Evening star., 1939-11-09
Engineers Disc|aim
Control Of Drivers
Of Concrete Trucks
Statement Makes Clear
Jurisdiction Was Not
Issue in Dispute

John Possehl, president of the
International Union of Operating
Engineers, today declared that his
organization does. not claim and
never has claimed" any jurisdiction
over drivers of concrete mixer
trucks.
His statement, addressed to Will
liam l.. Hutcheson, chairman of the
Special Adjustment Committee of
the Building and Construction
Trades Department of the American
Federation of Labor. was designed
Ito remove any possible doubt as to
the exact position" of the engineers
organization.
The statement made clear. for the
first time publicly that causes for a
dispute between the engineers and
the International Brotherhood of
TeamSters over concrete mixer
trucks. were not jurisdictional, as
heretofore reported. The wrangle
has led to teamster strikes in WASH
ington and District Court indict-
ment against the latter organization
for alleged violation of the Sher-
man antitrust laws.
Interpretation of Decision.
A recent decision of Mr.. Hutche-
sons committee. awarding all poW-
er-driven equipment used on build
ing and other construction work,
including any and all power driven
equipment that has been in dispute
between the teamsters and the en-
glneers." to the engineers union. was
interpreted in quarters outside the
A. F. of L. construction unions
family" here and elsewhere, as
including the award of the concrete
mixer trucks.
In his statement today, portion
of which he declared was reitera.
ton OF his comments to Mr.. Hutche.
/ son at the recent A. F. of L. Conven-
| ton in Cincinnati. Mr.. Possehl in
terpreted the committees decision as
follows:
I'm its decision the Special Com
mittee held that all transportation
of materials is properly the work o1
teamsters and the operation of al
power-driven equipment on the site
of the work within the jurisdiction
of the engineers"
Left in dispute between the two
unions is the handling of unloading
operations, the transfer of concrete
mixer truck drivers, who now hold
engineer cards, and satisfactory dis.
position of contracts now in effect
between contractors and the en-.
gineerS.
Negotiations Proceeding.
Officials of both organizations said
that negotiations to iron out these
problems were proceeding on ar
amicable basis.
A demurrer and alternative motor
to quash the indictment against thu
teamsters now is under considera
ton at District Court. Attorney!
for the A. F.. of L., headed by tn,
Federation's chief counsel, Joseph A
Padway, and Justice Department at.
torneys prosecuting the case hav,
filed briefs with the court.
Drivers of concrete mixer truck
became members of the engineers
organization when "loose ends" O.
labor in the building construction
industry were being organized NOR,
than 10 years ago. Contracts wer,
signed between the truck owner.
and the engineers group.
The teamsters were awarded juris.
diction over the trucks by DR.. Johr
A. Lapp, national referee of the A
F.. of l.. Building and Construction
Trades Department, two years ago
teamsters officials have stated.
Mr.. Possehls statement today, IL
effect, publicly recognizes that juris
| dictiOn.