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)

1062 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES suffered enough in strife; the only thing to do was to close the studios and let the A. F. of L. fight it out. I further felt that if the studios closed the A. F. of L. executive council would bring sufficient pressure to settle the dispute, and it would never be settled otherwise. Mr. McCanx. Now, JMr. Johnston, I want to ask you if it is not a fact that following this Cincinnati meeting—and I want to go back to the 1945 strike—you assumed responsibility at that time for the return of the former employees of the striking unions to the studios and the disposal or removal of the people who had taken their places in the studios? Mr. Johnston, Yes; in substance. What we agreed to do was to keep the replacements for a 60-day period—in other words, a 60-day period during which the arbitrators were deciding upon the award. At the end of the 60-day period those who were not retained by the awai-d were to be given severance pay, the severance pay to be worked out between the studios and the unions. Mr. McCann. Now, as a matter of fact, the painters, the carpenters, and some of those groups were returned to the studios and the people who had taken their places in the studios were removed to keep from having friction in the studios; is that right? Mr. Johnston. Some of them were removed, but they were con- tinued to be paid, even though they were removed. I think it cost the studios several million dollars to continue to pay these men until the 60-day award had been decided and then give them severance pay thereafter. Mr. McCann. Now, did you adopt any different attitude with resjiect to the machinists out there? Mr. Johnston. Not at all. Mr. McCann. Did you receive a wire dated April 4, 1946, from H. W. Brown, president of the International Association of Machinists? Mr. Johnston. I think I did. I think I recall receiving a wire. Mr. McCann. May I read this wire and see if you recall it? Mr. Johnston. Surely. IMr. McCann. Bear in mind, April 4, 1946. is several weeks after this whole thing is supposed to have been cleared up; is that correct ? Mr. Johnston. That is correct. Mr. McCann. It is after the 60-day period. Mr. Johnston. Oh, yes. Mr. McCann (reading) : Information from our Hollywood organization indicates new and serious situa- tion. Recently our people have discovered in the machine shops operated by M-G-M, Warner Bros.' garage. Fox Hills. Paramount general shop. R-K-0, total of 21 people with classifications represented by International Association of Machinists. This group of 21 worked as stril^ebreakers during strike, some of whom were members of our association and were expelled. Placing these people in positions that should be filled by workers who qualify for membership in our union has created a condition that requires immediate attention. Mv informa- tion indicates your clients are in the corner of and cooperating with the lATSE to detriment of machinists' union. The present tense situation resulting from above-stated situation is not making for peaceful or cooperating labor relations in the set industry. Please advise. Did you receive that wire? Mr. Johnston. Yes, I did.