The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1916-12-02
N0RM|EC|ANs GET
INTO POLITICS
As STRIKE FAILS

CHICAGO, Nov. 29.-The Norwe-
gian government has recently enacted
measure which will exercise pro-
found influence upon the labor move
ment of that country, writes The In
ternational Molders' Journal
The effects of the new law will
without doubt be f.. also by the trade
unionists of Europe and America, for
it is the gaining Of new ground by
that group who believe in compulsory
arbitration and the compulsory labor
or involuntary servitude which goes
with it.
Efforts have been made for some
timc in Norway to enact q compulsory
arbitration law, and in 1914 the Knud-
sen cabinet made an effort to pass a
measure of this character, but owing
to the opposition which was encoun-
tered the effort failed
Knudsen Cabinet Fails.
This was followed by the cabinet
resignation. The principal cause of
tie measures failure at that time was
the action Of the National Federation
of Norwegian Unions which threat
ened to inaugurate general strike
throughout the country if the measure
was enacted.
Strange to say, at that time it was
the so-called Conservati: in the
Norwegian parliament who showed the
most hostility to the bill, while the
Liberals were the ones who advo-
Gated it.
In the early part of the present
year. the miners when their agree
ment with their employers expired, re-
fused to renew it. The mine owners
then locked out their employees.
Threaten Great Strike.
Other organizations then threatened
sympathetic strike. and as a cou~~
ter-move, the owners of metal-work-
ing establishments locked out some
10000 workmen.
The trade unionists not affected
were preparing to meet this counter
strike with a general strike of all
union WOrkmen, and some organiza-
| tons had already, conc on strike. some
10000 workmen having participated
and about 100000 more being ready to
join with them as soon as the two
weeks notice provided by the agree
ment with their employers had ex-
pired.
On June Q, parliament passed a
corr pulsory arbitration bill, which
provided that all industrial disputes
mu; : be settled by a commission ap-
pointed by the government. the king
signing the bill the same day.
Face Forced Labor.
Violations of the law are to be pun
lshed by fines ranging from 5000 to
$4,000 kroner. corporations as we'll as
individuals being responsible.
A general strike under there cir
cumstances would have meant rebel
lion against the government. and if
the workers had stood by their deter
! r'ination to participate in general
strike. the government would either
have been forced to back down, and
repeal the law, or else the question
could be settled by nothing short of q
! civil war.
The Norwegian labor congress met
June 1s to decide what action should
| be taken by the trade unionists, and
! after considering the situation, by a
vote of 1877 to As, the delegates de-
cided to comply with the law and the
sympathetic strike then in existence
! was called off.
! Resort to Politics.
! The trade unionists of Norway now
! intend to make an issue of labor YER
sus the government and to undertake
the repeating of the law through the
| election of representatives to the par
liaments who will favor such action
| In the meantime, however. the
| trade unionists must work for what
ever wages are determined by the
commission. and suffer the most Sc.
we're punishment should any group re-
| fuse to work because the conditions
of labor are unsatisfactory to them.