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)

1400 MOTION-PICTURE JURISDICTION"AL DISPUTES Vice President Hntcheson contended that tlie Brotherhood never recognized the '25 agreement and had to suspend the local union that entered into the agreement and the International would never consent to that agreement. He stated that may help to clarify the situation, but according to Organizer Flana- gan's report, and according to the information Vice President Hutcheson received from the carpenters' i-epresentative, there seems to be confusion in the minds of not only the workers, but the producers as to the interpretation of the decision. Vice Presidetit Hutcheson stated he is wondering if this has gone far enough to clarify that decision. He further said he was hopeful that the committee might come in with a statement that on investigation by the council they find that the directive is confusing reference to tlie interpretation and then just interpret what they really mean. He further stated the brotherhood cannot accept that directive in reference to the '2.5 agreement, because it went so far as to withdraw the charter of the local there and not recognize the agreement. Mr. McCann. May I interriipt at that point. Mr. Chairman, to ask a question? Mr. Kearns. Proceed. Any objections. ^Ir. Hutcheson? Mr. HuTCHESOiSr. None whatever. Mr. McCann. Mr. Hutcheson, was the '25 agreement ever put into effect? Mr. Hutcheson. It was not, as far as the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners is concerned. Mr. McCann. It was never put into effect? Mr. Hutcheson. It was not. Mr. McCann. It appears in the presentation of Mr. Walsh to the three-man committee that the agreement signed in '25 known as the 1926 agreement, was followed by the lATSE and the Carpenters until 1933. Is that true, or is it inaccurate? Mr. Hutcheson. It is not. Might I answer that further, Mr. Chair- man, by stating I am endeavoring to present what I am presenting now in what you might call chronological order. I will go further into what you have just requested information on, Mr. Counsel, if you will permit me to proceed as I am. I will bring that '25 issue in, then I will go into '26, when the basic agreement was entered into, Mr. Kearns. Proceed, Mr, Hutcheson. Does that answer your question ? Mr. McCann. Yes, sir. Proceed, Mr. Hutcheson (reading) : The Council discussed the committee's report. Vice President Birthright stated that the committee's intention was not for the lATSE to erect or build the sets, but that when the sets were delivered to the stage they set them there or did whatever was required to put them up. Vice President Hutcheson stated it seemed to him that the council could say that the situation was called to the attention of the council; that the president had an investigation made, was shown in the report that there was confusion as to the interpretation of the intention of the committee. He further stated it would be helpful to the pro- ducers to have the committee then spell out what they intended in the directive. President Green stated that as he understands it, the erection of sets comes under the jurisdiction of the lATSE and the construction of the sets comes under the jurisdiction of the United Brotlierhood of Carpenters. Further discussion was postponed until the afternoon session, as the hour of adjournment had arrived. Chairman Knight of the Hollywood jurisdiction committee stated: The com- mittee has a report to submit in lieu of what was submitted this morning. Chicago, III., August 16, 1946. Pursuant to instructions handed down by the executive council at its session held on August 15, 1946, the Hollywood jurisdictional committee reviewed the work division applicable to the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America as set forth in the committee's decision dated December 26, 194.5, and reaffirms its previous decision.