Montana labor news., 1934-02-22

State Director Miles homney, explains
in full the reason for the lockout at
the Liberty Montana Mines in Jeffer-
son county:
Helena, Montana, Feb. 20, 1884.
Mr.. Miles Romney, State Director
National Emergency Council,
Helena, Montana.
Dear Sir:
The international Union of Mine,
Mill and Shelter Workers, affiliated
with the American Federation of La
Dor begs to submit the following vio-
lation of the spirit of the National
Emergency measures.
The Liberty Montana Mines Com
pany is a corporation operating a gold
mine a few miles from Jefferson Is
land, jefferson County, Montana. The
international Union Of Mine, Mill and
Smelter Workers have received many
requests from employees of this prop
erty to establish a Miners union. Feb
Is. representatives of this %organiza-
ton, George R. Coles, Lew ]. Nc
Lenegan, and Harry Baird visited this
property, and during the course of the
day organized a Miners Union, which
included considerably more than a ma
jority of the fifty-odd employees.
On the following day, February II,
these men at the request of the local
union called on the manager, Mr.. A
J. MacGregor, and advised him the
union had been organized and explain
ed it's affiliations with the American
Federation of Labor. They also pre-
scented the request of the union that it
be recognized by the company to
serve as a medium of communications
between employees and employer in
cases Of grievances. This request vas
denied by Mr.. MacGregor, although
he stated he would take up the propo-
sition with the directors. This de-
lay was entirely satisfactory to the
union. No demands had been made
nor ultimatum given in case recog-
milton was not granted. Mr.. Mac
Gregor then stated that unless these
employees at once severed their con-
%nection with this union, he would
shut down the property, that he
would not operate with the union in
existence at this mine.
That night he posted notices as
herein quoted:
"Notice to all employees:
"The Liberty Mines Company has
stopped operations. Pay checks will
be issued to all employees at 200
| p. m The last meal will be served
at the boarding house at 1890 pm.
"The company will require all
houses at present occupied by fam
lilies to be vacated within seven
days.
Liberty Montana Mines Company,
"By A. J. MacGregor, Supt."
Work ceased with the night shift.
We wish to make it plain that no
demands had been made by represen-
~tatives of the union. Merely a request
had been made that the union be given
recognition. This request being re-
fused, no retaliatory action was
threatened by the representatives of
the union.
The lockout, from Mr.. MacGreg-
or's testimony, was for the sole pur-
pose of preventing the employees from
securing benefits of collective-bar-
gaining which we believe is encour-
aged and guaranteed under emer-
gency legislation
If this shutdown continues for
several days, employees and their
families will of course be starved out
and have to secure relief or other I'M
ployment as best they can, the latter
being very difficult during this per-
iod of depression.
Manager MacGregor and Resident
Director Sievers of Butte were inter-
viewed in Butte yesterday. They per-
sist in maintaining the same attitude
that the mine will not be opened and
operations resumed while the union
is in existence at the mine.
We believe this a direct violation of
the spirit of emergency measures and
a severe blow to the liberties of Amer
lean citizens.
We most earnestly urge your
prompt attention in this matter and
such redress as is deemed expedient.
Sincerely,
International Union of Mine,
Mill & Smelter Workers,
By Geo. R. Coles, Vice-Pres.
By Lew j. McLenegan,
Executive Board Member,
By Harry Baird,
Member Butte Miners Union.