of 85 per cent the clerical Greyhound Lines, whose office manager of the local. WINS RE-ELECTION workers employed at the Magnolia workers are members of Local 73 Negotiations are proceeding sat- Portland, Ore.-Vice President S. Refinery in this city voted to estab- and enjoy the benefits of collective isfactorily with the Personal Fi- Eugene Allen, of Local 11, was lish OEIU, Local 169, as their ex- bargaining and a signed agreement. nance Company. Among the pro- recently elected to serve his second clusive bargaining agency, accord- Full cooperation in this organ- posed improvements requested by four-year term as a member of the ing to Vice President C. A. Staf- izational drive is being received the local are a 20 per cent general Portland School Board. Allen, who ford, who assisted the local officers from the officers and members of wage increase, additional paid va- is editor of the Oregon Labor Press, in their organizational work. The the Amalgamated Association of cation, sick leave, a union shop and has played a most prominent part election was conducted by the Street and Electric Railway and grievance machinery and arbitra- in Pacific Northwest AFL circles. NLRB earlier this month. Motor Coach Employes of America. tion. 2 THE OFFICE WORKER

`ME OTTIITA UIo R KlEiR Unions Assist Women INVEST IN Official organ of the Score Important Gains SAVINGS BONDS OFFICE EMPLOYES Washington, D. C.-Great prog- Union, 46 per cent of the Bakery As we go to press the fol- INTERNATIONAL UNION ress has been made by labor unions and Confectionery Workers, and 50 lowing telegram was received Ito in seeing that women share fully in per cent of the United Textile from Gilbert E. Hyatt, Sr., the securing of favorable working Workers, all affiliates of the AFL. Chief of the Labor Section, conditions, it was revealed in a re- Among the benefits which women U. S. Savings Bonds Division port by the Women's Bureau of the have derived through unions are a of the Treasury Department: U. S. Labor Department. voice in collective bargaining, bet- "A nation-wide campaign Extent of women membership in ter jobs with equal opportunities of the Treasury Department unions is indicated by a chart con- for promotion, higher wages, rate is now under way urging PAUL R. HUTCHINGS, President tained in the report. This shows for the job, shorter hours, vacations Americans to invest in sav- J. HOWARD HICKS, Sec.-Treas. that women represent 80 per cent with pay, better working conditions, ings bonds to the best of their 1221 G Street, N. W. of the membership of the Interna- seniority rights, and community ability. This is not a drive like Washington 5, D. C. tional Ladies Garment Workers services such as child care centers. the war loan drives, but it is On the other side of the balance particularly timely as a pow- PUBLISHED MONTHLY sheet-"Participation by both men erful weapon against inflation Entered in the Post Office at Washing- LABOR SCHOOL HELD through persuading people to ton, D. C., as second-class mail matter. and women workers in strong, free Richmond, Ky.-Attending the unions, is necessary to collective lay money away in bonds in- recent two-week Kentucky Labor bargaining," the report says. stead of spending it on goods School in this city, were three mem- Women can help their unions by they do not need. In wartime bers of the Office Employes Inter- participating in their programs, at- we urged all workers to in- national Union, AFL. They were tending union meetings, and shar- vest at least ten per cent of Reproduction by the Labor Press of Jerry Bruton and Babs Watson of ing in union work. They can refuse their earnings to beat Axis any or all of the material herein con- Local Union 61 in Louisville, and to undercut the union wage scale tyrants. Now we urge them tained is not only permitted but wholly Mrs. James Maret, president of to invest all they can spare to desirable in the interest of workers' by not working for lower rates. help themselves education. Local 172 in Paducah, vice presi- They can learn to understand and and to con- dent of the Kentucky Federation of tinue on the payroll savings Subscription Price, $1 a Year further union ideals and activities, plan with Labor and only woman member of help women's organizations its established its executive board. to un- voluntary labor-management derstand union programs, and work policy. Will you kindly The school, first of its kind to be for more democracy in government trans- Prices Soar As held by any State Federation of mit this message to your af- through voting. filiated organizations." Labor, was held on the campus of The legal right of workers to join Lid Is Lifted Eastern State Teachers' College, a union and to bargain collectively If there was any doubt whatever chosen because of its convenient location and excellent facilities is guaranteed by the Wagner Act of the National Labor Relations of the imperative need of con- for 1935 (National Labor Relations tinuing price controls, what hap- study and recreation. Forty stu- Board, an agency set up under the dents from fifteen Act). The new report explains and Wagner Act to conduct elections pened when OPA expired should AFL unions in summarizes for women their rights provide the final answer. eight Kentucky cities attended. In- among workers for the purpose of cluded in the faculty were several under this act. In the first 10 years determining their collective bar- Despite President Truman's ap- of the Wagner Act, over 6,000,000 peal to the patriotism of business- college professors and representa- gaining agents. Of the 23,850 elec- tives of the AFL and Department workers, including thousands of tions and cross-checks held, 20,000 men, farmers and merchants, the women, voted in elections legal death of OPA became the sig- of Labor. held by were won by unions. nal for the most acute epidemic of Students spend about six hours a inflationary price increases in the day in class, learning such subjects history of our Nation. as labor history, labor economics Bill To Increase Minimum Wage Rents jumped sky-high almost collective bargaining, public speak- instantaneously, forcing four State ing and parliamentary law. There Governors to impose emergency were also lectures by several guest Blocked By House Rules Committee regulations to freeze rates. Every speakers, including L. C. Willis, housewife was at once faced with director of the Kentucky Depart- Washington, D. C.-The Mini- Representative George E. Out- sharp boosts in the price of such ment of Industrial Relations. At a mum Wage Increase Bill, to lift land of California, speakieg as staples as bread, milk and meat. special Saturday night meeting, minimum wages from 40 to 65 the head of the informal steering The up-swing is just beginning to Dr. M. D. Peterson of Oak Ridge cents an hour, was sidetracked and committee on proposed labor leg- gather momentum. Unless it is addressed the school and members apparently blocked by the House islation, informed the committee stopped in its tracks, we have it on of the Richmond community on the Rules Committee as Congress that the President had told him he the authority of the outgoing Eco- implications of atomic energy. raced toward adjournment. would veto a House bill if it con- nomic Stabilization Director, Ches- Citing the Kentucky Labor School This measure is a top issue on tained the Pace amendment. ter Bowles, that the cost of living as an example of the increased in- President Truman's legislative list Representative of the American people may double terest in workers' education, John and has been vigorously urged by Stephen Pace of the American Georgia, author of the proposal to in the next three weeks. Connors, director of the Workers' Federation of Labor, include This emergency provides a clear- Education Bureau, discussed the which had pressed consistently for farm labor cost increases action in the computation of parity prices, cut test as to whether our democ- new awa-eness on the part of labor before Congress would wind asked racy can meet and overcome a in a sound public relations program up its affairs. for a rule which would admit major challenge to the security of as well. He suggested various tech- To expedite House action on the his amendment for consideration. its economy. niques for local unions to follow, wage measure the Committee on A majority of the Rules Commit- Prices, let it be remembered, such as holding essay contests in Labor had brushed aside the bill tee indicated a willingness to open constitute only half of the picture. high schools and keeping in touch approved by the Senate in April the way for the Pace amendment. The public must realize that Gov- with the local library to see that it after a three-week fight and re- maintained ported out its own version, After the executive session, dur- ernment wage controls ended with a stock of books on stripped ing which the committee the death of OPA. It would be idle labor. down to a simple raising of the promptly to hope to maintain wage ceilings legal pay minimum to 65 cents, the adopted rules to release four other He vetoed an OPA extension bill measures for floor action, it was after prices have burst through which would have forced figure adopted by the Senate. No prices up attempt was made, as with the announced that the Wage bill was the roof. just as high as they are now go- laid over "pending further consid- American workers who depend ing. But Congress has failed. Senate bill, to broaden the cover- eration." upon their weekly wages for a liv- It is up to Congress now to cor- age of the wage-hour law or to ing cannot afford to pay million- rect its dangerous error. It must raise other controversial issues. Representative Adolph J. Sabath, aire prices on an average income act at once to restore price controls Through the acting chairman, chairman, said this action was of about $40 a week. Unless price and save the American people from Representative Jennings Randolph taken because Representative Eu- control is restored and vigorously cold-blooded robbery by profiteers. of West Virginia, a majority of the gene E. Cox of Georgia wanted to enforced, wages will have to go up The American people demand such Labor Committee urged the Rules be present and he had left Wash- correspondingly. That will mean action. They have voiced their Committee to release this bill for ington for the Georgia primary further price increases and then mandate in the greatest torrent of floor action and to ban the offering campaign and election to be held more wage increases until the dizzy mail and telegrams received in the of unrelated amendments. July 17. The date for the adjourn- spiral of inflation crashes and Nation's capital in years. Unless This brought into the picture the ment of the Seventy-ninth Con- drags America down with it. This the members of Congress respond fact that the Senate, twice defying gress sine die has been set tenta- is no idle theory. I have seen it to this emergency appeal with a a veto threat by President Truman, tively between July 17 and July 21. happen within the past six months sound and constructive new OPA wrote into its minimum wage bill Asked whether he thought there in many countries of Europe. law, they may find themselves the Pace parity price-raising was any chance for Rules Commit- The question one hears on every swept out of office by an angry elec- amendment which Government tee action on the Wage bill before hand is-"Why doesn't the Govern- torate next November.-Robert J. economists declared would add the Congress went home to stay, ment do something about it?" Presi- Watt, AFL International Repre- some $4,500,000,000 to the annual Mr. Sabath said: dent Truman has done his part. sentative. food budget of the country. "I'm afraid not." THE OFFICE WORKER 3

Department Store Don't Wreck Wagner Act, IRON WORKS Agreement Renewed Board Counsels Congress Washington, D. C.-The surest this type of "economic democracy" SIGNS AGREEMENT Portland, Ore.-Renewal of the way to provoke industrial strife is and in that period 84 per cent se- agreement between Local 11 and to wreck the Wagner Act and de- lected unions as their bargaining Minneapolis, Minn.-The signing Roberts' Brothers Department prive workers of their liberties, the agents. of the initial agreement between Store has been announced by Irving National Labor Relations Board "Unfair labor practice" cases Local 12 and the Diamond Iron Enna, secretary-treasurer of the warned Congress in its tenth an- against employers who sought to Works, Inc., resulted in many local union. nual report. interfere with the right of their worthwhile gains for the office High lights of the agreement are enemies workers employed by the firm, ac- weekly Labor's have advocated workers to organize declined some- salary increases ranging amendment of the NLRA to ham- what in the past year, but still to- cording to A. J. Fritz, business rep- from $3.50 to approximately $5 for string unions as a prescription taled 2,427. This indicated that, resentative of the local union. all members of the union. A new against strikes, but the board even though the Wagner Act has Noteworthy among the improve- feature in the agreement is a pro- pointed out ments won through collective bar- vision calling for two weeks' ad- in its report that the been the statute books for over 10 law has effectively helped to pre- years, it is still being flouted by gaining is an automatic salary pro- vance notice or salary in lieu there- vent strikes by safeguarding diehard bosses. gression schedule which provides of in the event the services of any labor's right to organize and bargain col- The board revealed, too, that it is salary increases for all workers be- employe are to be terminated by lectively. still enjoying ginning with the conclusion of the the company. a high batting aver- "Disputes over recognition of this age of victories in cases where it first 3 months of service and at Trucking Industry Negotiates right have historically been the must go to the courts to get en- the end of each 6-month period Marking a noteworthy step in chief cause of costly strikes and forcement of orders against defiant thereafter through a total of 54 the postwar development of Local lockouts," the board declared. employers. months. In addition, the more than 11 will be the signing of an agree- "The right to select his own rep- 50 members of the local union em- ment between the union and the resentatives for collective bargain- ployed by the firm received salary increases in excess of 10 cents per local trucking industry. The suc- ing is one that is deeply ingrained CONVENTION cess which the local union has in the American worker, and any CITY hour, according to Fritz. scored in organizing this industry impairment of this right is fraught Washington, D. C. The Another highlight of the initial is the result of careful planning with the danger of industrial war- selection of a convention- city agreement is a provision calling and is hailed by local labor circles. fare," the board declared. for the March 1947 regular for sick leave to be granted at the Several industry-wide campaigns, Over a million workers marched convention of OEIU is sched- rate of one day per month over a of which the trucking industry was to the polls in 5,000 board elections, uled for consideration by the period of five years and which pro- one, were planned last fall, some of and in 83 per cent of them unions International E x ecut iv e vides for a maximum sick leave ac- which have been culminated with won out, the report for 1945 re- Board at its next regular cumulation of 60 days. This provi- the signing of agreements while vealed. meeting in September. Under sion is retroactive to April of this others are nearing the point where During the first decade of the the International constitu- year. contract negotiations are soon to board's existence, well over 6,000,- tion the International Execu- Other features of the agreement begin. 000 omployes took advantage of tive Board designates the provide for a uniform seniority pro- city in which the annual con- gram in which the date of actual vention of OEIU is to be held. employment of each worker is to be Electrical Equipment Wholesale Grocer used in making determinations on the length of service and the post- Workers Win Increase Signs CALIFORNIA FEDERATION ing by the company of available Contract jobs so that those employes with Kent. Ohio.-The conclusion of New York, on N. Y.-Contractual VOTES INQUIRY OF REDS sufficient seniority and who are negotiations renewal of the negotiations were completed be- agreement between Local 75 and San Francisco-An investigation qualified may bid for such posi- tween Local 153 and John Sexton tions. The agreement which pro- the Lamb Electric Company re- & Co. establishing improvements into reports of Communist activity sulted in a flat salary increase of in some AFL unions in the movie vides for five consecutive eight- in employment conditions benefit- hour days, Monday through Friday, $14 per month for all members of ing approximately 100 office and industry was ordered by the con- the local union, according to Lu- vention of the California State Fed- also provides for six paid holidays, clerical workers who are members time and one-half for work cille M. Sturgill, president of the of the local union. eration of Labor. per- local union. A resolution was amended to ex- formed on Saturday and double The contract provides for a union time for work performed on This increase is to be applied on shop with hiring of new employes clude specific mention of the name Sun- former rates of new, inex- of Herbert K. Sorrell, day. A provision that no discrimi- pay for through the union, sick leave, ad- president of nation is perienced workers and will range ditional paid vacation and increases the AFL Conference of Studio to be shown workers be- upward through Unions, who cause of sex is another highlight of rates for all exist- of $9 per worker during the life of led the seven-month the contract. ing classifications of employment the one year contract. Initial in- strike in Hollywood last year and Assisting with the resulting effect that all creases was described in the report of a Fritz in the negotiation approximate $5 per worker of this agreement were members of the union receive the and further increases of $4 each joint legislative committee headed Ralph A. increase by Hutchinson, Mary L. Hughes and as well as all new workers are insured during the year in State Senator Jack Tenney as Robert to be employed during the life of accordance with the classification "presently an important stooge and R. Anderson. the agreement. The renewed agree- and wage schedules and automatic tool" of the Communists. ment continues to provide for auto- increases within the rate ranges. Mr. Sorrell is on trial before the matic salary increases as has been The contract was negotiated by Central Labor Council of Los An- Truck Lines the practice in past years in former Business Manager Howard J. geles. Increase agreements between the local union Coughlin, together with a negotiat- An earlier resolution urged ex- Gained and the company. ing committee of members from clusion of Communists and mem- , Pa.-A blanket in- the establishment. bers of the Ku Klux Klan from crease of $5 per week has been ob- AFL unions. tained for the 16 members of Local MONEY IN FEW HANDS A resolution 33 employed by the Pennsylvania NLRB attacking Secretary Washington, D. C.-A survey ORDERS Byrnes was defeated overwhelm- Truck Lines, according to Business made by the Bureau of Agricultural WEBSTER TO BARGAIN ingly. Another, calling on the Representative John F. Magnotti United States who negotiated the new contract Economics shows that 40 per cent Tiffin, Government to retain of the families in Ohio.-In a decision and the secret of the atomic bomb with this company. the United States order issued June 28, the National and This own but 1 per cent of the Nation's portraying Russia as a menace to renewal agreement main- Labor Relations Board adopted the peace, was adopted tains all of the previously gained savings. The report which was re- findings, conclusions and recom- without debate. leased by the Federal Reserve advantages, including the 40-hour mendations of Trial Examiner week, time and one-half for all Board showed that the average Scott in connection with the charges NEWSPAPER amount of savings for this group AGREEMENT overtime, double time for all work was filed against the Webster Mfg. Co., performed on Sundays and six $40 per family and many fami- of this city, by OEIU Local 155. Ft. Smith, Ark.-Renewal of the designated lies had no savings of any kind. agreement between holidays. In addition, In affirming the Trial Examin- Local 82 and six holidays with pay are allowed The report also said that a large er's report on this case, the Board the Southwest-Times Record has and portion of the buying of Americans been announced all employes with one year's ordered this company to bargain by Mary E. Cod- service receive two weeks' paid was done on borrowed money with with Local 155 and to cease and dington, secretary-treasurer of the vacation the further observation that as local union. each year. Seniority pre- desist from in any way interfering vails in the case of layoffs and re- greater quantities of consumers' with the efforts of this local to bar- The agreement provides for a 40- hiring of all employes. goods appeared on the market this hour work week All newly gain collectively on behalf of the with time and one- hired employes are required to be- tendency would increase. workers involved. The company was half to be paid for all work per- come members The same report also of the union and all showed that also ordered to immediately post formed in excess of the established unsettled g-ievances are handled 60 per cent of all family savings notes for sixty days advising its work week. The agreement also pro- through an arbitration was 10 per cent board, with held by of the Na- employes that it will comply with vides car and mileage expense rates the decision of such board being tion's families. the Board's order. for circulation district managers. final and binding upon both parties. 4 THE OFFICE WORKER

Chesterfield Workers AMERICAN ICE CANADIAN PAPER Demand Recognition NEAR GAINS MADE AGREEMENTS R ichm o n d, Va.-Completing pany, it is hoped that this prelimi- Philadelphia, Pa. Substantial , Ont.-Announcement of unionization of 80 per cent of the nary detail can be settled at an improvements in employment- con- the signing of the first agreements office workers employed in the local early date and negotiations begun ditions for the clerical workers em- between OEIU local unions and the of the Liggett and Myers on an agreement with the company. ployed in the American Ice Co. operation All office in Kimberly-Clark Corporation of in record time, workers the group are offices in this city are reported by Canada, Ltd., and the Canadian Tobacco Company enthusiastic over unionization and a has been made upon the Margaret Scardino, representative International Paper Company is demand cooperated fully in the initial cam- of Local 14. The new agreement believed near, according to a re- company for recognition of the paign. brings a general weekly increase port made by AFL Representative OEIU as the representative of this Factory workers are represented of $3.50 to the office force and $5.00 Russell Harvey. group, according to J. Howard by the Tobacco Workers Interna- per week to the collectors. The local It is expected that agreements Hicks, secretary-treasurer, who tional Union (AFL), local union also succeeded in providing a sec- will soon be signed between the conducted the campaign. officers and members of which gave ond weeks' paid vacation after one former company and Local 166 at With a request for recognition strong support to the unionization year of service instead of after Kapuskasing, Ontario, and that presently being studied by the corn- of the office group. two years of service as provided in very soon thereafter the agreement the previous contract. Paid sick between Local 110, Gatineau, Que- leave has been extended from one bec, and the latter company will be Mail Order House Auto Electric to two weeks per year. The mini- consummated. , Ill.-Local 28 is moving Charges mum hiring rate has been increased It is reported that Local 166 and forward in preliminary action which Heard to $26 per week. Time and one-half the Kimberly-Clark company have may lead to the unionization of Tampa, Fla.-Charges of unfair is provided for all work outside the agreed upon a blanket 15 per cent the more than 2,000 office workers labor practice filed against the regular scheduled hours of off- wage increase which, coupled with employel by Spiegels, a large mail Spencer Auto Electric, Inc., by Lo- schedule work on Saturday, and an increase gained during January, order firm. cal 46 have been heard at a formal double time is provided for all Sun- represents a substantial wage ad- According to Sarah E. Keenan, National Labor Relations Board day and holiday work. justment for employes of the firm. business representative of the local hearing conducted by Examiner Informally the company has re- It is also reported that the local union, the organizing of the firm's Irvin Rogoson, according to J. 0. duced its weekly work schedule to union and the company are in ac- office workers is supported by a Bloodworth, Jr., business repre- a five day basis from the previous cord on a contract provision as- local union of AFL warehousemen sentative of the local union and an five and one-half day basis, with- suring union membership to all which represents the warehouse OEIU vice president. out reduction in weekly pay, the office workers employed by the employes of the company and which The hearing which lasted four shorter total weekly hours thus re- company. recently engaged in a strike against days was unique in that it was the sulting in a further increase of al- It is expected that the agree- the firm resulting in almost com- first time on record that a former most 9 per cent in straight time ments won by Locals No. 110 and plete cessation of the company's member of the United States Con- hourly rates. between four other OEIU locals activities. ciliation Service had been sub- has and these companies. Harvey Business Representative Keenan poenaed to testify in such a case. JAMES REYNOLDS NAMED also reported that the Ontario La- has stated that, if sufficient showing The NLRB had always previously bour Relations Board has ordered of interest is evidenced by office held that active conciliators could TO NAT'L LABOR BOARD an election among member§ of Lo- workers employed by the firm, a not be subpoenaed and that their ac- Washington, D. C.-James J. cal 152 who are employed by the full-scale campaign will be launched tivities carried certain immunities. Reynolds, Jr., 39, once a stock Ontario-Minnesota Paper Com- and that she has been assured of The former conciliator was Owen broker who entered the field of in- pany at Ft. Frances, Ontario. The the support of the warehouse union. W. Schaefer who was subpoenaed dustrial relations, was named by local union is expected to roll up at the request of company attor- President Truman to membership a large vote. SOUTHERN KRAFT neys who contended that the NLRB on the National Labor Relations (Continued from page 1) rule did not apply to former concil- Board, succeeding G. R. Reilly. New Canadian Local resulted in monthly increases run- iators and that Schaefer's testi- Mr. Reynolds started as a Wall ning up in some instances to as mony was essential to a fair deter- Street messenger, worked his way Beaupre, Que.-Under the direc- much as $51. mination of the case. Rogoson sub- up to a partnership in an important tion of AFL Representative Russell Provision was also made for auto- poenaed Schaefer only after con- brokerage house and quit because Harvey, office workers employed in matic increases of $5 per month to ferring with the NLRB office in he "didn't like to make money that the local operation of the Abitibi be paid as of October 10, 1946, and Washington on the matter. way." He donned overalls as a Power and Paper Company, Ltd., each six months thereafter until the The charges leading to the hear- $22.50-a-week laborer in the U. S. have completed unionization and employe reached the top bracket of ing were the result of company dis- Pipe & Foundry Co., rose rapidly have made application for an OEIU his job classification. Employes pro- missal of two employes last De- to foreman, director of industrial local union charter. moted into higher classifications cember 28 as the result of a relations and, eventually, assistant This new local union which will will receive the first six months in- successful unionization of the firm's to the president. He entered the henceforth be known as Local 191 crease for such classification if office staff. Bloodworth, who repre- Navy in 1943 and eventually was is the third operation of this com- their rates at the time of reclassi- sented the local union, has ex- promoted to special assistant to the pany to be unionized by Harvey in fication are equal to the minimum pressed confidence that NLRB will Undersecretary, in charge of indus- his activities in behalf of the OEIU. for the new job. rule in favor of the dismissed em- trial relations, with the rank of Harvey is eying the possibility of Assisting Vice President Carson ployes. commander. unionizing office workers in the in the negotiations on the wage Sault Ste Marie and Port Arthur schedules were Chairman John F. operations of the company. He has Holley of the local's negotiating Monotype Strikers Stand Firm Local 151, previously organized committee, together with commit- Philadelphia, Pa.-Members of level Iroquois Falls and Local 161, tee members Gertrude Day, Charles ditions at the same as other Smooth Rock Falls where the com- W. Gentry and Robert L. Rigdon. Local 14 who have been out on trades. pany also has operations. Each of The new schedule of rates is ef- strike against the Lanston Mono- Company Balks the latter two local unions is situ- fective retroactive to June 1. type Machine Company since May During the third week of the ated in the Province of Ontario. 20 remain adamant in their posi- strike a meeting between union and Negotiations of agreements with tion and will continue to strike in- company representatives was ar- the company for previously organ- McKesson-Robbins definitely, according to Edward P. ranged by a representative of the ized operations is in the prelim- Unite-1 States Conciliation Service. Harvey has reported. Springman, president of the local inary stages Rates Increased union. The strike action was insti- Although all union representatives Oakland, Calif.-Wage gains of attending this meeting were of an tuted only after Local 14 had ex- open mind and put forth sincere WATER FRONT AGREEMENT from $18 to $36 per month were hausted every possible effort to obtained for the office and clerical efforts to settle the controversy, Philadelphia, Pa. - Members of workers employed at the McKesson- reach a satisfactory settlement with the company representatives con- Local 14 employed by Philadelphia Robbins operations in this city, ac- the company. Negotiations were tinued the position which had led Piers, Inc., are now working under cording to business representative protracted over a period of more to the institution of strike action. a renewed agreement which brings Ray R. Colliver of Local 29, who than twelve months. At the request of Springman, J. substantial additional benefits to handled the negotiations. In addi- Officers of the union report that Howard Hicks, secretary-treasurer them. Among changes effected by tion to the increases in basic rates the request of Local 14 upon the of the OEIU recently visited Phil- union officers in the renewal of this the new agreement reduces the company had been ruled as fair and adelphia to confer with officers of agreement are a $3 per week in- wage progression period from six equitable by the former War Labor the local union and strike leaders. crease in base pay retroactive to months to three months and ex- Board and President Truman's Fact The members of other unions in the January 1, time and one-half after tends to new employes the benefit Finding Committee. The union's po- plant are observing the picket lines 8 hours' work in one day, improved of their previous office experience. sition is premised upon the belief and lending 100 per cent support. vacation provision and time off Provision also is made for observ- that office workers are entitled to These unions are the Machinists, without loss of pay on Good Friday ing seniority in the making of pro- wage and salary increases and Pattern Makers, Printing Pressmen and election day. motions. other advancements in working con- and Teamsters.