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)

124 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES we shall be compelled to engage men from other available sources to do the carpentry work required to keep our studies in operation, which we are determined to do. "You are, of course, aware that the strike was declared without the sanction and against the orders of Mr. Lindelof, the international president of the Brotherhood of Painters; that the War Labor Board has characterized it as a flagrant disregard of the procedure established for the peaceful settlement of labor disputes and has ordered that it be immediately terminated; and that the strike was officially disavowed by William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, who also called upon Mr. Sorrel! to terminate the unjustified work stoppage immediately, and that this strike is being carried on in direct violation of the no-strike i)ledge of the A. F. of L. "You must also be aware that the producers are the victims of a jurisdictional quarrel between various American Federation of Labor unions and that the l)roducers are powerless to settle this dispute. "After the many years of cooperative association with you and your organization, we deeply regret the necessity of such action. However, you leave us no alternative." On April2, 1945, the employers sent the following wire to local 946 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters : "Members of your union have refused to report for work and perform their services since March 12. If the members of your union persist in refusing to report and perform their services by April 4 we shall be compelled to engage men from other available sources to do the carpentry work required to keep our studios in operation which we are determined to do. "You are, of course, aware that the strike by local 1421 was declared without the sanction and against the orders of Mr. Lindelof, the international president of the Brotherhood of Painters; that the War Labor Board has characterized it as a flagrant disregard of the procedure established for the i^eaceful settlement of labor disputes and has ordered that it be immediately terminated; and that the strike was officially disavowed by William Green, president of the American Federation of Labor, who also called upon Mr. Sorrell to terminate the unjustified work stoppage immediately ; and that this strike is being carried on in direct violation of the no-strike pledge of the American Federation of Labor. "You must also be aware that the producers are the victims of a jurisdictional quarrel between various American Federation of Labor unions and that tlie producers are powerless to settle this dispute. "After the many years of cooperative association with you and your organization, we deeply regret the necessity of such action. However, you leave us no alternative." On April 4 the carpenters still refused to report for work, and that afternoon each such carpenter was sent the following notice : "You are hereby notified that your employment is terminated. Such action is taken because of your failure to report for work and perform services in accordance with your obligation so to do." On April 5, the employers sent international and local 946 the following wire : "The undersigned producers hereby rescind and terminate the collective-bargaining contracts now in effect between the undersigned producers and your union. Such action is taken by us by reason of your breach of your obligations under such contracts and the failure of your members to perform their services in accordance with such contracts." The carpenters are still out. //. TBEW Electricimis (local .',0) On April 2, 1945, the employers sent the following wire to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Electricians, local 40: "Members of your union have refused to report for work and perform their services since March 12. If rhe members of your union persist in refusing to report and perform their services by April 4, we sliall be compelled to engage men from other available sources to do the electrical \\ork required to keep our studios in operation, which we are determined to do. "You are, of course, aware that the strike by local 1421 was declared without the sanction and against the orders of Mr. Lindelof. the international president of the Bi'otherhood of Painters; that the War Labor Board lias characterized it as a flagrant disregard of the procedure established for the peaceful settle