Memorandum, Notes on Meeting with Industry Group

Meeting With Industry Group 10:50 A. M. Dr. Steelman and Mr. Stowe met with the industry group and at the outset Dr. Steelman advised the industry members that he and Mr. Stowe had been discussing with the union representative the situation in the mills and what might be done to insure continued production. Dr. Steelman informed the industry representatives who again consisted of all the presidents of the companies and Mr. Stephens that Mr. Murray was anxious to have a joint conference. Mr. Fairless indicated that there was no use having this group of presidents meeting with the union since a competent negotiating committee was standing by and was ready to negotiate if Mr. Murray wanted to do so. He further indicated. "we just aren't going to negotiate on the union shop and that is the only issue". After e. brief discussion, it became clear that the industry was directing its efforts toward ending the nogotiations with a view to leaving the union shop as the fundamental reason for the breakdown. Dr. Steelman pointed out that there were a number of other issues such as Sunday overtime, retroectivity, local practices, and vacation pay. The positions of either management or labor on these issues were not clear and there seomed to be a number of issues on which there was room for bargaining. He consequently stated that he could not see any justification for the position that the union shop was the only issue.