Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1920-02-12
sup RENE BOARD
| TO SETTLE ALL
|! LABOR TROUBLE
Strong Probabilities Of . Uniform
Agroenent In Building Lines
IN This Community.

allied trades are engaged in dis
cussing the uniform agreement
proposition as proposed by the
Quad-City Builders exchange. The
exchange favors uniform agree
ment with the building trades
unions and as the international Of
ficer Of each of the unions have
sanctioned such agreements it is
deemed probable that such an
agreement might be reached here
this spring, which would form a.
new line OF dealings between the
unions and the building contrac-
tors in this community.
In the past each union affiliated
with the allied trades has not only
made separate agreements with the
Quad-City Builders exchange. but
each union has settled its Difficult
ties separately with the exchange.
In case of such difficulties a stand
ing board composed of three mem
bers OF the union and three cor
tractors in that particular line of
work have had the power to decide
on the issues. The other unions
affiliated with the allied trades
have always backed any separate
union In case an agreement could
not be reached.
Would Be Higher Board.
Under the uniform agreement
plan there would be higher board
where appeals would be taken in
case difficulties could not be ad-
justed by the original boards of
three members Of any particular
union and three members of the
contractors involved.
Wages would not be involved in
the new plan. Before the uniform
agreement would be sigred by the
various unions each union would
first have a separate signed agree
ment on wage matters and work
ing conditions as of old. In the
present situation the allied trades
council represents the building
trades unions a. whole and the
Qnad-City Builders exchange rep
resents the various building con-
tractors as whole.
Each union under the new plan
would still make its separate
agreements with the contractors of
their particular line and retain
their board of three members with
the contractors board Of three
members to settle any difficulties
coming up over interpretations of
the agreement.
What would be added by the uni,
form agreement is a supreme board
composed of seven members from
the Quad-City Builders exchange
as whole and seven members from
the allied trades council as a
whole.
In case the board of any partic-
ular union could not agree over
any matter with the board of any
separate group of contractors the
grievance, originating from either
side, would be taken before the
higher board, and would have to
be settled within 4S hours. The
agreement provides that in case
there would be deadlock formed
by the seven labor delegates stand
ing up for the union on trial and
the contractors delegates standing
up for the group of contractors on
trial, an outsider would be called
in and his vote would decide the
issue. Both sides would be bound
to accept the decision.
Some of the unions have been
signing separate agreements with
a S0-day clause, which gives them
the right to ask for a change in
the agreement on giving so days
notice. The contractors have the
same rights. If any such agree
ments are made this spring by any
of the unions there might be cir
cumstances arise that would have
to be acted upon by the higher
board, it is said.
On the other hand, some unions
make an agreement for a certain
period. Cases have arisen where
these unions have asked for fur
Their increases in wage or other
changes before their contract had
expired. This is explained by the
unions as being a procedure that
can be legally taken by them. They
assert that it would be no breach
of their contract to ask for higher
pay before their contract expired,
providing that conditions war
ranted. However, the unions in
itiative ends in making the request.
If their request is turned down they
cannot strike as their contract pre-
vents such action as long as its
terms are lived up to by the con-
tractors. However, such requests