The Pittsburgh Press (April 16, 1944)
Political deal laid to WLB in labor case
‘Special privilege’ to CIO union charged
Washington (UP) – (April 15)
Rep. Clare E. Hoffman (R-MI) today criticized the War Labor Board action in the Montgomery Ward & Company strike as an instance of trading of administrative “special privilege to CIO unions in return for political support for the fourth term.”
The WLB referred the dispute to the White House after ordering renewal of a contract with the CIO Mail Order, Warehouse and Retail Employees Union.
Company officials have contended the union no longer represents a majority of the employees and that the WLB cannot compel employers to sign closed shops or maintenance-of-membership contracts.
Not in war business
Mr. Hoffman argued that Montgomery Ward is not engaged in war business and therefore not within WLB jurisdiction.
Hoffman said:
Nevertheless, the WLB has issued an order which would ultimately, if the usual procedure is followed, compel the employees of that organization to join a CIO union, pay dues and assessments.
Maintenance of membership, which the board ordered for Montgomery Ward employees, does not require workers to join a union, but binds those already members to remain in good standing during the life of the contract. They are usually offered 15 days to resign from the union if they do not wish to be bound by the clause.
Assessments cited
Some CIO affiliates are assessing members $1 each for a political fund, “a part of which is to be used in support of the administration and New Deal candidates for Congress,” Mr. Hoffman said.
He asked:
Is it not logical to argue that the administration and the WLB force employees to join a CIO affiliate, which in turn forces them to work to earn the dollar which goes into the campaign fund of the CIO’s Committee for Political Action and which in turn supports the President for a fourth term and supports those candidates who agree to go along with the President’s program?