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)

1348 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES international representative to immediately proceed to Hollywood and select a committee from local union 1421, the local that was involved originally in the strike. He stated he appointed his international representative as chairman of the committee. Mr. Lindelof stated his people were informed by Brother Brewer that he could not meet the committee, with which he was occupied, and so the painters sent a letter to Mr. Brewer advising him that they were ready to meet at any time if called upon. Mr. Lindelof stated as to a settlement or contemplated settlement if they can forget more about the CIO and the Communist Party they can probably get some place but that seems to be the principal issue, not the A. F. of L. He stated that the same tiling occurred during the strike in 1937. Mr. Lindelof stated that President Walsh seems to be of the opinion that they would not be able to control their people out there if a settlement was made. Mr. Lindelof stated he will make the statement now and definitely that when an agreement is reached among these international unions involved in the strike in Hollywood that Herbert Sorrell and the other men out there will go along with the agreement they have now. Vice President Bates suggested that by having all the international vice presi- dents that are involved in the controversy, in the strike, and the nonstrikers, agree to return their men to work immediately, with the understanding that this execu- tive council appoint a committee of three to settle the jurisdictional disputes that present themselves within 30 days; that this committee of three representing the council or the international presidents Involved in the conti'oversy establish a plan of arbitration with the representatives of the industry that would settle all jurisdictional disputes that would arise after that date for a period of 1 year. Vice President Bates stated in this way everybody would go back to work, have all jurisdictional disputes settled over a period of 30 days, and let the presidents affected set up a plan of arbitration to settle these disputes. Vice President Bates stated then you would have the settlement of this contro- versy out of the hands of the local group out there, settling it by the executive council with the approval of the international presidents involved. Vice President Hutcheson stated he thought Vice President Bates' suggestion is all right up to the point of establishing a permanent jurisdictional board. He stated if the committee from this council determines what the jurisdiction should be and all agreed to comply with it he did not see any need for a jurisdictional board after that. A'ice President Hutcheson stated he did not know whether the employers would want to go back to the old system that they had since 192G of basic agreement or not. but if they did he thought that would be a matter for the trades to consider. He sated he is in favor of the suggestion made by Vice President Bates. Representative Stuhr stated he was representing President Maloney of the International I^nion of Operating Engineers and they requested that their mem- bers working out there be represented by their organization there when this contract is set up. The hearing was concluded. Vice President Hutcheson spoke in favor of the suggestion offered by Vice Presi- dent Bates, but specified that he would not favor the latter part of the suggestion. He stated that an agreement could be made to accept the findings of the committee of three disinterested members of the council who would serve. The question of having, the men return to work as of the date of March 12 was disf^ussed by the council. Secretary-Treasurer Meany stated that woukl mean that every man who was on a job would go back to his job he had on March 12. He stated this involves the question of the so-called strikebi'eaker or "replacement man." Secretary- Treasurer Meanv stated he understands the industry would be willing to bear the cost of putting them back but for how long and how would we dispose of them? Viee President Hutch'^son st^n<-ed ti-iat President Walsh has proposed thn*^ all men be returned to work as of March 12 for a period of 60 days and that he is willing to do that for 60 days. There was considerable discussion in regard to this problem. Vice President Harrison offered the following suggestion : That we have con- cluded that the strike be terminated forthwith; all men return to work as of March 12—that is, under the conditions existing as of March 12—and that a board of arbiti'ation consisting of three representatives be desia-nated bv the president, or this council, to decide the disputed points of jurisdiction if the parties were imable to settle within 30 days from the date, and all parties agi'ee to abide by the decision.