The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-31
National Conference Considers
Their Part in War Industries
in Framing Pact
ORGANIZED LABOR
SCORES VICTORY IN
FORMAL AGREEMENT
No Rights Abridged. Eight
Hour Day, and No Change
in Existing Conditions Is
Made by Special Board

WASHINGTON March 30.--Sweeplnr
victory for organized labor On many
points embraced in the formal agree
ment drawn up between employers
and workers fu the war industries.
made public here tonight by the de-
parsment Of labor
The agreement was drawn IN by
ne war tabor conference board head
cd hy foTu,r President William H
Taft, end Frank = Walsh
The term agree7 upon follow.
Right to orEanize---
l. The right Of workers 10 organize
~ trade union and Ia bargain col
lecttveiy through chosen representa-
tiyes is recognized and affirmed. This
right shall not be denied, abridged
of f1terferei with hy the employers
In any manner whatsoever.
:. The right Of employers to organ
re tn associations OF groups and 80
bargain collectively. through chosen
representative Is recognized and at
firTnea This right shall not be de
Med, abridged or interfored with bv
workers ia any manner whatsoever.
2. Employers should not discharge
workers tor membership In trads
ttieeS 9or for legitimate trade union
activities
rne workers IN the exercise az
lesf right ~ organize shall not use
tarrciye measures 81 any kind to in
,fuee persons TO Join their organ liza -
Tons nor to induce employers 70
taarsain or deal Herewith.
Exciting conditions
l. In establishments where tie
afion shep exists the same shall con-
f1nua and 'he union standards as to
wages. hours Of labor and other colt
altions Of employment shall ne main.
aimed
e. In establishments where union
and non union men and women now
work together and the employer meets
only with employees or representa-
lives engaged in said establishments
shall not be deemed a grievance. This
declaration. however, Is not attended
in any manner to deny the right or
discourage the practice of the forms-
lion Of labor unions or the Joining OF
the same by the workers In said es-
Adjustments, as guaranteed in the
asst paragrssph. nor to prevent the
war labor hoard from using or any
umpire from granting under the ma
chinery herein provided. improve
nient of their situation in the matter
OF wages, hours Of labor or other
conditions as shall be found Desirable
from time TO time.
3. Established safeguards and rcgu
iations for the protection OF the
health and safety OF workers shall
not be relaxed.
Women In industry
Tf II sh IL become necessary 10 en-
nioy women on work ordinarily per
formed by men. they must be allowed
equal pay for equal work and must
not be allotted tRsks disproportionate
to their strength.
Hours or labor
The basic eight hour day liz recoE-
nized as applying in all cases in whict
existing Law requires 1t. I'm all other
"a SEES the question Of hours of labor
shall he settled with due regard 10
governmental necessities and the well
fare, health and proper comfort OF
the workers.
Maximum, production
Tho maximum production OF ell
war industries should be maintained
and methods of work and operation
on the part of the employers or
workers which operate to delay or
limit production or which have q
tendency to artificialIy increase the
cost thereof, should be DISCOURAGED.
Mobilization OF lapor---
FOR the purpose of mobiiszing the
labor supply with a view 70 its rap d
ana effective distribution, q pernia-
uent list of the number OF skilled
and other workers available in dill
fereut parts of the nation shall be
kept on lille by the department of
labor, the information to he con-
etantly furnished:
Nv the trade unions.
BY state employment bureaus
ana federal agencies OF like charac-
ter
~. BY the managers and operators
az industrial establishments through
out the country.
These agencies should be given or
portunity TO aid In the distribution
of labor ~ necessity demands,
Custom Of localities
In fixing wages. hours and condi-
tlors or labor regard should always
be had to the labor standards, wass
scfales. and other conditions prevaii-
ing In the localities affected
The living wage
/. The right OF all workers incind-
I'M common iaborers to living wake
~ hereby declared.
1. IN axing wages minimum rates
- nav shall be established which viii
-.
rs,x,s.