The Western news., 1945-10-04
Mill Official
Comments

Following is statement from the
j. Neils Lumber Company, which
is in accordance with The Western
News policy of giving the public
information from each side of any
matter of public interest and con-
Germ, is printed below.
1.-The current strike of the A. +.
of L. Lumber and Sawmill Workers
Union, Locals Number 1881, and
1862, was called without considera-
ton of the provisions in the con-
trast between the parties. according
to minutes of the meeting between
the Company and the Union on
Wednesday of last week.
Article 10 of the contract was
discussed, with a particular refer
ence to the following language:
"A period of four weeks must
elapse following the serving of no
tice by either party to the effect
that either a strike or a lockout IS
to be ordered. The notice is to be IN
the form of letter sent by regis
tered mail This period is to be
known as the cooling off period.
During this four weeks interval
the services of a Federal Labor
Concillator shall be called upon,
.Mr. Walter Neils stated that the
registered letter notifying the Com.
pany that a strike was to be called
had never been resolved and the
Union Committee admitted thai
none had been sent.
THE Company further pointeo
out provision in the contrac'
which states.
During the life Of this agree
ment, no strike shall be called OF
sanctioned by the Union or any O
its members and no lockouts shall
be ordered by the Employer unit
every peaceable method of settle
ment of difficulties shall have beer
tried
1.-The Company indicated that only
one meeting had been held in which
the Union demands had been dis
cussed and it was pointed out tina
every peaceable means of settlemen
had not been used The Company
claimed that an impasse had no
been reached in the negotiation
meeting on July 18th, the Company
having stated that any increase ir
wage demands would have to bt
offset by a corresponding increase
in OPA ceiling price Of lumber.
1T was brought out by readins
from the contract that before any
strike or lockout was ordered tbs
services Of a United States Commits
sioner of Cancellation sail be re
quested. No U. S. Concilliator wa
ever called in on this dispute.
The Company asked the Com
mittee, if they had authority t
negotiate in Libby concerning tn
demands Of the Union and the cur
rent strike. Mr.. Role stated tho
the Committee did not have any au
thority to negotiate and that an
negotiations would have to tax
place on an industry wide basis.
1.-The Company Committee re
quested permission of the Uniol
Committee to allow the Genera
Electric electrician to continue re
pair work on the turbine The Com
mittee indicated that he could Wor
the balance Of that day. The Com
mittee was advised that If the othe
turbine went out Of commissio
that the towns Of Libby and Tro
would be in darkness.
THE Montana Light and Powc
Company operation came up for dis
cussion 1t was pointed out by tt
Company that this corporation
not the j Neils Lumber Compan
is not in the Lumber business ar
has no connection with the currel
dispute. Mr. Ed Dutton, of the Lol
gers Local, indicated that he Wou
take it up with the Loggers' Con
mittee and give a definite ansW,
as to whether or not they Wou
continue to picket that operation