The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-12-19
THE OPEN SHOP.

Inc building trades unions of Du-
luth are soon to be confronted with
the proposition OF an "open shop" in
dealing with the contractors. While
the Builders Exchange has as yet
given out nothing as to it's purpose
next season, it is apparent that things
are shaping themselves for a united
effort. among all contractors and
builders to secure an "open shop"
agreement with the unions.
1t had been hoped all along that
there would be no Industrial disturb
ances next sping in this city. All Of
the building trade unions are practi-
cally satisfied with their present
wages, hours of labor and general
working conditions. With the agree
ments Of 1903 renewed for next year
there would be nothing to cause an
impeachment in the necessary building
operations to be carried on in this
city.
1t is generally conceded that there is
a demand for more buildings in Du-
luth. Hundreds of families are living
in over crowded flats. Hundreds Of
others are boarding at private houses
because of high rents and a scarcity
Of dwelling houses.
If the money market is in a favor
q 10 M 1IvhY
there will not be considerable building
going on next spring. They who
would try to prevent this in any way
are enemies of the city.
If the contractors attempt to en-
force their prospective demand for the
open shop" the responsibility for the
impeachment Of building operations viii
rest upon their shoulders. 1t can not
be expected that labor should agree
to- the open shop Its only hope
for maintaining fair conditions is in
the closed shop. With organized
labor the employer has the privilege
of operating either a strictly union or
non-union shop. His rights or the
rights OF the mont union man in this
respect will not, nor can they be in
terfered with by organized labor. In
defending the rights of the non union
man too many people forget that the
union man has some rights. Being
organized only his power is considered,
While the question Of his rights are
of but secondary consideration. Union
labor does not say that an employer
shall employ only members Of the
union. He can employ who ever he
pleases. All the union ever pretends
to say IS that it's members will not
work with any but member of the
union. Union labor has this right
without question:. If the nonunion
man has the right to work for whom
and with whom he pleases, has not
does he exercise more than that
right?
The contractors can have the open
shop if they want it. This Will be
their privilege. But the matter OF
securing union men to do their work
is another question. When both
sides Of this question are weighed
carefully it will be seen that in real
ity the trade union attempts to en-
croach upon no persons rights in the
securing of trade agreements.
Organized labor will insist upon the
closed shops. 1t required many hard
efforts to secure it, and it will not
surrender in hurry that which il
required SO much to gain merely tc
satisfy the desire of it's enemies. The
open shops means eventually non
union conditions. Non-union condf.
tons means low wages, long hours oil
labor and unfavorable working con-
ditions. Union conditions require thu
continuing Of the closed shop.