Evening star., 1949-05-29
lndustry-Wide Talks
Reported 10 Be Aim
OF Lewis Strategy
By Jones 7. Newton

BY jones 7. Newton
John L. Lewis strategy in new
cont act negotiations with the
coal industry will be to sit tight
and await arrangement by the
operators of q national contract
conference, it was reported re-
liably last night.
The United Mine Workers chief
was said to be aiming at industry
wide negotiations despite the fact
that he has scheduled separate
contract talks with two major
segments of the soft coal in
dustry-the Southern Coal Pro-
ducers Association and the United
States Steel Corp.
His UNIV journal, referring to
the separate conference with
Southern operators, stated:
But many influential operators
groups do not look with favor
on this course, preferring instead
the traditional national bargain
ing that has prevailed in former
years."
Long, Hard Struggle Seen.
That the UNIV also looks for a
long, hard struggle before any new
agreement is reached was indi-
Gated by the Journal.
Indications are that the nego-
tiations this year may require
some time before the situation
among the various operators
groups fully clarifies itself" the
publication said.
Mr.. Lewis forced a recess until
next Thursday in the conference
with Southern producers at Blue
field, w. Va. 1t is regarded as
highly unlikely that contract
agreement can be reached by the
two groups. In two days of talks
last week, they were unable to
agree even on a basis for negotia-
ton.
Coal-producing subsidiaries OF
United States Steel have agreed.
reluctantly, to meet with the UNIV
ION or after" June 10. But big
Steel" which set the pattern for
q coal contract two years ago. is
in no position to do so this year.
Contract Expires June 30.
Steel industry negotiations with
the CIO United Steelworkers begin
June Is. That big union Is angry
because Mr.. Lewis In the past has
won better contracts, It is unlikely
that the industry would make any
concessions to MIR. Lewis in ad-
vance of a settlement with the
CIO.
No arrangements have been
made for negotiations between the
UNIV and commercial producers
Of the North and West. However,
the operators in those sections will
have to move soon since the coal
contract for the entire. country
expires June 80.
1t was believed in some quarters
that the separate talks with the
Southerners and United States
Steel will lead to a national con-
ference. Since 1s43 the entire
industry has been together, at
least at the start, for the negotia-
tions with Mr.. Lewis. Several
times they split in the course Of
bargaining, but in the end opera
tors from all sections were forced
to sign the same contract.
In any event. Mr.. Lewis is not
regarded as likely to "show his
hand"-let his new contract de-
mands be known-until all Of the
producers are gathered under one
roof. And it appeared Just as un-
likely that the badly-split pro-
ducers can get together and make
q contract with Mr.. Lewis in the
month remaining before the dead
line.
Coal Demand Dropping.
Failure to reach agreement al
most surely would result in a
strike, since the miners do not
work without a contract.
Because of dropping demand
for soft coal, none Of the operator
groups are willing to make further
wage or welfare concessions to the
union. Many mines are working
only two or three days a week now
and very few are working full
time. A sizeable chunk of the in
dustry would welcome a shutdown
to allow demand to catch up with
supply and prop sagging prices.
Another barrier to early agree
ment is the National Labor Re-
lations Board decision holding
that Mr.. Lewis present contract
with the steel industry violates
the Taft-Hartley law. NLRB held
the union shop" clause illegal
because the miners had not voted
for 1t in formal election. The
contract with the rest Of the in
dustry carries the same clause, al
though the NLRB case concerned
only the so-called captive" mines.
Mr.. Lewis. in his fight against
Taft-Hartley, has refused to file
the nom Communist afiidavits and
financial statements the law re-
quires Of unions before they may
do business with NLRB. So. while
there is no doubt the miners would
overwhelmingly vote for a union
shop, Mr.. Lewis is foreclosed
from asking an election. And he
would not sign a contract which
does not include the requirement
for all employees to join the union.
Harry Farrell, House Clerk,
Critically Ill After Stroke