The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-10-01
Regarding Piecework.

CoHN'FSdnt with INe particular CLASS
of work
Regarding Piecework.
"They nlso insist tha, the company
shall abolish the piecewo system.
regardless OF the fact that tina, af-
lords efficient men an opportunity TO
increase their earnings. and tho fur
ther fact that the company has pc
t!tions from The mon now so engaged
not 10 abolish the said system, stat
ing II as their opinion that the re-
suits of that system obtained have
b. been more satisfactory. both 10 en-
ployer and employee, Under this sys-
tenn the moro efficient class OF work
men are able 10 make better wages
than they could on the hourly rate
which is insisted upon,
Experience heretofore has proved
that In dealing with federated bodies
Of this kind such as the Knights of
Labor. American Railway Union. and
other organizations Il has bean dis
astrous both to the corporations and
10 the men for the reasons men
toned above. and from the further
fact thet II is impracticable TO deal
irtelligently and satisfactorily with
such large organizations. This COM
pany has been ~ all times willing.
and has so advised the men on sew
eral occasions recently, 10 meet the
representatives OF the individual or
ganizations as heretofore. likewise
those of our employees who arc not
members OF any organization. hut
they arbitrarily insist that we must
meet them as q federated body or
not at all,
The increase they demand in
wages and the substitution OF jour
neymen mechanics 10 do practically
all classes Of shop work. including
work not considered skilled labor.
would increase the pnyrois under the
jurisdiction OF the Oregon Short Line
approximately half million dollars
per annum, and this demand is made
regardless OF the fact that while the
prices Of all materials entering into
the construction and maintenance OF
IN the past few years, that our
freight rates have been recently re-
duced, taxation largely increased.
and the further fact that there is al
months past. a material falling OF In
the revenue In the earnings OF the
road owing TO depression In business
generally.
Increase of Wages
"Withln the past four or five years
the company has given It's mechanics
and others increases averaging Is
per cent and in some cases as high
as % per cent. We are paying our
employees as high a rate Of pay as
any lines IN our territory. and in
maintained n larger force a times
than our earnings would fairly JUS
tify In order to keep the men at
work. hoping that there would he an
increa sed demand for their services.
For a small monthly payment, al the
present % cents month. the COM
pany has made provision 10 give its
employees medical and surgical at
tendance. including hospital accom-
modations. when required. II has
iys, i,, off OF tngI1
tablished several years ago, the funds
10 supply which are appropriated by
the company. This Is intended as an
aid TO employees or long standing
after age or inilrnlty has REQUIRED
them 10 retire from the service.
There are al the present time quite
number of old employees OF the
company on tho pension roll. and
many others arc nearing the age
when they Will be entitled 10 these
benefits.
They further demand that men In
charge OF mechanics must be me-
chanics. and that In the promotion 10
foremen. seniority must govern. This
requirement virtually means that the
company must select foremen from
their organizations. taking the oldest
man In service. regardless Of his fit-
ness for tho position. either physical
ly or otherwise. -
Objectionable Demand.
They also substantially demand
that workman be not discharged
or suspended without the previous
consent OF a committee OF shop en-
ployees. which would virtually de-
prive the company Of the power 10
maintain discipline and secure eff
Cient service. In fact, the organlZa-
tions OF the various crafts would
practically operate the shops. They
further demand that The competency
OF employees entering the service
shall be determined within thirty
days, and that they shall not be re-
quested TO undergo any form OF ply
sical examination or furnish any In
formation as To their personal rec
ord in the performance Of their
trade. The effect OF these two eX-
actions are particularly Objectionable
and for reasons beyond the interests
OF the company as an employer, Be-
ing engaged as It is In a public
service. IT Is required TO exercise the
greatest care to avoid injury TO the
travelling public and for the pro-
lection of the property entrusted 10
II for shipment
THE Law exacts OF a carrier that
II sha II exercise great diligence In
procuring efficient faithful and skill
ful employees in its various pursuits.
and IT is liable for injuries resulting
from its omission 10 do so. Not only
Is this required OF it in employing
It's servants, but II man after his
employment. at any time. shows lack
Of skill. efficiency or faithful per-.
fornance Of the work which he has
undertaken. the law imposes the oh
legation upon the company to dis
charge him. and a failure 10 do so
resulting in damage creates a la
bility, II will bee readily seen that
these demands are utterly incon-
sistent with the obligations Of the
employer 10 the public. whom II
serves. The enforcement OF such
rules as these would prevent the
company from ascertaining the truth
rs 10 the physical moral and other
qualifications OF the men whom they
wish To employ.
Means Closed Shop.
They also demand that all pres
ent and future employees not mem
oers shall join The organization with
in thirty days after their employ
ment, which means a closed shop,
and the discharge after thirty days
OF all employees who, for reasons of
their own. do not desire 20 become
members OF the organization. This
proposition is contrary 10 the very
fundamental principles upon which
our government is founded. and which
secures 10 an individual his life,
liberty and properly. and his right
10 property includes mis- right to la
Dor and earn the support for him
self and those dependent upon him