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 277 Mr. McCann. Will they send that letter back with that, do you think? Mr. Flanagan. I have asked for it. Mr. McCann. All right. Then proceed, sir, I am sorry. Mr. DoHEETY. After this lenghty discussion the conniiittee of three A. F. of L. vice presidents was instructed by the A. F. of L executive council to bring in a clarification based primarily, of course, on the dispute that had arisen relative to erection of sets on stages and locations. This committee then attempted to clarify, again trying to rectify the situation that existed so that people could go back and earn their bread and butter, and work in peace and harmony, and this committee then brought in the following clarification, and it is dated Chicago, 111., August 16, 1946 : Pursuant to instructions handed down by the executive council at Its session held on August 1-5, 1946, the Hollywood jurisdictional committee reviewed the work division applicable to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America as set forth in the committee's decision dated December 26, 1945, and reaffirmed its previous decision. The committee took cognizance of the allegations contained in a report submitted to President Green b.\ Organizer Daniel V. Flanagan under date of August y, 1946. According to a brief embodied therein. Studio Carpenters Local 946, U. B. of C. and J. of A., alleges that certain violations have taken place whereby the carpenters' jurisdiction set forth in the directive has been encroached upon. Jurisdiction over the erection of sets on stages was awarded to the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Operators of the United States and Canada under the provisions set forth in section 8 of the decision, which specifically excluded trim and millwork on said sets and stages. 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 United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners' jui-isdiction. Sections 2 to 5, inclusive, recognized the rightful jurisdiction of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and .Joiners of America on all millwork and carpenter work in connection with studios, all work in carpenter shops, all permanent construction, and all construction work on exterior sets. In view of the alleged violations, the committee hereby directs that all participants in the Hollywood motion-picture studio dispute strictly adhere to the provisions of the directive handed down on December 26, 1945. And it was signed by Vice Presidents Knight, Birthright, and myself, and that is the clarification that apparently is primarily the reason for so much trouble and difficulty and so many trials and tribulations in Hollywood at the present time. Mr. McCann. May I ask if that expressed the opinions and the convictions of you gentlemen, or was that the expression of the opinions and convictions of other than you gentlemen ? Mr. DoiiERTY. No ; I think, Mr. Chairman, in fairness to the executive council of the American Federation of Labor, I should make it clear for the record that the executive council instructed us to bring in a clarification and that Ave in turn set forth our own opinions, and that no one interfered therewith. Mr. McCann. All right. Now may I ask if the clarification which you wrote was or was not an effort on your part to make clear to the carpenters and to the lATSE that it was the intent of your committee to continue the historical activities of the carpenters and the lATSE insofar as the erection of sets on stages was concerned ? Mr. DoHEKTY. I think. Mr. Chairman, that has been very well stated, and the answer is "Definitely yes." That was our intention.