At International Harvester, a key fortress of the Red-led Farm Equipment-United Electrical Workers union has been the Rock Island (Ill.) Local 109, with more than 3,000 workers employed at the Farmall tractor works. Two years ago, Local 109 leaders had such a firm grip on the rank and file that the C.I.O. United Auto Workers withdrew an application for an NLRB election for fear of being trounced. Last week the U.A.W. went into a second NLRB election with no intention of quitting.
On the side of the U.A.W. was the Rev. William ("Father Bill") O'Connor,...
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