Boxoffice-May.29.1948

I
Aid
,
BUFFALO—Sheas
'
1
the
I
I
I
I
I
UA Ends Union Talks
Over the Red Issue
NEW YORK—United Artists has broken
off contract negotiations with SOPEG on the
ground that union officials have not signed
non-Conimunist affidavits or submitted a
financial statement as required by the Taft-
Hartley law. Negotiations had been in progress
since May 6, and the union had asked
for a 25 per cent increase. The present pact,
covering home office workers, will expire
May 31.
This is the first time any of the film companies
has severed relations with a union
over the Taft-Hartley law. SOPEG pacts
with the other companies do not expire until
next September and November.
USE PRESENT CONTRACT
In a statement to its employes, AU said
that the provisions of the present SOPEG
contract will be maintained. The company
will resiune talks with SOPEG only if its
officers comply with the Taft-Hartley law.
UA declared that it is unthinkable for an
American corporation to enter into a contract
w-ith any group who will not state "I
am not Communist." It pointed out that the
American government is worried over its relations
with Russia and with fifth column
activities of Communists.
If SOPEG officials do not sign, UA will
negotiate a contract with a new tuiion established
by the home office workers now represented
by SOPEG, or any other union
selected by the employes, if that union complies
with the law.
There is little chance that SOPEG officers
will sign. The position of the parent union,
United Office & Professional Workers of
America, CIO. is against signing. At the
March convention the union established this
policy. It also voted not to use the NLRB.