Screen Writers Squabble

Whether or not studio employes, from Greta Garbo to studio gatekeepers, can take their labor difficulties to the National Labor Relations Board has been a controversial subject in the cinema industry since the Supreme Court upheld the Wagner Act last year. Last week it was answered when the NLRB handed down a long-awaited decision involving Hollywood's 350 screen writers, most of whom make between $150 and $5,000 a week.

Screen writers have been trying to organize an effective union since 1933, when producers summarily cut their pay 50%. Principal result has been sharp rivalry between the Screen Writers Guild Inc. (membership 500) and Screen Playwrights Inc. (membership 130). When Screen Playwrights last year signed a contract with seven major studios, the S. W. G. responded by asking NLRB to make it the sole bargaining agent for screen writers. Last week, after considering the evidence for over eight months, NLRB ruled that:

1) The cinema industry engages in interstate commerce and is therefore subject to NLRB rulings.

2) Screen writers are employes and hence entitled to the advantages of collective bargaining.

3) All 348 screen writers employed as of June 4, 1938 shall forthwith hold an election to decide whether they want to be represented at their studio by Screen Playwrights or S. W. G. or neither.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.