Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-04-08
Submit Proposal to Harding
: Suggesting Parley on
Question
100000 BEHIND MOVE
Twelve Points Termed 'LabCr's Self
Evident Rights Are Included-Call
For Eight Hour Day.


Dor unions, with 100000 me:n1eEs, l;S.ss5:.
night submitted to President Fari-
iEgs labor's plan for ending indust-
rial disputes between the roads ard
their workers, proposing that the
President call a conference CT rep
resentatives Of Doth sides, at which
new rules governing working cond:-
tions would be worked oft to take
the place of acknowledgements, nov
in dispute before the Railroad La
Dor Board.
The proposal was contsined in a
statement by representatives of th2
five mechanical unions and was sent
to the President by 3. N. Jewell,
presdenz of the railway employees de-
partment of the American Fedora
ton of Labor.
1t proposed that al wage disputes
be held in allegiance pending the con-
ference, holding that the matter Of
wages could be quickly adjusted to
the satisfaction of all as soon as the
question of rules had 3eon settled.
TIE telegram was sent in response
to a request from President Harding
at the recent conference he held with
Mr.. Jewel! that labor submit its plan
for ending the railroad industrial
troubles. 1t included y points, which
were termed '.labor's 3elf-eyidcnt and
ina!iena1ie rights winch, it said,
would have to be settled at The nro-
posed conference, and specified taa:
the national agreements should not
be d.scounted in any way pending the
outcome of the proposed conference.
1t was suggested that the conference
be held under the jurisdiction of the
Railroad Labor Beard, which would
have full authority over it.
La0or's II points:
q The night to organize and nego-
tiate collectively through representa-
tives Of their own choosing.
"2. The protection of employees
agains: discrimination because o
membership in trade unions or be-
cause OF legitimate trade union ac:i-
v:tieS.
"3. The right of the majority III
each craft on each railroad to deter
mine wEat organization shai! repre-
sen. them: this organization to have
the r:gn: to negotiate an agreement
which SHAH apply to I'll workers IN
the craft!
81. The right Of the majority o.
each crafs on each railroad Il select
committee or representative who
shall handle all grievances which
may arise affecting all employees Of
tie craft in accordance with the pro-
visions cf the agreement.
"5. Eight hours as the recognized
measure OF the standard work day.
"G. Payment for time worked in ex-
cess of the regular eight hours al
proper overtime rates.
II. The beginning, and ending CT
working shifts to De so arranged a.
to permit of living arrangements by
employees and their families.
IS. Clear and concise definition in
the case of each craft of the work t
be perfcrmcd by mechanics and help
ers.
80. The establishment Of appren-
t;ceship requirements SO as to de-
velcp sufficient nu'nner of compe-
tent mechanics.
80. Applicants for employment az
mechanics to show that they have
served an apprenticeship of four years
or performed mechanics work for s
similar period. and not to be den;aS
employment when their services arr
needed for any reason other then the.
inability to perform Tie wcrk fo1
which they are making application,
IL. Craft point seniority 20 be re-
cogniZed.
"12. The establishment Of reason
able safeguards for the protection Q.
health all safety of employees"
The sta':elient in the telegram wa:
signed by j. T. Andersen, V:ce-prez.'
dent of tst International Association
of Machioicts; Edward Tegtmeyer
! v:ce-presldcnt International Brother