◆ SpookStack

5. Decline of Progressive Mpe Workers Dnion Subsequent to Novsmber 6, 1939 As indicated abows, evidanes bss been obtainsd to indicate tbst. favoritism was oaployed in hiring Uw mombers in preferece to Puw mesbers by Oscar Falcetti, Superintemdent of the Mine, at ths time it reopened on. Novaaber 6, l939. Also, it was indicated above that Elshoff snd Falcatti allowed tbe tur Onion to orgsniss on the premises during tho workdng bours, but the sase privilege was danied ths Pix Union. Urder these circumstances the Ow Union constantly gained in seabarship, and after the middl. of l/0, both Klshoff and the Oi Union cbsnged their Iormer attitude and indicated they dasired the NiRb to bold mnother election to determins ths bargaining agency for Hine B. The Nirb beld an slection to dotermine the bargaining agency on February 2l, l94l, with the rosult that the tw won the collectiw bargaining rights by a vote or 259 to l08. On March 6, l94l, the NIRB csrti-- fied the Uuw as the bargaining agent at Mine B. On March i4, l94l, just eight days later, Elahoff signed s closed contract with the ln, having accouplished. Md 9q? yatm op o7 pomger pwq aq 7eqm uotum Joqet 7oq? yatm sAep w8go uy Union. A majority of the miners caployed in Mine B on May ll, l937, bave been interviewed and a substantial -jority of tbose interviawed indicated - present preference far the Piw Union and stated that they voted,for the t Union at the last NlRn election on February 2l, l94l, because they boliered, in. light of past axperience, that in order to b. able to work they bad to belong to the Uow Daion, it being cloar that Mshoff would not sign & contract of ary Sort with the Pun Union. This wonld indicate that a great many wployees at. Mine B in I937 were aware that they had suffered a daprivation of thsir rights,. which it will andoubtedly bs necessary to shos in the trial of this case. F.Mne I Transaction On September 2, 194l, subject Elshoff purchased Mine for $60,o00. L3 Nine A is adfa-- cont to ine B and was olnod by William H. Ayan. wnop s Apod at the time of the sale. Prior to the opening of Kine A, rumors were prevalent that Elshoff would naver reopen the Mine unless ths -ployees changed Trom tbe. Puy Union to the Uun Onion. Tbe mployees did affiliate with the Dl. and Elshoff innediately opened Mine A.. A majority of the ouployees of Mine A in l94l have been interviewed in connection with this investigation, and a substantial majority indicated that they voted to change Union affiliation to the U believing that it wes the only way to hold their jobs and keep Mine A in operation, in view of the fact that Elshoff had purchased tbe Mine with Us monay. In this connection it is interesting to note tbat William H. Ryan