Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1903-07-17
THE UMPlRE'S
DECISION

plIO AiOA' DCldhcy III tuC dl ulIl dUloll
case between the machinists of the
Roanoke Machine Works and the Nor
folk and WESTERN
Mr.. l.. e. Johnson, representing Nor
folk and Western Railway Co.
Mr. Jas. ]. Creamer, Machinists, Nor
folk and Western Railway Co.
Gentlemen: In this case of arbitra-
ton between the machinists of the
Norfolk and Western Railway Com
pany and the railway company itself,
in which the machinists request the
company to abolish the system of piece
work as conducted by the said com
pany during the last twenty years, and
adopt as a substi ute the day rate.
| beg to say that as the third member
of this board of arbitration. | have
endeavored to the best of my ability
to possess myself of the facts and ar
guments bearing upon the merits OF
The case, in order to come to an equi-
table decision.
In reviewing the evidence as report
ed in the minutes, it does not appear
chat the machinists employed in the
piece work system in the shops of the
Norfolk & Western Railway Co., COM
plain of any unfair treatment on the
part of the management which has con-
trolled the affairs of the company dur
ing the last six years, nor has there
been any request for change of rates
during this period. There have been
no cuts in rates with the exception OF
three cases, one of them being an adj
vance, the other two being a redue-
ton mutually agreed upon by the par
ties interested, due to better facilities
provided by the company, more eff
cient tools and better STEEL thereby
increasing the output of work in
stated time. During this period of six
years the men have had the advantage
OF continuous work, and have earned
wages considerably in excess of the
average day rate-men working by
pieces work rates, have earned from 81
10 Al cents per hour, or an average OF
36 cents per hour The Exhibit "a
to the report of minutes, gives
the piece work prices. The capacity |
Of the machines, and the rates per hour. |
from this Exhibit | infer that the ear
nings of the Workmen might be fur
Their increased if the contingencies OF
the business at times, should require
a greater output than the average.
This, however, would be optional on
the part of the men-they being tie
best judges of their physical endure
ance.
am free to say, that in my opinion
the piece work system as practice
in the shops of the Norfolk & West
ern Company is not Objectionable ii
that feature which enables a capable
and industrious mechanic, if he SO
wills, acting as an Independent indi-
vidual, to make an agreement with his
on such terms as may be
agreed upon, which will give him an
opportunity to increase his income,
advance his position in life and con-
duee to the benefit of his family
Notwithstanding these apparent adj
the men employed in the |
shops OF the railway company on pie( G |
work, acting as body, make the for
NAL request that the piece work sys-
tenn be abolished, and the day rate
plan be adopted, giving as a reason |
that the piece work system as con-
Quoted at the Norfolk e Western shops
Is the caus. OF the diSsensiors ali |
i'scords which exist in their body an
wAich will continue as long as t
'ystent exists. This is a deplorable stalc
of affairs, an unfortunate conditioG
when jealousies, heart burnings ana
are aroused in an assem-
blage Of good men.
l do not think it we'll to jumj too
soon to a conclusion-there may be
other factors besides the one mention
ed, which may contribute to this I'M
healthy state. do not know of any
occupation in life, where bodies OF men
are associated together, that is free
from discussions and discord at times,
and I believe it an established fact
that these evils are found in all times
and in all places.
It is assumed that by adopting the
day plan, all the clements which con-
rsbute to this friction and discord will
ne eliminated, and that an atmosphere
Of good feeling will be created in which
no dissensions or chickering's can ex-
ist. This would be happy solution,
II good results would follow, but do
not feel convinced that the experiment
an accomplish the purpose intended.
do not think it well to jump toe
advantage of the machinists to resig
the privilege that working man en-
joys In the ability to earn a large
amount OF money, working by the
piece, than he can earn by the hour
or day rate.
do not think that the man MAKING
Al cents per hour, should sacrifice 2
certain portion of his pay, and, on
sentimental grounds, take less rate
per hour for the sake of an expert
ment. | do not think that in doing
this he can Danish discord and dis
sension.
By this means alone, he cannot con
vert machine shop into a paradise
|of good fellowship, so long as human
nature holds sway in the hearts oil
men.
Agreeing in the main witch the con
tention of Mr.. L. e. Johnson, that the
abolition of the piece work system in
the machine shops of the Norfolk
Western Railway Co. would be detrl-
mental to the business and economic
plans of the company, without con-
ferring any benefit to the men, and
recognizing the right of the company
to conduct its business by the piece
work system or any other system,
which right is also conceded to the
company by the men in its employ
nent-I conclude
That it would not be to the interest
of the men to abandon piece work,