The Potters Herald

AFL, CIO Organize A-Bomb Workers

Oak Ridge, Tenn. (FP)—Men and women who helped build the atomic bomb will go to the polls soon in this army-dominated city to vote in an NLRB election on whether they want to be represented in collective bargaining by a labor union.

The AFL and CIO are conducting intensive organizing drives under conditions unlike those ever encountered before by union officials. Organizers have to obtain special "labor" passes from the army. They are not allowed to engage in house-to-house solicitation. They are permitted to hold meetings only under conditions specified by the army.

Until a short time ago the army would not permit distribution of printed material inside Oak Ridge without first approving it. Then a ban was placed on distribution by organizers of printed material at the gates of production areas. This ban was later removed.

Under an agreement between President Roosevelt and the heads of the AFL and CIO, no union organizing work was done at Oak Ridge during the war. After the fighting ended the War Department relaxed security restrictions and told the unions they could attempt organization here under certain restrictions.

The AFL and CIO then moved organizers into Oak Ridge and began their campaigns. Although both labor groups have large staffs here, much of the actual signing-up of members is being done by volunteer organizers who are residents of Oak Ridge. These people came here from all parts of the nation and many of them formerly were union members.

Both AFL and CIO intend to send in additional organizers between now and the election, expected within a month.