THE BREMERTON METAL TRADES LEGAL LUNCHBOX

Vol. 1, #7    Wednesday,  September 4, 1974,   AFFIDAVITS

TO: METAL TRADES COUNCIL STEWARDS

FROM: LEGAL COUNSEL

CLASSES: We have prepared course material for collective representation of shipyard workers, as requested by the stewards. These classes are being delayed by management, dedicated and hell-bent on keeping the sunlight of truth and good personnel relations out of the shipyard. It is up to us, now, to decide whether to await action (which will come, if we persevere) returning the noontime sessions with your hired representative, or to start the classes at 4:30 p.m. I prefer to start soon. I know that you stewards work long and hard, and hate to take the time from your leisure. However, we shall push for overtime compensation for these class hours due to the action of management.

Classes shall cover more on ATTITUDE, and go into the techniques of ADVOCACY. In that regard we shall cover the fundamentals of INVESTIGATION, RESEARCH, AND PERSUASION. We shall review the federal laws, not only in an academic manner, but in a realistic manner to see that we use them, covering their INTENT, their PRACTICE, and their PURPOSE. We shall zero in on the problems of SAFETY and COMPENSATION, civil service disability as well as FECA disability. We shall review the inter-workings of social security, unem­ployment, veteran's benefits, welfare, grievance and adverse action processing as well as discrimination processing. We shall concern ourselves more with TECHNIQUE - so that you as stewards can do the job and feel the reward of bettering the lives of all of those around us.

AWARDS: Since last talking to you, through this paper, the Metal Trades has received over $20,000 in new partial hearing claim awards. Oscar Hooser received close to $6,000 and Marshall Castroni received an award of over $14,000. Both of these cases are now going to a full hearing after our specialist gets an examination and we shall see that the employee gets the best possible award, under the law. In the federal case, and with Congress we are also discussing the recent changes in the administration of noise trauma that purports to redefine hearing loss. Both Oscar Hooser and Marshall Castroni have other claims pending - Hooser is not disabled from work, but Castroni is.

AFFIDAVITS: Read the affidavits being filed in federal court. Thank you (and you know who I mean) to those stewards who helped bring facts to our attention for this important case that will affect all of you. Recently, we saw a Navy truck with a big sign "SAFETY PAYS" and we wondered whether they mean the office will pay off on claims or good safety saves the Navy money. We hope you are part of the effort to help the Navy by seeing that Safety is enforced against management. For years they have perpetrated a myth that only employees must follow safety rules. The biggest waste of humans and Navy money is the unsafe conditions consciously followed by management - regarding noise trauma, use of poisonous materials, refusing to report lost time accidents. You know them all. Be sure to read the affidavits and let us know of any more facts.

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