Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-03

! these recurring annual elections the
! fun body OF miners shall be permitted
! to discuss and make recommendations
I concerning any matters pertaining to
/ their employment. which recommends
/ tons are assured OF consideration ac-
cordinG to u manner further provided
I for.
The plan marks an epoch between
capital and labor.
There is an intimation tina, under
! favorable conditions the Rockefeller
/ Interests might enter into contraCtual
relations with organized labor. Yet
! ~ clos" study OF the plan presents con-
! vinciuG evidence that its complete sue
/ cess would crowd the labor union from
/ The industrial field.
CAMPS ARE DIVIDED
ISTO FIVE DISTRICTS
For the purpose OF facilitating the
| plan the camps Of the company are
divided into live districts. Thereafter.
district conferences are provided to
meet AT intervals OF not more than
four months at which the representa-
tivcs of the miners in the respective
districts shall discuss matters Of mu-
tual interest. The principal outline
! of the plan SAYS:
THE purpose Of these district con-
fcrcnccs shall be to discuss freely mat
+, tiers Of mutual interest and concern
to the company and it's employees en-
bracin. a sidcratiuu Of suGS cStions
| to promote Increased efficiency and
production. 10 improve working ana
living conditions, TO enforce discipline,
avoid discussions, ana to further
friendly and cordial clatonS between
! the company's officers and employees"
! Al the iirst district conferences held
in each year IL il provided that the
following joint committees shall be
! selected. the representa- tiVcs of the
miners and the president o! the COM
pauy ach TO select three members;
/ y joint committee on industrial CO.
operation and Cancellation.
y Joint committee OF safety and ac
cidcntS.
\ joint committee on sanitation and
a Joint committee on recreation and
! education.
! These committees arc charged with
:he discussion and recommendation
with regard to such matters as would
naturally come Within their jurisdic
ton
Annually there is TO he a joint meet
ing Of the president and other OH
Gals OF the company and the repre-
sentatives OF the miners from all tho
several districts.
| Coming next to the prevention and
adjustment of Industrial disputes, TO
which a special chapter is given in
the detailed plan. tho provisions laid
! down here are probably tho most inn
| portant in the entire scheme. Both
parties to the agreement pledge them
selves to an observance OF all the Fed
eral and state rules regarding mining
and labor. The company agrees TO
! post in conspicuous places in every
! mine the scale OF WAGES and rules with
regard TO working conditions. And
( then occur these Hat concessions on
the part OF the company:
There shall II" no discrimination by
M r
4 pluyces on account of membership or
/ u-mcmhershiN in any society, fra
tcruity or union"
. But there IS also this provision i'm
mcdiately followinc
4 The right To hire and DISCHARGE tho
manaccment "f the properties. and the
direction Of the working forces shall
/ lie vested exclusively in the com my,
ana except as expressly restricted this
; right shall not he abridged by any
: thing contained herein"
There shall be posted AT each prop
crty list Of orenses for commission
I OF which by an employee dismissal
3 may result without notice. For other
/ oTcnscs employees shall not be dis
: charged without first having heer mott
/ fed that a repetition Of the oI.nse will
3 tie CHus" for dismissal.
/ EMPLOYEES HAVE RIGHT
! TO HOLD MEETINGS
Employees arc given the right to
| hold meetings; employees shall not he
obliged 10 trade at company stores but
! shall he AT perfect liberty TO purchaS $50
1 goods wherever they may ch ooSo They
/ shall have the right to employ their
/ own check weighman. they shall have
/ the right OF appeal in all cases direct
( 10 the head Of the company
And then here is the plan for adjust
/ ing grievances. First, the men shall
/ submit their grievances TO the mine SUI
/ pcrint"ndcut through their elected rep
. rcscuta'ivcs. That method failing to
I sccur" relief. tho noXt recourse is TO
/ the industrial representative to the
/ president OF tn" company, whose duty
=, II shall he to travel about, visiting the
. different mines and adjusting gricv-
I nuces. Will" At the same time making
. his own Investigation Of conditions.