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Text
NLRB Puts Crusher
On OTMA's Desperate
Bid Per Recognltien
Official Orgaiiy Atlantic & Gulf District, Seafarers International Union of NA
ypL. XII
NEW YORK, N. Y„ FRIDAY. JANUARY 27, 1950
No. 2
:
Ihmg SlU Job Means More Jobs For Tbe SHJ
Waterman Steamship Corporation has just received the green light from the
Maritime Commission, and 'will attempt 1} expand Its operations In the coastal and
intercoastal trade. If Waterman Is successful, it will mean more SlUcontracted ships
In service and more jobs for Seafarers.
The coastal and intercoastal runs are the toughest in the business, because
ships not only compete with each other but with the railroads for the country's
freight traffic. For^that reason, all crews are urged td maintain their usual efficiency
aboard these ships. See to it that none of these vessels is delayed in sailing for any
reason.
The National Labor Relations Board has issued
CTMA's death warrant! In a letter to the SlU^
CTMA and Cities Service on January 19, the Wash
ington office of the National Labor Relations Board
denied the Cities Service sponsored "union** a re
view of its request for certification as bargaining
agent for seamen on seven Cities Service ships. Thei
decision, in effect, means the death of CTMA.
In squelching CTMA, the National Labor Re
lations Board went down the line with the New
York Regional Director*s decision to refuse CTMA
a hearing and his opinion that*
probable cause exists to issue 19 letter is the NLRB's answer;
a complaint in behalf of the to CTMA's appeal.
SlXTs charges of imfarr labor The NLRB order rebuffing
CTMA's attempt to gain legal
practices by the company.
The NLRB letter' pointed spe recognition coincides with earl
These vessels work under the best conditions in maritime, and the crews are cifically to the unfair labor ier NLRB setbacks given Cities
backed by tbe most rigidlyenforced contraci in the Industry. If any beefs develop charges pending against the em Service's two other sponsored
at sailing time, don't hold up the ship—^brlng them lo the attention of SIU officials ployer and to the SIU claims "unions," the Unlicensed Em
that the company violated the ployee's Collective Bargaining
at the next SIU port.
^
• • 'Z
Labor Management Act in at Agency of Cities Service OK
Company and the Americaft
least two instances:
Under no circumstances are these vessels to be delayed or forced to sail short
Tankermen's Associa^n, bofb
1—by the formation of a comv of which were declared illegal hs|
handed.
pany union, and
court orders. The two unions
2—by refusing to bargain col were created to fend off orgaz^
lectively with the SIU as the izing drives by • the Natkmal
duly certified representative of Maritime Union.
the company's tankermen.
To the SIU and the men
aboard the company's 16 tank
ers, the decision removes the
last possible legal maneuver by
Ailer more than three
NEW YORK—Seven more SIU \vergg of signing are several who through their, efficiency both the company and CTMA^ years of battling through the
have shown the operators that clearing the way for a show
contfacted operators have sign iriajor contracted operators.
NLRB and the courts, the
ed the SIU Welfare Plan and Apart from meetings with the it pays to deal with SIU crews, down, either through peaceful showdown with Cities Sov
several others have given verbal 52 operators to bring about sign and that added expenses are collective bargaining talks or a iee neazs. The near future
assurance they .wiU participate ings of the general outline of more than made up by efficient tieup of the ships.
will bring to a climax the
.1
W k
in the program, though formal the Plan, ^e Negotiating Com workmanship.
canqHdgB waged by the SIU
ELEVEN DAYS
; signing hasn't taken place. The mittee has begun conferences on The 9 shipowners signed earl
to bring union condhioiis
seven new companies si^ed specific details of the plan, such ier are: Waterman Steamship CTMA's intervention in the and security to tbe men of
bring to 16 the total number of as the typ^s of benefits, the Corporation, A H. Bull Steam case came eleven days after th^ the Cities Service ships.
companies agreeing to the new amounts.which will become pay ship Corporation, Seas Shipping SIU was certified as the repre
The full story of ihe SIU's
pact, which calli^ for employer able and the requirements for Company (Rubin Line), Sea sentative for tankermen aboard
efforts
to organize the com
nine
of
the
company's
tankers.
contributions of 25 cents for each eligibility and the manner in train Lines, Incorporated, Con
pany
and
the company's
The
SIU
had
already
received
which the fund will be admin struction Aggregates, Seatraders,
mart for each day worked.
stubborn refusal
to cooperate
certification
for
the
company's
Incorporated, Cuba Distilling
With the signirtg of the orig istered.
other
seven
ships.
is
told
in
this
issue
of the
inal 9 operators, thfe SIU be . According to present plans, ad Corporation, South Atlantic
LOG
in
a
special
section
came the first maritime union ministration of the Fund will be Steamship Company and Alcoa On December 13, CTMA filed
a petition to the New York beginning on page 3.
on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts assumed "^by a threeman com Steamship Corporation.
Due to the length of this
to win a welfare plan paid for mittee, one representing the Un The Negotiating Committee NLRB asking certification for
ion,
one
for
the
operators
and
stated
that
the
'
membership
section,
the LOG regretfully
seven
i^ps,
those
won
in
1948
entirely by the operators.
one
impartial
member.
This
pro
would
be
kept
informed
of
all
had
to
omit the Brandt
by
the
SIU.
The
NLRB
three
!d
At
developments
affecting
the
prog
posed
committee
is
the
out
"Xgenis'
reports.
But they'll
days
later
rejected
the
petition,
past two weeks a good deal of
growth
of
the
union's
dpmand
ress
of
the
welfare
plan
negoti
be
back
in
the
next
iasu^
but
gave
CTl^ ten
days
to
ap
the hesitancy on the part of
that
although
the
fund
would
be
ations
as
they
occurred.
peal
the
decision.
The
January
shipowners has evaporated, .the
Negotiating Committee reported, financed etitirely by the oper
making the signing of others but ators, it is to be jointly admin
a Tnatter of scheduling meetings. istered.
Those signed during the past Negotiations for an employer
two weeks are: Mississippi Ship paid "Welfare Plan first began Seamen employed on Ameri tions of the form. Officers and to tiie C^sus Bureau in 'Wash
ping Company, Ponce Cemoit on December. 2, when a joint can flag merchant ships will be crewmen of merchant vessels in ington for tabulation.
Corporation, Oro Navigation meeting of the SIU and the included in the 1950 Population American ports on that date will
Fishing vessels and craft ply
Company, Carras Steamship (^m shipowners was held in New Census even though their ves answer the complete list of ques
York. At that meeting the Union
ing
the inland waters other thgw
p'any, Standard Steamship Com
sels are on the high seas or in tions..
presented
the
shipowners
with
the
Great
Lakes will not receive
pany, Strathmore Steamship
foreign ports.
Officials of the Census Bureau the questionnaires. Their officers
its
proposal,
which
was
to
go
Company and Dolphin Steamship
into effect on J^inuary 1. In The Bureau of the Census, have stres^ the fact that an and crews will be counted at
Company.
contracts
signed to date the em with the cooperation of the swers given in the questionnaire their shore lodgings by the ai>
Among those who are on the
ployers have all agreed to begin maritime unions and the ship, will be used only for the pur propriate local census taker.
operators, will provide person poses intended—^that is, to count In general, the type of ques
payments as of January 1.
Following the initial meeting, nel of all merchant vessels ply the population of the United tions to be asked of merchant
the SIU Negotiating Committee ing the high seasj coastal waters States.
ship persormel will be limited to
Answers given by seamen are citizenship, age, marital statusi,
met with individual operators, and the Great Lakes with short
Don't depend on ggesees or breaking the ice early this month form questionnaires to be filled to be kept in strictest confidence, .armed forces service, occupa
rumors. Before going' ashore, when 9 operators agreed to the out on April 1, 1950.
and caimot be used for purposes tion, employment, education,
take a look at the sailing proposed setup.
To prevent the job of filling of taxation, investigatibn, or reg salaries and wages.
board so you'll know when
The calling together of the out questionnaires from being ulation.
Arrangements have been made
your ship is scheduled to operators for the purpose of a irksome, the Census Bureau has The Seamen's Census forms by the Census Bureau and the.
leave port. If the time is not welfare plan during the life of prepared a form containing only are equipped with gummed Maritime Commission to have
posted, ask the Delegates to the SIU's twoyear contract was 26 questions, most of which can edges, and will be sealed by in the questionnaire forms placed
find out the correct depar
made possible by the exclusive be answered by check marks. dividuals after filling them out, in the hands of Masters of the
lure time from the Mate.
SIU provision allowing the con Thus only a few minutes time just as an envelope is sealed for ships by April 1, whether the
In any event, don't leave tract to be reopened for the need be taken by any cxew mailing.
ship is at hcnne or abroad.
Th'ey will then be returned to The forms will be mailed out
the ship until you know discussion of wages at any time. member in answering his ques
the Master of the ship who will in ample time tobe available on
In ' reporting on tlie success tioimaire.
when you're due back
Personnel of vessels at sea or mail them to the ship's operator. a vessel, whether the vessel is
aboard. Youll save yourself to date, the Negotiating Com
and your shipmates a lot of mittee noted that the reason the in foreign ports on April 1, The latter will forward the re imderway to port, at a foreign
ircTjble by checking with the shipownois have offered no ma when the Census of Population ports to the Census Bureau. They port or United States malT>laT»d
jor opposition to the plan is td will be taken, are required to will not be opened, after being harbor, or in a US territory op]
proper sourceso
be credited to the SIU crews. answer ortiy tlie first nine ques sealed, UTiiU they are returned island poaaessioa.
I'
§:
Seven More Sip Welfare Plan;
Others Indicate Full Agreement
Cities Senrlee Stwy
Ceasffs Bureau To Count Soumon On Ships
Check Sailing Time
�t^age Two
, .T(. •
• THE SEIFARERS LOG
Fridaf, January 27. 1850
• • to.
SEAFARERS LOG
Published Every Other Week by the
SEAFARERS INTERNATIONAL UNION
OF NORTH AMERICA
. Atlantic and Gulf llistrict
Afiilialed with the American Federation of Labor
At 51 Beaver Street, New York 4, N. Y.
HAnover 22784
Reentered as second class matter August 2, 1949, at the Post
Office in New York, N.Y., under the Act of August 24, 1912.
267
A House Divided
For some mysterious reason, the Marine Division of
the Cities Service Oil Company refuses to recognize the
Union of its employee's choice and sit down with it in
collective bargaining negotiations.
We say "mysterious reason" because other subsidiar
ies of Cities Service, like its refinery division and its util
: ity sections, long ago recognized the principle of collective
? jsargaining and therefore enjoy amicable labor relations.
In view of the fact that vast numbers of Cities Ser
< vice employees throughout this sprawling, giant corpora
tion are covered by union contracts, arrived at through
I mantoman negotiations across the conference table, the
Marine Division's archaic tactics apparently do not appear
to be the policy of the parent company.
With seemingly fanatical stubborness, the Marine
. Division has rejected the demands of its seapien for recog
: nition as a unit. The big question is "Why?"
All we can do is ask it. The answer should be sup
plied by the Cities Service Oil Company, which is facing
; the consequences of the unrealistic policy laid down by
one of its subsidiaries.
The Marine Division of „the Cities Service Oil Com
pany does not have a solitary support for its stand in op
^ position to the wishes of its employees, who twice voted
overwhelmingly for respresentation by the Atlantic and
Gulf" District of the Seafarers International Union, Nor
can it legally or otherwise deny its Obligation to bargain
collectively with the Union which has been awarded^, bar
gaining rights for the tanker fleet.
The Congress of the United States enacted a law to
govern labormanagement relations. Whether Cities Ser
yice likes it or not, it should recognize that it is not exempt
from the provisions of the labor law that other sections of
industry abide by.
Without a legal leg to stand on, and this incapacity
^ven the most hardened laborhater in the company's Ma
" rine Division must admit. Cities Service is precipitating a
situation that would be a distinct disservice to its own
stockholders and the public.
A strike against the company would naturally have
farreaching effect. The Union would prefer to resolve
the situation peaceably, in collective bargaining confer
ences.
•
But so far the Marine Division has shut the door on
any. such conferences. The SIU has complied with every
legal requirement necessary for. obtaining a contract. Or
ganized labor, the Seafarers included, always refrains from
using the strike weapon, except as a last resort.
Certainly the Union has demonstrated a far greater
public consciousness than the company has.
If the Marine Division of CS has a public conscious
ness, and if it has any respect for the nation's laws, it cer
[i£ tainly has shown no evidence of them.
^
g
There is something mighty strange about the actions
this subsidiary of utility empire that otherwise Seems to
go for good labor relations. Maybe if it were jerked out
of the dark alley it appears to be operating in, everybody
would understand how tXOTie.
Seafarers Members Now In The Marine Hospitals
BALTIMORE HOSPITAL
D. H. BRUNIE
A. TANSKI
C. S. PUGH
S. BOJKO
F. W. CHRIST
G. A. CARROLL
E. K. BRYAN
A
T> r* A T A T IP A.
J. J. CERDA
C. R. BRACE
O. HOWELL
D. LAMBERT
P. M. ZANINSKI
O. LYONS
H. McKAY
L. TiCKEL
m A
^
H. R. WHISMAST
CLAUDE HAYES
R. GRALICKI
FRANK • NEARING
CARLOS MATT
T. B. PATTON
MICHAEL GOTTSCHALK
K. JENSEN
.,• 7'^ • • • • . T%Tr TTTrrrr*
*_
. . ^ . ..
J. SHEA"
L. ROBERSON
E. OJECA.
J. C. HENSLEY
W. BEZANSON
V. RIZZUTO
F. KORVATIN
H. MINKLER
VINCENT RODRIQUEZ
R. SOUZA
T. SCANLON
XXX
P. E. DARROUGH
W. W. LAMB
BOSTON HOSPITAL
'E. F, PAUL
W. HALZELGROVE
FRANK ALASAVICH
L. YARBOROUGH
j. TASSAIN
WM. E. GANNON
E. HARRISON .
C. J. PALMQUIST
G. EDWARDS
J. JUDAH
X %> X
X X X
J. E. McCOMAS
MOBILE HOSPITAL
NEPONSIT
HOSPTTAX;
A. MASTERS.
W. P. FLYNN
WILLIAM PADGETT
G. WILLOUGHBY
" ^
E.
WILLIAMS
MATTHEW
BRUNO ^
R. O. MELOY .
? .
A. McNULTY
.
v;
JOSE
DE
JESUS
J. DAVIS
G. DOEST
; ;'p:
J. M. LANCASTER
S. BUZALEWSKI
WM.
WERNETH
; ; • R. K LUFLIN
J. M. KRUSCZYNSKI
S. SIKES
ESTEBAN P. LOPEZ
H. G..HARRIS
T. JENKINS
CHARLES
L. MOATS
C. W. GOODYN
C.
LYNAM
PEDRO
G.
ORTIZ
J. YUKNAS
B. LOWE .
R. REDDEST
i
t
J. FULTZ
R. A. RATCLIFF
NEW ORLEANS HOSPITAL
L.
GALLO
THOMAS
W.
A. DEFERMO
J. MILLER
R. A.
B
J. ONEILL
L. BALLESTERO
XXX
J.A.MORRIS
JOHN T. EDWARDS
STATEN ISLAND HOSPITAL
E. J. NAVARRE
,
E. FERRER
E. J. SPROCH
J. DENNIS
' ^
L
K FRENCH
HENRY WATSON'
F. LANDRY
;:7 t
JOSEPH
SPAULDING
JOHN SCOTT
H. F. LAGAN
JOSEPH
SILLAK
M. J. LUCAS
L. LANG
'
LUIS
TORRES
THEADORE ROZUM .
L. WILLIS ~
L. TULL
—CIRNACO ESOLAN
E. H. COHOON
FRED ^SIGER
H. E, LOGE
'
L. BEAUDY
,
X X X
H. J. OUT
' A
A. KELLER
SAVANNAH HOSPITAL
L. D. DIOUDONNE H .
C. EZELL
:
R. GARCIA
P. ROBERTS
' , ' ,
J. J. CERDA
J. P. FARRELL
A. MAUFFRAY
A. T. MOLAN
i
' J. J. O'CONNOR
N. I. WEST
W. GENTY • •
" F^'DrwALL^^.,
P. L. RAY
'CLYDE I.ASETEE .
�mmsfMitefaam
TBE SEAFAmBBS tac
rOy. •
P age TIUM
HOWOIte COMMNV DFFfES TNT
Brief History Of Organizing Campaign
Certification of the SIU as
The NLRB in this instance
collective bargaining agent for For more ihaa three years, tho Marine men now have charges of unfair labor prac agreed with the company's posi
xiine Cities Service ships Dec. 2
tion and refused to reverse its
1949, coupled with the award Division of the Cities Service Oil Company tices on file against the company.
peculiar decision. The Union
The SIU has withstood every protracted immediately petitioned for rec
earlier of the company's seven has fought to deny soamon aboard its ves
legid maneuver of the company and its ognition on the nine unvoted
c^er ships, brought closer the
end of the SIU's threeyear drive sels iheir legallyguaranteed right to jeto iHegithnate front — the company "union ships which were as overwhelm
to organize the seamen of the a union of their choice for collective bar known as CTMA—and has been certified as ingly proSIU as the balance of
Cities Service tanker fleet.
gaining purposes. Despite two National La bargaining agent for the entire CS fleet. the fleet; But there was little
question but what the company )
The recent NLBB award ruled
For some strange reason the CS Marine would force an election order,
the SIU winner in an election bor Relations Board elections in the fleet,
held in February , and March the company has refused ta recognize Itoe Division still refuses to coniply with Sec then stall the voting off as long
of last year, in which the SIU CS tankermen's overwhebniitg ^slre to tion 8 (a) (5) of the LaborMsnagement Re as possible.
polled 89 percent of the total
lations Act and bargain collectively with the At the end of June, the Union
vote, and disallowed 19 objec have the SIU represent them. The company representative of its employees. Other svib moved again, asking that the t!
tions made by the company to has employed every fom' of subterfuge to sidiaries of the Cities Service Company have NLRB conduct a bargaining elec
#he conduct of the balloting.
halt proUnion sentiment among the men, amicable contractual relations with organiz tion on the nine unvoted ships,
the Cities Service company hav
MAJOH PRASE ENDS
to stall the legal machinery that would ed labor, which puts the Marine Division's ing managed to stall for time |
Government recognition of the bring certification of the SlU,^ and to evade position at variance with company policy. through seven and a half long
Snr as representative of the its obligation to enter contract negotiations.
With the Cities Service antiunion story months.
Cities Service tankermen brings Unable to smash the tlnimi preference oi ^proadiing a climax, this history of the
OBSTACLE COURSE
to a plose a major phase ofthe
its men,, the company mnbazked on a cam case has been prepared to acquaint SIU
NLRB's activi^ in ^ case,
After an informal hearing
first enlisted" when the SIU pe paign of intimidation and mass firings. As mMaberslfip and their fellow trade unlon early in July, the NLRB an
throughout the nation, with the facts. nounced that the voting unit in
titiened for an election in July a result, more than 25fi Cifles Service sea
of 1947. The
entered the
such an election should include
. natter nine months after the
"All unlicensed personnel on
SIU—holding pledge cards from maneuver in which a large case the year before, the Board eight ships had been in the fleet board vessels owned or operated
a fiiajority ofthe seamgh in the number of crewmembers were certified fe« SIU as bargaining when the voting rader went out, by the marine division including
fleet—^had requested the com replaced, leaving eidy seven el agent for the seven ships which the SIU demonstrated. Seven of deck, engine and stewards, ex
had. actoally been voted, but not these had been voted, and eight cluding radio operators, pursers
psBy to reeo^nze it as ccdlectlve igible men aboard.
bargaining agent mi October 26, The Ltme Jack, which was an for the Lone Jack wtoch had new ships had been acquired and unlicensed personnel aboard
charter in the Pacific,, never was been in foreign waters .through during the voting period, the those vessels of which the Union
1946.
out ^the voting period, and not Union showed, adding that par has been certified by the NLRB." .
rr In the ensuing three years the voted in that election.
for the eight iiew ships whidh tial c«*tification created a house
company' has held firm in its
TIME STALL '
divided, in which the employers After this preliminary meeting; i;!!
the company had acquired.
opposition to the SIU through
could play one set of ships the Cities Seiwice company I
various legal stalls, the inter The cfempany demanded that ThiSf meant feat nine ships
found another gimmick under
against another.
:.S
jection of a companysporisored the" NLRB extend the election were not certified. And this in
uhion and the entrance of the time 75 more days for tiie Lone turn meant many other things.
National Maritime Union, both Jack to vote, and that the NLRB It meant, to sight an extreme
directly and indirectly, in its revise its procedure for • c<m possibility, that Cities Sei*vice
ducting ^ecttons., Other demands could sell the seven certified
maneuvers.
Following the company's re made would have nullified the ships; replace them with seven
ejection of the SIU's letter asking electuui. The NLRB turned the more and say "Phooey". to the
.sscognition, the first obstacle company down and ordered the Union.
to face the SIU was provided by votes to be counted.
REPEAT BATTLE
the NMU, when it filed charges On February 9, the vote was
. of\ unfair labor practices against announced, giving the SIU more The order also meant that the
the company. The NMU's charges than 83 percent oi fee men elig men on the nine uncertified
were based on an election won ible to . vote. Certification for ships Would have to go through
to 1938, though the NMU had the entire fiieet was expected to the enfee process their Brothers
TO'ver exercised its certification follow swiftly, but the company on the certified ships had ex
.and the Cities Service fleet was came up with a gimmick that perienced.
jrecognized as being unorganized forced the second bargaining
.when the SIU commenced its election, although it failed to Meaqwhile, the SIU protested.
When the SIU was certified on
drive.
block certification for the ships Isthmian ships, SIU organizers
voted. The gimmick was in the pointed out, all the ships owned
NMU BtlLED OUT
form of eight new ships. But or operated by Isthmian became
The NMU's charges were "before* the question of the new
squashed in hearings before the. bottoms came up, the company part and parcel of the bargaining
NLRB in July, 1947, and the protested the election results. unit. Yet, during the voting
period, Isthmian had both ac
way, cleared for an election
A
month
was
consumed
while
quired
and gotten rid of a . num
order.
the
company
and
the
NLRB
ber
of
ships.
On October 20, 1947, the Board
batted
backand
forth
objections
ordered an election in the eight
HOUSE DIVIDED
sbtos the company then ow^d, and exceptions tq the objections,
the voting to ba completed with at' the end of which the New The Union filed a brief with
Two proSIU victims of the Cities Service policy of out
in 30 days. On November 20, York Regional Director of the fee NLRB petitioning the Board
NLRB
recommended
to
the
Na
right
dismissal of those protesting intolerable shipboard con
to
amend
its
certification
order
.when the voting period expired,
tional
Board
that fee
SIU
be
ditions
display evidence of their satisfactory job performances.
by
including
all
unlicensed
per
aU but two of .the ships were
certified
for
the
searoenin
the
Lowell
Kelley (right), AB, and Richard Broomhead, AB. show
sonnel
in
the
bargainingunit
as
voted, these being the French
voting
unit.
a
total
of more than 40 discharges from the Bsnts Fort, and
it
had
done
in
the Isthmian
case.
Creek and the Lone Jack.
their
CTMA
membership books.which like all CS seamen,
Essentially,
the
situation
was
the
It
was
May
24.
before
the
The voting period was extend
they
were
forced
to pay for in order to stay aboard the ship*
NLRB
issued
its
certification
or
same.
ed 00 days, then another 10 days,
to enable the French Creek to der. And it struck the SIU like a Cities Service had 11 vessels Nevertheless, they were fired on Dec. 27. 1949. They're now
when the Union first petitioned ^^ing aboard SJUcoptracted vessels, where they are assured
wte in Philadelphia. The ship bonfesfaeil.
In a ruling which shattered the for an election. It had disposed of union working conditions and job security—things that the
iWas eventually voted in Jack
' sonyille, followiifg a company precedent set in the Isthrpjan of some and acquired others and companydominated CTMA cannot give.
fe'
�V
Four
THE SEAFARERS LOG
Fridays, Janunry 27«
but recovered from the was not representative, and try organizer for CTMA who was itioned the NLRB in behalf of
iiie authority of the TaftHart blow, /,
.ley Act, whose hidden dangers shock long enough to state that to have the result thrown out exposed in the LCXJ as a Cities CTMA asking certification for
were only just becoming appar the company would cooperate if The Board apparently agreed Service frent man.
the men on seven of the com
ent to organized labor. Under the voting were put off until with this point of view, as vot The^ injunction was thrown pany's ships, but their request
the law, the company cls^ed. February 23.
*•
ing was ordered to begin Feb out and the ballots coimted on was short lived. Three days later
Stewards, Bosuns, Pmnpmen ant
The Board turned this down. ruary 20. On that date crews April 22. The SIU swung 89 the NLRB answered a flat "no."
Machinists were supervisors, ant The Board also rejected a com trooped off their ships and off percent of the total votes cast. CTMA immeliately seized on
i could not vote in a bargaining pany proposal that all voting be company property to areas where At the time the votes were tal the NLRB provision allowing
election conducted by the BoartL done between Boston and Balti the NLRB supervised the poll. lied the company was giveii five them to request a review of the
Two dajrs later, with six ships days to file objections, if any. decision. The national office of
At the end of August and more
N
voted, the company went into On the fifth day the coippany the NLRB made short work of
s^through the early weeks of Sep
SLICK SWITCH
Federal
Court and obtained a filed IS objections, aUeging that the CTMA's case, issuing on Jan
tember, sct»es of seamen v^ho
What the company was up to temporary injunction halting the the conduct of the election by uary 17 a denial of the company
had sailed in th^ disputed rat
ings oa Cities Service ships ap seemed clear enough to the election. At a hearing two days the NLRB was "arbitrary, cap unioi..'s request and at thi? same
time pointing out that the .SIU
peared before the NLRB in New SIU. Eight Cities Service ships later, the injunction Was modi ricious, illegal and void."
was the Union representing.
FINAL ORDER
York to demonstrate that they were due to hit American 'ports fied and Voting was resumed.
were not supervisors within the over the weekend. Some of these The final baUoting came in early It took the National Labor Cities Service employees. The
• oeening of the TaftHartley Act. were to run into Gulf ports. April, when the Government Relations Board almost eight NLRB action closed .the final
Meanwhile, to keep the ball roll Tuesday, February 22 would be Camp voted by mail from'Mon months to deny the company's possible avenue for intervention
objections and certify the SIU by the CTMA and stymied the
ing. the Union was making an a holiday. It was entirely pos tevideo, Uruguay.
^ort to induce the company to sible for the company to fce the Before the votes could be as collective bargaining . agent company's last hope for thwart
negotiate a contract for the crews, sign on new men and get counted Cities Service was in for the men on the remaining ing the SIU drive.
tie ships out before the election court again. This time 12 CTMA nine ships, but finaUy, on De With certification covering 16
seven certified vessels.
Both Union and company were deadline. The followup on this 'members" secured ^ temporary cember 2, the certification order ships in its hip pocket, the SIU
has requested the company to
suppjsed to file briefs on the would come when the voting injimetion withholding vote tal was handed down.
laurgaining unit issue with the eventually took place with only ying on the grounds that they With the announced certifica sit down and begin collective
handful of eligible men lad received no notice of the tion, Cities Service was ready bargaining talks. To date the
NLRB within seven days after
aboard,
which could bring a election. Among the petitioners with another delaying action. company has not replied to the
"the hearings ended. This gaVe
company
protest that the vote was David Furman, principal The Cities Service attorneys pet Union's request.
the company the opportiuiity it
wanted to stall things along for
another six weeks. The company
lawyor wrangled two extensions,
the second one imtil October 29.
Cities Service Spawns CTMA
COMPANY UNION
' By this time, the Cities Serv The recent unsuccessful effort
ice lawyer had thought of a new of the Cities Servicedominated
In ihe dozen or so years that the Cities Service seamen and to delay their repre
trick, a company imion. It was company "union" to get an elec
Service
Oil Company has fought to smash saltation by the SIU. In both of these ob
too late for him to get a second tion on ships for which the SIU
imion on the ballot in any elec has been certified as collective efforts of its seamen to organise for col jectives, the company has failed 'miserably.
tion, but he apparently thought bargaining agent furtlier proves lective bargaining purposes, one,of its prin
The SIU has effectively and unceasln'gly
that, if Cities Service seamen the. intent behind the company's
could be lured by extravagant move when it set up the Citco cipal weapons has been the nauseating de exposed the phony and deceitful character
promises into supporting a com Tanker Men's Association vice known as the "company union." During of CTMA and" those behind it from the
pany union, they would vote to (CTMA) back in October, 1948. the National Maritime Union's unsuccessful
start. Except for the paid szooges. few CS
reject the SIU. Moreover, any
organizing campaign, the company created
body who failed to join could For on October, 1948, the birth and fostered two phony "unions"—the Un men were taken in by CTMA's dirty tactics.
date of CTMA, the SIU had al
be blacklisted.
No matter how sweetly CTMA propaganda
ready been certified as agent licensed Employees' Collective Bargaining
was presented, the stench of the company's
The new organization was call for the first seven CS ships, and
ed the dtco Tanker Men's As another election was shortly to Agency of Cities Service Oil Company and hand has always been evident.
sociation, quickly shortened to be held by the National Labor the American Tankermen's Associatioxl. both
CTMA is more than a story of illegitimate
CTMA. It first came into being Relations Board on the fleet's of which were declared Illegal and dissolv
£ut>und October 1, 1948.
ed
as
ordered
by
the
National
Labor
Rela
company
activity in the fiqld of laborman
remaining nine vessels on which
CTMA's headquarters were in ^ overwhelming preferred for tions Board and enforced by the Federal agement relations—^it is a dassic example
a building in Linden, New Jer the SIU had clearly been in Circuit Court of Appeals.
of how wouldbe unionbusters, like the
sey, where no one but attorneys dicated.
The
currentlyactive
Citco
Tanker
Men's
Cities Service Oil Coznpany. lise the fraud
had offices.
Assertion, known as CTMA. which pres ulent company "imion" to fight the legally
'BABY' BORN
The SIU at once exposed
entday CS
tankermen have learned to hate guaranteed rights of its employees to rep
CTMA as a company creation, Thecompany was determined
and showed its similarity to com to have a device available with as a ruthless Instrument of companyin resentation by & bona fide trade union of
pany unions created in the past which to continue blocking its spired intimidation and oppression, is merely their own choosing. The following article
by CS. In the SEAFARERS employees' wishes for bona fide a reincarnation of its two unholy predeces me;rely highlight^ the character and methods
LOG, it was pointed out that le representation by a geniiine
^
gitimate unions arose as rank trade union when time rah out sors. CTMA was fashioned to confuse Cities of CTMA.
andfile movements. They did on its own stalling tactics.
not have headquarters in the of CTMA, the company "union,"
fices of lawyers, the SIU peiper was that device.
organization • a S a seaman's or ed seamen, and that it pieant to Seafarer would imagine ^sicible,
twid but, fhov HiH Vintro
r'.U.ii .i.u xlluAlCKI. Ik" WtUi il
. ytr,—'t
' ' Jllli
—A——T,.
Oc.iig" uTIeleu uy Uie
cratlcaUy elected officers, con legitimately conceived by eoln the services of a Steward named schemes the comi>any and its company lawyers, Furman was
stitutions and regular meetings, pany officials and their hired David Fmman, an old hand at lawyers concocted, CS officials sent on his first mission as com
all 'Of which was lacking in lawyers, CTMA has been the stooging for untonbusting com once again began shaping up pany stooge for CTMA, as "auth
CTMA
orized representative." He.board
company mouthpiece, aided and panies. The company authorized another phony front.'
of
The SIU met the company un abetted by a handful of CS Furman to. use the title
ed
the SS Winter Hill as a Stew
SHADY BACKGROUND
ion imwaveringly. All Seafarers stooges „on board the company "CTMA's authorized representa
ard. He remained aboard for
or proSeafarers in the Cities ships who are paid handsomely tive."
So CS took" David Furman, two months, then went ashore
S^vice crews were directed to in money and privileges for their Cities Service itself h^d ample formerly of the Standard Oil for one trip to report to the
sign up for CTMA so that the services. These stooges constitute experience in running phony Company of New Jersey, to do company. Furman was sent ^back
company would be unable to the company's staff of hatchet company "unions." During the for CTMA what he had once to the Winter Hill with an ami
find who exactlywas who.
men. "They ride the CS ships, as NMU's unsuccessful drive for a done for the companycontrolled Ipad , of CTMA literature, all Of
sort
of a group of political com contract with that company, CS Esso Tankermen's Association. which was done up in amateur
ELECTION CALL
missars whose words outweigh set up the Uulicensed Eniployees' An NMU official identified Fui ish style to keep it from smeU
On December 30, 1948, over even the Skippers'. They report Collective Bargaining Agency of man as the "character" who ing too much of the ^ company
two years since the inception of all instances of proSIU activity Cities Service Oil Company. The helped develop the Esso outfit hand.
the drive, the SIU received a to the company office in New National Labor Relations Board "and who has moved in to Cities
'UNION' ACTIVITY
communication hrom the NLRB York, finger the men who are ruled (that it was iUegal and or Service at the request of the op
ordering an election on the nine filed and threaten the "doubt dered that it be dissolved. The erator to help found the new Furman's first shipboard job
unvoted ships. Cities Service, fuls" with dismissal and other order was enforced by the Cir outfit and prevent legitimate, was to call a meeting of the
I'through st^, put off preelec reprisals if they don't sign up cuit Court of Appeals, a federal trade imionism." In addition to crew. Despite the company's bit
tion meetings with the NLRB with CTMA.
coiui. Cities Service tried the this testimony to Furman's sliad ter opposition to any union ac
until February 16, at which time
stunt again by organizing anoth o'wy backgroimd as a "union" tivity, the Skipper approvedi
FROITT SET UP
the Company refused to coop
man, the SIU has in file other because (1)= CTMA was not a
er phony "union," iinder • the
erate in any way until the 10 When CTMA first began front less companysounding 'name of affidavits attesting that he is in union, but a company front, and
year old Federal Court writ or ing for Cities' Service, offices American Tankermen's Associa the employ of CS to assist in (2) the company had oi'dered
dering Cities Service to allow were established at 129 North tion. Again the NLRB brapded the unionbusting tactics of CS full cooperation ' with CTMA
NMU organizers aboard its ships Wood Avenue in Linden, New it "phony" and again the federal officials.
stooges.
was rescinded.
Jersey, a building whose only court' enforced the order to dis Other many relevant factors on None of the officers objected
Here the NMU threw a rock occhpant was the law firm of solve the company puppet or Furman and his "relations" with as Furman boomed praise for
at Cities Service's scheme to get Dvorin and Margulies. The ganization. The NMU's fight CS officials and some few crew the company. He made no effort
another delay. In a letter to the CTMA representative there was evaporated in face of relentless members throughout the CS fleet at that time to conceal the com
ILNLRB on Fateuary 1, the N&U a lawyer named Strasburger, legal stalling by the company, are on file and fully document pany's connection ibith CTMA.
ofiCicially withdrew ^ interest who is a partner in the New so CS had no furjjher need for ed. Theito facts will be made When a proSIU crewmember
in the Cities Service fleet "in York law office of Murphy, a company "union."
known during the healings of blimtly' asked him if Cities Ser
the interest of legitimate trade Strasburger and Purcell at 217 But in 1948, when the SIU the ui^air charges against CS vice was sponsoring CTMA, Fur
,umonism:" The company lawyer Broadway.
was showing that it was in there Ijefore the NLRB, These facts toSin quickly replied:
/
under this unexpected To dress up the company front pitching for the company's abas will show th.mgs tliat
tleeeni "Yet, it is company sponeorc;^
�Friday.' January 27, 19S0
THE SE A¥ ARERS LOC
Paga Flva
but
sure it wWl be a good
deal."
The company's tactic of em
ploying CTMA solely as a device
for stalling final certification of
the I^IU as bargaining agent for
the ileet personnel soon became
obvious to CS tankermen. CTMA
propaganda promised that an
other election, with CTMA on
.the ballot, would be ordered
shortly by the NLRB, although
an SlU petition was pending
with the Board and the law said
that no new action could be
taken until peniding petitions
^ had been disposed of.
The company could never mus
ter more than a handful of
stooges to spread its lies and
threats, but all of them were
amply rewarded in one way or
another. Some ships' officers aid
ed the CTMA stooges in threat
ening men .who did not sign up
with CTMA.
ger and Purcell to act ^ my at ,•
torneys..."
, "
f
Around this time the company |
also took a direct hand in the
preparation of CTMA literature. ¥ j
After the SIU had been certified i
on Dec. 2, 1949, for the entire :
fleet, Cities Service took over
the "Shipmate," an ineffectiv(^
childish, crudely mimeographed
sheet that the company had al
lowed some of its stooges to get
up in the vain hope that it would
appear legitimate.
The company lawyers and
other CS professionals became
the editorial staff of the "Ship
mate" and instead of mimeo
graphing it, the company turned
it over to a multilithing house in
an effort to get out a profession
allooking sheet. The first issue
gotten out by the company offi
cers was that of January, 1950.
To make sure there were no
slipups in distribution after it
had gone to additional expense,
CHIEF STOOGES
CS had its company officials
deliver copies of the "Shipmate"
The principal sto ages—or_ of
to the ships. Among those who
ficers—Of the company "union"
took
to running "company un
are:
ion" papers for the top* brass
President—John Blanchard, AB
were Mr. Wiggins, Port Engme«
on the French Creek. This man
for Cities Service, who carried
does not mix with the crew
copies aboard the Government
other than to toss off threats
Camp, and Edward (Murphy)
of dismissal to those suspected
Zamowski, Assistant Port Stew
of proSIU sentiment. He sleeps
ard, who delivered a batch of
in an officer's foc'sle and eats
papers to the Fort Hoskins.
at topside mess.
On Jan. 7, 1950, the company
VicePresident — Nicholas De
issued a statement, which it had
Lello, FWT on the SS Winter
signed by Nick De Lello, CTMA
Hill. One of the original CTMA
vicepresident, but which was
group who openly threatened
completely out of characteri
proSIU men, or any antiCTMA
loaded with legal language, and
roan with physical violence, not,
calling members of the govern'
at the hands of himself, but in1
ment's NLRB liars, the ."^De
stead at the hands of company
LeUo" statement ended with the
"strong arm" men.. He confided
following get in line or else
to crewmembers that the com
warning:
pany pays him $500 a month
'LOYAL* TO CS
when he is on the Beach for a
"Cities Service wiU be loyal
vacation. De Lello, like fhirman,
to the men who are loyal to it."
also spends time going from ship
But Cities Service tankermen
to ship to get the lowdown for ernors, a designation usually not has any members—outside of its the CTMA. New CTMA mem know fuU weU that CTMA
the company on SIU activity employed by trade unions but companypaid gang of officers— bers can join up at the law of speaks only for the company.
among CS tankermen. He fingers common among corporation set who would vote CTMA in a fice, where membership cards They know that Cities Service
men ' for firing, and is the ups. In view of the fact that secret ballot. The company, how are issued by an attorney Or a will be loyal only to the Cities
"brains"'" of" the CTMA goon.C^i^s Service lawyers framed ever, doesn't care about that. In staff employee. Nowhere in view
the organizational setup of the main, CS had two purposes is anything that looks like a Service Company. The evidence
squad.
CTMA, however, the Board of it hoped to achieve through the seaman or remotely resembles lies in the fact that if Cities
Service intended to recognize the
SPECIAL PRIVILEGES
Governors is not startling.
creation of CTMA:' .
one.
rights and welfare of its sea
Upon joining CTMA, CS crew men, it would have acceded to
These men are aided and abet On the Board are Robert Hal T. By circulating CTMA pled
ted by two staunch company vosa, Frank Garcia, Fred Wright, ges among the crews, the men members must sign a statement their wishes for representation
who refused to sign would im giving the law firm of Murphy, by the SIU. Proof of this is what
characters: Earl Gerald and and Frank Hoover.
Thomas P. Daly, secretary and Each of these cheuacters en mediately identify themselves as Strasburger and Purcell the sole happened to the majority of the
assistant secretary, respectively, joys special privileges aboard being proSIU. Thus they could right to "bargain" with the com rank and file CS seamen who
Cities Service ships. They de be weeded out and blackballed pany for them, and authorizing were foolish enough to be taken
of CTMA.
"said firm of Murphy, Strasbur
v.r oe
In addition to these "union" termine when they get time off. in the''fleet.
ths
officers, there is a Board of Gov They are permitted to miss ship, 2. By introducing a new or1
finky company unions CS crested
even watches. They transfer from ganization into the scene at the
in years gone by, and how many,
vessel to vessel in the fleet when last minute, the company hoped
of those fellows the company
ever they so desire. Two of them to sway some of the
Lorn
was "loyal" to.
have boasted that they can have voting for the SIU in the belief
After niore than a dozen years/
'a Skipper fired, and on at least that CTMA would do something
of fighting genuine trade unioniy
one occasion a Chief Engineer for CS men.
zation of their seamen, CS iL
was fired beca\ise he refused The SIU took the second elec
'.MM
still
dispensing the same oli
' 't
to intimidate proSIU men.
tion, jjespite the CTMAdirected
hogwash.
\
intimidations
and
the
company
CTMA
is
nothing
more
than
CTMA BACKBONE
strategy—and took it by a great
an instrument for continuing to
This dique. Of company' men pr majority than it had in the
crush CS tankermen and their'
are the backbone ' of . the • CS first election. Results of thesec
chances for the improvement rtf
front pi^ganization. To . secure ond decticro gave the SIU an
wages and conditions and job
pledges roid .membership applica 89 percent majority'and the vic
.w»
security.
tions from personnel, they threat tory was announced by the
en men with loss of fiieir jobs. NLRB in April, 1949.
• j.They are openly backed by in As the compansr's l^al tricks
secure company officera in aU to stall the final certification
departments. CTMA membership, failed one by one,, the ccwnpany
With the^ climax of the
MBf
.of course, means nothing. ThO became more desperate and
campaign
' ii'v^ar, all Cities
men get nothing but dues re changes were made in CTMA to
Service
seamen
are urged to
ceipts.
bring it closer to the company,
Roy Lindquist sailed two
stay aboard their ships until
The fee for joining CTMA Is both physically and in the lang years aboard the CS tanker
Hoy Brace (above) complain
otherwise notified by SIU
$6,
which pays a member up uage of its propaganda.
ed about the food oh the Cities
SS Council Grove. "For my
organizers. In the meantime,
Service ttmker SS Govern for three months. Thereafter Dxiring the third wee^i: in Oc faithful service," he says, "I
SIU organizers point out,
ment Camp. As .a result, the monthly dues are $2.00. Every tober, 1949, Cities Service moved was fired for daring to exer
disregard all rumors and gos
Mate. Peter Viera, who was body signs up, including the CTMA offices from Linden to cise my lawgiven right to
sip. Every new development
^so active as an organiser for SIU men aboard the ships, to a suite of offices occupied by choose a genuine bargaining
will be brought to crews'
avoid being labeled proSIU. Murphy, Strasburger and Pur agent—the SIU—to represent
the company "union." fired
attention as soon as it
If a CTMA cardholder should cell in 217 Broadway, New York me. The Mate warned me to
Brace. Viera admitted that the
breaks.
cease
working on a CS ship, City, about six blocks from the lay off but I didn't because I
.jcompany had put him on the
Do nothing to jeopardise
Government Camp to clean or should fall behind in dues, Cities Service empire's head still figure freedom is an Am
your job. If you are fired
: ;ship. of those aboard for "a he is immediately dropped. On quarters at 70 Pine Street.
erican word . . . The fleet
from a Cities Service ship
v^Ieng timo." Hundreds of CS signing on again, he must join During the conduct of their re^s with a spy system ope
for any reason, report to the
Tseamen were driven from the the organization ^1 over again. regular legal business. Murphy, rating through the company
nearest SIU Hall at once.
[ucompany's shlpc in lha pus^e.
It is doubtful whether CTMA Strnsbuxger and Purcell act as dominated CTMA."
Stay Aboard!
�l»ag» Sbc
THE SEAFARERS LOG
Fftdaj, J»nuaxY*27, 188CK 7 ^ ^
Cities Service Makes 'Fine' Art Of Stalling
The fat file on the Cities Ser
The NLRB took the two brie&
viceSIU case in the New York For three years the Mulne Division of, The lengths to which the CS company under consideration.
Regional Labor Relations Board the Cities Service Oil Company has been has gone to avoid compliance with the La
December 30, 1948
... »
bears mute testimony to the ex driving down a deadend street. Duringthat borManagement Relations Act is a damning
The NLRB notified the Unioh
haustive lengths Cities Service time it employed every possible means to indictment of a giant corporation, which en
Oil Con^>any has gone to in its shake off the SIU, twice overwhelmingly joys huge profits under the benefits of our and the company that an elec
tion would be held in the nine
attempt to deny, by every legal designated as coUective bargaining agent by democracy, but which refuses to rec^ixe ships petitioned for. The SIU
and extralegal means, the recog the Cities Service seamen voting in secret
rights of its employees as established would be the only Union on the
nition of the SIU • as collective balloting conducted by the National Lal^r
ballot, and all imlicensed men
by law. The accompanying chapter of the
except Bosuns and Stewards
bargaining agent for its tanker Relations Board.
men. Apart from the several Having failed this, the company has now Cities Service story shows how the com would vote. Announceinent was
hundred pages of NLRB records rim up against the stonewall. There are no pany has consistently attempted to evade naade that a meeting to ..arrange
voting procedure would be held
devoted to diarges, counter
its obligations.
January 5.
charges, bbjectuMis and briefs more legal detours.
filed by the company, the New
The SIU agreed to meet and
York court records are studded pier to vote the SS French SIU representatives repeated June 22, 1948
begin preparations for the elec
tion,
i
with companysponsored actions Creek, the seventh of the com their earlier position.
The
SIU filed'Jor
an
election
taken against the SIU.
Cities
Service
claimed
that
hb
pany's eight ships, the Cities The NLRB again denied the
to cover the nine unvoted ships. notice of an election had been
In the three years since the Service agent there flatly refused company's demands.
received.
SIU organizing drive opened, the to let either the Union man or
company's antiunion campaign the Board's representative near
July 10, 1948
The NLRB allowed postpone
has brought it before the NLRB the ship. The company agent March 8. 1948
ments until the middle of Feb
Tlie NLRB began hearings on ruary.
in dozens of instances, each defied the NLRB, acting, it was Undaunted, Cities Service pop
'
time with the same objective: reported, on express orders he ped right back with what the what would constitute the voting
to either knock out the SIU's had received by telephone"^ from company lawyer termed "ex imit in the second election and Fbbruary 16, 1949
'
efforts to gain recognition, or, Cities Service headquarters at ceptions to the order," repeating in its proceedings annotmced
that the voting unit should in
The company finally attended
failing thi^ to stall for time, hop 70 Pine Street in New York.
all of its' claims disaUowed in clude "all unlicensed personnel
meeting arranged to settle
ing to eventually wear down the The SIU and the NLRB final three earlier hearings.
on board vessels owned or ope the voting procedure, but rer
Union's energies and convince ly voted the ship later in Jack
The SIU once more appeared rated by the marine division, fused to cooperate imtil the 10
the men in the fleet that the sonville.
before
the NLRB to defend its including deck, engine and stew year old Federal Court writ
company was unbeatable.
victory
in the fleet.
ards, excluding radio operators, ordering Cities SeArice to al
The following is an issueby January 25, 1948
The NLRB on March 23 denied pursers and unlicensed personnel low NMU organizers aboard its
issue account of the compan^^s
. :
Cities
Service,
not
content
to
the exceptions sajnng they were aboard those vessels of which ships was rescinded.
maneuveimgs, to which were
the
Union
has
been
certified
by
let
any
obstacle
remain
unused,
The
SIU
explained
that
the
"duly lacking in merit" The ex
devoted the fulltime efforts of
National Maritime Union in" the.
a battery of hi^iaiced attor went before the NLRB to ask aminer then recommended that the NLRB."
Thfe. company
lawyer
at,
the
that
voting
be
extended
another
interests
of legitimate trade un^
the SIU
be certified
for
the com
neys. Each account gives the
fii^
hearing
walked
out
when
75
days
to
perniit
the
SS
Lone
; onism
had
withdrawn all inters
pany fleet.
^action taken by the SIU and
the NLRB refused to let him ;^est in the case on February
the rulings made by the New Jack, then on charter in the Pa
have a stenotypist take down 1, thus aiding in the removals of
Yoti Regional Labor Relations cific, to vote. The possibility that May 24, 1948
minutes. At a later meeting he one more stumbling block.
Board and its national office in the Lone Jack would not return
to the States for many months The national office of the returned with the TaftHartley The NLRB ordered the voting
Washington:
—and could be kept away indef NLRB handed down its certifica Law imder his arm, which he procedure to be set.
October 28. 1946
initely—opened the way for the tion order, giving the SIU jur claimed barred the inclusion of
The SIU requested Cities Serv company to ask a succession of isdiction over the seven ships Bosuns, Stewards, Pumpmen and February 17, 1949
ice to recognize it as collective extensions. Coupled with this re vdted, but not for the one ship Machinists, inasmuch as they The Cities Service lawyer re
bargaining agent for the men quest. the company moved to that had been at sea nor the were slipervisory employees.
nullify the election by asking eight new ships the company The SIU countered in subse ported to the NLRB that the
in the Cities Service fleet.
company would cooperate if the
the NLRB to change the eligi
quent hearings by introducing vote were put off until after
The company refused the Un bility clause to allow voting by had acquired.
The SIU immediately filed a as witnesses scores of seamen
ion's request.
crewmen employed immediately brief objecting to the order, cit who had sailed in the disputed February 23, with .no voting on
The National Labor Relations before" the balloting date instead
Saturdays, Sundays and 4Ioli
Board did not enter into the of as of the original eligibility ing the Isthmian case, where ratings on Cities Service, all of days. The company also demand
the Union ha/4 been certified for whom demonstrated that they
matter.
date; that aU proceedings stop the entire fleet despite several were not .supervisors within the ed that aU voting be done be
until the eligibility was chang ships not having beai polled. meaning of the TaftHartley Law. tween Bos^ton and Baltimore.
October 31, 1946
ed; that it be allowed other re The Union urged the NLRB to
The SIU quickly pointed out
lief and alternative, a sort of amend its certification order to The NLRB ordered the Union the company's motive: Eight
The Seafarers petitioned the omnibus clause; that the original
and the company to file briefs ships were due in American ports
KLEB for an election in the CS election order be rescinded, and include the nine excluded ships. on the bargaining issue within over the weekend, of which a
Fleet. .
that proceedings be returned to The NLRB in this case agreed 70 days after hearings ended. number were hitting Gulf ports,
The NMU intawened, claiming the preelection stage for hear with the company and denied The fcompany lawyer stretched during which time the company
the SIU's request.
.
that it represented the com
sc uie cx tws,
I>any's employees. Its charges The SIU immediately filed a
leral weeks imtif October 29.
the ships back out.
were based on an election won counter brief, pointing out that
The NLRB denied the motion
in 1938, though a contract was the votes on the Isthjnian ships
and voting began on February
never obtained and several years had been counted before all the
20th, a Sunday.
] later the NMU's activity in the vessels had been voted.
I fleet ceased.^
February 22, 1949
The NLRB agreed with the
The NLRB began investigation Union and on February 9 ordered
f of the cliaiges and in July, 1947 the tallying to begin.
With MX ships already voted.
. ' asked the NMU to present pledge
Cities Service went into court
I cards representing 5 percent of February 12, 1948
and obtained a temporary in
I the Cities Service seamen to
jxmction halting the voting mid
I, support its claim of representa Three days after the ballot
impounding the ballots already
tion. The NMU failed to" pre coimt showed the SIU the win
cast.
v
sent itself at the meeting, thus ner by a landslide, with 83 per
The SIU immediately contested
clearing the way for the SIU to cent of the vote in its favor,
the injufiction jointly with the
work on the fleet alone. Later the company was back in the
NLRB, and two days later it
in the case the NMU aided the fight, this time with a protest
was modified; to resume voting.
SIU campaign by withdrawing to the election.
Shortly after the injunction was
all of its interest in the matter.
totaUy. • dismissed.
The SIU contested the com
pany's position.
October 20, 1947
AprillS, 1949
The NLRB denied the protest.
• V*
• '
The NLRB cleared the way for
Cities
Service
was
back
in
polling of the company's fleet February 18, 1948
court again to prevent the count
" when it issued an election order, The company again appeared
ing of baUots cast on the ninf.
calling for voting to extend 30 before the NLRB to protest the
ships. This time the court ac
days to November 20.
election.
tion took the form of an in
Cities Service stepped in with Again the SIU appeared to
junction against the Regional
its first action, an action which fight the company's position. .
Director of the NLRB by 12
iwas to become the routine pat
CTMA men who claimed they
The NLRB dismissed the pro
tern in the. future. The Company test
had not. been ftotified of the
election.
. ,
asked that the vote be extended
{mother 60 days. The Board March 5, 1948
The SIU protested the action
agreed. Another 10 days was
to the Federal Court, being
For the third time the com
added later. When the SIU rep
joined by the national office of ,
resentative and the NLRB offi pany's lawvrs filed a fat brief
the NLRB, which dispatched an
gelUd arrived at. a Philadelphia disputing me election.
attorney from Washington tf»v
I
TbiiisiSaeaaiiu'm
gpu alive.
�Friday. January 27, 19S0
T^E SEAFARERS LOG
Page Seren
fight the company's action. The the picture again, this time tak pany's position, citing the im terest, we believe that, apart closing the last avenue for in
writ was thrown out of coiirt ing advantage of an NLRB pro cooperative attitude of the com from other considerations, it ill tervention in the matter by
and the counting of the ballots vision allowing either party to pany, whereby extreme hard behooves the employer to file CTMA.
cast in the second Cities Service file objections to the conduct of ships were imposed on the Un objections stemming principally
election began. The^^SIU netted an election. On the fifth day, ion and the NLRB in the con from its own recalcitrance."
Cities Service submitted 19 ob duct of the voting.
89. percent of the vote.
The SIU immediately notified Thus, three years" and three
jections, terming the NLRB's The NLRB in New York for the company of its desire to be months later, the company, has
conduct "arbitrary, capricious, warded the company's objections gin anew negotiations for a col exhausted every legal means of
AprU 27. 1949
illegal and void."
and the SIU's report to Wash lective . "bargaining agreement, forestalling the SIU in i(s fleet,
Cities Service was back in The SIU contested the com ington for a decision. The Cities pointing out that all legal re and CTMA has been stopped
Service stall was successful, as quirements had been met by the cold in its attempt to worm into
it was four' months later on SIU and the Government had the case. The only road open to
August 19, 1949, before the disallowed the company's coim the company is to meet across
the bargaining table with the
ter claims.
NLRB denied the objections.
SIU and hammer out a contract
that wili bring to Cities Service
August 31. 1949
December 16, 1949
seamen the conditions, wages
Cities Service then took on a Cities Service pulled a switch and security that exist aboard
bit of legal double talk and came in its stalling act by pushing SrUcontracted taiikers. Every
back for another round. The CTMA into the fight. The com time the company has zigged,
company's attorneys compiled a" pany union petitioned the NLRB zagged and dbdge^ the SIU has
brief in which they listed "ex ^or certification as representative doggedly kept on its trail, re
ceptions to the objections," a of the seamen aboard the 7 sisting the company and CTMA's
stall they figiued was good for Cities Service ships voted in the every attempt to discourage the
SIU and keep the company's
another whirl.
first election.
tankermen from
an SIU contract
The SIU stepped forward and The NLRB, three days later,
represented its case, pointing denied the CTMA request, not The company's last maneuver
out the company's fiimsj'^ case ing that the SIU was the union has been exhaustecJ, It must now
was aimed solely at gaining ad for Cities Service employees, face the fact that the SIU is go
ditional time.
but gave the company union 10 ing to stay in the battle until
The NLRB took under conside days in which to ask for a re a contract is won, and if the
ration the company's "excep view of the matter by the na company insists upon delaying
tional office of the NLRB in the SIU and the Cities Service
tions."
seamen in their relentless drive
Washington.
for a contract, direct action will
December 2. .1949
be • employed. Should the Union
January 19, 1950
The National Labor Relations
and the seamen take steps to
Among the hundreds of victims ^ef the Cities Service Oil Board issued the certification for Having filed request for a re gain a contract through econ
Company's hysterical antiunion purge are Paul Coone (right). the nine ships voted nine months view of the Regional Director's omic action, it will be after
Oiler, and Anthony Garcia. Wiper, shown, here holding their earlier, and blasted the com denial of certification on 7 Cities having complied with every fa
SIU membership books. Both of these men were fired off the pany's "exceptions to objections" Service ships, CTMA was re cet of the law. Such a move
Royal Oak last June.
by stating, "In light of the em buffed again when the NLRB would have the complete sym
' , After sailing on the SIUcontracted Mankato' Victory ployer's refusal to cooperate refused to consider the matter, pathy of every person who i
Coone said that for the first time "J didn't have, to keepmy with an agency of the Govern notifying the company union whether in maritime "or hot —"
bag packed all fiie. time for fear ef being fired in the next, ment in carrying out its statu that the SIU was the union for has become acquainted with
port because of something the company didn't like .d30ut me." tory functions in the public in the company to deal with, thus the facts in the case.
• J
i
I
''• i I
i|
Intimidation, Mass Firing Key CS Poiicies
When the SIU laimched its or
tail of the application is scru
ganizing drive in the Cities Ser
This is the year 1950. and the Cities Ser charges filed by CS tankermen with the tinized and the jobseeker is
vice fleet and began accepting vice Oil Company'ConducSs its business op
crossexamined on every state
National Labor Relations Board.
pledges from unlicensed person
ment
he has made. This pro
nel designating the Union as col erations in the modern., ttlreamlined man
The conditions that gave rise to the CS cedure has a twofold purpose:
lective bargaining agent, the re ner. But its Marina Division, which trans
seamen's demand for representation by the (1) To keep men with proUnion
sponse was overwhelming. In a ports the company's oil products, persists in,
sentiment from boarding CS ves
matter of weeks, the SIU had treating its seamen employees in the .con SIU. and the reactionary company policies sels, and (2) to terrorize the
a sufficient number of pledges temptible fashion th^t American industry, of terror, intimidation and reprisals employ successful applicant to the point
to petition the National Labor
ed to prevent employeees from bargaining where he will not dare utter oi
Relations Board for a collective for the most part, has happily discarded in collectively are an indictment agaj^nst which indicate any proUnion leanings
bargaining election on the com the interests of efficipncy and peaceful la the company is defenseless.
when he does get on a Cities
pany's ships.
bormanagemeht relations.
Service tanker.
From the outset, the comnany Because of the antiquated labor policy of
The examples cited on this page are but If an applicant passes the
fought the wishes of its em the Marine Division, the company finds it a fragment of the injustices perpetrated by "screen test" a company official
ployees tooth and nail. Despite
takes him to the railroad station.
every company maneuver to pre
purchases his ticket, then tells
vent its tankermen from obtain age suits involving unfair labor practice oppression and unionBusiing.
him the name of the ship on
ing the badlyneeded advantages
of an SIU contract, the Cities "This Cities Service tanker to heat our own water to wash But every single condition on a
Service seamen have stuck
that I'm on is a good example or shave. In the Deck Depart Cities Service ship is consider
through thick and thin to their why tankermen need the ,SIU ment, there is only 'one tap that ably below the standard estab
conviction that the SIU was their to aid them in their fight for works on each of the basins pro
lished by the Union and effec
only way to better sailing.
better conditions aboard their vided. None of the foc'sles has tive on its contracted vessels.
a washstand but the Deck De
ships.
DIDN'T WORK
In fact since 1946, the condi
"Just to give you a clear pic partment is privileged, for the tions of employment on CS ships
Mass dismissals, intimidation,
ture of conditions I'll start with other departments have only one have become progressively worse.
favoritism became company pol
the foc'sle and work up from toilet and one washstand apiece. Conditions are bad, but what's
icies but none of these was suc
worse, a man dare not open his
UNFIT GRUB
cessful in swaying the tankermen there.
mouth
in even feeble protest.
from their intention to have the "Two watches and two deck "The stuff called grub is
The
company
attempts to invest
maintenance men are crowded
SIU represent them.
.strictly for
the
birds.
We brought
in
every
man
a
feeling of terror,
Why did Cities Service sea into one foc'sle. Each man has a lot of good stuff aboard but so that talk of unionization and
one small broken locker, and un
men flock to the SIU? Why are
we never see it. The Officers the SIU will be kept from the
they now more than ever de til 10 days after I joined the get orange juice every morning; shipxs.
ship we had no fan for the
termined to be representeJd by
foc'sle—and as the ship's side • we get water with a tinge of
'COLD WAR'
the SIU? The answer is simply
is all that is between the out orange juice every three days
that cohditions on Cities Service
When a man applies for a job
board blinks and the sea and or so.
tankers are rotten to the core,
in the
company office, he is gen
"They
were
only
setting
two
sky, the plating becomes ' a
beginning from the moment a
erally
told
"nothing doing, come
small
tables
for
the
crew
at first
frying pan from the Gulf Stream
GU Vila worked aboard Cit
seaman seeks a job' at the com
back
again."
This goes on for ies Service's S§ Fort Hoskins
but
I
got
ahold
of
the
Steward
sun, and like a refrigerator when
pany office in New York, until
we are in the North Atlantic. and this has been changed. The weeks and weeks, one of the for eight months and was
he pays off—or, as is more like
food is thrown at the crew on. purposes being to put the ap highly recommended by the
ly, until he is fired.
DIRTY LINEN
greasy tables and the coffee pot plicant into a state of despera Skipper for being "sober, re
tion. At that point the company liable and attentive to duty"
Back in November of 1946, "There are only half as many is more empty than full."
when Cities Service tankermen cots aboard as men and the Some of the sordid living con considers him to be less likely and worthy of reemployment.
began turning to^the SIU, life linen fs dirty and stained. It is ditions prevailing in the CS to do anything to jeopardize his But that didn't keep Vila from
aboard the company's ships was not changed weekly but at the fleet prior to the SIU organizing job, if and when he gets one. being fired from the same ship,
especially miserable.
Should the applicant be called commanded by the same Skip,
whim and will of the Utility campaign may have been cor
Here's a report, published in man. Soap is something that I rected, but only because the in for a job, he is subjected per a short time later. On CS
the LOG on Nov. 15, 1846, from haven't seen given out since I've company ^as frightened, by the to a gruelling screening ^fore ships no one is allowed to
overwhelming sentiment of its several top officials of the com even think conditions can be
Peter Davies, a CIS tankerman been aboard.
"In addition to this, we have personnel for SIU representation. pany's Marine Division. Each de betteired by a Union contract.
at that time:
/
.'S'V
^ ' • i'sa I
�EigU
Jtf
TUE SEAF A REUS L Q G
which he is to work and where
he is to board ft.
Once aboard the vessel, he
experiences the allaround rot
CITIE$ SERVICe OIL COMPANY
ten, abusive conditions that have
PROOUCCRS RCriNCRS
MRtWCTCRS CXPOI^RS
given rise do the present over
NEW YORK 5. N.Y.
whelming proSIU sentiment
SrVtNn tINI STIIII
throughout the Cities Service
fleet. •
Conditions, for example, like
those on the Lone Jack, when
Edgar Eddy lost his life because
S/S Council OroYO
of. lax preparation for foul wea
Portland, Ke.
ther and inadequate safety pre
Sopteaber 13, 1949
cautions. The Lone Jack left
New York on Aug. g9, 1948, United States Coast Guard
ydth no provisions made for se Bureau ^4lrine Inspection & Navigation
/
curing deck gear, although top
To Whom It May Concern
side had been warned of a hurri Dear
Sir:
cane sweeping the Atlantic sea
board. Two days out of port the
This will introduce Nr. Eugen XriatUnaen,
ship met the full fury of' the who at the present time is signed on this vessel
hurricane and all hell broke as Able Seaman.
loose.
OUT OF CRADLE
Mr. Kristiansen is desirous of obtaining a
Carpenter's endorsment on his Mariner's Document.
He is sober,reliable and competent; and I
fully recommend him for this additional endorsment.
Cities Service never had any
squawk about Roy Leo's work
as a Bosun on the SS Salem
Maritime. But the company
didn't like two things about
him: (1) He did not sign the
petition circulated on CS ships
to get CTMA, the company
"union," on the NLRB ballot;
(2) He was seen, by the Port
l^gineer in Harbor Island.
TOCM advising shipmates to
vote in the NLRB election. So
the conqtany fired him.
A letter from the Skipper of
the SS Archers Hope, recom:
mending Edward Bamberger, .
FWT. for reemployment' said
in part: "He has been at all
times sober and conscientious
and a credit to this ship . . .
Should he desire to rejoin this
vessel it is recommended that
he be reassigned as Oiler." A
few weeks after thaiL glowing,
endorsement, Bamberger got
the axe, with eight other pro
SIU men. for union activity.
The 125mileanhour wind
sent one of the lifeboats crash
' ing into the bulkhead of the
boat deck. Inspection revealed
that the boat was out of its
Very truly.
cradle and each time it swimg
back and forth it put bigger
dents in the bulkhead and the
boat.
The Mate then ordered the Bo
Robert A. Levy', Master
sun to turn the deck gang to
^S^Cgmaci^Cjrove^^^
on deck to secure the boat be
Eugen Kristiansen received this commendation from the
fore it smashed to bits. Appre
Skipper of the SS Council Grove shortly before he was fired
hensive, the deck crew never
theless accepted the order and after one year of efficient performance of duty. A company
moved out on the slippery deck "union" stooge named De Lello reported Kristiansen's proSIU
and made its way to the No. 1 sentiments to the company and his dismissal was then ordered
lifeboat. Edgar Eddy was making by tho "office or higher officials of the company."
his way along the outside of the
swinging boat when the ship Feb. 15, 1949, when the ship
pitched and the lifeboat swung stopped off at Braintree, Mass.
out from its moorings and knock The Port Steward met the ship.
ed him into the sea.
With him was anotheij Steward.
Under an SIU contract, condi Grant was told that he had been
tions like those surroimding the putting out too much clean linen
death of Eddy would not exist. and feeding the crew twice as
SIU crews can protest inadequate much as any other CS ship.
h\ •
safety precautions and can take Grant says, "When I asked him
steps to insure the safety of all what the crews were eating on
hands. To squawk about haz the other ships, he didn't answer,
it ards on Cities Service ships, but said the food would have to
means the end of emplojnnent be cut down.
»
,W: with the company.
Like the overwhelming ma
Richard Grant, Stewards
"I replied that I couldn't face
h'
jority of Cities Service sea
says: "For putting out clean
Another aspect of living on the men after feeding the lousy
men Edward Bobinsld believes sheets once a week and feed'
Cities Service ships that is far food. The Port Steward told me
that the rotten abuse, lack of ing the .crew to the best of my
below that enjoyed by SIU men that anyone who squawked
security and subUnion con
ability. I was fired from the
sailing on Union contracted ships about the quality or quantity of
ditions in the company's fleet Archers Hope, when the ship
is the food. Himdreds of stories the food would be fired. He
can bewiped out by genuine stopped off in Braintree. Mass..'
told by Cities Service tankermen wasn't talking to me any more.
trade union representation — on February 15. 1949." Grant i
in recent issues of the SEAFAR I was finished. He waved the
Eugen Kristiansen, AB, who repveaeotation by the SIU. For had also worked for the com
ERS LOG point up the insuf new Steward aboard.
Capt. R^>ert A. Levy of Cities holding this belief Bobinski pany aboard the SS Cantigny t
ficient stores on the tankers, and
"He had stopped me on a pre Service ship Council Grove was fired off fbe SS Cfctgrwa
ee
It 11 r
that thev have been ViAlnlgcc in
viuua
iJLUiu requisiuumug said was "sober, reliable and
on Oct. 22. 1949. He has un
these ships, he says, "food wtf '
correcting the condition.
fresh fruit, juices, and vege competent/' was fired never
fair charges pending against kept to a minimum and sec • '
tables. He had also warned me, theless after one year aboard CS.
INFESTED FLOUR
ends werenot allowed."
:
after I had been tturned down the ship. Kristiansen refused
'
'
*''•
Cities Service tankerman Rich three times, not to order milk
to
switch
his
affiliation
from
ard Adell tells of a typical situ again.
the SIU to,the company "un was just one sample of the kind this chiseling, there is absoluten
ation during a trip on the SS
"Every
item
of
food
was
kept
ion,"
despite warnings to of treatment all hands got ly nothing a man can do abou:^_
Government Camp:
aboard the rfiip. The Chief fired it—under present nonunion con
"When I first went abc»rd the to a minimum, and seconds were "wafcA your step" from CTMA one of the Wipers after calling ditions.
Govemme.^t Camp, the ship had not allowed. All this on a ship organiser Harvey Race.
him every profane name in the No grievance machinery exists^
just returned from an eight that was supposedly feeding
book, merely because he didn't
month trip and there ^ were a lot twice as well as the rest of the pipe which was to be placed like the Way ,a job was done. for the settling of such over
fleet.
I
can't
imagine
how
the
of crummy old stores laboard.
into a fitting. The First Engineer The Wiper , was, knofwn through time disputes. If any victiirt ,
other
crews
stay
alive.
They
1; "There were ovent 200 pounds
was standing below on the floor out the ship as a hard an^ dili squawks about the overtime pay •
must
bring
their
own
food
with
.of w^vilinfested flour, 14 cases
plates, gi^dng instructions to the gent worker. Overtime, says he was promised and then chisi/
oi practically rotten eggs—^very them," Grant concluded.
Machinist for guiding the pipe LBremer, was nonexistent. Fire led out of, he is fired—without
getting his money.
noticeable to the nostrils. The
CREW PETITION
into ifiace.
men were given cleaning sta
Steward told me^ 'The Health
CREW'S WORK
Conditions on the SS Bents "The Chief . Engineer came tions. They had to paint, sougee
Department Inspector has con
• Ti.;;;!;
and
chip—^without
overtime.
Another overtime chiseling
demned this flour and I'd like Fort got so bad last March that along. He cajled the Machinist,
telling him he had another job Few men come off Cities Ser tactic is for supervisors to do
I'
to throw it overboard with a lot the crew petitioned the Co^t
• V!'
for
him to do. The Machinist vice. ships with money received much of this work, which, on
of other stuff, but I've got to Guard in Boston to investigate
explained
that he couldn't move for overtime work. The company Union ships, is a crewman's job
wait until the Port Steward says the abusive treatment w'oich
because
he
was afraid of drop makes sure that overtime work On Cities Service ships, for exi
they charged created working
I should.'
ping
the
pipe
on the First En is done either in regular hours, ample. Stewards, like Hans Pe!
"Yet," continues AdeU, "I hazards. The entire Engine De
gineer.
or that the officers do it—or if dersen of the Archers Hope, will
know for a fact that these crum partment signed the petition and
the
Coast
Guard
promised
ac
no
other way exists, to .chisel do painting to deprive the mei%
my
old
stores
continued
to
be
m.'y '
LUCKY HRST
the men out of the money after from what is legitimately theiij
mr used. To the best of my knowl tionbut apparently did nothing.
work.
edge they were all used up, too. Warren P. Bremer, FWT on "The Chief insisted that his they have worked for it.
The point I'm trying to illustrate the Bents Fort from March 30 order be obeyed at once^" Bre
It is common for men in su V Work or tasks that on SIU
is that you could eat this stuff, imtil May 24, when he was flred mer continues. '"Drop what pervisoiy jobs on CS ships to ships are paid for at overtime
or go hungry—and do nothing for signing the petition, reported you're doing,' he said. The Ma promise the crewmen overtime rates, or double overtime, de^
one of the incidents that lead chinist had to let go of the pipe. for certain jobs. But at the pay pending on tfie nature of the
about it."
Fortunately, the First got out off they get nothing—the com job, are considered normal rpUr
to
the petition.
The effort made by Steward
iRichard Grant, who sailed for "During the third trip," Bre from under in the nick of time pany simply doesn't pay for it, tine to be performed during
over a year on three CS ships, mer states, "the Machinist was to see the pipe come crashing or the officer is afraid to even regular watches. Butterworthing.
to improve feeding on the Ar in the Engine room, standing up down."
put it down. Anyway, it isn't is practicar a daily job on
cher's Hojte cost him his job on on a grating while he held a Bremts: says that the incident paid. Despite the frequency of shipa and there's no extra paj^
I:
•
• Aj, • •
m
I
,1
i
^ 't
�Friday. January 27, 1850
THE SEAFARERS LOG
Page Nine
E.S:;
for it. On blU ships this is
overtime ]jfork.
On CS ships; supervisors and
company tavorities hog the tank
cleaning assignment, because it's
the rare opportunity to make an
extra dollar. They're paid for it
at straight pay. On SIU. ships,
tank cleanmg is paid for at
double, or triple overtime rates,
according to the type of fuel
carried in the tanks. In addi
tion, men on tank cleaning
aboard SIU ships get* $7.50 as
, dothing allowance to compen
sate for the damage to their
^ar in the course of the job.
What SIU Contract Means
To Cities Service Seamen
Cities Service seamen know for /the best wages and under
what they're fighting for.
the best working conditions in
They have endured the com the maritime industry. The kind
pany's vicious repressive tactics of food they eat, their rights will
throughout the past three years no longer be determirfed by the
because at the end of the battle whims of company stooges.
they stand to win. They know Everything will be Avritten down
what an SIU contract will bring in black and white. If there are
to the Cities Service fleet. Many any disputes over their treat
of them sailing on Unioncon ment, they wUl protest and use
tracted ships today have already the successful grievance machin
experienced the nightandday ery for settlement.
REIGN OF TERROR
difference 'btween the two ex
Wherever necessary, SIU rep
That the working ^conditions
tremes in conditions and wages. resentatives, operating out of
aboard Cities Service ships are
First off, in place of the Cities SIU Halls in every major port on
deplorable has been established
Service questionable hiring prac
the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific
without a flicker of doubt. But
tices, an SIU contract will as
coasts, wiU see to it that they re
far worse is the repressive at
sure them of nondiscriminatory ceive everything to which they
mosphere in which CS seamen
shipping. An SIU contract wiU
haVe to sweat out their voyages.
Inadequate safety preparaliosu resulted in the death of spell the end of favoritism and are entitled imder the contract.
No man dares open up his mouth seaman Edgar Eddy aboard the Cities Service tanker SS Lone blacklisting in the CS tanker For the first time. Cities Ser
in protest against any form of
vice seamen will get overtime
fleet.
abuse or unfair treatment. Even Jack in 1948. Eddy was swept overboard when ordered to
pay
for all overtime work, as is
Under an SIU contract, Cities
the most feeble suggestion that secure a poorly lashed lifeboat during a hurricane. Photo Service seamen will be working the case on all Unioncontracted
things inight be better is not above shows the Lone Jack'B No. 1 lifeboat after lashing down
ships.
tolerated.
had been completed. The bent was not restored to its cradle
Furthermore, Cities Service
* Freedom of expression and job .and was lashed in such a manner that it could not be freed
will directly participate in all
security are unknown on CS in an emergency.
matters affecting their economic
tankers, because of the reign of
welfare. They will discuss, pass
A Lone Jack crewmember pointed out that the imsafe
terror which is a matter of com
or reject, all rules governing
pany policy. A companyfostered conditions leading to Eddy's death would have been corrected
their o^ organization—without
spy system prevents any discus
if the crew had Union representation and thus been able to
interference from the company.
sion of shipboard conditions or call for remedial action before the ship left port.
They will elect their ovm offi
talk of imionism.
cials every year from among
their shipmates in secret ballot.
Length of service with the for re6mployment by the com resented by the Union of their
company adds up to nothing if a pany.
Under SIU contract. Cities Ser
own choosing—the SIU—so that
CS employee is even slightly But on Feb. 9; 1949, Vila was they may enjoy the same decent
vice men wiU have a newfoimd
suspected of having proUnion flred, from the same ship, com working conditions, wages and
freedom—job security. They wUl
sentiment.
not be plagued by the ccmstant
manded by the same Skipper, job security that are possible im
need to curry to company favor
John Sullivan was a Messman after the comply learned that der SIU contracts. They have
ites in order to keep their jobs.
foi^ four years aboard Cities Ser Vila had received a telegram comphed with the laws govern
The Union wiU see to_it that
vice ships—^until he was flred from the SIU notifying him of ing the selection of a bargaining
every one of their contractual
last spring from the Royal Oak the collective bargaining elec agent, and the official govern
rights and benefits is fully pro
after the ship was voted in the tion to be held in the fleet. Vila ment agency, the National Labor
NLlfe election in the' Port of had been on the Fort Hoskins Relations Board has polled them
tected.
Philadelphia.
and
found
that
the
overwhelm
There is not a single aspect
about eight months.
"You can't beat Cities Serv
ing majority want the SIU. The ice for the way it treats its of working aboard ship that wiU
Ever since the end of 1944,
SPY RING
SIU has consequently been cer seamen." says Richard Adell. not be improved by a Union con
when he first went to work for •
the company, "there had never The antiunion spy ring aboard tified as agent for the entire formerly of the Government tract and Cities Service men
been a complaint about my the Archer's Hope ended the fi^.
Camp. "You work, like I did. know it. That is why they have
work," Sullivan says. "There employment of Edward W. Bam
No legal or moral justification for the company for 8 V? so overwhelmingly decided on
wasn't a single log against me, berger, FWT, late. last winter. remains for continuance of the months, break your back try the SIU as the bargaining agent
or any other kind of black mark The Chief Engineer and the Sec rank, intolerable conditions pre ing to do the job right, never
Any doubts that might have
.On my record.
ond Assistant passed along to vailing on CS tankers. The men qet drunk, never miss work, existed on this score were wiped
"The Captain said 'he wanted the Skipper some statements want SIU representation and do everything that's asked of away by a comparison of con
to make an example of me.' made by Bamberger.
they must get it. When they do, you—and what happens? They ditions between those on Union
However, the Assistant Port "After months of soaking up another rotten period in mari fire you for what you believe contracted ships and those <HI
Steward for Cities Service in their ballyhoo about CTMA," time history will have been in." AdeU believes the SIU Cities Service vmorganized ves
*New ¥ork had been Steward on says Bamberger, "I told the En ended.
sels.
will help CS seamen.
the Abiqua when I was on her. gineers that there was no com
He and the Cook on the Ahiaua
JKnew I was interested in the SIU.
SIU.
•
"In my case they made no
pretense
as to the reason for my
The, Marine Division of the Cities Ser
The company has now exhausted every
OBVIOUS
ENOUGH
I
discharge — I had been found vice Oil Company has shaped a situation legal maneuver to prevent dealing with
"So," added Sullivan, "it seems guilty of praising the SIU."
fairly obvious why I was fired." Bamberger says that at the for which it alone must accept full re ij:s employees. Even the illegitimate com
Roy Brace, an AB on Cities payoff of the Archers Hope in sponsibility. In attempting to get the com pany "union," which it injected to extend
Service ships, made the fatal Camden at Petty's Island, near panyto enter collective bargaining nego the stalling, is now locked up legally and
jpistake of beefing to the Skip Camden, he was told that his tiations, the SIU has complied with the can do nothing further to block contract
jper about the food on the Gov services were no longer needed. letter of the law governing laborman discussions.
ftrnment Camp. The Mate gave "When I pressed him for de
If the SIU calls a strike against the
him his notice and told him he tails, he said 'You're a little bit agement relations. Twice the SIU petition
ed
the
National
Labor
Relations
Board
Cities Service
company it will be doing so
shouldn't have talked to the overly excited about union ac
for collective bargaining elections, after because the company has closed the door
jgkipper about chow. The Mate, tivities'."
JPeter Vierra, told Brace that Prior to his last trip on the Cities Service seamen expressed a desire on negotiations.
the company office had sent him Archers Hope, Bamberger re
for representation by the Union.
phe SIU will be striking against the
aboard to clean ship of all hands ceived a letter from the Skipper
Two elections were ordered and both company because of its refusal to comply
who had been aboard for a 'long recommending him for further
time." Brace had served a total employment. The letter said in times the SIU was overwhelmingly des with the provisions of the LaborManage
of 15 months on the Government part: "He has been at all times ignated as the choice of CS tankermen? ment Relations Act, enacted by the Con
Camp in 1948 and 1949 and had sober' and conscientious and a
As a result of the elections the SIU holds gress of the United States.
v
done a hitch on the Cantigny. credit to this ship . . . Should
two certification
orders, naming
it as
sole
Specifically,
the
strike
will
be
called in
Brace also tells how the Stew he desire to rejoin this vessel,
ard, a companysponsored man, it is recommended that he be collective bargaining agent for men pf protest of the company's refusal to recog
made rope rungs throughout the reassigned as Oiler."
the company's fleet.
mze the Union certified by the Govern
voyages, seldom going to the
The company filed objection after ob nient agency as representative of its em
NO END
* messhall, but never was cen
jection and exception after exception to ployees, and against the company's refusal
sured by the Skipper.
Testimony pointing up the de
to bargain collective V
the represen
On Dec. 21, 1948, Gil Vila, OS, plorable and belowUnioh stan the board's decisions throughout a three
received a glowing commenda dards aboard Cities Service ships year battle to stave off what any sound tative of these employees,
tion from Captain H. Flaniken, could be cited endles^y. They thinking management group would have
The Cities Service Oil Company has
master of the Cities Service have; been repeated so oRen that quickly accepted as jxist, legal and reason chosen to ignore the laws of this land
tanker Fort Hoskins. In a letter they estabhsh a definite pattern. able—collective '• bargaining relations with refusing to comply with the decisions of
to company agents, the Sk'pper Cities Service seamen are not
said that Vila had been "sober, crazy, nor do they want more its employees through the medium of their the National Labor Relations Board,
In effect. Cities Service will be calling
peliable and attentive to duty," than they are entitled to. All legally designated representative, in this
therefore was recommended they want is the right to be rep" case the SIU.
the strike agajnst itself.
If A Strike Comes
�'#»&^' AK^*7 ' a?^ /;!^''
1?TAU
vtoites
m^
CAor
TOTAL
V^UP
vbits
\foip
cmmim .VbTES
VOTES
VOTES
PE02EWTASE
30
63.6X
96
12
69.9%
251
42
POR
<SIU
'
piRsr
/yaSELECIlo*'
SEOCWP
AfifiBE/RTiCW
190
I6i
183
I
no
66
.» t,IK: *
5 '
*
TOTAliF?
371
293
„»
67
ASAlNSr
S./U
ft
I?
y; I
m
In the first National Labor Relations Boord eleetiott, con
ducted before the creation of CTMA (the company "union"),
only one vote was challenged by the Sill. None of the votes
was challenged by either the NLRB or the compony.
Ships voting in the first election, results of which were
announced on February 9, 1948, were:
The Unfop's overwhelming mafority in the second ballot
ing is especially sf^iflcant in view of the unusually large
number of votes that were chaHenged — 66 out of a totob
of 181, cast.
Because of the heavy vote cast in favor of the SIU, the
NLRB ruled tbat it was not even necessary to hold hearings
SS Abiqna, SS Cantigny, SS Chiwawa, SS French Creek, on the diaWenged ballots to decide the outcome. Even if
none of these questioned votes was registered in the Union's
SS Council Grove, S$ Logans Fort and SS Paoii.
The NLRB issued its order certifying the Sill os collective cdmnn, the results of the election would not have been alter
ed, ol^eugh ft is a certainty that the majority, if not all of
bargaining agent on May 24, 1948.
theni^ wiMild hove revealed a preference for the SSU,*os
In the second election, held after the creation of CTMA,
not one vote was challenged by the Union., AH of the 66 these company and NLRBchoHenged votes undoubtedly
ballots questioned were challenged either by the NLRB or would have followed the pattern set by their shipmates.
tfie compony.
Jn other words, even though well over onethird of the
entire
vote was chaHenged in the second election by the.
The ships involved in this election were:
company ^ the NLRB, the SIU stUI was far ahead, scoring
SS Archers Hope, SS Bents Fort, SS Bradford Island, SS the dihoxlng majority of 54.1 percent of the total votes
Fort Hoskinsh SS Government Camp, SS Lone Jack, SS Roycd ca$t —faicluding the 66 chaHenged and five void ballots.
Oak, SS Salem Maritime and SS Winter HUL
The National Labor Rdations Board cannot designate
The results of the second NLRB election were onnounceU g union as the winner of an election unless the union scores
on April 22, 1949, and the final certification order «ras issueil better than a 50 percent majority of the vaiid votes cost. As'^
by the government agency on December 2, 194P.
the figures prove, the SIU has mere than met this requirenlent.;
Of the approximately 500 jobs in the Cities Service Beet,
It is interesting to note that the evidence presented
more than 250 of the company's seamen have fHed unfair against the company in the five successful NMU cases was not
labor charges against the company in the space of a few
neOrfy ojiiJ strong ai even the weakest cases of the more thdtt^
months.
25() cdtts ponding i^inst the company today.
The startling fact about these pending unfair labor
' Quo of the conclusions that can be drawn from this sit,
chorges is that, even if the Cities Service Oil ^mpany had
agreed to an SIU contract when it was first requeMied,^ the uation IS fiiat the Cities Service seamen are not the only,
added cost to the company of a contract with the Secdofers victims of the Murine Division's unfair labor practices. The
would have been far less than the sum the company wlH company itself.. Is a victim of the antiunion policy it hos
eventuoHy have to pay for its antiunion fight, this wHI be effOOted.
denuMstrated if only a small percentage of thU unfair labor
Besides placing the company in the present Unfavorable
charges against CS is upheld by the National. Ldbor Rela
tions Board.
^ecUcament, the persons or "labor experts" advising CS
.Marine Division officials wHI be
responsible for the financial
There is ample precedent to sustain this estimate of
;soaking
the
company
wiH
gut
as
a result of the pending un
heavy costs to be borne by the company. In the earlier dfe«
pute between the Not^nal Maritime Union and the Cities Ser 'fair labor charges. The company can add this.to the cost of
vice OH Company's Marine Division, the NLRB he^ sbs? paying professionol unionbustOrs, whom these "^cperts" rec
cases of unfair labor charges filed by NMU nien ogdinul ommended be brought into the field to work against the SHL '
the company for antiunion activities. Of these slx^da^
The strange aspect of It all is thot the wouldbe profes
the charges^ five of the men were upheld by the govei^ sioiiai unioiibustars the compony has employed hove not oc^
mUnt Board.
. r
complifhedj the job they hove bm poid to do.
The compony was ordered to pay these men bocb wages
When the chi^ begin to falL it would be Interesting tb
and subslstenee for the time they spent on the beocb an o Be oround when the Murine IHvlsion ofUciuls of Cities Service
result of their , orfoifrary cHsmissals. In addition, the ^ard start expfcdning to the corporation and Its stockholders fust
ii:
mr: fsriM lihpf the men were to be reinstated to their fOrmer jofos^ exoctiy whtot happened* and how.
�January 27.1960
rifjs; SEAFARERS LOG
Maven
Minutes Of A&G Branch Meetings In Brief
Ndifolk business requesting a
SAN FRANCISCO—Chairman,
30day extension of shipping
W. McCuistion. 23138; Recording
cards. Tallying Committee's re
Secretary, Jeff Morrison, 34213;
port read and accepted. New
Reading Clerk, P. Robertson,
Business:
Motion defeated that
30148.
SHIPPED SHIPPED SHIPPED TOTAL
REG.
TOTAL
REG.
REG.
at
every
meeting,
after electing
Minutes of meetings in other
ENG.
STWDS.
REG.
. DECK
ENG.
STWDS. SHIPPED
DECK
PORT
a Chairman, Secretary and Read
ports accepted. Agent reported
24
6
6
. 8
5
2
11
14 ing Clerk, a Trial Committee, an
slow shipping during past weeks. Boston
80
91
434
83
,153
134
254
147
New
York.
excuse committee be elected.
Communication received from
74
22
12
• 27
24 t
15
49 Membership stood in silence for
' 23
crew of SS Bethore. Motion by Philadelphia
79
60
232
65
53
59
177 one minute in memory of Broth
93
Dore, 38091, carried, that the Baltimore.
120
27
7
7
7
49
21 ers lost at sea. Meeting adjovnn
1
44
Norfolk
"Negotiating Committee go after
22
V
56
6
3
"17
17
1
10
Savannah..
ed with 126 members present.
isthmian to sign the standard
11
9
34
12
14
11
37
.14
Tampa
......I
agreement, with emphasis on the
4 4 4
141
13
14
19
52
43
46
46
NEW YORK — Chairman, 1^
transportation clauses. Good aind Mobile
87
296
94
91
118
65
59
218 Gardner, 3697; Recording Secre'
Welfare: General discussion on New Orleans
37
18
23
78
10
11
16
37 lary, Freddie Stewart, 4W5;
Galveston.
particulars which should be in
34
29
95
20
39
32
18
77
West
Coast
Readily Clerk, C. Simmons, 219.
cluded in' agreement to be ne
gQtiated for the future. Meeting GRAND TOTAL
Minutes of all meetings held
577
502
505
1,584
306
302
332
940
adjourned with 38 membeis
in other ports accepted, except
present.
Norfolk, which was rejected IOT
to Rico be contacted by the SIU GALVESTON — Chairman, part of Norfolk New Business requesting a 30day extension of
t s.
SAVANNAH —Chairman, Jim representative there, and the set ,KeUh Alsop. 7311; Recording requesting 30day extension of shipping cards. New Business:
Rrawdy, 28523; Recording Sec up on quitting ships in the Is Secretary, J. Hammond, 24404; shipping cards. Agent Rentz re Motion by Aponte, 102075, car
retary, L. E. Hodges, 255; Read land be explained to the crews. Reading Clerk, R. Wilbnrn, ported slow shipping. Volimteers
who have aided the Grain and
ing Clerk, Jeff GiUette, 37060. The motion also called upon 33093.
~ Agent reported on the status Headquarters to explain the set Meetings of other Branches Mill Workers were thanked by
of shipping for the past two up through the airmail Bulletin. accepted as read. Agent, Patrol the Agent for their good work.
weeks and the prospects for the Good and Welfare: Retiring man and Dispatcher reported. Motion by Rentz, 26445, carried
future. Minutes of meetings held Agent Jim Drawdy thanked the Headquarters Tallying Commit unanimously, that the SIU do
in other ports accepted, except membership for their coopera tee's report accepted as read. nate $35 to the Grain and Mill
those of Norfolk, which called tion during his time in office, One minute of silence for Broth Workers, who are in tough
~Ior 30day extension of shipping and asked the members to give ers lost at sea. Meeting adjourn straits as a result of their long
strike. Meeting stood in silence ried, that Headquarters investi
cards. Headquarters Tallying the same cooperation to the new ed at 7:40.
for one minute for Brothers lost gate Ponce Cement Company on
4 4 4
Committee report accepted. Mo Agentr One minutes of silence
tion by Goude, 50999, carried, for members lost at sea. Meeting MOBILE—Chairman, J. Park at sea. Meeting adjourned with the mater of imemployment in
surance and see whether or not
that Headquarters be asked again adjourned with 80 members er; Recording Secretary, J. L. 400 members present.
the company is paying into the
Carroll,
50409;
Reading
Clerk,
to have all ships touching Puer present.
4 4 4
fund on wages earneed by its
Harold J. Fischer, 59.
PHILADELPHIA — Chairman,
Motions carried to accept min J. Sheehan, 306; Recording Sec seamen. Good and Welfare: Dis
utes of meetings held in other retary, G. Campbell, 34735; Read cussion on men missing ship.
Membership was strongly in
Branches. Agent" reported on the ing Clerk, A. Fusco, 42860.
favor
of strong action to curb
^shipping prospects f6r the com
Motions
carried
to
accept
min
practice.
ing two weeks. He also reported
4 4 4
on a meeting of 5, State Federa utes of Branches in other ports.
Agent's
verbal
report
accepted.
NEW
ORLEANS —Chairman.
tion Directors in connection with
C. Stephens, 76; Recording Sec
the fishermen recently brought
retary, H. Troxchiir, 6743; Read
into
the
SIU.'
The
Agent
con
ter,^ South Carolina at once. It
VINCENT CELLINI
ing
Clerk, Jack Parker, 27963.
cluded
his
report
with
comments
^et in touch with your sister, is very important.
Charges
against two men read.
on
the
status
of
the
Welfare
Mrs. Beatrice Schmidt, 1606
^44
Trial
Commitee
recommenda
Plan.
Tallying
Committee's
re
ANTONIO TEIXEIRA
Mifflin Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
tions
accepted.
Minutes
of meet
port
on
elections
accepted.
One
Your
wife
is
ill
and
asks
that
Tallying Committee's report read
'
t 4 t
ings
held
in
other
Branches
minuteof
silence
observed
for
you
write
her
at
once,
at
Azara
TED DYSON
and accepted. Trial Committee
^ Your gear is in the New York No. 10, Dept 4, Buenos Aires, Brothers lost at siea. Meeting ad elected to hear charges pending. read and accepted. Agent re
journed at 7:30 with 420 mem Meeting adjourned with 200 ported business in port as being
Republica Argentina.
baggage room.
in good shape, but shipping has
bers present.
members present
been slow. All hands were urged ji
4 4 4
PHILLIP SARKUS
4 4 4
to
register and vote in municipal II
TAMPA
—
Chairman,
R.
H.
Please get in touch wiih Frank
BOSTON—Chairman, S. Green elections. Good and Welfare:
Hall,
26060;
Recording
Secretary,
E. Guitson, 409 East 92 Street,
T. Tyre, 32746; Reading Clerk, ridge, 1863; Recording Secretary, Lengthy discussion on Cities Ser
New York City.
B. Lawson, 894; Reading Clerk, vice and the Union's successful*'
P. Carter, 48287.
» 4 *
fight to bring the case to a head.
Motions carried to accept min R. Lee, 47958.
MORRIS BERLOWIT2
Minutes
of
other
Branches
ac
Meeting
adjourned with 510
utes
of
meetings
held
in
other
"Please contact, or send money
A&G Shipping From Jon. 4 To Jon. 1$
T4..
1
.
~
•
rpnfpd
oYrer>t. that, onrtinn of memberg nrpserif
ed. Motion carried to accept Bal
SS DOROTHY
Saltimorc Hall, 14 N. Gay Street
loting Committee's report. Sec
The
following
crewmembers,
—Gosta Skyllberg."
retaryTreasurer's financial
re
who
paid
off
in
New
York
on
it 4 4.
January 23, received overpay port read and accepted. Meeting
AL FORQUE
Write to your old shipmate, ment. Get in touch with Pay adjourned after one minute of
ASST. SECRETARYTREASURERS
Harry Newton, 318 W. Laurel master, Bull Lines, 115 Broad silence for Brothers lost at sea.
SIU, A&G District
Robert Matthews
Lloyd Gardnor
Street, New York:
St., Compton 3, California.
4 4 4
Joseph Volpian
BALTIMORE
14 North Cay St.
NORFOLK
—
Chairman,
Ben
Douis Cambard, Bennie Craw
4; J; 4,
William Rentz, Agent
Mulberry 4S40
ford, Walter Hallett, Wm. Healy, Rees, 95; Recording Secretary, J. BOSTON
WM. grOHN DARCH
276 State St.
SUP
It is necessary for you to' com James Sealy, Phillip Snyder and Bullock, 4747; Reading Clerk, W. Ben Lawson, Agent Richmond 20140
Dispatcher
Richmond
20141
LaChance,
46127.
municate with Richard M. Can Leonard Toland.
HONOLULU
16 Merchant
308'/4—23rd St.
tor, 51 Chambers St., New York
Phone SSTTT
Headquarters Tallying Com GALVESTON
4 4 4
Keith Alsop, Agent
Phone 28448
Ill W. Bumsido St.
The following men have trans mittee's report read and accept LAKE CHARLES. La.... 1419 Ryan St. PORTLAND
N.Y. immediately.
Beacon 4S36
lk)rtation money waiting for ed. Charges against one member L. S. Johnston, Agent
4 4. at
.
RICHMOND, CaUf.
....257 5th St.
1 South Lawrence St.
them at the office of the Ponce read and a Trial Committee MOBILE
EDDIE
Phone 2599
Gal Tanner, Agent
Phone 21754
FRANCISCO
59 Oay St.
;,*T got off the ship. Write me Cement Co., Ponce, Puerto Rico:
NEW ORLEANS
323 Bienville St.
Douglas 28^3
c/o Leah. Everything okay: S. Crespo, R. Moran, A. Morel,"
E. Sheppard. Agent Magnolia 61126113
SEATTLE.
86 Smieca St.
R. Hestres, J. Cordero, F. Rom
NEW YORK
51 Beaver St.
Frank."
Main 0290
Joe
Algina,
Agent
HAnover
22784
bach, G. Rivera, L. Guatier and
4 at 4
WILMINGTON. .
440 Avalon Blvd.
NORFOLK
127129 Bank St.
L. Cabrera.
Terminal 4313^
ARTHUR W. CORNMAN
Beir Rees, Agent
Phone 41083
Your wife is anxious to hear
4 4 4
PHILADELPHIA
337 Market St.
Market 71635
from you at 2121 Eastlake Ave., SS THOMAS WOLFE (1946) elected. Resolution from the crew J. Sheehan, Agent
Canadian District
85 Third St.
The men listed below have of" the SS Bethore read. Com SAN FRANCISCO
Los Angeles 31, Calif.
404 Le Moyno St.
Jeff Morrison, Agent Douglas 25475 MONTREAL
won judgment of a month's munication requested that steps SAN
4 4 4
UNiversity 248T.
JUAN. PR
252 Ponce de Leon
WM. EDWARD THOMPSON^ wages. Contact Albert Michel be taken to improve the quan Ssl Colls, Agent
FORT W1LUAM..11SK Syndicate AM.
Ontario
Phone 3S22t
2 Abercorn St.
Write your mother at 542 son, 1650 Russ Building, 235 tity and quality of stores on Ore SAVANNAH
128
HoIUs St.
Phone 31728 HALIFAX
N.W, 10 St., Miami, Fla. She is Montgomery St., San Francisco, ships. Membership stood one Jim Drawdy, Agent
Phone 38911
SEATTLE
2700 l»t Ave.
"jiiinute in silence for lost Broth Wm. McKay, Agent
California:
worried about, you.
103 Durham St.
Seneca 4570 PORT COLBORNC
Herebert Bagley, George E. ers. Meeting adjourned with 120 TAMPA
4 4 4
' Phone SSSS"
18091811 N. Franklin St.
lllA Jarvia St.
Rodriquez, Joseph Hassler, Jr., members .present.
Ray White. Agent
Phone M.1323 TORONTO,'.....
ANTHONY CZECZEMSKI
WILMINGTON, Calif., 227 H Avalon Blvd.
Eliin S719
Contact jmur sister, Mrs. Fred Isaac L. Jones, Richard E. Hol
4 .4 4
VICTORIA, B.C
602 Boughtoa St.
E.
B.
Tilley,
Agent
"Terminal
42874,
Bell, 109 Prospect Ave., Buffalo, stein, James A. Knittles, Lee T. BALTIMORE — Chairman, A1 HEADQUARTERS.. 51 Beaver St.. N.Y.C.
Empire 4831
Devol, Raymond R. Carroll^ Jr., Stansbury. 4683; Recoiding S«c
N^ Y.
y .
VANCOUVER
565 Hamilton St.
SECRETARYTREASURER
PaciHc 7824
Franklin O. Miller, Raymond K lelary. G. A. Mastenon. 20997;
Paul HaU
ft ^
HEADQUARTi^
812
McGUl St.
DIRECTOR
OF
ORGANIZATION
Reading
Clerk
Rex
Dickey,
652.
SDV/ARD B. YOUNGSLOOD Schott, Troy W. GsmmelL Rob
Montreal
Plateau 67Q
Undsey WUliamil
Minutes
of
meetings
held
in
ert A.
allee, John S. Ilauser, Ted
Please contact your brother, T.
Doug Youngblood, Box 30,Sum Boling and Ronald F; Chandler. other ports accepted, except that
• i
Directory Of SIU Halls
�Page Twelve
I
T^y \
'^"'^1 wps^Tt^o|^
AFL Seafarers Union
Moving to Kick Out
Trotskyite Commies
Declares Both the Party and Splinter
Groups Are Dual and Hostile to SIU
t
Friday. Janiwry 27,4250
THE SEAFARERS LOG
SIU
K
UJ
e
New York Newspaper Highlights SIU Fight
Against Trotskyite Coaimie Disraptors
By NELSON FRANK,
WorldTelegram Staff Writer.
Action toward expelling Trot against the Communists among'
skyite Communists has been taken the membership.
by the APL's Seafarers Interna In the recent fracas at NMU
tional Union. Significant is the headquarters, all types of pro and
fact that the resolution adopted semiCommunists, including the
by the AFL union lists as one of real thing, were aligned against
the reasons for Its action the "dis the administration which finally
ruptive record on the waterfront removed 15 of them from office.
within the (CIO's National Marl Currently there are reports that
time Union) , . of theTrotsky Charles Keith, former head of the
'Communist part^ on the water
ites.
The NMU has charged that front who after being expelled
among the leaders who led the re first backed Curran and more re,
cent disturbance at its' head cently has led the fight against
quarters on W. 17th St. were sup^ him, is being tried for his part in
porters of the two Trotskyite the seizure of the NMU head
splinter • groups, the Sdtialist quarters.
Workers party and the Inde Mr. Keith Is expected to have
• charges against him presented to'
pendent Socialiist League.
By its action, the AFL union the membership at the next union
has gone further in opposition to membership meeting on Thursday
he radical political bodies than
he NMU which as yet has not
(From the Congressional Record)
ipelled out the names of its
'political opponents.
Oual and Hostile Body.'
anything from the past conflict.
proprietors served as' employment agen
Despite its failure to name
stability
of
this
Vital
indus
ciesTor equally ufiscruptuous shii^Wners.
Seafarers
International
Union
Communist splinter groups as
try, and the job security of the workers Crimps fleeced their seamenguests,
enemies, the NMU is expected to
'dependent upon it for their livelihoods—
sinking them deeper and deeper into
be officially on rkcord against the
EXTENSION OF REMARKS
and the
s
ecurity of the Nation—^is threat
debt, until they were forced to accept
Communist party this week when
OF
the results of a referendum on two
ened because of a serious shortcoming in one qf the jobs offered them a means
convention resolutions and a num
the TaftHartley law.
of getting out of debt. The seamen's
HON. ISIDORE DOLLINGER
ber of. proposed constitutional
Because of the ban on the closed shop,
wages were then used to pay off the debt
OF NEW
TORK
amendments are counted in union
the
existence
of
the
maritime
unions'
and,
In addition, the crimp received a
headquarters.
IN THE HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES hiring halls Is In jeopardy. If the view commission from
the shipowner. It was
Under the changes, introduced
Tuesday, January 17, 1950
of the lower courts is upheld by the a vicious cycle with the seamen never
at the union's convention last
September by supporters of NMU
Mr. DOLLINGER. Mr. Speaker, I re Supreme Court, the ban will not only getting any more than a sum necessary
President Joseph Curran, resolu
cently
availed myself of an invitation end the Current hiring hall procedure to dispose of his obligation to the crimp.
tions passed by the membership
Shanghaiing was an even more des
extended to all Members of Congress by with its democratic rotary system of
have the result of establishing
shipping,
it
will
destroy
the
maritime
picable method of supplying mqn to .^hips
the Seafarers International Union to
official union policy. One, that
visit their headquarters branch at 51 unions themselves, and all their hard in those days. < Manpower needs of a
NMU leaders declare they believe
has passed, names the Communist
Beaver Street, New York City. I was won gains in behalf of their seafaring shipowner were satisfied by coercing or
party as a body that is )dual and
kidnapping seamen by crimps and saloon
pleased to have the opportunity to see the members.
hostile to the NMU and its mem
It Is possible that failure to exempt the prcqirietors who would ply them' with
hiring hall
in action, and
to learn
what
bership.
: Paul Hall, secretarytreasurer of the At union hiring halls from the provisions drugs and liquor, and then hustle them
Like the resolution passed by
lantic and Gulf district, A1 Bernstein, of the TaftHartley law was due to a aboard ship.
the SIU, this will make it possible
The union hiring hall wiped out
their international representative, and lack of understanding on the part of
to bring members up on charges
many Members of Congress as to the na
crimps' halls
and shanghaiing, and the
others, are trying to accomplish.
that they are using their mcmbcr
hip in the interests of a political
I was convinced, that because of prob ture of the hiring hall and its manner of maritime industry is better off for it.
'party rather than for the good of
The union hiring hall also stepped up
lems peculiar to the maritime industry, operation.
the trade union.
As I saw it, the rotary hiring system is the efficiency and stability of the mer
the imion hiring halls have injected sta
The SIU, under the leadership
bility into the industry and have given the most equitable method of dispatch chant marine by ending the employment
of its Atlantic and Gulf Coast
to seafaring men a proper dignity and ing men to Jobs that has yet been de of "summer sailors," generally wellto
secretarytre'asurer, Paul Hall, has
consistently battled members of
. secarlty that was irxipossible under the vised, with seamen registering, for Jobs do college students with connections who
as they come off the ships and then being were pushed through Coast Guard quali
the Communist party and ousted
previous hiring practices.
hem from the union.
Because I was so impressed with what dispatched on a firstcome, firstserved fication tests so that they could go to
'Enemies of Union.'
sea for a few months as a lark. As a
I learned during my visit, I wish to "take basis.
Under the rotary hiring system, sea rftCHK: nf t.hls nrnntl/'a
Now it has stated
that both the
this opportunity to report t,n mv cnU
11
leagues on my.experiences, and to give "juuTu wxiu xxavc uccu ibsued cercmcates oy who made a career of sailing and whose
declared* dual and hostile to
them the facts which were ma^e availa the United States Coast Guard testifying families were dependent upon them for
best interests of the SXU.
to their qualiflcatior s to sail in their par sustenance were deprived of employment
ble to me.
The resolution states that be
ticular
ratlng.s obtain jobs fairly and opportunities. They were forced to sit
cause of their "blind following of
Woi'ld War II proved conclusively that squarely.
When a man want^ employ on the beach until these parttime sail
the antitrade union theory advo
a large, strong, and efficient merchant ment, he registers
cated by Lenin and Trotsky we go
at the union hiring ors went back to school.
marine is absolutely essential to our hall, where he is issued
on record here to deal with the
a shipping card
The union hiring hall not only pro,
national security. Were it not for the bearing the date of his registration.
supporters of these unionbusting
vides
fair treatment for the seamen,^
groups individually and collec1
fact that we were able to keep our ships As jobs come in, they are posted on the
it has resulted in considerable advantage
tively as enemies of our union as
[sailing when the vessels of our allies vir shipping board, listing the vessels, their
well as enemies of all American
tually had been destroyed, it is not im destinations and other pertinent data. to the^ shipowners themselves, for with
seamen . . ."
probable that years would have been In addition, the dispatcher calls out the the innovation of union hiring^ came a
Further. It declares that "any
added to the conflict. In fact, victory available jobs and those men who are stability that the industry never before
meniber of theSlU who is a mem
enjoyed.
might not have been ours.
ber of, contributes to or as a fel
qualified and wish to apply throw in
The Seafarers International Union
low traveler knowingly follows the
It is important here to remember that their cards. Of those throwing in, the maintains—and apparently without con
policies of (the CP and SWP) be
'the hiring hall was the backbone in men with the oldest cards, or those who tradiction—that the end product of a|
declared an enemy of the SIU and
keeping the sihips crewed and moving in have been on the "belteh"—unem strong union an4 the democratically ad
' be made to stand charges and if
wartime to all theaters of operation.
found guilty to be expelled from
ployed—the longest, get the Jobs. No. ministered system of rotary shippingJs
I the union ..."
The merchant marine has properly one is compelled to take any employ a membership that is conscientious and
The SIU declares that "while
been called our second line of defense ment. If an eligible seaman does not fully cognizant of its,^esponsibiUtles as
.the powers granted the hnion
by those who shouldered the responsibil want a particular Job. he simply does not an important part of an important in
I under the resolution have not been
ity for the successful prosecution' of our throw in for it. He merely waits for one • dustry.
[invoked to date,the union expects
I to swing into action against
.war effort. Just as we must maintain an more.^to his liking to be called out. The
The Seafarers point out furthec that;
'known offenders soon."
^Army and Navy strong, enough to meet date of his registration mid the fact that the destruction of the union hiring hall
Some Split With Curran.
any emergency, so must we take the he is qualified are the only considera would wipe out many hardwon gains
Within the NMU, a member of
necessary steps to insure Ihe continued tions determining his right to the Job.
realized by organized seamen over the
[the orietime supporters of the
efficient functioning of our merchant I spoke with Paul HaH, secretary past 10 years, and chaos, confusion and
'present administration have been
fieet. We should take no false comfort treasurer of the Atlantic and Gulf dts all the sordid conditions that aire now
• Trotskyites who left the, SJU to
In the thought that Allied Nations are 'trlct, and with his members of the SIU, part of an Inglorious history would re^
join the CIO union when the
rebuilding their maritime industries, and their sentiment in favor of this dem turn. And there Is sound basis for this
I Curran forces were battling the
' Commupist" leadership.
Constantly changing political alinements iocratlc system of obtaining ^ Jobs was prediction.
'Although they made common
r mean that the ally of today might well be i overwhelming. The older seafarers were
The Congress of the United States can
! cause with Cunan to oust the
the eneny of
tomorrow.
especially vigorous In their appi'oval an(^
act to avert
such a calamity. I believe
[communists from official posi
There is no question that the highly in no uncertain terms they denounced all legislators share with me. the desire
l tions, they split with him over the
successful operation of our merchant the'degrading crimp halls, and the to see our Nation move forward, not
of
marine during the war was duetto the shanghaiing methods that prevailed in backward. I believe, therefore, that it
stability achieved in the maritime indus the industry before the* advent of the is incumbent upon us to exempt the
try over the past years. That stability union hiring hall.
maritime unions'trom the closed shop
should not be threatened, unle.ss we are Crimp halls were generally seamen's ban. It Is In the seamen's, the indus
foolhardy enough not to have learned jerding houses, whose unscrupulous try's, and Nation's interest that
do so. •
Congressman Dollinger Says Hiring Haii
Gives Men Sesurity^ Stahilizes Industry
M
�
Dublin Core
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Title
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Seafarers Log Issues 1950-1959
Description
An account of the resource
Volumes XII-XXI of the Seafarers Log
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Seafarers International Union of North America
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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January 27, 1950
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Seafarers Log
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Newsprint
Identifier
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Vol. XII, No. 2
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Paul Hall Maritime Library Microfilm 1939-1993
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Text
Description
An account of the resource
Headlines:
NLRB PUTS CRUSHER ON CTMA'S DESPERATE BID FOR RECOGNITION
DOING SIU JOB MEANS MORE JOBS FOR THE SIU
SEVEN MORE SIGN WELFARE PLAN; OTHERS INDICATE FULL AGREEMENT
CENSUS BUREAU TO COUNT SEAMEN ON SHIPS
A HOUSE DIVIDED
THE CITIES SERVICE STORY
INTIMIDATION, MASS FIRING KEY CS POLICIES
WHAT SIU CONTRACT MEANS TO CITIES SERVICE SEAMEN
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1/27/1950
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Seafarers International Union of North America
1950
Periodicals
Seafarers Log