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)

1344 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES leads to regimentation. Mr. Johnston stated he tlierefore hopes that these great lahor unions can settle these difficulties between themselves. ]\Ir. Johnston stated this strike has been going: on now for almost 83 weeks and seemingly the bitterness and hatred have increased rather than diminished. He stated it makes many people stop and think what is going to happen, is legislation eventually essential"? Mr. Johnston expressed the hope that it is not. He ex- pressed the hope that the gentlemen at this conference can solve this very difficult and very important problem. Mr. Johnston made a statement regarding the (mtbursts of violence that have occurred at the studios where the pickets are being maintained. He stated the city of Los Angeles he found turned into two camps, one supporting one group, another supporting another group. Mr. Johnston stated he believes that is na- tural because the motion-picture industry is really a people's industry; it is closer to the heart of the people than any other single industry, raidving the fifth industry in the United States. Mr. Johnston stated that he trusts that the council will take under c!>nsidera- tion the great interest of the American peoi)le in tliis controversy, and he trusts that we will take into consideration the violence that has taken place; the hatreds and innumerable convictions that have been developed and will continue as long as this strike lasts. He stated he is of the opinion that it will get worse rather than get better. Mr. Johnston declared that the problem is completely and squarely in the hands of the council and he expressed the hoiie that it be settled promptly. Mr. Donald Nelson made a statement in support of Mr. Johnston's views. He stated he represents the Independent Motion Picture Producers. He stated that they have not been in a sense a party to the dispute. He explained tliat labor re- lations in Hollywood heretofore have always been carried on by the major stu- dios and the independents went along, and in this particular di.spute they try to work closely to both sides. He stated they have had a great deal of coopera- tion from both sides but it has cost a lot of money. He contended that today many members of the independent producei-s cannot start a picture because of the uncertainty of getting the picture through and getting the picture done. He stated tiiey have many members who have pictures they want to start, that they will not start because of this dispute that is going on. Mr. Nelson contended that the motion-picture industry has the worst labor relations of any industry in the United States, not because of wages, not because of working conditions—there are no disputes like that in this strike, but it is purely a question of jurisdiction, which in the final analysis it is a question of who shall control these workers. Mr. Nelson expressed the opinion that everybody in this dispute has made grievous mistakes, the studios have made grievous mistakes, and it can only be- settled by looking to the future. He expressed the hope for better laboi- rela- tions in this industry and he stated that he knows he and Mr. Johnston can work together in trying to bring about the best labor relations in the United States in this industry. Mr. Nelson strongly urged that a settlement of the strike be brought about in the interest of the employees out in Hollywood, not alone those who are on strike but those who are in the studios, because there are many loyal employees of the A. F. of L. who have been with the A. F. of L. for oO years now on strike for 33 weeks. Mr. Johnston stated that at his request Mr. Frank Fenton was sent out to Hollywood; that he took a completely neutral point of view in trying to arrive at a settlement, and he was very helpful.- Mr. Fenton stated that he was sent out to Hollywood by President Green purely to act in the capacity as a mediator. He stated while out there lie did try to bring the parties together and try to work out diff'rent proposals in an attempt to bring abrjut a settlement. Mr. Fenton stated that the .strike has lost its identity as an A. F. of L. strike. He contended that the picket line has leaders of the CIO and they have representatives of the CIO longshoremen, representatives of the CIO automobile workers who were led by United States marines, who are picketing, but they have been taken off because they have not authority to wear the uniform as they were discharged men. Mr. Fenton stated that a solution must be found, and he really did not think from his personal observation that it is a question of jurisdiction as much as it is a question of i)Ower—who is going to control out there, and it has not any identity now as an A. F. of L. strike.