The Washington herald., 1920-12-12
Fishing Industry
In Foru,l,ard Step
NeU joint Conferenoe Is
Distinct AdDance To-
tDard Unity.

-HE recent formation of the join
conference council, comprising equa
representation Of the worknien. AMI
employers in the fishing Industry sof. III,
Northeastern States, is not only of prca
intrinsic importance in.,itself, but it agar
marks the great spread of influence from
the Presidents second industrial confer
enee. The basic principles adopted undel
this agreement and even the expires
sions. and wording in many Of it's parts
show the complete acceptance of that re
port as basis of true relationship. Th,
agreement las; been signed by the Gorton
Pew Fisheries Company, of Gloucester; tn,
Bay State, Fishing Company. of Boston; thu
Frank G. Pcarce Company, of Gloucester
on the employers side, and on the work
ers' side by business agents of the Fisher
mems Union, of the Atlantic =.
The opening paragraph is worth. note b,
some of the Soeialistic labor leaders, who
have violently denouneed the possibility o
any community of interest between en-
ployer and employees: aSs 80
"We- recognize that the interests of
workers and employers and of the con,
suming public are at many points fun
damehtally identical in the fishing in
dustry. 1t is our earnest desire at all
times to promote this community of in
terest, and to establish the control Of
labor relations in our industry on the
permanent basis of cooperation and
mutual understanding, with peaceful ne
gotations and sympathetic appeal to
mutual adjustment of any difficulties.
that may arise, as the methods of deal
ing with each other" -
The agreement sets forth these general
principles to govern the labor policy for
the industry:
"(D. All parties in the industry shall
continuously strive to promote and
maintain just and harmonious relations
between employers and workers, based
upon the principles of equity and SYM
pathetic investigation of fact, recogniz-
ing that the prime essential in the CO.
operative control of labor relations by
workers and employers is not the par
ticular form of administration that may
be set up, but the attitude of all parties
concerned toward each other and to-
ward any plan that may be adopted
"(2) The industry recognizes > the
propriety and necessity of its workers
receiving reasonable living wage as a
minimum, which wage shall be suffi-
,cient to provide for the necessities of
life as well as for progressive standards
of living; and it further recognizes that
proper relation between guaranteed
minimum amount of remuneration and
a reasonable opportunity for earnings
above that minimum should be main
tanned.
"(3) Il is recognized that in all wage
adjustments, after proper provision has
been made for the principle of the mini
mum wage as set forth above, due
recognition shall be given to the eco
nomic conditions of the industry.
"(4 Barring factors inherent in the
nature. OF the industry and other. uR-
controllabie conditions, continuity of
employment and reasonable quality and
degree of production consistent with .
full safeguards for the health and we'll
being of the workers and the general
welfare of the industry, are essential
"(S Uniform and Comprehensive
methods OF investigation and record on.
labor relations and related factors
throughout the industry are prerequisite
to any sound basis of fact for deter
mining proper conditions throughout
the industry. s'.f, :%S
"(6) AN matters requiring adjustment
shall be settled through regularly Ses-
tablished channels of candid discussion :.
and peaceful negotiation and adjust
ment, without resort to 1oekouts,s
strikes, boycotts, blacklist or other
such method"
"These principles governing our labor
policy are frankly predicatcd upon the
right of both employers and workers
to organize as they may wish in any
lawful associations, without discrimina-
tion, to bargain collectively when they
desire, and to be represented by rep
resentatives of their own choosing in
negotiations and adjustments with re-
spect to terms and conditions of en-
ployment and work in the industry"
Particular questions pertaining to wages,
conditions ofworl, and other terms of en-
ployment are left for special negotiation
from time to time as occasion may war
rant.
The chief machinery for administering
these matters is composed of joint con-
ference council upon which there is equal
representation of employers and workers
1t is expressly stated that this joint con-
ference council shall try to reach settle.
ment by common agreement and withou,
resort to arbitration. The Fundamental
principle of the council. however, is to as.
certain conditions and to adjust the .ques-
tion at issue before disagreemens arise.
Provision is made for the choice, if oc-
casion. arises. of a board of final review,
whose members in each case are to be. mu-
tually acceptable to all parties concerned
and whose decisions shall be final. This
board makes possible final adjustment on