The Union Times

Anti-Petrillo Bill Aiming At All Labor Unions
Lea Measure Threatens The Very Essence Of Trade Unionism, Says Feinberg
NEW YORK (FP) Every labor leader in the country must appeal to President Truman to veto the Lea anti-Petrillo bill, Secretary William Feinberg of Local 802, biggest local in the American Federation of Musicians (AFL), said here April 7.

"This is not only a problem of musicians," he warned. "The Lea bill threatens the very essence of trade unionism in this country."

Would Bar Strikes
The bill would make it illegal for the union to complain of over-heavy work loads, to ask for more than one payment for service "performed in broadcasting," and to strike or use other "coercive means," which might be interpreted to bar distribution of pamphlets or publishing of ads, Feinberg said.

"These attacks upon labor's hard-won bill of rights, although apparently concentrated against the bogey-man, Mr. Petrillo, and his poor, beknighted union members will immediately-if the bill is passed--apply to all other radio craft actors, technicians, writers, directors, etc.," he asserted. "Now would it be very long before similar legislation were drafted to answer the demands of reactionary employers in other fields?"

The AFM must spearhead the fight against the Lea bill, he said, by exposing "the phoniness of the anti-Petrillo legend which has so carefully been built up by labor's enemies."

As The Union Times went to press, it was announced that Pres. Truman had signed the Lea Bill.