Marion Progress

Union Charges Marion Plant Is Unfair To Labor

Winston-Salem, July 26--Union charges of unfair labor practices were brought today against the Drexel Furniture company at Marion.

The charges were filed with the NLRB by the Upholsters' International Union of North America, AFL, which has been in controversy with the company for some time over organizing efforts at the firm.

Alleged violence in Marion was the subject of two recent SBI investigations. Following the first the union complained that the agents talked only with management and Governor W. Kerr Scott directed a second investigation.

The union has applied for an election to determine if it should represent the employees of the company in Marion.

A hearing into the union's application for an election was held last week, with the International Woodworkers of America, CIO, intervening.

The case is now in Washington for a decision.

After the hearing, NLRB officials here said, the Upholsterers' union said it would agree to a bargaining unit the company has insisted on--the inclusion of its employees in Drexel and Morganton, as well as in Marion. The company agreed to the unit for a consent election, if the union would drop all charges. The union's action today in filing charges apparently nullified this tentative agreement.