The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1945-01-12
Strike Vote

filed by the Metal Trades Coun.
ell before the National Defense
Mediation Board and again be,
fore the National War Labor
Board. After hearings, the Ma.
tional Defense Mediation Boarc
denied such request on Novem'
Der IL, l94l, and the NWLB de-
MED such request on October 8
l943. The union shop issue to-
gether with the same or similal
collateral ISSUES was contained II
the new petition of the Union fol
a strike vote were the subject o
i petition for a similar strike vote
filed with the National Labor Re
lations Board by the Pascagouli
Metal Trades Council on October
%, l943.
This petition resulted in .
strike vote being set for Nov.
20. ls43. but which vas called
off two days prior thereto. fol-
lowing an arbitration meeting
of ever ten hours which was
called by the War Production
Board. Maritime Commission.
United States Navy. War Man
power Commission. and the De-
partment of Labor. Working
conditions are the same now as
at thai time and a strike vote
now would be in the face of
direcfives from the highest gov
eminent authorities especially
set up TO deal with labor dis
putes.
THE collateral issues involved
in the present petition for a strike
vote are the same as were in
volved in the previous petition
for a strike vote. They have M
basis in fact and are denied II
toto. All of such charges wer,
fully disposed Of during the ar
bitration proceedings held in No
vember, i943. Since that tim,
no formal grievances have beer
filed by the Union under tn,
grievance machinery set up b,
the Gulf Zone Standards or IL
our bargaining agreement will
the Union on any of these col
lateral issues.
The Unions are charging tina
the company is derelict as to the
operation of canteens in the yard
These canteens and inplant feed
ing facilities are not covered by
our labor contract and were pro
vided by an agency of the u. S
government. improvements anc
additions are now underway. The
operation of the canteens hal
been reviewed by the inplan'
feeding section of the War Pro.
duction Board and by the loca
Labor : Management committee
The operator of the canteens hal
been endeavoring TO give ths
very best service possible under
wartime conditions.
4 reiterate the statement made
at the time of the last strike vote
that interference with war work
in the yard would be in violation
of the solemn pledge of the A. +
of L. to the government and also
of our labor contract and the
Gulf Zone Standards that there
shall be no strikes or work stop.
pages during the National Elmer
| gency.
III appears unthinkable that
the men and women Of this
plant would take this unjusfifi-
able action. much of which APP
pears 10 be instigated by radi-
cal and iIi-advised local labor
leaders. contrary TO the an
nouneed policy of their INFER
national officers.
we are engaged in the build
ing of vitality essential ships fol
the War Program and Interrupt
ton of the work in this yard al
this time would cause irrepara-
bic damage to the production Of
ships and also imperil the lives
of men and women on the fight
ing fronts IN Europe and the
Philippines. Il would be partic-
ularly unfortunate at this time
when. perhaps, we are facing the
greatest need in the war 10 date
Tor transports and supply ships tc
support our armed forces.
Even the application for the
strike vote and the publicity
given It will undeniably result
IN creating unrest which viii
mitigate against the war effori
and It is sincerely hoped that thu
! proper government authorities
, and the Union officials will take
steps 70 withdraw the petition fol
an u~nwarranted strike vote"
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