The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-07
WAR BOARD DECIDES
FOR B. R. T. WORKERS
Decision Upholds Principle Of
Collective Bargaining
With Employers.
OTHER CASES ACTED ON
Right to Join Labor Unions
without Interference Is Set
Forth in Findings.
OTHER CASES ACTED ON

The War Labor Board. meeting yes
terday in the Hotel McAlpin. handed
down a decision uphoiding the conten-
ton of the b. II. T. employees that they
have the right to organise and bargain
collectively with their employers through
chosen representatives. The demand
was submitted to the War Labor Board
by Paul Millman. representing the
motormen, who complained OF "insuffi-
Gent wages, hours, general poor work
ing conditions, determinations and dis
charges for Joining an organization"
Tho evidence submitted at the hearing
dealt almost entirely with the question
OF discrimination and the refusal OF the
company to permit the employees TO Join
the Amalgamated Association OF Street
and Electric Railway Employees Of
America, and 1t was 10 this question that
the board directed It's attention In the
finding. The recommendations follow:
1T appears from the evidence, uncon-
troverted by the company, that the Of
flcisls of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Company and the operating companies
owned and operated by II are violating
she policy OF the National War Labor
board in not permitting their employees
40 Join the Amalsamated Association of
/, Street and Electric Railway Employees
ut America. Under the principles OF the
Presidents proclamation creating the
National War Labor Board and under
the rules of the board alf of the en-
ployees Of this company and its sub
sidiary companies should be free to or
ganize and to join such unions as they
choose.
workers' Rights violated.
IF these employees follow a lawful
course toward the company, advised or
directed by the national or international
union, Il is their right, and the company
should not prevent them from SO doing
Discharges for legitimate union activi
ties, Interrogation OF workers by officials
OF the companies as to union affiliations
espk age by agents OF the company and
like ctions, the intent of which Is to
discourage and prevent men from exer-
e'sng this right OF organization, must
he deemed an interference with their
. rights as laid down in the principles OF
the board
we recommand, therefore that the
Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company and
Its subsidiary companies operating street
railway lines In New York city give full
ana free permission to its employees to
organise into labor unions in conformity
r with the announced principles Of this
board and as matter Of plain right and
Justice
The finding was signed by Basil NJ
Manly and F. II. Judson. act ing as Joint
chairman and section chairman
Similar decisions were handed down
IN the cases of groups OF workers
against the Wiliamsport Wire Rope
Company 81 Williamsport. Pa. and the
Winslow Company. Chicago
The board found In favor Of the en-
ployees Of the Avis Manufacturing Com
pany of West Haven. Conn. In which
case the question In dispute was the
payment of double time rates for work
performed on Sundays and legal bol-
days. The company. while paying time
and half for work in excess Of eight
hours on weekdays. refused double time
rates for Sundays.
TeIegrapbers Get No Decision.
In the case OF the Commercial Teleg-
tsphers Union of America against the
United Press Associs ton and the Inter
national News Service the union asked
for an adjustment of the wage scale
embodied in an existing agreement. The
employers did not submit to the board
and in the circumstances the board did
not feel authorized to modify or annul
. ar existing contract
The right OF workers to organize and
10 bargain collectively through freely
chosen representatives was granted by
the board in the case OF the employees
OF the Northwestern Leather Company
OF sault Ste. Marie. Mich.
A rorkng week OF forty-eight hours,
divided into six daily periods Of eight
hours. was fixed in an award By the
board in the case Of the employees OF the
Walworth Manufacturing Company OF
Tewanee. III. The right Of the workers
10 organize and to elect and bargain cal
lectively through shop committees also
wa granted.
Tive board recommended recognii on
by the Detroit Forging Company OF De-
troit. Mich OF the right of its workers
80 Join trade unions and to bargain col
!, )ectively through shop committees. Sim
? far findings were made in the cases OF
4 groups OF workers against the John Saith
\ Company and the Standard Plunger Fle-