Evening star., 1934-10-27
Non-Union Carpenters Pro.
test "Freeze-out" on
Sewer Job.
EMPLOYMENT CENTER
MEN REFUSED WORK
Declared 0pen-Shop Jobs Are Be-
ing Packed" and Contractors
Forced to Unionize.

Charges that local labor unions are
using coercion and allegedly unfair
methods in attempts to freeze out"
non-union men engaged on public
works projects where work is done on
an open shop" basis, were being in
vestigated today by the Public Works
Administration.
Complaints were made specifically
in connection with the northeast
boundary sewer job near Gallinger
Hospital, one Of the few P. w. A.
projects in Washington where it Is
claimed non-union men have an op-
portunity for employment. Public
works officials were told that nom
union carpenters were laid of this
week on the demand Of union dele
gates and that others duly certified by
the Public Employment Center of the
District were refused jobs for the
same reason.
Carpenter Makes Protest.
The complainant was Frank L.
Alexander, l245 North Capitol street,
a carpenter, who protested to officials
that he was refused a job at the
project because the foreman had told
him of a threatened walk-out Of all
union men If any more non-union
carpenters we're employed. Alexander
said he represents committee that Is
endeavoring to form an organization
Of non-union workers in the District
to protect their jobs at P. w. A.
projects under open shop" contracts.
I'VE intend to fight for some Of
these jobs" he said. IF we don't we
will find ourselves frozen out COM
pletely."
Under public works regulations,
union contractors are supposed to re-
cruit local labor from lists furnished
by the unions, and non-union con-
tractors obtain their labor from men
registered in Washington at the
Public Employment Center at 4so In
diana avenue.
Alexander made the charge that
the unions are packing" the OPEN
shop jobs with union men who are
registering at the Employment Center.
When they are in majority on a
project, as in the case at the North
east boundary sewer job. he claimed,
union delegates force the contractor
to unionize the job completely under
threats of strike or "walkout."
P. w. A. officials admitted that on
one or two other occasions in the
past similar situations have arisen
in the District.
Registration officers at the Employ
ment Center, it was said, have no
way of knowing when union men
register if they choose to conceal their
union Affiliations. As result,
P. w. A. officials said today, q Situa-
ton has arisen that amounts to
''chiseling" on the part of the unions
in violation of P. w. A. regulations.
Alexander told officials that last
Monday the superintendent Of the
M. De Balso Corp. general contractors
for the work on the Northeast boun-
dairy sewer. had called for 10 car
penters. Being certified for the work,
he was sent out to see the subcon-
tractor in charge of carpentry work
! the next day.
Was Refused Work.
He said he was refused work be-
cause he could not produce a union
card. The foreman told him. Alex
| ander said. that he had been COM
PEELED by union delegates TO lay OF
| five non-union carpenters the day
before and that he would not hire
any more.
Public works officials said they
would endeavor 30 find out how many
union men are registering at the local
employment center and also would
investigate to determine If non-resi-
dents are being given employment on
local jobs.
Under P. W. A. regulations, union
men may be engaged on such . job
if there is deficiency Of non-union
labor. In the case at the Northeast
sewer project, Alexander claims,
there are plenty Of available nom
union carpenters who are desirous
of working if given the chance.