account of such differences, but an earnest effort shall be made to settle   
such differences immediately in the following manner" (then follows a   
specific grievance procedure including arbitration if the parties do not   
othervise agree).  
Since these new labor contracts were made last April there have been   
repeated and numerous strikes or work stoppages of a relatively brief   
duration in various subsidiaries of United States Steel Corporation,   
which cunulatively have had a most serious effect upon production.   
Attached is a brief summary of these work stoppages in our plants between   
April l, 1941, and October 15, 1941 and an estimated of the loss in   
production resulting therefrom. In the case of steel, the estimated loss   
of production amounts to 193,199 tons. These work stoppages in the steel   
subsidiaries, seventy-three in number, have occurred without any respect   
on the part of the Union for the above-quoted contract  
provisions.  
Since our August talks, these disturbances affecting production by our   
subsidiaries have occurred more frequently and seem to be of a more   
serious character. A short resume of the more important work stoppages in   
our various operations since September l, 1941, is also attached so as to   
give you a picture of recent happenings.  
The purpose of a great majority of these labor stoppages appears to be to   
furnish a demonstration of the actual power of the Union to close down   
operations, all in an endeavor to compel membership in the Union as a   
condition of the right to work in our subsidaries' plants. Another purpose   
may be to impress the so-called indepentent steel companies with the power   
of SWOC and the seriousness of its closed shop demands.  
On October 5, 1941, Mr. Van A. Bittner, the Director of SWOC for the Western  
Region, addressed a meeting of more than 500 delegates from 52 SWOC lodges   
in the Chicago-Calumet area (which includes South Chicago and Gary). Mr.   
Bittner was one of the representitives of SW0C who signed the April l, 1941,  
 labor contract with Carnegie-Illinois Steel Corporation. At this meeting   
these delegates are reported to have adopted unanimously a resolution   
giving full support to the demands of the SWOC for a  
closed or Union shop in the steel industry.