The Camas Post
May 19, 1917
PAPER COMPANY GIVES OUT CIRCULAR LETTER
Crown-Willamette People Issue Plain Statement Relative to Their Position
Some weeks ago, at the time of effecting an organization union of the paper mill employees, the facts relative there to were given publicity in the Post columns showing the stand assumed by the mill employees.
When the men received their checks on last regular pay day, each one was handed in addition a copy of a circular letter issued by the Crown Willamette Paper Co. giving the company’s attitude in the matter. A copy of the circular given out is printed herewith:
To Our Employees:
A Plain Statement (sic) of Our Position
This company has been operating for many years past. Many of our employees have been with us for a great many years – some of them since the day the company commenced operations. Our plan has always been to promote young men and to help them get ahead, instead of sending east for experienced help. Fully 80 per cent of our skilled men can testify to this fact. No man has failed of promotion when he was worthy and capable of advancing.
We have always endeavored to accord to our employees the most liberal treatment and have paid them the highest wages which competitive conditions would permit. Not only have we treated them as liberally as we could, but we have always dealt with them on a strictly fair and just basis. In the thirty years which we have been operating, it never has been necessary for them to organize a union or unions to plead their cause, nor is it necessary for them to do so at the present time. We shall continue to deal with them in the same way as heretofore.
It has come to our notice that certain people are endeavoring to organize a union in our mills, and it is with that same spirit of fairness and justice that we make this statement, as we wish no misunderstanding to arise between us.
In view of the fact that it has never been necessary for the men to deal with us through unions or union representatives, and the further fact, as above stated, that we shall continue to pursue the same policy towards our employees as heretofore, we wish to state that we will continue to deal directly with our employees or any committees which they may appoint to represent them, but we positively will not recognize any union or representatives from a union or unions.
Furthermore we have been informed that these organizers are telling our employees that if they do not join the union they will lose their jobs and will not be able to get work with the company. We wish hereby to state emphatically that no man will lose his job if he does not join the union, and that furthermore we will afford him every protection at our command if he is interfered (sic) with when attending to his duties while in our employ.
Crown Willamette Paper Company. Portland, Oregon, May 19, 1917.
