Montana labor news., 1944-06-29
BUDD'S FIRES WAR
WORKERS In
ANTI-UNION DRIVE

PHILADELPHIA (FEJ WMle FIe
Edward G. Budd Mfg. Co., engaged in
vital war work, has fired more than 5000
workers for union activity in the past
eight weeks. its help wanted ads con-
tinued to appear in newspapers and
streetcars June 8.
Budd. the Henry Ford Of Philadelphia,
has been fighting unionism for years
using company unions, propaganda
aimed at i%ntimidating employees against
organizing. and other methods. The
United hato Workers (CIO) is now or
ganizing the 1880 production workers at
the plant and the United office and Pro-
f%essional workers (CIO) is awaiting an
NIRB election for the company's 1900
white collar workers.
When the JAW began its campaign,
employees were represented by the Budd
Employees Representative association, a
company union. Budd's was forced to
disband the stooge outfit by an NLRB
order, upheld by the circuit court OF ap-
peals. Budd then circulated a letter
throughout the plant reminding his en-
ployes of their right to choose any union
or none at all and recalling the advan-
tages they had held under their former
eunion." Although the NLRB took this
letter to court, Judge Charles AlYah
Jones upheld Budd's right to circulate 1t
AS the CLIO campaigns progressed IN
spite of such opposition, the company
suddenly announced recognition OF
newly formed Independent Workers
Union. which admits production, Office
and professional employees. Local ClO
leaders charged Budd's with fraudulent
and coercive practices in setting up the
new stooge outfit and redoubled theil
own organizational efforts.
In washington CLIO Pres Philip Muir
raw told a senate committee May 20 Una
. aoo men had been discharged at thu
Philadelphia plant for union activlt!
while the company kept on advertlsinl
for new employees. In the following
week several hundred more we're dis
CHARGED. In one department where IN
TTAW was developing a large majority
100 skilled mechanics were AID OIL
Manv of these were experienced worker
with years Of seniority in the plant
On June S. $50 more workers receive
blue slips and UOPWA Regional Dlrecto
Albert Shepard revealed that 300 whit
collar workers we're laid off with no NOR
han IS minutes notice. This IS a con
servative estimate as to numbers" n
said. "The procedure OF firing VIM
collar workers in this manner Is a Viol'
tion Of traditional practices. It is ais
shortsighted from the point OF view .
economy for the plant is laying OIL IN
higher-paid professional workers with Il
resnect to seniority. We object strenu
ouslv to the chaotic layoffs, particular
since the company is advertising Widel
for new personnel" q.
with the thousands OF men II Is us
charging for union activity, we let
B,dd's is not concerned with the wa
effort" CLIO Regional Director Geore
craig charged. The unions have CON
planned to the War Manpower Comm
sion against the U. S. Employment ser
ices referring job applicants to Buoo
and are demanding an investigation
the employment situation.
Possibly linked with Budd's war again
the union is the recent appearance
the mysterious White Collar League
philadelphia. This anti-union outfit' e.
posed by Federated Press when 1t III.
appeared in the wealthy Wall Street
nancial district of New York set up :
office here and started spreading j
fascist-style propaganda Anne dat spn
ting white collar workers from orgarl1
labor and ~win-the-war efforts, JUST
the Budd campaign reached the crl'
stage.