Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-26
The Working of Compulsory Arbitra

ton. 4
The long protracted coal strike
whose effects are felt SO keenly by mill
lions of our people has aroused re-
newed interest in the subject of COM
pulsory arbitration. Such system has
been in operation for some time in the
colony of New Zealand and a recent
investigation of it by Thomas Mann of
London brings out some interesting
facts. Mr. Mann looks at it from the
point of view of labor leader for he is
one Of the most vigorous and uncom-
promising leaders of organized labor in
Great Britain. He is at the head of
the strong union of English machinists,
and while he has been prominent in all
union affairs he won particular fame in
managing the London dock strike. His
views on compulsory arbitration in
New Zealand are given in the Septem-
Der issue of the Nineteenth Century.
Some dissatisfaction exists on both
sides" he says, particularly among
the men where wages have actually
been reduced as the result of the
courts award: but" he adds, 80 far
as am able to ascertain. do not think
any serious dissatisfaction exists either
on the side of employers or workers in
more than half a dozen cases in the
whole colony, and seeing that up to
June of last year 80 cases had been
dealt with under the act this proper
ton is very small"
This is a fair candid view. Surpris-
ing as it may seem TO those who
imagine that compulsory arbitration
VIII be altogether favorable to the men,
the most serious criticism which Mr..
Tom Mann makes is that the laborer
has to abide by the award. "On all
Sides he says, Il learn that the work
ing of the act calls for increasing
caution on the part of the rank and file,
and especially on that of the officers Of
the union" The award of wages even
where. as in the case of the Typograph-
ical Union. wages were reduced has to
be accepted. 1t applies to union and
non-union men alike. The employers
feel themselves upon q solid basis.
Men need not work unless they choose
but it they work at the trade involved
in a decision it must be at the wage de-
termined. and any employer who cuts
wages to increase profits, or advances
them in order to get a man whom he
wishes to take away from another
office. firds himself liable to fine and
Imprisonment. while all the funds of
the unions which are all benefit So
cieties.. are open to distraint in order
to pay the fines of members of the
union who disregard the decision of the
court.
The result is, this shrewd observer
declares. speaking altogether from the
side of the union, that there is a grow
ing feeling that if the men should take
action for the repeal of the arbitrat ton
act the employers would be found de-
Tending it, 1t has given peace, it has
prevented the uncertainty which at
taches to all contracts and all business
under strikes and lockouts, 1t enables
man claiming for the future to treat
the wages which are to be paid as Il
subject which can be settled ut
law exactly as his contract for
brick and mortar, and it changes
negotiation over wages with a
union from bargaining. with ir-
responsible men to bargaining with
mon who must keen their contracts or
suffer.
Mr.. Mann in his comments does not
forget to note the fact that the system
has been in operation only in prosper
Gus times when work was plenty and
wages increasing. 1t is yet to be seer
how it will stand the test OF hard
times or 4 dull season. 1t is yet on
trial. and it is not strange that it does
not satisfy everybody. What law
does" But however well compulsory
arbitration works in New Zealand it is
certain to be some time before it is
tried in this country.
1t was another of the intensely hui