The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-12-28
Chase Union HeodsAnswer HortC Claims

Ranking officers of the Chase Brass Workers Union, Local S6S, de- elared today in a statement that the validity of portal-to-portal back pay claims is for the courts to de- eide. Answering remarks made yes terdsy hy President Charles E. Hart of the company. the union Readers denSe6 that claims to be filed will have any disastrous effect.
 The union statement was issued by President James McGrath, Chairman Joseph Falcone of the portal-to-portal committee and Re- nato Riccizti. committee secretary.
 Text of the union statement;
 President Charles E Hart of the Chase Brass & Copper Company has chosen to issue 6 statement doubting the intent of the U. S. Supreme Court was to open the way for re- copery of back pay for walking time in its portal to portal decision. We are ready to let the courts decide whether Mfr. Hart is right or wrong in his interpretation of the action of the nations highest court.
 At the same time. we feel that we must make some observations and ask some questions about other parts of Pres HartS statement, and par ticularly his. .thinly yelled threat to change many old and established privileges that have been accorded their employees"
 AGr. Hart sees disaster. a threat to the nations economy in the portal to portal pay issue. We have this sort of statement from Mir. Hart. the preSi- dent of a concern which kept its workers in Waterbury out on strike, while it helped American industry win unwarTanted price increases, wreck OP.A and start the American economy on its dangerous, inflation- ary path. MT. Hart does not know, it seems. that American industry will pile up the unparalleled peak Of $l6 billions in profits in 1946. Is this huge profit a threat to our economy, MT. Hart?
 Time after time. in our negotia- tionS with the Chase Company about wage increases. we mentioned the fact that industry could avail itself of excess profits refunds during the reconyerSion period. The representa- tlveS Of the Chase Companies dis claimed knowledge of this portion of our tax laws and denied that indus try would be able to get refunds. Did Congress ever intend that this provi- sion should be used to finance strikes against the government? Of course not. It was simply intended as an aid to American industry during the reconverSion period. Yet, the influ- ential magazine Business Week" states that General Motors. which will show an operating deficit of STA millions this year, will receive from Uncle Sam a tax credit of $ss mil- lions. making profit of $l4 millions. Nice work if you can get it. How about the Chase Companies, Mir. Hart. and the parent company. Ken necott? How much are they receiv- ing in tax credits from the U. s. gov- ernment. Is this a threat to our economy, Mfr. Hart?
 As to Mir. Hartis statement about changing many old and established privileges that have been accorded employees. the members of the Chase union will recognize this threat for what it really is. an attempt to dis courage the signing of individual au- fluctuations which are necessary to file suit against the company. We hold the bargaining rights for three Chase plants in Waterbury, and working conditions of the employes in those plants are bargained for by our local. We believe it would be much better for MT. Hart to discuss any changes with us across the cole lectige bargaining table. rather than in the public press.
 We are now, more than ever. ready to carry on suit. to the limit of our resources. in order that the rights ce oaw members ahaA ha uzueecEsd-