Evening star., 1948-01-10
|I1U Accused Of Order
Ito Offer Publishers
Undesirable Contract
from Yesterdays Last Edition.
By.hs Associated Press


identified as highly confidential
letter from Woodruff Randolph,
president of the International
Typographical Union, directing that
undesirable contracts be offered to
employers insisting on contracts was
introduced at a National Labor Re-
llations Board hearing today.
The hearing is on an NLRB charge
|of unfair labor practices against
the AFL union, based on a complaint
Of the American Newspaper Publish
ers' Association. The ITU is ac-
|cused of attempting to impose a
closed shop In newspaper compos-
ing rooms contrary to the Taft
Hartley law and of failing to bar
gain in good faith on new contracts.
The letter was introduced by AL
Ian Sinsheimer, .jr., NLRB counsel,
who said it was addressed to "offi-
GERS and scale committees of all sub
ordinate unions" and signed by Mr..
Randolph. 1t was written on ITU
stationery and marked, "Confiden-
tial, not to be printed or posted"
60 Days Termination.
It said:
"The contract form P6 (A) pre-
pared for submission waen employ
ers insist on a contract contains
ample reason for rejection by en-
ployers in the first paragraph which
provides for so days termination
period. Do not change the limit.
The other sections on the first
page A to I, inclusive, are absolutely
necessary. Do not change them in
any way.
"This contract makes our 'condi-
tions Of employment form much
more desirable by employers"
The letter, dated October 8, 1947,
was signed, 'Fraternally, Woodruff
Randolph"
In response to a subpoena, Reece
J. Highf1eld, 50, Of Akron, Ohio, pro-
duced various ITU records at the
hearing after the union refused to
produce them. Mr.. Highfield, secre-
tary and business agent Of Local 1872,
ITU, Is member of an independent
faction opposed to some of Mr.. Ran
dolph's policies.
Given Police Guard.
Mr.. Hignfield, who was booed by
striking printers, attending the
hearing yesterday, was given a po-
lice guard today by Sergt. George
Barnes of the labor detail. The
guards escorted Mr.. Highfield to the
hearing and sat in the hearing room
during his testimony.
An ITU publication advising
members that I'VE can collectively
refuse to work for any employer
refusing to meet union-promulgated
conditions of employment" also was
introduced.
The publication, identified as post
card Bulletin IS, TILL (Taft-Hart-
ley law), point No. S, carried the
heading:
"A rock-bottom foundation must
be built upon which our relations
with employers must rest In order
to do so we must have clear un-
derstanding of our fundamental
rights which remain inviolate under
the Taft-Hartley law or any State
law"
Contracts Not Compulsory.
Under the subheading This Is It,
Memorize It," the card stated:
I'VE cannot be compelled to make
contracts with employers. We can
not be compelled to work against
our will or under conditions unsat-
isfactory to us. We can collectively
promulgate the specific conditions
under which our members will work
after expiration Of existing agree
.nlents. We can collectively refuse
to work for any employer refusing
to meet union promulgated condi-
tions Of employment. We can issue
We do not patronize lists II you
read 1t in these bulletins it is so, but
only exactly what you read. There
are a lot of restraints on what
union may do as to strikes and
picketing."