Jurisdictional disputes in the motion-picture Industry : hearings before a special subcommittee of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first-session, pursuant to H. Res. 111 (1948)

MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES 1305 At a later date and just prior to tlie 1945 strike lATSE Representa- tive Brewer in the j^i-esence of witnesses promised me that the differ- ences in the M-(t-^[ machine shop could be settled to the machinists' satisfaction if local union No, 1185, I. A. of M. withdrew from the Conference of Studio Unions (CSU) and did not participate in the then-threatened strike. My associates and myself did not accept the offer. The CSU was the best friend we had in the moving-picture- studio industry and we elected to rise oi- fall with the CSU. During the early part of April IDIC), I received information from our Hollywood oilice that '21 undesirable machinists employed during the 1J)45 strike were moved into the machine shops operated by M-G-M, Warner Bros, garage. Fox Hills. Paramount general shop, and EKO. I was advised that our members would not continue working unless these undesirables and strikebreakers were removed. Mr. Chairman and members of the conmaittee, please bear in mind that when the 1945 strike Avas terminated by direction of the A. F. of L. executive council, the undesirables and strikebreakers, pursuant to understanding, were removed from the shops and other places of em- ploymejit within the studios. Regardless whether the management of the-studios of their own volition or under pressure by the lATSE moved these people into our shops, in so doing management showed evidence of bad faith and were not as lily white as they so often pub- licly professed when charging that the 1946 strike was caused by jurisdictional dis})utes and labor leaders striving for greater union powei'. On receipt of tliis information, I immediately telegraphed^ A])ril 4, 194G. to Mr. Eric Johnston, representing the Motion Picture Pi'oducers and Disti-ibutors of America, Inc., at his Washington office as follows': Information froJii our Hollywood organization indicates new and serious sit- uation. Recently our people have discovered in the machine shops operated by M-G-M. Warner Bros, garage. Fox Hills, Paramount general shop, RKO, total of 21 people with classifications represented by International Association of Machinists. Ml'. OwExs. ^Ir. Chairman. I can appreciate the use of the words "scabs and strikebreakers** has a definite meaning— Mr. Ke.auxs. If he wishes to use strikebreakers he may use that. Go ahead. ]Mr. Browx. Thank you. This group of 21 worked as strikebreakers during strike, some of whom were members of our association and were expelled. I'lacing these people in positions that should be tilled by workers who qualify for membership in our union has created a condition that i'e(iuires immediate attention. My information indicates your clients are in tlie corner of and coopc-rating with the lATSE to detriment of machinists" union. The present tense situation resulting from above-stated situaticm is not making for peaceful or cooperating labor relations in the said industry. Please advi.se. Siil)se(iuent 1o my issuing the above-quoted telegram, I had several meetiugs with Mr. Eric Johnston to urge that the said strikebreakers be removed from ()ur slups. Our wishes were not complied with by the produceis. Oviously the i)roducers did not Avish to discontinue the conspiracy I cluirged they engaged in. in an effort to force members of the I. A. of M. to quit thei* jobs.