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)

460 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES "Paragraph (h) : No dissension. "Paragraph (i). Perform all welding, brazing, soldering, and fusing of all joints in connection with the work of the United Association of Plumbers and Steam Fitters of the United States and Canada." No trouble with the lATSE under this paragraph except where it enters into disputed jui'isdiction. "Paragraph (j). Install all sprinkler piping and equipment used in fire protection and fire-control apparatus." The lATSE claim wetting down for picture work and standing by for fire protection during lilming of scenes which might be a fire hazard. We do not agree. "Paragraph (k). Install all refrigeration, piping, and equipment except when coming within the scope of paragraph (aa) hereof." Again paragraph (aa) . This could also be misconstrued to cover what is given the UA in paragraph ( d ) and the skating rink called an effect. "Paragraph (I). Install all chemical toilets and other portable plumbing conveniences." We interpret this paragraph to mean that we install, handle, maintain, repair, and operate all such equipment. It is the practice in the studios to rent portable equipment of this nature and in many of the major studios is serviced by others than plumbers. "Paragraph (m). Maintain, repair, alter, service, dismantle, and strike all work included herein." We assume that operation is also included, and if not should be. This has been the cause of many a UA member being replaced on the job by two lA men regardless of whether it covered the supply of utilities as granted the UA in paragraph (&). AVe claim the operation of and standby of a UA member on all practical work under UA jurisdiction. Section III : "Paragraph (a). Handle and set all plumbing fixtures, which are not practical and which are used solely for set dressing." Under this paragraph and paragraph (&) which follows most fixtures are handled and stored by the lATSE prop shopmen and made practical on the set without our knowledge. They again use paragraph (aa) in this instance. "Paragraph (h). Build, handle, install, maintain, repair, strike, store, and operate all special effects and gag fixtures. This is to include rain effects, fire effects, water curtain, et cetera. Gag fixtures include all fixtures which operate in an abnormal manner, for the purpose of creating an effect to be photographed. However, when such effects require piping by other than special-effects men, members of the United Association of Plumbers and Steam Fitters of the United States and Canada shall be given jurisdiction over such construction." It is under this paragraph that the lATSE claims jurisdiction over water heaters, boilers, etc., that furnish utilities to sets and stand-by and operate same. The meaning of the latter part of this paragraph — "however, when such effects, etc."— is not entirely clear. We maintain this part was intended to mean and should read : "However, when such effects require piping, members of the UA shall he given jurisdiction over such construction." Here again they use paragraph (aa) with capital letters and contend it means only that a UA man will get preference if tliey do not have men enough to do the work. Under cover of this paragraph, lATSE 44 consisting of special effects, property men, and miniature prop makers fabricate pipe rails and awning frames from start to finish and install same. "Paragraph (c). Build, handle, install, maintain, repair, istore, strike, and operate all properties not excepted above regardless of the manner of construction or the materials used." This paragraph we are unable to interpret. Here the lATSE claims jurisdiction over piping, operating, maintaining, repairing, and striking of lawn sprinklers when used in connection with landscape to be photographed. They claim fountains that are to be photographed, pumps that are used to supply water in connection with the effects. Under paragraph (aa) they claim these and many more as effects. Enclosed is a copy of the minutes of the stewards' meeting and their reports on what work UA members have and what some of the other crafts are doing that we consider belongs to the UA. It is easy to see that we still have a long, hard fight ahead of us to gain our jurisdiction in the studios. We are, at the present time, trying to draw up an agreement to present to the "producers, and we wish to work it in such a manner that our jurisdiction is clearly understood and to the best interests of the UA.