New-York tribune., 1918-06-14
Western Union Takes
Steps to Form Its Own
Union Body
Asks Men to Meet in
Chicago on July 10
Postal Valves Right of Dis.
charge for Joining Union
for Duration Of War

Official announcements were made
Yesterday by the Postal and Western
Union Telegraph companies in regard
to their attitudes toward the organiza
tion of employees. The Postal, in a
message first sent to President Wilson,
announced that it agreed to waive its
rights during the war to discharge
employees who joined union, as re-
ouested by the President, while the
Western Union issued proclamation
calling for meeting Of the companys
employees to be held in Chicago July 10
to consider the formation of a self
governing body. The two messages
were sent out over the wires to the
district superintendents of both COM
oanies. that of the Postal to take effect
Immediately.
The action of the Western Union is con-
sidered insignificant in the light of re-
cent developments affecting possible
strike OF employees and an intmation of
the expected summons of President
company's refusal to submit to the
jurisdiction of the National War Labor
Board. The board upheld the right oe
the company's operators TO organize,
hut the Western Union refused to
abide by this finding after having dis
charged number of employees for join
ing the Commercial Telegraphers'
Union.
Silent About Discharged Employees
In his explanatory statements re-
garding the Western Union, President
Carlton made no mention of anything
relating to these matters except to
state that the plan now proposed had
no relation to any labor movement
now affecting the company. He says
nothing about reinstating the dis
charged employees.
The Postal message, sent out under
the authority of the signature of Vice
President and General Manager Ed
ward Reynolds, is as follows:
"Beginning to-day, you will carry
out terms, OF the following telegram,
which Mr. Mackay sent to President
Wilson last night:
an reply to your letter of yesterday,
allow me to say that this company has
done its very utmost since the begin
ming of the war TO assume its full
share of responsibility to the govern
ment and to the public and that in
order to still further show it's sincerity
and earnest desire to be - service at
this time of national trial. we cannot
but respond to your request tnat we
waive during the war our right to, dis
charge employees who join a union, and
you may rely upon our doing So"
In issuing the proclamation Of the
Western Union to its employees in the
United States and Canada, calling for
convention to consider the formation
of self-governing association, Presi-
dent Carleton stated that the proposed
movement bore no relation to any labor
union activity against the company, but
was cordial response on the part of
the company to a petition from en-
ployes of the Chicago Office seeking
permission to form a general body ef
the character stated. He said the COM
pany had needed the appeal as offering
an advanced step toward granting en-
ployes expression regarding manage
ment, compensation and treatment that
they had never enjoyed
Employees to Control
The proclamation issued by the West
ern Union as basis for the organiza-
ton OF the proposed employees asso-
cation, calls for complete control by
employees, none of whom shall be in
&utnorlty to hire or discharge and de-
clares that it shall be representative
OF all employees.
-. "a tentative basis for the delibera-
s,ons OF the proposed meeting is set
II. The better utilization of the prac
ucai knowledge and experience Of the
~. Means for securing to the en-
ployes greater share in and re-
sponsibility for the determination and
observance .ns! of the conditions under
which their work is carried on.
S. The settlement of the general
principles governing the conditions of
employment, including methods of fix
ing, paying and readjusting wages,
naving regard to the need for securing
70 the employees share in the in
creased prosperity of the industry.
=. The establishment of regular
methods. methods of negotiation for issues
arising between the company and the
employees, with q view both to the
prevention of differences and to their
oester adjustment should they appear.
-. .. Means of insuring to the en-
ps proves the greatest possible security
VI earnings and employment, without