Search JTA's historical archive dating back to 1923

U.S. Labor Leader Criticizes Renault for Withdrawing from Israel

February 5, 1960
See Original Daily Bulletin From This Date
Advertisement

A national labor union leader denounced today the cancelation by Regie Renault of its assembly contract in Israel, calling the cancelation an act of “appeasement of dictators and bullies.”

Joseph A. Beirne, president of the Communications Workers of America, who is also a vice-president of the AFL-CIO, made the charge at a meeting of the union’s collective bargaining policy committee here. The partly French Government-owned auto firm ended its contract for assembly of small cars at the Kaiser-Frazer plant in Haifa, later admitting that it had done so under Arab boycott pressure.

Mr. Beirne, who is an honorary vice-chairman of the American Trade Union Council for Histadrut, told the policy committee: “it was no surprise to learn that the company’s sales in the United States have been falling. It is difficult to feel respect for Renault, which has permitted itself to be pushed around by boycott pressures contrary to the most fundamental principles of democracy and peaceful relationships.”

Recommended from JTA

Advertisement