Montana labor news., 1938-01-20
missoula Unions Are
Thriving; Central Body
Elects New Officers
Christensen Named Secretary;
Pickets Patrol st. Regis Job.

MISSOULA.-One of the most
spirited sessions of Missoula County
Central Trades and Labor Council
was held at their meeting on Thurs
day evening, Jan. 18th.
Considerable discussion ensued on
matters of vital Importance to Mis-
soula workers and there was a large
attendance who showed a deter
mined resolve that members of local
organizations shall work towards
common welfare and not to permit
disturbing factors to cause disrup-
ton and chaos among the several
otherwise well organized labor
groups.
This was manifested by the action
taken relative to the road jobs at
nearby projects and especially the
st. Regis bridge job. At this prof.
ect the contractor has determinedly
violated local rules and regulations
by importing helpers from outside
the state of Montana as well as the
skilled mechanics needed for the
job. 1t became necessary by the
workers of Mineral County to place
pickets Oh this job in an endeavor
to secure this work for local work
ers and for whose benefit ostensibly
the bridge appropriation had been
secured.
Several attempts have been made
to negotiate an agreement by bust
ness agents in behalf of the local
laborers, but to date the employer
has shown no inclination to recog-
nize local and union help. At the
recent meeting of Missoula County
Central Trades and Labor Council.
concurrence was voted in placing
the contractor, Geo. D. Lyon, on the
unfair list.
More cheerful and hopeful news
can be related in a different direc-
ton. The delegates had the pleas
ure in voting concurrence in the
request to remove the name of Geo.
Frazer and his meat market from
the unfair list. A satisfactory agree
ment was reached between this
proprietor and members of the Meat
Cutters Union some time ago and
that shop is now fair.
Central Council Elects Officers
The first meetings in January and
July are election meetings and at
this last meeting the following off
GERS were elected:
President, E. A. Atkinson, from
University Teachers Union; vice
president, Filing Nelson, from Hold
Carriers Local No. 1877; sergeant-at-
arms, S. A. Barrett, from Stationary
Engineers Union; board of trustees,
ri Abbey from Painters Union,
Monroe Head from Carpenters Lo-
cal No. %, D. P. Lynch from Sugar
Makers Union; members of the
executive board, Pete Baron from
Chauffeurs and Transfers No. 448,
Mrs. Reva Walterskirchen, Hotel
and Restaurant Employees.
By a motion carried, Carl H.
Christensen was again hired to serve
as secretary-treasury for the fol-
lowing year.
These elected officers were obi
gated by James Gregg, who is a
past president and served as install
ing officer.
The election of Professor E. A.
Atkinson as president met with a
most enthusiastic anticipation as he
is an intelligent and interested addi-
ton to the official family. Several
beneficial suggestions were made by
the newly installed president and
doubtlessly will result in marked
assistance in expediting the work of
the Council.
A standing vote of appreciation
was extended to the outgoing presi-
dent, S. A.. Barrett, for his diligent
and painstaking interest he has
shown in the Central Council dur
ing his term as president.
Through the minutes, the secre-
tary was instructed to urge all
members to make certain they are
re-registered in order to be enabled
to vote at the forthcoming cleo
tions.
The Central Council shows the
largest number of affiliated unions
in its history and while the treasury
could have been augmented by a
larger per capita tax, its condition
shows a healthy growth and barring
unforeseen difficulties, the income
at the present rate should be ade-
quate.
KALAMAZOO, Michigan. - Be
cause he is a Canadian and a ION