pa1778data.pdf

U.S. STEEL DUQUESNE WORKS
HAER No. PA-115
(Page 39)
Although the series of meetings described above gave union
and management representatives a forum in which to present their
views of the problems associated with craft work assignments, it
did little to resolve the growing dispute. As a result, tensions
between the two groups smoldered through the winter and spring of
1959. Finally, on May 21, the dispute reached a crisis point
when management eliminated the regular work assignments of the
three pipefitters in the bar mills. Pipefitter mill-wide
responded to this action by walking off the job. They were soon
joined by the works' riggers and welders. All in all, 340
craftworkers participated in the wildcat strike which ended on
May 2 3 under an arrangement whereby management agreed to meet
with union representatives and some of the men involved in the
strike to discuss their complaints. The results of this meeting
only continued the stalemate as management asserted its exclusive
right to assign pipe shop employees when and where necessary.
Union officials, moreover, were instructed to follow regular
grievance procedures if they wished to contest the issue.
During the strike and its aftermath, company officials took
elaborate steps to identify and punish the leaders of the
walkout. They photographed all pickets, took depositions from
lower level managers who were directly responsible for assigning
work to the striking craftsmen, and compiled detailed dossiers on
workmen identified as strike leaders. Company officials then
proceeded to develop a coordinated strategy from which they could
confront the union local's leadership and the strike leaders.
Speaking in generalities, management notified union
representatives and the alleged strike leaders that they had
overwhelming evidence implicating the accused of orchestrating a
walkout and suggested that the men involved confess to their role
in the affair if they wished to avoid the sternest punishment.
As a result, the men in question, Edward Hunt, Henry Harff, and
Edward Revak, admitted to leading the strike in return for a
lengthy suspension from work without pay. 52
52 Pipe Fitter Work Stoppage (May 21, 1959); Events Leading to
Walk-Out - Thursday, May 21, 1959; Pipefitter Strike Log (May 21,
1959); Strike or Work stoppage Report - Form A (June 4, 1959);
Memorandum of Meeting With Maintenance Shops & Gangs (June 9,
1959) ; Photographs of Pickets During Pipefitters Strike of May,
1959; Dossiers of Edward B. Hunt, Henry Harff, and Edward Revak;
Proposed Procedure With Respect To The Discipline In Connection
With The Pipefitter Work Stoppage (May 27, 1959); Memorandum Of
Meeting With Union On Pipefitter Strike Disciplinary Action (May
28, 1959); Letter from J. Warren Shaver, Assistant Vice President
of Industrial Relations for the United States Steel Corporation to
Paul M. Hilbert, Director, District Fifteen, United Steelworkers of
America (June 16, 1959) . All documents are in the Industrial