The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1920-04-10
UNION SHOP GROWTH.

Alliance Bulletin declares that "or-
ganized labor did not win major
strike in 1919. Witness the s,attle
strike, the Winnipeg strike, the WHY'S
Overland strike at Toledo, the Boston
policemen $ strike, the 1ongshoremen'
and printers strikes at New York city.
the Steel strike, the Coal strike, and the
threatened railroad strike, every one Of
which proved to be ignominous fail
ures.'
A strong statement this, and mighty
cunning one, too, for the local alliance
is endeavoring to show that its socalled
"open shop experienced considerable
growth during the year: OF course in
formed people know that tho Seattle
and Winnipeg strikes were out Of the
ordinary in America, Their purpose did
not have the support Of the trade unions
generally. Both were experiments that
have taught their advocates some pain
fully valuable lessons.
The WillysOverland strike was Of
ficially declared off by the unions in:
volved, but the evils that caused tho
strike have been removed. Wages have
been increased and conditions have
been improved. The so-called "open
shop'' obtained in the WillysrOyerland
plants before the strike. It still obtains.
Such being true and if the strike was
not union shop victory can it be re-
garded as an "open shop gaini The
strike itself was not loss. Labor was
given higher wages and better condi-
lions. The present employees get all that
union labor fought for.
The Boston police strike, as is also
well known by informed people, was a
political conspiracy to boost the for
tunes Of Governor Coolidge. It was not
initiated by the Policemen's union, but
was forced by the Coolidge machine and
propelled by anti-union organizations
in Boston similar to our. Citizens ALI
Ance.
None know better than the officers
of the local alliance that the New York
lougshoremen's and printers strikes
were unauthorized and were rebellions
against the authority Of their interna-
tional unions. Indeed the February
number Of the Citizens Alliance Bulle-
tin paid tribute to President M. g, Scott
Of the International Typographical
union for the position he had taken in
outlawing the New York strike.
The steel plants Of the country, par
tic,Alarly those owned by the Steel trust,
were closed to known union men before
the strike, and they are still closed 10
union men. If there is anything IN
American in the closed shop it should
work both ways, but citizens alliances
are not concerned about employers who
discharge workmen because of their
union affiliations, or who refuse to EN-.
ploy union men, for that kind Of a
closed shop to them is perfectly proper.
. Hasn't the employer the right to hire
and, fire whom he plcases? Does he not
own the worksa Ism u it MS to- do with
rs he pleasese Sure, Luke.
On the Other hand, If that employer
recognizing the new order Of things
enters into contract with his employees
through their union under which the
union shop obtains, it at once becomes
m un-American institution, according
to the logic Of "open shop advocates
for it is closed to the non union man
except that, when he makes application
to the employer for job he at the
same time makes application to tn,
union to protect him and help him on
the job.
When the unions decla.ed the Stee
strike off; did it leave the Steel trus;
the victors The situation was at leas
better than before, the strike was called
It was "open shop'' befo.e, and it il
,till "open shop From union stand
point it was = closed shop before and ::
Tor the time At least remains closct
'hop. But wages went up immediate!,
after the strike was ended In some in
stances the s-hour: day supplants: tn
l2-hour day.. Every employee is nov
compelled TO- take one dsy off in seve,
and; many other improvements .hav
been made. After all, whose; victory wa
it: Has the Steel trust anything t
bra g about When the strike,<was owe
wer thers any new additions to til
,''opea shop"' Not one.
g.. Was the coal strike lost: With, til
power of:government .nd:< the coal .,
srators against it tho miner. ean. sou
Of the 'strikewith thsst organisation il