Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1940 [PAGE 701]

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698

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

[January 16

let to a contractor at a cost of several thousands of dollars in excess of what it should be. W h e n pressed for reasons for ordering a strike on three buildings now under construction on the campus by contractors having no connection whatsoever with the tunnel project, it was stated that the following reasons led to the decision to demand that the University engage a private contractor: (1) inadequate protection under the workmen's compensation and occupational disease law if the University did the w o r k ; (2) loss of social security privileges if the University rather than a private contractor did the work. T h e University has advised the labor organization concerned that it is prepared to observe the following conditions in the installation of the piping in the tunnel by the University or under its supervision, if the strike on the other buildings be called off: (1) the University is prepared and has made tentative arrangements to provide workmen's compensation insurance which will accord to all men employed on the project all the rights and privileges available to them under the state workmen's compensation and occupational disease law; (2) the University will provide such employees all the privileges to which they may be entitled under the federal social security l a w ; and (3) in accordance with established policy the University will employ on this job only union plumbers and steam fitters, in such numbers as may be required to complete the installation, at union wages and under all customary union conditions. As soon as this strike occurred the Regional Director of the Federal Works Agency was advised of the situation, and I understand his office in turn notified the Washington office by telegraph, or telephone, or both on or about January 5. Presumably this did not come to your attention until after you wrote me on January 8 inasmuch as no mention of the strike is made in your letter. I am directed by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, which met today, to consider this matter, to make its position clear. It cannot agree to waive the duty or surrender any part of the power it now has under the law to do its own work when, in the judgment of the Board, the public interest will be best served thereby. Under its charter the General Assembly of Illinois has made it the duty of the Board of Trustees and explicitly empowered it to provide building facilities and equipment to operate the University of Illinois. This duty the Board has many times performed and cannot, by contract or otherwise, surrender any appropriate method of performing it. If the strike continues long it will mean that the Illini Union Building cannot be finished by May 31, 1040, nor can the other two P W A projects be finished by their completion dates. In that event the Board of Trustees must ask the Federal W o r k s Agency, through the Regional Office, to extend the time during which Federal grants will be available. T h e University has no other sources of funds for the construction of the Illini Union Building than the grant and a loan from private sources representing the sponsor's share. I felt that you should have a full account of what has occurred. It is to our interest to complete the Illini Union Building, as well as the other P W A projects under construction here, as quickly as possible. On the other hand, the principle at stake is very important to the future of the University. I am sure we may count on your office to cooperate with us in avoiding the loss of the grant. If there are any suggestions or advice you can give me as to what further steps the University can take to clear up this situation, I shall deeply appreciate it. V e r y s;ncerely yourS|

A . C. WlLLARD

President

Mrs. Plumb moved the appointment of a committee to confer with the Honorable Martin P. Durkin, Director of the Department of Labor of the State of Illinois, concerning the strike of plumbers and steam fitters on the new buildings under construction at the University and to request his cooperation in having the strike called off and settled. During the discussion of this motion, an attempt was made to talk by telephone with Mr. Durkin, who was in Chicago, to arrange a con-