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)

1374 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTIONAL DISPUTES Mr. McCakn. Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that you requested this information in Hollywood; in view of the fact that this informa- tion is now available to the committee, I respectfully move that the Chair examine the books, examine the receipts and then permit this witness to read the affidavits. If we are going to recommend any legislation on the subject of dual membership I do not know of any better evidence we would have to offer than the testimony which this witness is prepared to show to the Chair. Mr. Owens. Mr. Chairman, I am surprised that our attorney has asked affidavits be put in the record as evidence. I will not recognize that, as a member of the committee. Mr. ZoRN. Mr. Chairman, I am under some misunderstanding here and would like to be cleared up. I understood the witness to say that one of his complaints was a complaint with respect to recognition by the producers of his organization, and certain things that have hap- pened to his members at the studios. I know his organization has never been recognized by the producers as a bargaining representa- tive for any employees. So far as I can see it is strictly and entirely a matter for the National Labor Relations Board, if that is the matter at issue. If he has any charges that is the place to file them. If he wants representation the Board has an avenue for representation, so I do not see how that is relevant in this proceeding at all. Mr. Kearns. Is it true, Mr. Wilson, you are unable in any way to contact the men who are stationary engineers in the studio, so far as your own union is concerned ? Mr. Wilson. That is right. As an individual I am allowed in the studios. I can arrange passes to get into the studios, almost at all. But if I should contact any of my membership working in the studios I am immediately ejected from the studios. I have contacted the studios on many, many occasions and that evidence is in the form of a brief in the hands of your committee at the present time. As I understood, all the committee wanted of me at this hearing was the evidence that you asked for in Los Angeles. I did not come here to testify. All the testimony I had is in the record at this time. We have contacted the studios on many occasions requesting them to negotiate with us. Prior to the Taft-Hartley Act there was no way we could gain recognition because of two or three or four organizations affiliated with the American Federation of Labor, as the committee here knows, would not consider a case before the National Labor Relations Board. Mr. Owens. Is there anything now to stop you from a representa- tion election? Mr. Wilson. There isn't anything at this time except our member- ship is slowly but surely being moved out and it will not be long until we have nobody there to represent us. Mr. Owens. The sooner you ask for it the better it will be. Mr. Wilson. Perhaps you are right. Mr. Owens. They are really men in your craft or profession, aren't they? . Mr. Wilson. Very highly skilled. Mr. Owens. So that under our present law they would have a right to ask for representation as individuals of that particular craft or pro- fession, isn't that true ?