The sub., 1944-08-17
ELECTRIC BOAT CO.
 ASKED FOR STRIKE

The general sentiment of moSs Independent UnionistS is to settl4 grievances through conferences ana arbitration, rather than resortin9 to the open and militant weapon at hand, preserved for them undeR the Wagner Act, STRIKE.
 The management of the Electric Boat Company did not hesitate to take a fragrant advantage of this prevailing sentiment over 8 period of six years. Their opposition to Labor and Labor's suggestions be4 came even more apparent after the outbreak of the war, in spite of Las bor's participation in the LaborA Management Committee.
 The Company Safety Committee functioned in name only. The su- pervisor of this group admitted to Union official that he was never given power to take decisive ac- tion on any one major point. The need of protective "cat-walk on the Crane ways was often discussed but mot even the death of main- tenance electrician could force them to action with prejudiced and incompetent man like J. Will liam Jones as their leader.
 The SMEU Safety Committee gave up in disgust, when their re- peated efforts and suggestions were arrogantly disregarded.
 Necessary improvements of Sani- tation and Ventilation conditions
 were only brought to head and
 acted upon by militant and per- sistent attitude by the Union and
 it's unhesitating final demands of action by the State Labor Boards Division of Industrial Health. Even today, in spite of sugges- tionS of company Fire Inspectors that many of their buildings need and require by law the installation of panic doors" the company lg- nores this condition and does not hesitate to diSobey State Labor Statutes on proper provisions of safety for it's workers.
 The sudden and amazing inter- est the company took in safety was brought about by letter written by the Union stating the reasons for the dissolvement of its stand ing safety committee. and stating its intention of asking the Navy Department to enforce the Navy and Maritime Commissions manual of safety requirements for all Navy Contract Yards at the E. B. Co. That the SMEU considered the E. B. Co.'s neglect of providing ordinary safety devices for the pro- lection of it's workers, not only a violation of State and Federal laws but CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE! To protect themselves with the
 insurance company and the United
 States Government the manage
 ment immediately upon receipt of
 this letter announced it's participa- tion in the 1914 Safety Drive. May we ask what they have accom- pliShed, and why they haven't used
 our committees suggestions? May
 we also ask why. despite their fig
 ures on safety, they weren't named
 as participants in the 1943 contest
 for Government Contract Yards,
 nor given a citation? (Bayonno isn't GrotonD
 However, in spite of six years
 of bitter experiences with the
 management, the Unions Executive Committee prepared letter of ac- ceptance of Arbitration for Mir. Hayes of the State Labor Depart ment who delivered this letter to the E. B. Company at o'clock, Saturday afternoon, the 18th of August. voting day. The Company refused to arbitrate, although this Union expressed itself as willing to sit in arbitration Saturday night l and Sunday.
 This may answer many questions. This may tell all workers the rea- son why on the real ballot. (not the phony one sent out by the E- B. Col the following statement appeared: What efforts have been
 made to settle these grievances by conciliation or arbitration?" and +ho orvu,av. WMnNE