Memorandum on Westinghouse Employment Situation

I have just returned from a conference with Mr. J. A. Flynn, Business Representative of Local 106, UREMW, who informed me that the union will not accept any responsibility for what happens if Mr. Robert Sharp, 112 N. Ruby Street, is restored to his position as a trainee in the Westinghouse shop. Mr. Flynn, admitting that he realized that the President’s Order 8802 forbade discrimination of this kind, asserted that he thought I was just sticking my neck into a lot of trouble and that there would be violence if Mr. Sharp returned to work. I informed him that if there was any violence I would personally ask for the arrest and prosecution of anyone guilty. He then said that maybe there would not be any violence but that the men would certainly walk out. I stated that there would be ways of handling that too.¹

Under the circumstances, I could insist that Mr. Sharp be returned to his job, but I feel that before this is done there should be some action taken from Washington to see that the union accept its responsibilities in the situation. From the stories told by Mr. J. C. Morgan, Director of Industrial Relations, and Mr. Flynn, I feel that the two have gotten together and precipitated this issue now facing us.

Briefly summarized, the situation before us is as follows: Mr. Sharp was started on the job, Monday, January 26. Tuesday I received word from him that he had been laid off because the men at the plant did not consider him popular. Mr. Sharp said he was told this by a Mr. Smith and a Mr. Moore, who are plant officials. He said that he did not have any trouble. Immediately, I called Mr. J. C. Morgan and asked for his version of what happened. He stated that a number of persons had objected to Sharp and that one of them, a trainee, had said he would throw Sharp over a balcony if he continued to work. Mr. Morgan said that other persons had heard about Sharp and that they wanted to have a union meeting on the subject of his employment. According to Mr. Morgan, Mr. Flynn refused to have this meeting. (This was verified by Mr. Flynn.) I then asked Mr. Morgan for the names of the persons who led the agitation. He stated that he did not know who these persons were. (Mr. Flynn also denied knowing who the people were, but said he could have their names by Friday.) Mr. Morgan said he had taken the matter up with Mr. William W. Bardsley, Chr. of the Labor Supply Committee. I had a conference with Mr. Bardsley and informed him that I believed that the situation was arranged. Mr. Wesley Dee, Mr. Bardsley’s assistant, expressed agreement with my point of view[.] I suggested that Mr. James P. Casey, Labor Representative, accompany me to Mr. Morgan’s office to attempt to remedy the situation. Mr. Bardsley suggested that we also take along Mr. L. B. F. Raycroft, Management Representative on the Labor Supply Committee. He was unable to reach Mr. Raycroft, however, and I suggested that he call Commander Robinson, Naval representative on the Labor Supply Committee, to check with the plant and determine through the naval inspector stationed there whether there had been any trouble. Mr. Bardsley was unable to reach the Commander. Mr. Casey was unable to go with me because of another appointment so I confined myself to a conference with Mr. Flynn.

I shall be available for any instructions at the office. The telephone is Rittenhouse 6730.