Montana labor news., 1946-06-13
&amm Dispute MayAir Shipping Scandal
THE CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

The Montana AntilDiscrimnauon league has undertaken the task
OF combating the antisocial and un-Amercan labor policy Of The Ana
conda Mining company.
For the last six weeks, since the settlement OF the Miners strike.
the ACM company has stubborny refused to return IA large majority
Of the salaried employees who would not stay behind the fence in
their former jobs. This group. including ambulance drivers. office work
ers, samplers, biologists, clerical and technical workers. and shift
experienced employees of the ACM company 1t also includes a few
exservcemen who had returned to Butte after the war. All efforts
on the part of the Union Committees to end this discrimination have
been rebuffed by the company. The ACM says these men we're not
loyal and will receive no consideration.
What does the ACM mean by loyalty? These men gave their best
efforts to the company for many years Several of them fought fire in
the underground workings of Butte when called upon and did not
lutte producing copper during tn war when wages M salaries were
much higher in other sections of the country. Every War Bond drive
and every issue for the good of the community was supported by these
men. But none OF this means anything to the company Loyalty in the
ACM dictionary means complete subservience to the company wishes
their families on the outside to bear the contempt and derision OF
the community This is not the type of American loyalty for which
men froze at Valley Forge, died at Gettysburg. or stormed the beaches
at Tarawa.
The NLRB National Labor Relations board has sent a man
to Butte in an effort to have the company change its attitude, but
SO far he has been unsuccessful in his attempts TO have the dscrim-
ination lifted. Suit will be brought against the ACM company under
the terms Of the Wagner act with every evidence of success. but
as governmental agencies are sometimes slow. 1t may take some time
to get to get this decision through the courts. In the meantime it will
take every effort on the part of the people of Butte and Montana to
see that the Disseminated men arc not forced from the community.
The program Of the Montana AntiDiscrimination league is no
alone a fight to obtain a n American squaIedeal for those directly
involved, but it is a fight to obtain for every working man and woman
in Butte and Montana the American right to live the honorable. peace
full and upright lives which American armies fought for and which
,,anan ,rnias ~ ,ncun,tio cool 10 eocn,o ,r tboa ,lo H., -
foreign lands.
The matter of securing the earned back pay and vacation pay
is now in the hands of lawyers. In the meanwhile there is II o doubt
at all as to the verdict of the Court of Public Opinion
The successful termination of the program can be FASTENED by
the moral and financial support of all Montana citizens who have faith
in the American Way of Life.
Most of the Unions have o far donated to the support of the
Disseminated Men and the small incidental expenses of the league,
but lore contributions are necessary.
All communications and financial support should be sent 10 See
Rotary Albin Hltunen, +. Q. Box liz. Butte, Montana, and asknow
Judgement will be made.
THE MONTANA NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. LEAGUE