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Show STEEL STRIKE? Not if the CIO abides by its pledged word, given only last spring. Question: What would be the general effect on the country of a steel strike? Answer: Over 40 per cent of the factory workers in the country earn their living by making steel into useful of the steel products for American life. A shut-dow- n industry would be a disastrous blow to reconversion and would cause a serious loss in both wages and industrial production at a time when they were most needed. Question: Is it true that the Steelworkers Union has pledged itself not to strike? Answer: Yes. Every contract which the Union has signed this year with the various steel companies has a clause wherein the Union agrees not to strike during the life of the contract. Question: to run until October, 1946. Question: Question: Did the recent strike vote violate the tracts? Answrer: No. Only an actual strike would violate them. Question: Havent there been strikes already during the life of the contracts? Yes. There were 998 strikes in steel plants during the past year alone. They were mostly local strikes which the Union characterizes as wildcat, but they meant a big loss in production. Answer: Question: Does the end of the war justify changing Who signed for the Union? Its international officials Phillip Murray, Van Bittner, Clinton Golden and others and the local Union heads at the various plants. Answer: No. The bond was sealed on both sides and should be kept whether times be good or bad. The steel companies are continuing to live up to these agreements. If a strike is called, it will be in clear violation of the existing contracts. Question: Is there no escape clause by which either side could end the agreements? pressed here for bargining purposes. contract and got it. Why did they want a long-ter- m 4 1 J It represents strike in the face of existing contracts would shatter any confidence in the validity of union agreements in A contract? the steel industry. Answer: In the Unions own words before the War Labor Board, The Unions request for a termination American Iron and Steel Institute 350 Fifth Avenue, New' York 1, X. Y. OUR COMPANY MEMBERS EMPLOY 95 PERCENT OF TIIE WORKERS IN TIIE STEEL INDUSTRY. wp the contracts? Answer: Question: con- Are those contracts still in effect? Yes. They were signed in the spring of 1945 Answer: date of October, 1946, is not made capriciously or pressed here for bargaining purposes. It represents the considered view of the Union that only such a term will adequately serve the needs of stability. ;"3 i |