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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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pre-existing the National Labor Relations Act, had contracts with an employer. The employer had signed a contract in good faith and the union in good faith. The contract ran for two years. Three months later the CIO begins organizing in that plant. They get enough people to sign a petition for an election. They claim that the majority wants the CIO. The idea was that the Board could then order an election, and did in fact order an election. This happened in a good many cases. They ordered an election. An election was held. There was great political activity going on beforehand, with the employer protesting wildly, “How can you do this? I have a contract with the AF of L. No matter who winds the election I have a contract with the AF of D good for two years.” But the CIO, of course, in its political campaign, would say to the employees, “You aren't getting enough money. You've signed a contract that sews you up for two years. You ought to have your wages raised. We'll get your wages raised. The AF of L has signed an old-fashioned contract that binds you and ties you down.”

They'd hold an election and they'd learn that a majority wanted the CIO to represent them. The board would then order the employer to recognize the CIO





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