Memorandum on Conference with Representatives of Industrial Union of Marine and Shipbuilding Workers Regarding Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock Company, Jacksonville, Florida

On the above date, the following persons met with us to discuss problems at the Merrill-Stevens Dry Dock Company: Mr. Michael Ross, of the International office of the union; Mr. W. R. Thorpe; Mr. Archie L. Brockins; Mr. Wallace S. Raspberry; Mr. Edward H. Orleman; and Mr. Sol Syde; all of Jacksonville. These gentlemen complained about working conditions at the shipyard and mentioned that Mr. Raspberry had been fired by management when it was learned that he was on the Committee coming to Washington to discuss the situation.

The Yard employs 2,100 persons, and 1,700 of these are members of the CIO, according to Mr. Syde. There are approximately 550 Negro employees. The CIO has bargaining rights with the company. Apparently, this is the result of a second election on the same issue. It appears that, a year ago, the union won an election, but this was later challenged by the company. Three weeks ago a new election was held, and again the CIO won. The individuals present stated that there are only 40 or 50 Negroes above the laboring classifications. Although colored persons do advanced kinds of skilled work and instruct whites, they are not paid wages in keeping with the duties performed, it was alleged. Mr. Raspberry’s case was cited as an illustration of this type of discrimination. It was stated that he was receiving $1.08 an hour as a boiler maker helper while whites doing similar work receive $1.40 an hour. According to those present, Mr. Raspberry had charge of a group of Negroes as a leaderman. In this capacity, he signed a slip for an individual seeking time off, it was stated. The company took advantage of this incident and charged that he exceeded his authority when he signed the slip. On Saturday, July 8, he was dismissed on this charge. Those present contended that the real cause was his membership on the committee which visited us.

Three Negroes were recently upgraded to positions of trainees at 75¢ an hour following an investigation by Mr. A. Bruce Hunt of our Atlanta office, it was stated. The names of these Negroes are: Dallas, Jones, and Smith. As trainees, these men received 93¢ an hour, but they were demoted to 75¢ an hour and placed in a gang with Negro sealers who get 80¢ an hour, according to the complaint. This was the company’s way of disciplining them for filing a complaint, it was stated.

The company has work from the Army Transport Service at present. This is conversion of ships into hospital vessels. The union representatives said they had filed complaints on the problems of discrimination with Mr. A. Bruce Hunt but felt that there should be some over-all attack on the company’s policy of underpaying its Negro workers. Mr. Raspberry said he would submit a written complaint to us.

Following our meeting with the men, I checked with the Maritime Commission to determine whether it holds contracts in the Yard. I was informed that it is possible that some of these contracts may have come over to the Maritime Commission from the War Shipping Administration, but this is not a certainty.

As soon as we have determined the status of the case from Mr. Bruce Hunt, I shall be in a position to propose further action if he believes it is needed.¹

cc: Mr. Hunt