Montana labor news., 1945-11-15

VOTE TO BE POLLED AT THE POST OFFICE
UNDER AUSPICES OF THE GOVERNMENT
ACCORDING TO THE SMITH -CONNALLY ACT

IUlVDLN HUOA lNED UT LIE UUFENlVlMEVI
ACCORDING TO THE Smith H-CONNALLY ACT
Members of the Butte Miners Union the Anaconda Mil and
Smeemen the Great Falls Mill smetermen who recently turned
down the proposal submitted these unions by the Joint Ngoat
ing Committee after the Anaconda Copper Mining Company had
refused wages take strike vote under
the auspices of the Federal Government according provisions
o the Smith Connay Anti Strike Monday Tuesday and We'd
neday November 49, 20 and 2 The voting in the respective
cities will be held the post offices by arrangements made by the
National War Labor Board The of voting rather unusual
Ordinarily under the NRB the voting supervised by checkers but
the plea of this agency that has enough persons
conduct this particular any other way except has been
arranged there should be borne mind that all Of these unions
afates of the International Union Of Mine Mill and Smter
Workers headquarters Denver and whose president secretary
Reid Robinson and James Leary respectively of whom are
Butte boys After the three unions had against proposal
mentioned above the unions then peoned the War Labor Board
for the right strike This right granted which us up to
the be taken the 10TH 10th and 2st There has been
dissatisfaction expressed over system to be employed in
the voting Influences be used mark the ballot derogaory
the mems interests The people of the of Montana
watching the outcome with intense interest especially people of the
three cities involved
The report of the Anaconda Company beyond doubt that
it in the financial conditions of history
pay demanded by the could easily granted with
out hardship.
Mine and SmeIter Workers Unions Position
on Pending Strike Vote
The Unions have been negotiating contract since Sep
tember 4, i945.
The issues involved are:
An increase of $50 day the present wage scale with
an added Soc per day for all working underground
A slight liberalization of the present vacation clause.
Payment of double time for six national hodays the present
contract calls for four
Holiday and vacation clause could be agreed if the wage
increase granted However the Company has consistently de-
MED any wage increase
The Unions have petoned for strike and filing
the petition have with the company November and
Department of Labor Concator Mr. McBreen who assigned
to this but the Company has maintained flat rejection of any
general wage increase.
Under these circumstances what can the workers do but
STRIKE
This vote will be taken about November 2st
All employees working jobs under the Jurisdiction of the
Nine Mil Smeer Workers of the locals are eligible to
vote In general this that foremen clerical workers and
unions under the American Federation of Labor will be able
%
The by secret ballot and conducted by the agents
of the National Labor Relations Board who will be responsible for
he honesty of the count
The Company by their financial statement can pay this
The Union has photoac copies of the Wall Street our-
lal which the Company the best financial condition in it's
entire history
is well known all during period the miners and smell
in Montana have worked for far below those of other
industries and under working conditions worse than those
prevailing in other industry in the world well known
hat thousands Of workers have left the Butte Mines the Ana
onda and Great Falls Smeters of low and harsh
ondhons prevailing therein The Miners and Smemen patiently
ndued the bad conditions and low wages through spirit of
aosm and their desire mper life their fellow
izens in the armed forces They supplemented with their
nPrecedented efforts increasing production strategic
Since the termination of the living have already
ocketed wards making the workers dollars during the
'ar period In spite of this the Anaconda Copper Mining Com
being have said before the best financial condition
Its history with untold millions in treasury. derived from the
andS
e 70 m workers In Montana the of living
The Anaconda Copper Mining Company made SO million dol
~ last year; the increase requested by the workers less than three
nihons OF this enormous stockpie of dollars
he granting of this interest of tho work
rs OF the A. & M Co. is also the interest of the communities
Montana whose economic sustenance is derived large part
ON the checks of these workers The merchants small ,
esmen doctors and dentists who these are as much
Continued