Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-10
.U.A.W. CONDEMNS
WILDCAT STRIKES;
PROBE ORDERED
Possible Expulsion Faces
lnstigators of Three,
if Found Guilty.
BOARD UNANIMOUSLY.
ADOPTS RESOLUTION
Punishment Powers Taken Away
From Local Unions, Martin,
Backing Plan, Reveals.
By the Associated Press.

LIE 4H0AA, May lU.-1Nc lnIerIla.
tional Executive Board of the G. I. o.
united Automobile Workers Union
adopted a resolution today condemn
ing unauthorized strikes by its local
unions and announced 1t would in
vestigate three recent strikes and
would punish instigators by suspen-
sion or expulsion, if they are found
guilty Of violating U. A. w. procedure.
The resolution was presented by
Homer Martin, international presi-
dent. whose support by the board has
been the subject of much conjecture
and rumor Mr. Martin said the
board adopted his resolution unani-
mously.
He said the incidents to be inves-
tlgated are: A recent strike at the
Chevrolet small parts plant at Bay
City: a work stoppage on the Packard
Motor Car Co. assembly line at De-
troit three days ago, and the strikes.
now settled, in eight plants of the
Bohn Aluminium g. Brass Co. at
Detroit.
Assumes Locals Power.
BY its action today, Mr.. Martin said,
the International U. A. w. Board has
assumed the power which the local
unions hitherto have exercised, to
punish members violating U. A. w.
regulations.
II local members are found guilty,
he added, the board may suspend or
expel them, or ask their employers to
discharge them
He disclosed that the board had sus-
pended for 80 days local union COM
mitteeman for activities connected
with strike at the Detroit Molding
Corp. recently.
In today's resolution. the execu-
tive board noted that unauthorized
stoppages and strikes have penalized.
without voice or vote, thousands of
workers directly and indirectly az
fected by them"
Warns Against Cuts.
The board warned, however, that
should the management attempt
wage cuts, the impairins Of working
conditions, or the refusal to settle
legitimate grievances in keeping with
the contract, the international union
will not hesitate to authorize and fully
support strike action"
In cases where union member Is
expelled as the result of a violation
OF union rules, Mr.. Martin explained,
he will not be rehired in any capac-
ity by the U. A. w.
For a strike to be authorized, under
the U. A. w. constitution, it must
be approved by the international
union after local members have voted
by two-thirds majority to strike.
Today's International board action
temporarily placed in the background
a U. A. w. factionalism dispute in
volving President Martin and Vice
President Richard T. Frankensteen.
The break between Martin and
Frankensteen, who were virtually CO.
chieftains of the G. I. O.-afnliated auto
workers. reached a climax yesterday
when Mr.. Martin abolished the Office
of assistant president held by Mr..
Frankensteen.
Regarding Mr.. Martins action as
punitive. Mr.. Frankensteen said today
he would continue his attempt to put
over program to end factionalism, "
but promised personalities will not
enter into my efforts"
Won't Fight Custer.
II won't fight the custer" he said.
Il will assist all I can as a vice
president"
Il have no quarrel with Dick
Frankensteen." Mr.. Martin said
Mr.. Martin and Mr.. Frankensteen
disagreed. however, on the reasons be-
hind the latter's demotion from as
sistant president to vice president, Of
which the U. A. W. has five.
Il was denoted because of my pro-
gram to end factionalism," Mr.. Frank
ensteen said, and no action, whether
to punish me or not, can change
that"
Martin Explains Change.
On the other hand, Mr. Martin ex-
planned the change was made because
originally Mr.. Frankensteen was to
have been assistant to the president, -
but that the ito the was dropped in
advertently in the formal announce
ment. This, he said. gave Mr.. Frank
ensteen seniority over four other vice
presidents-"c contrary to our consti-
tuition"
Since the board last met" Mr.. Mar
tin said, local unions have criticized
as irregular the creation Of this office,
and we found they were correct"
Mr.. Martin himself created the post
last fall and named Mr.. Frankensteen