Montana labor news., 1938-12-15
MISS0ULA UNIONS
DECLARE MERCANTILE
COMPANY UNFAIR
Butte Concurs.

S04AAE EAe&&& N-E@
camille Company of Missoula on the
unfair list upon a request sent in
under the seal of Missoula County
Trades and Labor Council. The
letter from Missoula mentioned that
the clerks and mechanics union had
taken action against this company
and were asking all other labor
bodies to assist. Should the other
central labor bodies, and it is prob
able that they will, support the Mis-
soula unions, an effort will be made
to prevent this company from re-
ceiving any more business from the
United States Forestry, Civilian
Conservation Corps, the state pur-
chasing department or any other
state or federal department or
agency that has been doing business
with the Missoula Mercantile Com
pany. The dispute arises from the
antagonism and opposition of this
company to recognize and to permit
the organization of clerks in Mis-
soula. The Missoula Mercantile
Company, which is a powerful or
~ganization, has been an important
factor in dominating the political
economic life of western Montana.
At times it has been arrogant to-
ward the unions and their efforts.
The declaration of unfairness Of the
Missoula Mercantile Company is the
most militant news that has come
out of western Montana for years.
The battle is now on and if the labor
organizations will remain steadfast
there is no question but that this
company will be compelled to rec
ognize the Clerks Union.
The National Labor Relations
Board, as is mentioned in another
part of this paper, through their
representative, recently modified the
arrogant attitude of the Kalispell
Associated Industries and some of
the merchants in that county. The
unions now have this federal agency
to rely on in their desires for the
formation of unions and bargaining
activities.
Jerry O'Connell wrote in from
Hamilton saying that he was still
striving to comply with the wishes
of labor, especially in respect to
opposing any further lay-offs on the
WPA.
After considerable discussion, the
delegates to the Trades and Labor
Council decided not to affiliate with
the Montana Council for Progressive
Political Action. The name of the
group of liberals was changed from
Montana Council for Progressive
Political Action to Montana Progress
sive Council. The next meeting of
this group will take place in Helena,
January 9th.
The grievance committee brought
in a report declaring Joe Hoff OF
2720 Aberdeen street as unfair to
organized labor. The original COM
plant was sent in by the Machinists
Union. He is charged with doing
mechanical work but it is alleged
does not have a card and does moi
belong to the union. Persons are
urged to take notice of this declara-
ton and not to have work done by
Mr.. Hoff.
Delegate D%eloughery, a member
of the Silver Bow Planning Board
gave quite a lengthy report, urging
that the unions go on record as ir
favor of the construction of the over
pass and the underpass on Talbot
avenue. This project would take
advantage of the route used by the
Butte Electric Railway Company
between the old Brand House anc
East Butte and pass over the North
ern Pacific tracks at one point anc
would go under them at another
point. The Silver Bow Trades anc
Labor Council took an action tt
approve the project. MI. Delough
cry mentioned that the extension o.
West Granite street down to Ramsay
was adopted at the last meeting o.
the planning board.
Delegates from the Typographical
Union called to the attention of thu
council certain pamphlets being
issued in Silver Bow county which
do not bear the label. They arr
autographed sheets which hav'
always been condemned by thu
Allied Printing Trades. Members o
organized labor are requested tt
communicate with the T%ypographi
cal Union wherever and wheneve
they see these sheets being dis
/, tributed.
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