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President - Meetings Labor (3)
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President - Meetings Labor (3)
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Philip W. Buchen Files
Philip Buchen's General Subject Files
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The original documents are located in Box 47, folder "President - Meetings Labor (3)" of
the Philip Buchen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
ARNOLD R. MILLER
PRESIDENT, UNITED MINE WORKERS
OF AMERICA
FORD is LIBRARY OFRALD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 17, 1974
MEMO TO:
KEN COLE
FROM:
MIKE DUVAL
Attached is a copy of the Q & A on the coal dispute
for the President and Jerry terHorst.
On Monday we will have a Schedule Proposal for the
President to meet with the coal operators and the
Union leadership. The meeting probably should take
place just after the memorial shutdown and its purpose
will be to get negotiations started.
cc:
Phil Buchen
John Carlson
Frank Zarb
COAL STRIKE
Question:
United Mine Workers will go out on a memorial five-day
shutdown beginning Monday. This is only a prelude to the
threatened national shutdown when their contract with the
coal operators expires on November 12. We understand that
this could have a disastrous effect on the economy of this
nation, and I wonder if you would tell us what you and your
Administration are doing to avoid such a calamitous situation?
Answer:
As you know, I have been meeting with my advisers within
the Administration and labor leaders, generally, concerning
problems which face the nation's economy. There is no
question that a national coal strike would have very serious
consequences and, thus, I am taking steps to insure that the
Administration does everything in its power to protect the
national interest.
Although we had a 46-day national coal strike in 1971, the
economic impact was not too severe overall, primarily due
to the large stocks of coal which the users had on hand.
However, current coal stocks are substantially lower than
they were in 1971 and a prolonged strike could have a severe
adverse impact on this nation's economy.
My Special Assistant, Bill Usery, who is also Director of the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, has been working
with all parties to this dispute for many months. He, in
2
coordination with other officials of my Administration, are
developing comprehensive plans to insure that the government
actions are designed to provide maximum help to both sides,
in order to avoid, if possible, a national shutdown this Fall.
Although I am concerned about the scheduled five-day memorial
work stoppage planned by the United Mine Workers for
August 19-23 - because of the impact this will have on our
critical need for energy - the normal avenues of collective
bargaining are open and I believe that it is through direct
communication between the parties that these disputes can
most successfully be resolved.
M. Duval
8/17/74
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 15, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PHIL BUCHEN
VIA:
KEN COLE
FROM:
MIKE DUVAL
SUBJECT:
COAL DISPUTE
Following our meeting with you, Ken Cole, Jim Cavanaugh and
Frank Zarb Monday night, Frank and I followed through on the
Meyer Bernstein idea. His thought is that we try to get the Duke
Power Company to agree to certain concessions in their dispute
with the UMW and thereby pave the way for a quick settlement.
This could be used by the President, as a part of a broad public
interest appeal designed to convince Arnold Miller that the UMW
should call off their threatened memorial shutdown scheduled for
August 19-23.
After consulting with Larry Silberman, Dick Schubert, Bill Usery,
Peter Nash (NLRB), and others, we established the following:
1. The Duke Power Company dispute involves a conflict between
two unions and a very bitter operator-union power struggle.
It is very likely that even if Carl Horn, President of the Duke
Power Company, and Arnold Miller were to agree immediately
to settlement terms, this could NOT be implemented over a short
period of time. There have been several "blocking charges"
filed with the NLRB involving violence in the Harlan County
area, whether or not there has been good faith negotiation
and who represents the mine workers. Under NLRB procedures,
these petitions must be dealt with prior to any settlement.
2. There is a substantial question whether or not Miller really
could prevent the memorial shutdown, even if he wanted to.
Besides the fact that his motives clearly are to force a draw-
down on coal inventories and establish his own control over the
2
Union, the existing rival factions for the Union leadership
would probably oppose any attempt to call off the shutdown and
would view such a call by Miller as a sign of weakness. Further-
more, Rick Banks, who is the principal adviser to Miller at
this time, has stated that Miller would not agree to such a
call-off, regardless of who asked for it.
3. If the memorial shutdown goes forward, there is a chance
that the Bituminous Coal Operators' Association could allege
that it constitutues a secondary boycott (if they can tie it to the
Duke Power Company controversy) under Section 303 of Taft-
Hartley. Theoretically, they might also attempt
Section 301
suit for breach of contract, seeking damages and injunction. For
a variety of reasons, it is questionable whether the BCOA would
take such an action, since it would result in them going into the
negotiations on the main contract with even a worse adversary
relationship.
charge
4.
Any efforts we might take to avoid the memorial shutdown could
be counterproductive to our efforts aimed at avoiding the nation-
wide shutdown on November 12. If Miller were to agree to post-
pone the memorial strike and his Union membership were to rebel,
this would render the Union leaderless at the time negotiations
were beginning.
Attached as additional background material are:
A. Record of my conversation with Bernstein and a list of the points
he suggested.
B. A memorandum from Bill Hobgood concerning the efforts of FMCS
to mediate the coal dispute.
I have generally concluded, based on the advice of all we have talked to,
that it would be a mistake to commit the President personally this early
in the game. We must recognize that the President's personal involve-
ment is the ultimate and best weapon we have to resolve the threat of a
national shutdown in the best interest of the country.
After discussing it further with you, we are pursuing a strategy of having
Brennan, Usery, and others deal through normal channels with the parties
of the dispute. We will redouble our efforts and ride heavily on all
3
Executive Department efforts to urge the parties to solve their
difficulties. We will prepare a statement for use by Jerry terHorst
if questions come up concerning the five-day shutdown. We are also
preparing a draft Presidential statement which can be used in the event
of the five-day shutdown, which will be designed to get the parties to
the negotiating table on the overall and important question of a national
contract.
Further, the interagency coal dispute task force co-chaired by Frank
and myself will continue to meet weekly to insure a coordinated federal
effort.
cc: Frank Zarb
MEMORANDUM OF TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH
MEYER BERNSTEIN, AUGUST 14, 1974
I called Bernstein at the request of Phil Buchen concerning the potential
coal strike issue. I expressed our sincere appreciation for all he was
doing to help the country concerning this issue by cooperating with the
President and the Administration. I advised him that we had followed
up actively on his suggestions today. Bill Usery's office had been in
contact both with the Duke Power Company and the United Mine Workers,
and that a meeting was scheduled tomorrow with the staff of the UMW.
Bernstein made the following points very forcefully:
If Duke Power Company "gets away" with what they're doing,
the Union will remain traumatized because they have already
spent over a million dollars in benefits and still have not
forced the company to exceed to their demands.
The only way to get Miller moving was to get something specific
in writing from the company indicating agreement with the points
that Bernstein had raised earlier with Buchen.
Miller is a suspicious person by nature, does not have experience
in running the Union and, therefore, must have a signed agree-
ment from Duke Power before he could induce the Union members
to call off the scheduled five-day memorial shutdown.
If the memorial strike goes forward, then a strike in November
is inevitable because there will be no holding back the Union
members after they get fired up over a five-day shutdown.
The only way Tony Boyle got the Union members back during the
1971 strike was to pay them a"$10 million bribe". Miller won't
take this route as it is alien to his approach to Union problems.
Thus, if we fail to stop the memorial strike, a six-month general
strike in November is possible.
I left it with Bernstein that we would work hard to follow up on his suggestions
in terms of trying to facilitate negotiations between the parties to the Duke
Power dispute. I stressed that we would do this through normal mediation
channels and that I did not envision Presidential involvement at this time.
I again thanked him for his efforts and assured him that the White House Staff
was actively following through with this.
2
COMMENT
Bernstein stressed throughout the conversation that he was in constant
communication with Miller, and I suspect that his position is motivated
strongly by a desire to pressure Duke Power to soften their position.
However, if the President were to get involved at this point, all of Miller's
options would be open and he could reject the Presidential initiative if that
suited his strategy. Furthermore, Bernstein's insistence on a signed
letter of concession from the power company as a price for getting the
ball rolling underscores in my mind the need for all of us to respect the
established procedures for collective bargaining.
Whe Dannel
cc:
Ken Cole
Phil Buchen
Frank Zarb
1. The parties contracted to accept all terms and
conditions of the National Bituminous Coal agreement of 1971
negotiated between the UMW of American and the Bituminous
Operators Association, Inc. effective as of August
, 1974,
together with such amendments as may be met to this agreement
upon its expiration.
2. All strikers at the Brookside Mine will be reinstated
immediately to their jobs without prejudice and without loss of
seniority for the period of the strike. They will be called back
to work as their jobs become available with the immediate
reopening of the mine, but in no event later than August
, 1974.
3. All charges and complaints arising directly or indirectly
from the strike will be withdrawn by both parties, and, to the
extent that each party controls by all other persons associated
with such party.
4. All disputes, grievances or differences originating during
the strike and remaining unsettled on the date of this agreement
will be taken up and disposed of as grievances under the
grievance procedure of the 1971 agreement.
Two additional points Mr. Bernstein made were:
The sister mine strike in all probability can be settled
by reinstating the discharged striker. The UMW is now making
no claim to representation of the worker at that particular
mine.
The high government official should issue a statement calling
for renewed efforts on mine safety.
FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20427
August 15, 1974
MEMORANDUM
To:
Mike Duval, Associate Director
Domestic Council
From:
William P. Hobgood
world
Special Assistant to
the Director
Subject: Duke Power Company/Brookside Mine Dispute -
1974 Coal Negotiations
This will respond to your request of August 14,
1974, for a summary of FMCS activity concerning subject
topics.
Duke Power Company/Brookside Mine
Mediation activity occurred at the local level
prior to the strike's initiation in July 1973. Contacts
from the National Office level were initiated in March
1973 and have continued to date. These contacts have
been with Mr. Carl Horn, President of Duke Power Company,
and Mr. Rick Bank, Executive Assistant to Arnold Miller,
President of the United Mine Workers. These contacts
have taken the form of extensive telephone conversations
and separate meetings in Charlotte, North Carolina, and
Washington, D. C.
Currently, the dispute involves the Southern
Labor Union, an independent union headquartered in
Oneida, Tennessee, as well as the UMWA and Duke Power
Company's Eastover Mining Company. The company, in dis-
cussions with the Service and more recently in discussions
associated with a stockholder's suit, has committed itself
to signing the 1974 Bituminous Coal Association agreement
if the UMW wins another representation election. Such an
election has been petitioned for by the UMWA, with the
Southern Labor Union as an intervenor, but cannot be con-
ducted by the Board until a number of unfair labor practice
- 2 -
charges have been resolved and agreement can be reached on
a list of eligible voters. It is this latter problem that
FMCS is addressing and which forms the basis for a meeting
to be held with UMWA on August 15, 1974. We are hopeful
this meeting will lead to a joint meeting with Duke Power
Company under our auspices. Once an acceptable list of
voters is agreed upon, it may be possible to clear away
the charges and proceed to an election. This is our ob-
jective. However, we have been advised by Rick Bank that
resolution of this dispute will not prevent the memorial
period scheduled for August 19-23, 1974.
1974 Negotiations
Since January 1974, frequent meetings have been
held with industry and union officials concerning their
preparation for negotiations and encouraging prompt ini-
tiation of bargaining. These meetings have escalated in
the last several weeks with the next one scheduled for
August 15, 1974, with the UMWA. We anticipate that bar-
gaining will begin the week of August 26, and there is
every indication that the staffs of the prospective
parties are working diligently to meet that timetable
and to make negotiations meaningful once they begin.
As mentioned above, a five-day memorial period
is scheduled for August 19-23 with several objectives in
mind:
a. Reduce current stockpiles of coal and im-
prove UMWA bargaining posture;
b. Strengthen political position of Arnold
Miller; and
C. Increase pressure on resolution of the Duke
Power Company/Brookside Mine dispute.
The UMWA has ten memorial days under their agree-
ment. However, the BCOA (Bituminous Coal Operators Asso-
ciation) feels that use of the memorial period is unprec-
edented and that it is being used illegally as a secondary
boycott involving the Duke Power Company dispute.
We feel strongly about maintaining a low profile
in the memorial period question as well as the early stages
of bargaining, keeping in mind that we have established an
excellent relationship with the parties and anticipate a
more visible role when demanded.
- 3 -
As to the role of other Departments and the
President, extreme care should be exercised in premature
intercession. We feel the critical period will be approx-
imately three weeks prior to the November 12 deadline, but
we will maintain our active relationship with the parties
during the entire bargaining effort. The various Govern-
ment options prior to the deadline and afterward, should
a strike occur, were discussed with you in our meeting
on August 12, 1974, in Frank Zarb's office.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Negotistions moredifficut
Others doys will
be used
Invitottern
Fororable
TODAY
- -meetings
Millor
NW FORD LIBRARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Bernstein
- tast week shooting + horres near
-union Spostrated
- Co.knows want vo natunion
BCL agreement
Duke
1. Brtiescontrat
Not BTCL 1971
effe
teacther with
2. Roinstate jobs
w/op -coll back
TOR
1 Charges withdrown acomp EE Saints ANDREW
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
4. Disputes grevances of
-use or
Highsplint -SLA contract
-fired 0 no man
a reinstate
w/ocontoo withe U.M.
Mine safety statement
by high Fed off
FORD a GREATO LIBRAR
ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED PAPER RE:
ARNOLD MILLER
Since it will probably be impossible for the President to meet with
Mr. Miller this week, this addendum will not be relevant except as
background.
The United Mine Workers, as we discussed, has called for a 5-day
shutdown in coal production next week in memory of workers killed
or maimed in the mines. The union's present contract provides for
up to a 10-day memorial period.
The President might suggest to UMW President Arnold Miller that the
mine workers call off the shutdown in the national interest. He could
argue that to do SO would be an action of high statesmanship on Miller's
part which would bring public acclamation to the UMW. He could point
out that efforts to strengthen the economy today would serve as a fitting
memorial to miners who have been maimed or killed since it would
improve the lives of living -- working or retired -- miners and their
families.
The President could indicate that he would make a public request for
the miners to call off the shutdown if Miller wanted it and would then
issue a statement praising the miners for their response in the public
interest.
The problem with this, of course, is the fact that the shutdown is
obviously part of the Mine Workers Union negotiation strategy, since
a 5-day shutdown will reduce coal stocks by that much and put addi-
tional pressures on coal users in case of a strike later this year.
To give up the shutdown is to give up a union weapon in the collective
bargaining effort. Miller, therefore, would probably be quite reluctant
to call off the shutdown but he might be persuaded to do SO if the
President could convince him that it was in the Nation's interest to
do so.
(If this meeting is an impossibility this week, I would strongly suggest
that perhaps the President might make a phone call to Mr. Miller
and ask for his cooperation in this matter. )
UNITED MINE WORKERS SHUTDOWN
8/13/74 - at Mr. Buchen's request, called Robert J. Hitt's
office at Interior; he was not available; neither was
343-6054
Rogers Morton.
Robert J. Hitt
Executive Asst. to Secretary Morton
Talked with Kurt Herge; he said the most knowledgeable person on
mine safety would be James Day who would be back around 3 o'clock.
For Coal Mine Health & Safety -- Hershel Potter
343-4249
For Metal and Nonmetal Health and Safety - Tom Shepich
343-6665
Jack Carlson -- Asst. Secy. for Energy & Minerals
343-2186
(and for future directions -- in charge of MESA
(Mine Enforcement Safety Adm. ))
Then Mr. Buchen called Ambassador Arthur Goldberg (former
Justice Goldberg)
At his suggestion, we called Meyer Bernstein
965-1686
Then he asked me to get Ken Cole; he wasn't available --
so we talked with Warren Hendricks, his assistant.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 13, 1974
Eva:
When Mr. Buchen came out of Ken Cole's
office this afternoon he asked me to give
you the names of the other men who were
in the meeting.
Besides Ken Cole, the men were:
James Cavanaugh, Deputy Director
Domestic Council
Frank Zarb, Assistant Director
Office of Management and Budget
Michael Raoul-Duval, Associate Director
Domestic Council
Judy Johnston
MEMORANDUM
THE
WHITE
HOUSE
Fuesday WASHINGTON 8/13/74
President
12:00
Merrye Meany
Mr. Buchen
Waters Thursday Safordsy
Is
the protect 15 ask 10to to hinastipate
FORD is LIBRARY 07V820
of
Recommed by Goldberg
Vamarez
Meyor Ber
1
Bernstein - -Watoryate Ap 45
Stechworkers Rop
helped Miller 4 in campaign
JooPays -for controversy
CaH Horn
- Duke Power
Fed PowerCom,
United
Warran Hans
Warren Handricks
FORD is 076830 LIBRARY
Allen Wallace Pres Rochester Univ.
-economist (friendof JockStiles)
ARNOLD RAY MILLER
President, United Mine Workers of America Arnold Miller,
became 12th president of the UMW in December 1972. Began
working in the coal fields of West Virginia at age 16. Black
lung disease and work-related arthritis forced him to retire
from the mines in 1970. A local union offical for many years,
he supported the 1969 candidacy of Joseph "Jock" Yablonski
against incumbent UMW president Tony Boyle. After Yablonski's
murder in late 1969, the U.S. Department of Labor was sought and
obtained a rerun of the Boyle election. Miller ran in the
reelection and was elected UMW president in 1972. Miller ran
on a platform of turning the union back to the miners, and
since his election has reduced the headquarters staff, cut
salaries, sold the staff cadillacs, and made plans to move the
headquarters from Washington to the coal fields.
He is faced with enormous difficulties in pulling the
UMW together after the devicive election contest which
left it almost prostrate.
UNITED MINE WORKERS
The union was organized in 1890 in Columbus, Ohio. It was
one of the eight founding unions of the CIO in 1936. It now
has 213,000 members in 1,300 local unions across the nation.
UPCOMING UMWA CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
On November 12, 1974, the contract between the UMWA and
the Bituminous Coal Operators Assn. (BCOA) expires. The union
represents about 80,000 soft-coal miners; BCOA represents 75
percent of the nation's coal producers. Any agreement coming
out of these negotiations will set the pattern for other
associations and unaffiliated bituminous coal firms and will
eventually affect nearly all of the industry's 150,000 miners
and 70,000 pensioners. Formal talks have not begun.
The union's bargaining objectives include;
--a substantial pay increase
--a cost-of-living wage escalator
-fewer pay grades and smaller differentials between
top and botton pay
FORD is LIBRARY 078830
--increased royalty payments into pension and benefits
funds, as well as bigger pensions
-lower retirement age
Impact of a UMWA strike would be immediate and severe in
regions where coal mining is the principal occupation, including
West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and
Virginia. Also adversely affected would be all coal haulers
and such major jail carriers as Chessie System, Norfolk &
Western and Penn Central. Utilities and steel industries
generally stockpile a 90-day supply, so won's feel the pinch
at first. However, that supply is expected to be less than
90 days if the strikes takes place in November.
Issues
Following is Mr. Miller's position on various issues:
Legislation
Favors a pension reform bill. Strongly
supports Kennedy-Griffiths health bill.
Favors national health insurance program
under direct federal control.
Economy
Opposed to any form of wage controls.
Favors Publically owned federal oil and
gas corporations to compete with private
companies.
Mining
Called for reform of black lung benefits
program. Supports Sen. Williams bill on
coal mine safety. Strongly opposed to
nominee for Federal Coal Mine Safety
directorship.
Special
Favors public financing of federal elections.
Blasted Gerald Ford's congresstional voting
record on labor matters. Called for
comprehensive tax reforms.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date August 31, 1974
TO: Mr. Buchen
FROM: JIM CAVANAUGH
X FYI
For appropriate action
COMMENTS
Eva- - for file
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 31, 1974
MEETING WITH ARNOLD MILLER, PRESIDENT, U.M.W.A.
Monday, September 2, 1974
10:30 a.m. (30 minutes)
The Oval Office
From: Jim Cavanaugh
8
I.
PURPOSE
This meeting should set the tone for the development
of a positive relationship with Miller on the eve
of the opening of national bargaining on the coal
contract.
II. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS AND PRESS PLAN
A. Background:
1. This meeting is one of a series of individual
meetings you are having with labor leaders.
You met with Meany on August 13th, Fitzsimmons
on the 16th, Hall on the 22nd and Woodcock
on the 29th. Unlike the other union leaders
this will be Miller's first visit to the
Oval Office.
2. Miller has just returned from final negotiations
which settled the Duke Power Company dispute.
The settlement, which Bill Usery was involved
in, brought to conclusion a 12-month strike
and constituted a major political and organ-
izational victory for Miller.
3. Background on Miller and the U.M.W.A. at Tab A
B. Participants: Arnold Miller
Staff:
Mike Duval
C. Press Plan:
White House photo
III. TALKING POINTS
1. I know of your concern about the need to improve
safety conditions in the mines. I'd appreciate
your views on how this can best be done.
2. How do you view the relationships between
organized labor and the Department of Labor,
as well as other government agencies?
3. I'd like to have your thoughts on the economic
situation and the critical problem of inflation.
Arnold Miller
- 51 years old - West Virginia resident
- Elected over incumbent Tony Boyle, in a court ordered
election just under two years ago.
- Has not held any prior national union position or
previously engaged in any local or national bargaining
United Mine Workers of America
- 112,000 Active Members
- 90,000 Inactive Members (pensioners)
- Mines approximately 75% of all coal in U.S.
National Coal Negotiations
- Begin September 3, 1974 - Hay Adams Hotel
Washington, D.C.
- Companies represented by Bituminous Coal Operators
Association (BCOA), an association created by the
industry for national bargaining
- Composition of BCOA
Steel industry owned mines
Electric utility owned mines
Commercial mines
- Contract will expire November 12, 1974
- For first time in history of UMWA, contract must
be ratified by entire union membership
Brookside Dispute
- Mine owned by Duke Power Company, Nation's 8th
largest electric utility; mine located in Harlan
County, Kentucky. Duke Endowment Fund owns
approximately 40% of Duke Power Company stock.
- August 29, 1974 settlement under auspices of W.J.
Usery, Jr. following 13 month strike; frequent acts
of violence and recent shotgun death of 22 year old
mine worker, Lawrence Jones
- This settlement constituted a major political and
organizational victory for Arnold Miller
THE NEW YORK TIMES, TUESDAY, AUGUST 13,
Mine Union Calls a National Shutdown
Of 5 Days in Battle for a New Contract
By BEN A. FRANKLIN
nouncing the long-expected
We do not intend to pay that
Special to The New York Times
"memorial holiday," the presi-
price again."
WASHINGTON, Aug. 12
dent of the United Mine Work-
Noting that 100,000 coal
The United Mine Workers'
ers, Arnold R. Miller, justified
miners have died in accidents
union today called for a five.
the invocation of a contractual
during this century and that 73
day "memorial" period" shut-
provision, originally conceived
have died in mine mishaps so
down of the nation's coal mines
by the late John L. Lewis for
far this year, Mr. Miller said:
for next week, exércising a
negotiating and protesti pur-
"The giant energy conglomer-
clause in its expiring contract
poses, by citing both the high
ates are being served notice by
with the coal operators to put
accident rate of the coal in-
this memorial period that coal
pressure on them for a new
dustry as a whole and the
miners have had their fill of
one.
"corporate violence" of a single
dying.".
The Monday-through-Friday
company.
Contract Allows 10 Days
job action will take about 120,-
Mr. Miller was referring to
000 working members of the
Another five-day memorial
the Duke Power Company of
union off their Jobs in 1,200
period could be called by Mr.
North Carolina and its Harlan
mines and reduce coal supplies
Miller this fall to use up the full
County, Ky,, subsidiary, the
by a week's production of
10. days authorized for such
Eastover Mining Company.
about 12.5 million tons - per-
commemorative demonstrations
haps 2 per cent of this year's
Eastover's Brookside and
in the expiring three-year con-
expected output of 620 million
Highsplint, Ky mines have
tract. The union and the indus-
tons. For most coal consumers
been struck since July, 1973, in
try have barely begun bargain-
- with the exception of the
a bid for union recognition
ing.
steel industry and some isolated
which the giant utility has $0
Spokesmen for the Bitumi-
electric power plants - the in-
far rejected. Next week's "job
nous Coal Operators Associa-
terruption was not expected to
in-action," as Mr. Lewis termed
tion, the industry's bargaining
be grave.
the memorial periods, was also
arm, and of the National Coal
designed to bring industrial
Strategy Used by Lewis
Association, the major trade as-
pressure to bear on Duke Power
sociation, declined to comment
Union officials acknowledged
for a settlement.
on the job action. The trade
privately that a reduction of
Remember the Price"
body has said that with the
above-ground coal stockpiles
exception of some steam-elec-
was a main strategic objective
Stressing the psychological
tric generating plants of the
of the shutdown - a move, in
impact and the public sympathy
that the union plainly hoped to
Tennessee Valley Authority and
part, meant to weaken the in-
gain, Mr. Miller said that the
the steel Industry, coal stock
dustry's bargaining stance in
memorial period would official-
piles in June were at normal or
forthcoming
negotiations.
above normal levels.
against a new contract deadline
ly "commemorate the thous-
of Nov. 12. But neither the
ands of coal miners killed while
The trade group said that in-
newly militant leadership of
working in the nation's mines,
dustry coal stockpiles were at
the union nor principal in-
all the miners whose lives have
an average 23 days' supply,
dustry spokesman would com-
been ravaged by black lung dis-
lower than normal. The T.V.A.
ment publicly.
ease, and coal-mining families
said that its stockpile average
In a statement here an-
who are victims of company
had declined "seriously" to only
violence designed to prevent
a 58-day supply, with reserves
them from winning the protec-
on the ground at few individual
tion of a United Mine Workers
power plants as low as 12 days.
contract."
Miners memorial periods
"At a time when coal miners
were called by Mr. Lewis fol-
are being asked to double or
lowing mine disasters in 1947,
even triple coal production, he
1949 and 1952, and a four-day
went on, "it is important to
holiday was declared by the
pause and remember the price
union under the contractual au-
miners have paid throughout
thorization when Mr. Lewis died
this century to insure the na-
in June, 1969. None has been
tion an adequate supply of coal.
called since then.
FORD & LIBRARY GENALD
ARNOLD RAY MILLER
President, United Mine Workers of America Arnold Miller,
became 12th president of the UMW in December 1972. Began
working in the coal fields of West Virginia at age 16. Black
lung disease and work-related arthritis forced him to retire
from the mines in 1970. A local union offical for many years,
he supported the 1969 candidacy of Joseph "Jock" Yablonski
against incumbent UMW president Tony Boyle. After Yablonski's
murder in late 1969, the U.S. Department of Labor was sought and
obtained a rerun of the Boyle, election. Miller ran in the
reelection and was elected UMW president in 1972. Miller ran
on a platform of turning the union back to the miners, and
since his election has reduced the headquarters staff, cut
salaries, sold the staff cadillacs, and made plans to move the
headquarters from Washington to the coal fields.
He is faced with enormous difficulties in pulling the
UMW together after the devicive election contest which
left it almost prostrate.
UNITED MINE WORKERS
The union was organized in 1890 in Columbus, Ohio. It was
one of the eight founding unions of the CIO in 1936. It now
has 213,000 members in 1,300 local unions across the nation.
UPCOMING UMWA CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
On November 12, 1974, the contract between the UMWA and
the Bituminous Coal Operators Assn. (BCOA) expires. The union
represents about 80,000 soft-coal miners; BCOA represents 75
percent of the nation's coal producers. Any agreement coming
out of these negotiations will set the pattern for other
associations and unaffiliated bituminous coal firms and will
eventually affect nearly all of the industry's 150,000 miners
and 70,000 pensioners. Formal talks have not begun.
The union's bargaining objectives include;
--a substantial pay increase
--a cost-of-living wage escalator
fewer pay grades and smaller differentials between
top and botton pay
--increased royalty payments into pension and benefits
funds, as well as bigger pensions
lower retirement age
Impact of a UMWA strike would be immediate and severe in
regions where coal mining is the principal occupation, including
West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio and
Virginia. Also adversely affected would be all coal haulers
and such major jail carriers as Chessie System, Norfolk &
Western and Penn Central. Utilities and steel industries
generally stockpile a 90-day supply, so won's feel the pinch
at first. However, that supply is expected to be less than
90 days if the strikes takes place in November.
Issues
Following is Mr. Miller's position on various issues:
Legislation
Favors a pension reform bill. Strongly
supports Kennedy-Griffiths health bill.
Favors national health insurance program
under direct federal control.
Economy
Opposed to any form of wage controls.
Favors Publically owned federal oil and
gas corporations to compete with private
companies.
Mining
Called for reform of black lung benefits
program. Supports Sen. Williams bill on
coal mine safety. Strongly opposed to
nominee for Federal Coal Mine Safety
directorship.
Special
Favors public financing of federal elections.
Blasted Gerald Ford's congresstional voting
record on labor matters. Called for
comprehensive tax reforms.
Lobor mtg
September 23, 1974
Dear Mr. Bernsteins
Thank you for your letter of September 4th
enclosing your resume. I will be happy to
forward it to the appropriate office for
consideration.
Also, I appreciate very much your helpful
counsel on the circumstances of the United
Mine Workers strike against Duke Power.
Most sincerely yours,
Philip W. Buchen
Counsel to the President
Mr. Meyer Bernstein
Watergate East
Apartment 906N
2510 Virginia Avenue, N. N.
Washington, D. c. 20037
GERALD FORD
Meyer Bernstein
Watergate East, Apt. 906 N
2510 Virginia Ave., N. W.
Washington, D. C. 20037
Sept. 4, 1974
Mr. Philip Buchen
Counsel
The White House
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Buchen,
In the thought that an imaginative and obviously dedicated
new administration may have use for experience not generally found in govern-
ment circles, I am enclosing 8 résumé.
I should add that I resigned from the United Mine Workers
of America primarily because of policy differences with certain aides of the
union's president. The separation was friendly: the officers retain my re-
spect and good will; and, I believe, I theirs.
Best wishes.
Sincerely
meya B certing
Meyer Bernstein
FORD LIBRARY
MEYER BERNSTEIN
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
UNITED MINE WORKERS OF AMERICA
900 15th STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Watergate East, Apt.906 N
Born Rochester, New York, 1914.
2510 Virginia Ave., NW
Washington, D. C. 20037
Graduated Cornell University, 1936.
(202) 965 1686
In October of same year joined staff of the Steel Workers Organizing Committee
which in 1942 was transformed into the United Steelworkers of America) as a volunteer
rganizer.
Took part in little steel strikes of 1937, and later represented Union before the
itional Labor Relations Board in settlement of reinstatement and back pay claims of some
,000 discharged workers.
Served the Union in various other functions, including handling grievances and
bitration, contract negotiations, preparing testimony before various governmental agencies,
eech writing and economic research.
Volunteered in Army in December, 1941. After 3 years, 9 months, 5 days, 13 hours,
id 38 minutes of service, returned to Union as CIO Veterans' Representative in Washington,
.C. While retaining this post, moved back to Pittsburgh in 1946 and resumed functions in
1e United Steelworkers' Research Department.
In 1950 went to Germany on loan to the Foreign Service of the State Department, where
a served as labor liaison in the Ruhr area. Major purpose was to help rebuild a democratic,
esponsible, and effective labor movement.
In 1952 returned to Washington as Steelworkers' Representative to the Wage Stabiliza-
Lon Board.
In 1953 once more in Europe as United Steelworkers of America Representative to the
1gh Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community and its associated unions, transferring
1 1956 to Geneva, Switzerland as assistant to the President of the International Metal-
orkers' Federation.
In 1957 returned to Pittsburgh to handle the supplemental unemployment benefit program
or the Steelworkers' Union.
In 1958 appointed International Affairs Director for the Union.
1972 June resigned from USWA to become observer for MFD Reform Group in United Mine
orkers of America Election.
1972 December appointed Director of Public and International Affairs for UMWA.
Traveled widely, including all five continents and all four quarters of the globe.
is participated as delegate in numerous international agencies such as The Economic Com-
ssion for Europe, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Internation:
abor Organization, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and the like.
He is the author of numerous studies and brochures, including "The 100 Largest Steel
ompanies in the Free World", "Foreign Competition and Steel Wages", "The 1959 Steel Strike",
abor and the European Communities", "Employment Costs and Foreign Trade", "Steel Labor in
ie Soviet Union", "Collective Bargaining in the American Steel Industry", and The Unions in
1e United States" (translations from the French), and "The Steelworkers' Election."
Languages: German, fluent; French, serviceable; Spanish, limited reading ability.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 6, 1974
MEMO TO
PHIL BUCHEN
D
FROM:
MIKE DUVAL
I talked with Dick McCormick concerning the Mine
Workers' situation. Thanks for letting us know of
his interest and that he has some good ideas con-
cerning this matter.
cc:
Jim Cavanaugh
August 30, 1974
To:
Jim Cavanaugh
From: Phil Buchen
Attached is the commentary on
the Mine Workers situation as furnished
me by Dick McCormack, who is
presently with Treasury.
Attachment
BERALD FORD LIBRARY
Sensitive
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 28, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR:
PHILIP BUCHEN
FROM:
DICK MCCORMACK
As you know, the Mine Workers under Arnold Miller and the
coal operators (Bituminous Coal Operators Association) are on
a collision course for a crippling strike on November 15. You
know also what this will probably do to the economy. Nor is
the Taft Hartley Act a feasable remedy here because of the
unique ability of this industry's workers to go underground and
simply not manage to dig much coal. (You will recall that Truman
actually had to send the army into man the coal mines in an
earlier era.)
This strike is partly an exercise of Machismo both by Arnold
Miller- who needs a strike to build up his own image and position
within his union-and the bituminous coal operators some of whom
represent the most Neanderthal types still functioning in the American
economy.
Miller's problem is that he doesn't have the support and re-
putation with the rank and file to enable him to forge out a
compromise settlement and call off the strike plans. And right
now everybody is so psyched up for a strike that events have taken
a momentum all their own.
There's something you can do about this. We have a month or
two to help Arnold Miller build up his own position within his union
which will give him the clout and prestige essential for him to
take a leadership position in moderating demands and avoiding a
strike.
I have three recommendations:
1. Include Arnold Miller on the economic summit meetings. And
take other opportunities to give Miller high level exposure.
2. Assign somebody from the White House staff to get the facts
on the present state of informal negotiations between the Mine
Workers and the BCOA. If he gets topside company clearance,
- 2 -
Pete Slaybaugh of the Denver regional office of Continental Oil
can give your staff man a good picture of the industry's ex-
pectations. So can Guy Farmer, a labor lawyer with the BCOA
in Washington.
3. If need be, put some heat on the BCOA officials to work for a
compromise not a cave in--but a meaningful compromise.
It is important, I think, that President Ford not commit his own
personal prestige to avoid the coal strike until thorough staffing
indicates whether or not this is a realistic possibility. Ford
should not be put in the position of getting the UMW and BCOA
at a table with him--and later have the mediation process flop
and a strike occur.
A final note: If a coal strike occurs, the probability of a
January 7 strike in the oil industry is greatly enhanced.
Cleasefulo
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
laboz in general
TO: Phil Buchan
fill.
P.
FROM:
MIKE DUVAL
For your information
Comments:
Report on strike
mentioned by
Lenator Liffin
I
White
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
8/16/74
cy has gone
to Sen, Griffin
\
GERALL EXFORE
FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20427
August 15, 1974
MEMORANDUM
To:
Mike Duval, Associate Director
Domestic Council
From:
William P. Hobgood wrA
Subject: A. O. Smith Corp./United Auto Workers Strike
As you requested, following is a summary of
the subject dispute.
Strike began on August 9, 1974 - involves
5,100 workers. Company manufactures auto frames,
suspension parts, bumper supports for AMC, Chrysler,
and General Motors. Several plants of these manu-
facturers will be severely hurt if strike progresses
for any period.
Issues
Wages
Company Position - 1st year - 38c per year
2nd year - 18c per year
3rd year - 18c per year
Union Position -
1st year - 65¢ per year
2nd year - 50c per year
3rd year - 50c per year
Cost of Living
Company Position - .4 = 1c per year
Union Position - .3 = 1c per year
- 2 -
Pensions
Company Position -
1st year - $9 per month per year of service
2nd year - $9.25 per month per year of service
3rd year - $9.50 per month per year of service
Retirement at age 57 with 30 years of service
and $240 per month supplement
Union Position -
1st year - $10 per month per year of service
2nd year - $10.50 per month per year of service
3rd year - $11 per month per year of service
30 and out regardless of age with $750 per
month supplement
Language
Approximately 146 remaining languages including
issues such as jury duty which could be cost
items
Status
A National Representative of FMCS is meeting
with the parties today's date in Milwaukee. From the
above issues, you can see that it is a very difficult
situation.
8/15/74
Parts Supplier Strikes
Threaten Auto Output
By Neil D. Rosenberg
Special to The Washington Post
MILWAUKEE, Aug. 14
todäy that if the strikes are
Unless continuing strike at
still on by Aug. 26, "we'll
two Milwaukee-based firms
have to start shutting down
which, manufacture. auto
during the week."
supplies are ended within 10
Briggs & Stratton makes:
days, American Motor will
all the lock assemblies for
begin to close down produc-
AM cars and Smith supplies
tion.
most of the control arms
General Motors said pro-
and other suspension parts.
duction of 1971 cars and
"We can't make cars with-
trucks at five plants, sche-
out locks you can't start
uled to resume Monday af
them without an ignition
ter the model change, has
lock," the AMC official said.
been suspended indefinitely
The GM plants affected
because of the stikes.
are in Janesville, Wis., Balti-
A source at Chrysler said
more, Flint, Mich., Oshawa,
a light truck assembly plant
Ontario, and Lakewood, Ga.
in St. Louis might stop pro-
A GM spokesman said
duction because of the
that production of interme-
strike. The production dis-
diate sized cars at Framing-
ruptions among the major
ham, Mass., would be de-
auto makers might mean de-
layed one week because of a
lay to customers of some
shortage of bumper sup-
1975 cars and trucks.
ports made at Smith
The companies on strike
The strike at Smith is the
are A. O. Smith Corp.,
first in the company's his-
which makes auto frames,
tory. Negotiations are sched-
control arms, suspension
uled to resume Thursday
parts and bumper supports,
morning.
and Briggs & Stratton,
Briggs & Stratton, which
which makes cylinder locks.
is also the world's largest
The Smith strike has been
producer of small gasoline
on since Friday and involves
engines such as those used
5,100 workers, and the strike
for lawn mowers and snow
at Briggs & Stratton began
blowers, is scheduled to re-
Aug. 1 and involves 7,500
sume negotiations Tuesday.
workers.
Federal mediators are in-
An AMC spokesman said
volved in both strikes.
Friday 10/18/74
9:20
George Meany's secretary advises he is at a
Comsat Board meeting -- probably not returning
to the office until 11:00 or so.
Would you want me to call him at Comsat?
Virginia Teahas
GERALD REPUBLIC
Friday 10/18/74
10:35 Mr. Meany's secretary called back to say he would not
be able to attend the dedication ceremony at 11 o'clock.
At Mr. Buchen's request, called Rustand's office to let
them know Mr. Meany would not be there,
GERALD LIBRARY ? FORD
United
auto workers
Thursday 12/19/74
Meeting
12/19/74
10:30 a. m.
10:20 Mr. Buchen talked with Steve Schlossberg on behalf
of Leonard Woodcock -- and then came over to meet
with him at 10:30 (Thursday 12/19).
G.C. - United Auto Workers
1020 LIBRAR 19 y
Law mtgo
meany
Thursday 12/19/74
11:20 Did your phone call from George Meany change
the 4 o'clock Friday meeting with the President?
BERALD ORD VIBRARY
President
Thursday 12/19/74
MEETING
12/20/74
Sabor 3:30 p.m.
9:20 There will be a meeting with the President and
George Meany on Friday 12/20 at 3:30 p.m.
Mr. Buchen is to call Mr. Meany and invite him.
SCRALD & FORD
Thursday 12/19/74
11:20 Did your phone call from George Meany change
the 4 o'clock Friday meeting with the President?
No, it is still on for that time.
GM morely confirmed his accoptance.
P.
GERALO FORD