oo

the Construction Department has violent ups and downs and it
is practically impossible for them to make any commitments as
to guaranteeing the employee a job upon his return to the de-
partment after an absence of several months. In practically
every instance the employee group would have moved to another
location. ,

In some of the operating departments, where the employee
is training himself for a special technical service such as petro-
leum engineer, research, etc., a tentative arrangement is made with
the employee so that he works during the summer within a department
and if everything proves out satisfactorily he is employed as an
apprentice engineer upon graduation.

Unfortunately, when an employee is working in the field
forces, which are all covered by collective bargaining contracts,
the management does not have much leeway in giving assurance that
the employee may re-enter service as the provisions of the contract
have to apply at that time. However, it would seem from Darrow's
ability to keep on during the past few months that he would not be

running too great a risk if he were to obtain a leave of absence
from his department. At the most, he has only a year's seniority
built up so the only gamble would be on whether or not there was
any work going on at the time of his return.

If I can find anything more about Darrow, 1 will be on
the look-out to do so but trust that the above information may
enable you to discuss with him more clearly the questions which
he has presented to you.

 

PE. RB