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 251 Mr. Birthright. The committee rules that the agreement entered into between the carpenters and machinists on February 5, 1925— linown as the 1926 agreement— puts forth erection, consisting of work in the carpenter shop Mr. SKEa^TON. But the thing I want you to read is the part in your clarification where you clarified the word "erection" as meaning assembly. Mr. Knight. The committee's decision is set forth in section 1. Jurisdiction over the erection of sets was awarded to the lATSE, which specifically excluded mill work and trim work. That recognizes the rightful jurisdiction of the carpenters on all trim work and carpenter work in the studios ; all work in carpenter shops, and all permanent construction and construction on exterior sets. Mr. SKBa:.TON. That you have read several times, and I appreciate it, but what I would like you to read is the directive where you clarify the word "erection." Mr. Sorrp:ll. Do you remember talking to me, Mr. Birthright, about the directive? Mr. Birthright. I remember talking to you about the whole strike. Mr. SoRRELL. But in the clarification, now, what I want to know is — I have before me a letter signed by Felix Knight, W. C. Birthright, and W. C. Doherty. Mr. Knight. Not by me. Mr. SoRREi.L. I am going to read a little more here. "The word 'erection' is construed to mean assemblage of such sets on stages and locations. It is clearly understood that the committee recognizes the jurisdiction over construction work on sets that come within the purview of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America's jurisdiction." Mr. Birthright. That is the decision of 1926. Mr. SoRREix. Now. I am going to clarify something here. I talked to you and President Doherty — and I was thinking I'resident Knight was there, too — but do you remember when I asked you if you meant this, and you said you meant just what you wrote? Mv. Birthright. I meant what I wrote. Mr. Sorrell. Now 1 understand — I was given to understand that what you put down here was what you meant, and that you haven't changed anything, but you have just clarified what should have taken place in the first place. Now, if that is not right, we want to know it now. Mr. Birthright. Well, Herb, the decision of August 1946 I just read you. What was handed down in 194.5 I have before me in the record of the American Federation of Labor paper and I will read it. Mr. TiNSDALE. Is that erection, Mr. Birthright? Mr. Birthright. Yes. Mr. TiNSDALE. Well, I would like to ask this : Is there a paragraph in that clarification that starts out, "Jurisdiction over the erection of sets on stages was awarded to the lATSE?" Mr. Birthright. That is in what is known as the 1926 agreement. You have heard it? Mr. TiNSDALE. Oh, certainly. But I am asking Mr. Birthright. What is known as the 1926 agreement, you can read as well as I can. You have that. Mr. Sorrell. The clarification goes with it; is that correct? Mr. Birthright. I will read you Mr. TiNSDALE. I mean the paragraph in the August 16, 1946, clarification, the memorandum which starts out, "Pursuant to instructions," it reads as follows: "Pursuant to instructions handed down by the executive council at a special meeting August 16, 1946" — is there a paragraph in that memorandum which starts out, ".Turisdiction over the erection of sets on stages?" I wonder if you would read that as you have it before you, please. Mr. Birthright. I will use the short term "carpenters" instead of the full name. Section 1, "All mill and trim work in sets on stages," is that what you want? Mr. TiNSDALE. No. Mr. Sorrell. No ; the clarification. Ml". TiNSDALE. The copy I liave before me, of August 16, 1946, has a paragraph which starts as follows: "Jurisdiction of sets on stages was awarded to the lATSE." And further in the next sentence it says, "The word 'erection' is construed to mean assemblage of such sets on stages or locations. It is to be clearly understood that the committee recognizes the jurisdiction over construction work on such sets as coming within the purview of the carpenters' juris