The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-05-15
SAYS N[RB IS.
TRUE FRIEND.
OF THE NEGRO.
BY ERNEST E. JOHNSON

The National Labor Relations
board. which last week denied
NLRB protection to white war
workers who strike against Ne
groes, has consistently opposed ef-
forts Of American Federation OF
Labor. Congress for Industrial Or
ganization, and Railway Brother.
hood unions to bar, segregate or
discriminate against Negro work
ers in labor board cases.
Further the board has refused 70
uphold companies which have
sought 10 impose segregation or
discrimination upon their employees
where the purpose was 10 inter-
fere with attempts to organize
workers in a plant.
These findings are the result OF
an exclusive survey made this week
by the Associated Negro Press fol-
lowing TIE decision in the case
OF the Glamorgan Pipe and Foun-
dry company.
The study revealed that the board
has uniformly held that where
there is no differentiation in func-
ton between white and colored
employees, the appropriate bargain
- unit Consists o. all employees
and not two separated units based
on racial consi derations
Steel Case Cited
In the case Of the Aetna Iron
and Steel company. for instance.
the board dismissed the contention
Of TIE international Association Of
Bridge. Structural and Ornamental
Ironworkers (AFt) that colored la
borers should be excluded from
a NLRB election selely-because of
racial considerations. This ruling
was upheld by the board in later
cases involving employees Of the
American Tobacco company. the
Union Envelope company and the
Interstate Granite corporation.
S milarly. in the case OF a GIG
union, the board dismissed the pc,
tition OF the Utility Workers Or
ganixing committee for q separate
unit OF colored employees wher,
these employees were doing III,
same work as other workers EN-
ployed by the Georgia Power com
psny. The Negro workers, in thi!
case. were represented by the In
.ernational Brotherhood Of Elec
trical Workers (AFL). and wer,
eligible for membership in tina
union.
In the case OF the Brotherhood
OF Railroad Trainmen. the board
ruled that one Negro employe must
be included in the proper bargain.
ing unit for TIE Sloss Sheffield
Steel and Iron company. although
the union has constitutional bar
against Negro members. The union
later agreed 10 bargain for the
Negro employee, however.
Hits Machinist Union
The board was called upon 70
determine whether or not the In
ternstional Associat n 70 Machin-
ists (AFL) represented q majorit'
OF the employees in their uni: a;
Brastesr Freight Lines. Inc. nd
insisted that three colored en-
ployes performing funct ems similar
10 those OF other employees be in.
cluded in the bargaining unit al
though the union is notorious for
is color bar.
When the United Furniture
Workers OF America (CIO) sough;
bargaining rights in the Crescen;
Bed company. Inc. the board main.
i; med that TIE existence Of a con.
:rac: between the company and
the Independent Furniture Work
ers union covering only the col.
ored employees did not prec, de the
granting Of their request.
Employers whose personnel ha:
been Largely Negro have also beer
called down for trying 20 head of
-ganization drives among them
through violence and preaching
campaigns" In several such case:
tie NLRB has ordered A.. the com.
panies to give adequate protection
al all times and about is plan
to al employees aga.ns. in:imida
ton. physical a-sauits threats ..
violence.
Favored In Lumber Case
The Ozan Lumber company
WHICH runs company town. al;
tempted 10 impose rs rules OF seq
regstion upon the employees .,
prohibiting white workers from
visiting Negro workers in the com
pany-owned homes 81 me Latter
knowing Of course That such visit!
were being made by union repre-
sen,a,ives. The board ruled:
The establishment or enforce
nent OF any rules. such as tha
h under consideration, which
makes il impossible for employ :!
10 have access in their homes Z
those who may advise and counSe
them with reference TO their right!
OF seli-orEanization. or prevents
those attempting self-organizsiior
from having access 20 their fellow
employees in their homes, interfere'
with Self-organization. When {
company rule conflicts with N,
rights guaranteed by an act o
congress. there can be no doubt a
10 which must give way"
II was also considered an In
reference with rights guaranteed
under the act for TIE American
Cusnsmid company 10 prohibi
white workers from attending
meetings OF Negro members OF al