Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-04-21
THE JOINT CONFERENCE.

The manner in which the coal situa-
ton in Iowa is being adjusted is an
eloquent testimonial to the value OF
the system of joint conferences be-
tween employers and employees, the
representatives of capital and the rep.
resentatives of labor. The joint con.
ference, when rightly conducted, is OF
value and benefit to both sides. 1t
gives the employer an opportunity to
bring to the attention of the employe
all the questions Of business expedi-
ency and that arise in connection with
the expense of conducting industries
where labor is employed. 1t gives the
employe an opportunity to call UP for
his employers consideration all the
points about the business that are
wrong from the workman's standpoint
And to both it gives an opportunity to
agree on wages and conditions of en-
ployment such as shall suit both sides
or shall come near enough satisfaction
to make it profitable for both sides tc
asquiesce in the settlement.
Years ago, before the age Of unions
and when everyone was for himself In
business of every nature, employers
dealt individually with employees. The
real employer often never knew any
thing of the actual conditions with
which his workmen had to DEAL He
knew but few of them and naturally
there was no bond of sympathy. But
now that is changed. Laboring men
organize into unions. They choose Of
law, and become orderly and usefu
citizens much faster than before the
day of organizations. This is one ben
eft they derive and their employer
participates, for added intelligence
makes them better workmen, more
| able to carry out the desires of theil
| employer, and worth more money tt
him from practical business stand
point.
| With the joint conference in vogue
these organized working men sena del
egates from their local bodies TO &
meeting where they confer with rep
resentatives of the employers, who. or
ganize in order to be on level foot
| ing with their organized employees. Al
the joint conference these men, repre-
4 senting the two sides of the labor sit
uation, discuss all the points tina
arise in connection with the work Ii
question. They decide on just basil
for arranging a wage scale for a stat
ed period, taking into consideration
the demand for the commodities pre-
duced, the condition of the market ant
/ the rates of pay that have governe'
the industry in the past.
In Iowa the joint conference between
the coal operators and miners is th,
largest affair Of this CLASS. 1t has beef
in vogue for several years and on
conference is now in session with goo,
prospects for an amicable and satisfac
tory settlement within a few days
This settlement will be in the natur,
of compromise between the origina
demands of the two sides. The min
ers wanted an increase this year ii
their wages; the operators thought tn,
1905 scale high enough and demande,
assurance from the miners that tn,
men employed in the various low;
mines would work faithfully through
out the period covered by the agree
ment. The basis finally decided upol
means the arrangement of an agree
ment which shall Include assurance
such as the operators demanded and
wage scale the same as that of 1909
which was reduced for 1904 and 30
by 5.55 per cent.
Joint conferences, when conducts
on sane and fair basis, are Of grea
value to the employers and employee
and both should make every effort t
get their Industries upon such basi
| where such a move is possible.