Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-20
Power Dispute Blamed on Both Sides
WLB Mediator
Sees NJ owe 10
'SCuttIe' Union

snare the quit LOT tne narrowly
averted Consumers Power strike
which almost left a million Mich
igan people without power and
light a month ago, a War Labor
Board arbitrator decided today.
William E. Simkin, special arbi-
traitor, ruled the Utility Workers
Organizing Committee (CIO) con-
tract was mot a full union shop
agreement" and charged both
company and union with "conniv-
ing and contriving to twist the
contract to suit their purposes"
The arbitrator's decision grew
out of a direction order issued by
the WLB March 19 after the union
had threatened a strike at mid
night of that date. The order pro-
hibited the strike, which would
have crippled large portion of
the states war production.
Reporting on his findings, Sim
kin declared the union was guilty
of attempts, including the threat
ened strike. to give full union shop
to the = agreement
signed last February.
COMPANY ACCUSED
At the same time he accused
the company of questionable tao
tics" which he said led the union
TO believe that its conditions were
being accepted reluctantly by
the company.
This arbitrator" he declared,
"will not lend himself to give
union shop construction to .
process of contriving and con-
niving on both sides which does
not represent q real and clean
cut understanding"
Despite a contract agreeing to
full support of the union, Simkin
said the company cor some Of its
supervisory officials have made
a t e mpts to undermine" the
union since the first checkoff
Feb. IL.
He proposed alternative recon-
mendations for a settlement of the
dues checkoff dispute which would
provide:
"a bona-fide union shop sup
plement to the existing agree
ment, or, if rejected by the
company
A checkof Of the union dues
Of employees who were members
of the union Oct. !, 1912, or who
have become employees since
that date, provided they do not
indicate opposition to this within
Today period.
The supplemental agreement
would be drawn only with full
agreement of the fact that the
union is not blameless," Simkin
explained.
WIPE OFF OLD DUES
II the supplemental agreement
plan is accepted the arbitrator
recommands that the union "for-
give" claims for back dues prior
to the February checkoff.
The plan also would provide q
time period during which employees
may elect whether their union
dues should be checked or paid
directly to the union, and waiver
of union prosecution Of claims
against the company for alleged
detrimental acts in violation OF
the contracts"
Warning company officials not
to give aid to any rival union or
group of employees, Simkin
directed that disputes regarding
union membership are to be set.
tied by the boards of review pro-
vided for in the contract.
UNION SHOP SUGGESTED
'Tn this particular situation"
Simkin explained, "the company
has so far compromised Its posi-
ton that q clear-cut union shop
agreement, with an accompany
ing exercise Of responsibility on
the part of the union, Is tho
most appropriate and equitable
solution to ANNOUNCEMENT
relation"
II the checkof plan under the
existing agreement is followed,
Simkin ordered that the agree
ment be carried out literally"
He pointed out further that em-
ployes who are members Of the
union and who give notice that
they do not wish to have their
dues checked off, are nevertheless,
directly liable for these dues to
the union"