THE BREMERTON METAL TRADES LEGAL LUNCHBOX

Vol. 1, #6  Wednesday, August 21, 1974, FEDERAL COURT SUIT 

TO: METAL TRADES COUNCIL STEWARDS

FROM: LEGAL COUNSEL

Well, the action is starting and the men will get separated from the Lads, the wheat from the chaff. Have you seen the recent Unfair Labor Practice Charge? Well, some very interested influential people have. We need some more statements from you and your union members or other workers about specific incidents of supervision disparagement of the union and its representatives (and the undersigned in particular). Be sure to see me about anything that has been said because it all helps.

SAFLY et al vs. BOWMAN et al. This is the name of our pending federal court suit against some safety personnel, some dispensary doctors, some OFEC officials, at PSNS; another case, Thibealt, et al vs. Galles et al, concerns Keyport, PSNS, Civil Service and safety. These cases are coming to a head and it is time for all of us to work. This is why we need to have a mass meeting on September 4, 1974 after work; the case goes to the judge on September 13, 1974.

You will be getting copies of many of the affidavits we are presenting. We are spending almost full time, now, preparing affidavits of past abuse of safety, of health, of medical treatment, and of fair processing of disability benefits at PSNS and other naval facilities. Be sure to call my office (623-1241) to arrange an affidavit for any case you have or know of where the law has been bent, twisted, ignorer violated. I know that I can't get to all of you but I will do my best to document those that get to me early.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: As a steward, we want affidavits from employees or former employees, along the following lines:

a. failure of safety to process compensation claims where it had knowledge of the injury - especially those cases where the worker was misled into only filing for civil service disability;

b. mistreatment, negligence, insults, record changing, and illegalities, especially as to ignoring compensation claims, hearing loss, lung injuries and other results of pollution, radiation, by medical personnel;

c. hiding of lost time accidents, failure to investigate accidents, failure to enforce safety and health measures, such as the use of dangerous materials;

d. falsifying records, correspondence, other matters you have found inhuman, poor management, ignorance, such as the open contempt and hostility to workers.

When in doubt, seek me out or talk to Bill Holt, Dorothy Mitcham, or ''anyone in your union. Lyle Allen will be helping me; Henry Clark has also volunteered to help get affidavits as have many others. What will you do? What do you consider important. Let me hear from you at the Labor Temple, after work, or at my office.

Lee A. Holley
Suite 101, IBEW Building
2700 First Avenue
Seattle Washington 98121
(206) 623-1241