The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-13
Stand Firmly But Respectfully for
Their Rights as Free Ameri-
can Citizens.
SEEK NO CONTROVERSY
WITH LAKE CARRIERS
But Cannot Assent to a PROPOSE
ton Wholly One Sided in
It's Terms.

Marine affairs at Duluth have not
yet gotten beyond the preliminary
stages; but that eventually an unler-
standing or agreement acceptable to 3
all concerned shall be consummated is
the opinion Of men on intimate rela-
tions with both parties. The position
OF the engineers is outlined in a. circu-
lar from headquarters the main body
of which is as follows: ~ N#
Circular Letter. G
Contracts are unnecessary as be-
tween an employer and a marine en-
gtneer. The offer of employment: by
an owner OF his representatives, the
acceptance Of same by an engineer
and the continuance of employment as
long as mutually agreeable are all
that should be required. An engineer
has no right to wrongful1y refuse to
serve as engineer, but he has the right
to Snominate the conditions under
which he will serve, provided they are
equitable and legal, and this right
should not be surrendered to employ
ers He also has the right to refuse to
sign any contract other than the
ships articles and can legally and
morally refuse to serve under an all
legged contract that has been entered
into through coercion or misrepresen-
tation. An employer has no more
legal or moral right to expect or re-
quire an engineer to take a boat out
with an incompetent, insufficient or
indifferent crew tnan he has to require.
an engineer to take a boat out with
her boilers, engines or other equip
ment in an unsafe or improper condi-s
ton. g. e.
"The M. E. B. A. has no fight with
the Lake Carriers, but simply want
the members to live up to their oath
to the United States government and
also stand by their obligations to M. e
b. A. ~, .,---. l. -, l.: s<.=-55ssz
=. With the exception of dates and sig
natures, the following contract propo-
Esition sent out sby the Lake Carriers,
EAgz fs ind dtcatives. attitude in the
[premises: s.s Esssz,ss5s 80 81 s.
carrisrs' Proposal.
you are hereby appointed for the
season of 1909 chief engineer Of our
steamer -, at the rate of ....i
per month, on the following terms:
THAT the company reserves the
fright to dispense with your services at
any time for reasons satisfactory to 1t.
That you faithfully abide by and CO.
operate in carrying out the rules and
regulations of the company in respect
to all matters in your department.
"As we have decided upon the policy
of open shop, you will be expected to,
and by your acceptance hereof will
agree to, fully cooperate In tnis policy
and in keeping off the ship any repre-
sentatives of other interests than the
ship and owners, so far as your de-
partment is concerned Also, If the
company decides not to put or keep
the steamer in commission, you agree
to serve, If requested, as second engin-
eer on any steamer of the company to
which you may be assigned, without,
however, any reduction in the rate OF
you rsalary above stated
1t is not our purpose at this time
to discuss the merits or demerits Of
either contention. The Carriers and
the Engineers can be safely trusted to-
adjust their affairs in manner hon.
orable to all concerned. In this. as in
many other cases, interference by
third parties only serves to .complicate
matters. Every well conceived agree
ment between employer and employe
involves an exchange Of propositions,
and it need not be considered unusual
that certain factors Of the contract OF
hiring have not yet gotten Beyond dis
cussion between the carriers and the
engineers. Everything will be salts
factorily adjusted In ample time for.
the coming seasons activities.