Evening journal., 1918-07-11
SH|PYARD WORKERS
ON UNIFORM BASIS
Governments Aim is Indus
trial Peace and Maximum
Output
ElGHT.HOUR DAY AND
UNIONISM AFFIRM

A far-reaching labor policy of ma
tional Importance and scope, affecting
more than $4,000 shlpyard workers in
this country, was announced Yesterday
by Howard Coonley, yice-president OF
the Emergency Fleet CORPORATION. on
behalf Of his organization.
The outstanding features OF the pol
Icy, the first and most comprehensive
OF Its kind In the history OF labor,
are:
There should be no strikes or lock-
outs during the war.
The maximum production OF all
planst must be maintained and all
methods OF work and operation on the
part or employers or workers which
limit or delay production or artlfcially
boost prices must cease.
The right OF every worker, including
common laborers. to a living wage. so
that he and bis family are assured their
subsistence I'm health and reasonable
comfort, is affirmed.
The basic eight-hour law is recog-
nized, but the question OF hours Of
labor must be settled with due regard
to government necessities.
The right OF workers 10 organize In
trade unions and the right OF employ
ers to organize In groups Is conceded
and approved.
Referring TO this right Of employers
and workers to organize, the Fleet Cor
poratlon gives notice that. while en-
ployeI. should not discharge workers
for membership in trade unions, nor
for legitimate trade union activities,
the workers themselves must not use
coercive measures to induce their fell !
lows to join their organizations. Coerc-
i've measures to compel employers TO |
bargain with the workers VIII not be
Recognizing the probability Of the
employment OF women on a large scale |
II the war continues. the policy makes
full provision on this point.
III il shall be necessary 10 employ /
women on work ordinarily performed
)y men," the announcement states, they
must be allowed equal pay for equal
work and must not be allotted tasks dis
to their strength"
Where the union shop plan exists, it
hall continue, and the union standards
IS to wages, hours Of labor and other
conditions OF emplyment shall be main
Aimed the labor policy provides.
In fixing wages, hours and condl-
ions Of labor. the declaration contin-
les. regard VIII be had to the labor
standards. wage scales and other con-
Hilton prevalent in the localities af-
ected.
Established safeguards and regula-
ions for the protection Of the health
md safety Of all workers VIII not be
'elaxed under the policy. Improvement
II the situation Of the workers in the
natter Of wages, hours OF labor or
'ther conditions Will be made when
he necessity arises:
Executive officers OF the Emergency
leet Corporation throughout the coun- {
~ were notified yesterday Of the pro- 7
lulgation Of the policy. with the ad-
endum that the order was the basis OF :
10 labor program Of the corporation.
he administration OF the program is
ltrusted to the Director Of Industrial
elations L. c. Marshall, head OF the
resent Industrial relations group Of
10 fleet organization. Director Mar
Iall, together with Charles Plez and
oward Coonley, vice-presldents Of the
nergency Fleet, framed the labor pro-
In. giving the reason for the general
Dor policy, it was explained that the
lmerous perplexlng questions. con-
lually arising regarding labor prob
ms demanded a consistent and uni
rm manner Of dealing
The maintenance Of right relations
tween employers and workers en-
ged in the great enterprise Of build
6 the ships upon which the success
the war depends, is given recogni-
on as essential TO the maximum ef
ctiveness Of the venture.
"The morale Of all the forces, upon =
hich the success Of our shipbulldlng L
'ogram so vitality depends" the dec
ration states, may be greatly i'm :
'oved by a reasonable and consistent
andling Of our labor problems; and Il
Jay be seriously impaired by a con-
lsed and inconsistent labor policy"
Annoupcement OF the benefcient
Dor policy was received with great
-