Miami Labor Citizen

True To Form, Local Dailies Distort The Facts In Carpenters Dispute

FOLLOWING dailies have consistently refused to give both sides of the question their usual method of baiting and discrediting labor whenever in possible, the current strike of some 1,500 to 1,800 of the 6,500 members of the Carpenters District Council in this area.

Much has been said of a reputed agreement, and an injunction is being sought by the South Florida Chapter Associated General Contractors of America, Inc., and the Builders Association of South Florida.

Under this agreement, as under all existing agreements made since the inception of the Taft-Hartley law, a clause called the 60-day clause plainly states that either party to the agreement can open same for wages by giving notice 60 days previous to the time of the expiration.

From an authoritative source it was learned that notice was given the employers association back in July that due to the fact that living costs were much higher, the Council would seek an increase in pay for their members.

All sections of the agreement have been adhered to, the daily press to the contrary notwithstanding.

Further, in their attempt to discredit the union and influence the general public against the carpenters, the press failed to state that in all cases where contracts were in effect prior to the time of this notification, the men would continue on the job and protect the contractors until such contracts were consummated.

Much has been said about the amount of increase - nothing about the increased cost of living, which has been established at an all-time peak by the U. S. Labor Department.