Evening star., 1939-01-17
Maytag Bargaining
With T.. |. 0. Union
Recommended
TrioI Examiner Urges
Findings Of Military
Board Be Set Aside
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. ia trial
examiner of the National Labor Re-
lations Board today recommended
in an intermediate report the May
tag Co. at Newton, Iowa, bargain
with c. I. o. union and set aside
findings of a military tribunal on
the discharge of II striking workers.
Madison Hill, trial examiner, made
his report today, which Robert J..
Wiener, regional director of the
board, said was to be served on the
company and United Electrical,
Radio and Machine Workers of
America, Local 1116. Mr.. Wiener
was en- route to Sioux City in this
connection.
The company posted notice of a
10 per cent wage cut May 9, 1898.
The examiner said the company re-
fused to negotiate with the union
and some 400 employees staged a sit
down strike in protest.
The plant was closed from May 9
to August 4, 1885, when the board
said it was ''reopened under military
guard" Newton and adjacent terri
tory In Jasper County were under
martial law in July and August and
a military commission heard COM
plants.
Testimony military Secret
'Mr. Hill said he could not relv on
the military commission hearing be-
cause its testimony was designated
as a military secret and no prac-
tical opportunity was given to the
IL men who were discharged either
to face their accusers or to learn the
nature of the offenses for the alleged
commission of which they had been
discharged"
The company had refused to re-
hire u men when the plant opened
on the basis of the military findings.
Mr.. Hill recommended they be i'm
mediately reinstated with back pay.
Mr.. Hill said the company coerced
its workers and interferred with
their union activities He said
the back-to-work movement which
sought to reopen the plant during
the strike was an example of this
interference.
In other findings, the report said
some of the most influential citizens
d Newton are closely associated with
the company through business
relationship" and 'the control of the
local Chamber of Commerce is ap-
parent" He said the chamber was
active in the back-to-work move
ment.
Opposed Closed Shop.
Mr.. Hill found that George Um-
brett, company vice president, had
opposed closed shop even if the
union secured vote of more than
80 per cent" He said letter from
Mr.. Umbreit 70 that effect was shown
employees in room 304 at the Maytag
Hotel last April %.
There is no doubt" the report
said, but what the efforts of the
occupants of room 304 and those
opposed to the union were aided by
the letter and its disclosure by Mr..
Umbreit, and that such assistant
could only be calculated to in
timidate union members
Mr.. Hill said the company violated
the law in refusing to bargain with
the union the day of the sit-down
strike and the plant superintendent,
a Mr.. Taylor, had threatened to "go
out and fire every damned man."
Little or No Damage Done.
Regarding the sitdown strike of
June % to July l, terminated by the
400 men at the request of former
Gov. Nelson Kraschel, Mr.. Hill said
there was little, if any, damage
done to the plant or its equipment,
and, despite allegations to the con-
trery, there was no violence or offers
Of violence made
Mr.. Hill dismissed the part of the
union complaint which alleged ST
men were locked out May because
of union activity and another which
alleged two cupola men who re-
ported for work May II were refused
admittance for union activity.
He said the events of May 9 did
not constitute discrimination against
the men because of union member
ship or activity.
The company and union have 10
days to file notice Of compliance with
the trial examiners recommended
tions. Should they not do this, they
have the same time to file brief
with the Labor Board or present oral
arguments before the board issues
any order compelling compliance.
Such an order would be renewable
by Circuit Court OF Appeals.
~ IL a