Montana labor news., 1937-04-08
TEACHERS MAY FORM
4 UN|0N IN The
GREAT FALLS AREA
Unions Are Solidly Behind Gene
Burris.

Organized labor of Cascade Coun-
ty will attempt in the near future
to perfect an organization of teach
ers. A committee vas appointed at
the last session of the Cascade
Trades and Labor Assembly to have
charge of such an organization. A
desire to create a union of teachers
has often been felt.
The subject was precipitated by
the union of Government Employees
asking that a board be established
to have charge of all the preliminary
work and details.
The assembly received additional
information from Senator Murray in
regard to the project of developing
additional power for commercial con-
sumption at Fort Peck.
The proposed Neutrality Act nov
before Congress was opposed in a
communication received from World
Peaceways.
Congressman Jerry J.. O'Connell
Informed the unions that he opposed
the passage of the Shepherd-Hill
Bill. This bill is known as the con-
scription measure and the unions
consider it very detrimental to their
interests. 1t is a war measure.
No definite action was taken on a
request to hold a mass meeting on
April 10Th to celebrate Patriots Day
and for the additional purpose of
adopting resolutions to support the
Presidents Supreme Court program.
The request came from Labor's Non
Partisan League at Washington, D..
c., and was turned over to the local
Non-Partisan League. Credentials
were received from the Association
of Letter Carriers naming Paul ST.
monitor and George Bruce as dele
gates. The Painters also sent in
credentials for William Shonen. The
Building Trades sent in credentials
naming Stewart Voden and John
Parker. All of these men were obi
gated and seated. Great Falls is for
tunate in having in their central
organization representatives from
the Association of Letter Carriers.
Probably in no other central body
of the state is this branch of govern
ment employees represented in the
unions. Whether through fear or
lack of interest OF for some other
means, they have persistently re-
fused to affiliate with the Central
Labor Councils.
The Sheet Metal Workers advised
the delegates that they had agreed
to work 8 hours a day, this is a long
err day than usually worked by this
union. At the present time there is
a shortage of workers in this in
dustry.
Secretary Whitmore was instruct
ed to write Adjutant Mahan concern
ing Captain Charles Dawley. 1t was
reported that he had been promoted
instead Of being denoted as request
ed by the union.
The committee in charge of the
cases involving the Electrical Work
ers and the Radio Workers reported
that most Of the workers had re-
turned to the ranks of the Electrical
Union.
Chairman Steinmetz of the Assem-
bly, reported some good news when
he stated that he had been Informed
that an increase was to be granted
in WPA quotas for the district that
he supervises. All the unions were
requested to support Mr.. E. c. Bur
ris of Anaconda for the position Of
Director of Unemployment Insur.
ance for Montana. This is one Of
the offices created out of the passage
of the Montana Social Security mea.
sure. Mr.. Burris is at the present
time Director of Unemployment I'M
der the Works Progress Administra.
ton. 1t was moved and seconded
by the Assembly that all local un.
ions be requested to take similar
action as the central body, in sup.
portipo Mr. P,,r,ic
A committee reported that theil
mission had been successful for the
machinists; that they had been giver
the union scale of wages in highway
maintenance and it appeared alsC
that the union rates would be estab.
lished by the Highway Commission
The Bakers delegates reported tina
the Eddy Bakery Company had dis.
continued the use of G. & w. anc
Holly Sugar.
Both Montana Senators and Con.
gressmen will be asked by The
Trades and Labor Assembly of Grea'
Falls to define their position regard
ing the Shepherd-Hill Bill.
HARRISBURG, Pa FP) Til,