St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1956-11-23
Presidents Group
Fails To Halt
Ohio Union Bios


New York - The Presidents
Committee on Government Con-
tracts has failed to take action to
curb discriminatory practices Of
trade union local which bars EN-
ployment opportunities to Negro
workers in Cleveland, Ohio, Her
bert Hill, labor secretary Of the
National Association for the Ad-
vancement Of Colored People as
serts.
The NAACP officials charge is
set forth in a letter dated Oct %,
in response TO an inquiry from
Theodore Pinkston. a Negro
electrician Of Cleveland, who al
leges that he and other Negro
workers have been unable 10 get
jobs on major construction pro-
jects financed by federal funds be-
cause Of their inability 10 secure
membership in Local 80 Of the In
ternatiOnal Brotherhood Of Elec-
trical workers, AFL-CIO. Under
terms Of a collective bargaining
agreement, membership in the
union is a condition Of employ
ment
The NAACP has been assisting
these workers in their efforts to
get such employment in comph-
ance with the non-discrimination
requirements in all government
contracts. The Presidents Com
mittee, of which Vice President
Richard NJ. Nixon is chairman, is
charged with the responsibility Of
compliance with the con-
tract requirements.
Union Found Guilty
Following a hearing, the cleve-
land Community Relations Board
which enforces the local FEPC
law on June IS, found Local 80
guilty Of discrimination. Failure Of
the local to change lisp ractices
led 10 the filing Of a complaint
with the Presidents Committee on
June IS
Pointing out that it is now four
since the complaint was
filed, Mr. Hill says, in his letter
10 Mr. Pinkston: Il am forced TO |
report that there has been no ac-
ion taken by this government a
gency on your behalf and on be- !
half Of many other Negro workers !
n the Cleveland area who are de- |
ned the right 10 work because Of |
he discriminatory policies Of the
building trades unions, although |
his practice is in violation Of the
inu-discrimination clauses CON
aimed in all u. S. government con-
racts awarded to private manu-
acturers and contractors.
L. =. Subsidies Training
Further, the NAACP labor sec
.etary asserts, the funds which
.ubsidize apprenticeship training
in Cleveland, as else
where are in substantial part pro-
aded by the federal government
through grants-in-aid coming from
he U. S. Office of Education in
he Department Of Health, Educa-
ion and welfare. The federal gov
'rnment therefore, by this pro-
.edure, as it affects the IBEW in
Cleveland and other apprentice
hip training programs, is direct
y substituting discrimination in
he skilled trades wherever the re-
ipective unions involved excludes
Negroes from membership"
Among federally financed con-
itruction projects in the Cleve-
and area in which Negro mechan-
cs are denied employment be-
,ause Of the discriminatory poll
les Of the IBEw are six NIKE
and control sites for
he U, S. Army.
The NAACP, Mr. Hill assures
he Cleveland electrician, will |
continue TO exert every possible
,ffort on your behalf with the re-
'ponsible federal agencies ant with
he highest councils Of the Ameri- |
IAN Federation of Labor-Congress
IF Industrial Organizations"