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Show WWXi-... jGuuu DuuuuuuD 0 Not of fifoe CD aWes by ife pledged werdl, goveini oitdOv last sppoinig. Question: What would be the general effect on the tion date of October, 1946, is not made capriciously country of a steel strike? or pressed here for bargaining purposes. It repre- . . , - , scuts' the considered view of the Union that only Answer: Over 40 per cent of all the factory workers in sucn a term will adequately serve the needs of st- the country earn their living by making steel into ability." useful products for American life. A shut-down of J . the steel industry would be a disastrous blew to reconversion re-conversion and would cause a serious loss in both wages and industrial production at'a time when they Question: Did the recent strike vote violate the con-were con-were most needed, tracts? Answer: No. Only an actual strike would violate them. Question: Is it true that the steel workers Union has pledged itself not to strike? , Answer: Yes. Every contract which the Union has sign- Question: Haven't there been strikes already during ed this year with the various steel companies has a the life of the contracts? clause wherein the Union agrees not to strike during dur-ing the life of the contract. Answer: Yes. There were 998 strikes in steel plants - during the past year alone. They were mostly local strikes which the Union characterizes as "wildcat" Question: Are those contracts still in effect? hut they meant a big loss in production. Answer: Yes. They were signed in the spring of 1945 . to run until October, 1946. , Question: Does the end of the war justify changing the contracts? , Question: Who signed for the Union? Answer: No. The bond was sealed on both sides and Answer: Its international officials Philip Murray, should be kept whether times be good or bad. The Van Bittner, Clinton Golden and others and the steel companies are continuing to live up to these local Union heads at the various plants. 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? Answer: No. -The Union demanded a fixed, long-term A siriVe in the face of existing contracts would shatter contract and got it. - ; - ' ' any confidence in the validity of union agreements in A . i I.- the steel industry. Question: Why did they want a long-term contract? Answer: In the Union's own words before the War Labor La-bor Board, "The Union's request for the termina- American Iron and Steel Institute 350 Fifth Avenue, New York 1, N. Y. OUR COMPANY MEMBERS EMPLOY 95 PER CENT OF THE WORKERS IN THE STEEL INDUSTRY ( |