The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-01

board however, Eald the dispute wh'-h arose over the unions claim WIS merely one of procedure"
 Neither the Pennsylvania's general election, nor ballot conducted by the system federation was fair or legal, the board said, and the em- ployes have consequently "been de- nied their legal right to select repre- sentatives for this important confer ence on rules"
 The boards decision declared the dispute one of technicalities. adding that lat a time when the nation is slowly and painfully progressing through the conditions of industrial depression, unemployment and un- rest, 1t is almost reasonable for an employer or employe to stubbornly haggle over essentials at the risk of social chaos"
 Conference Ordered
 The boards ruling orders a confer ence on or before August 10 between representatives of the road. the Pennsylvania System federation or any other organization having shop crafts members, and established to function as labor organiza tion. as set forth in the transportat ation act and any other representative carry ing the signed authorization of 100 unorganized employees. This confer ence is 10 determine the method of holding the new election and the gen eral committee will also have charge of the election. When the labor board last April directed the rail- roads to negotiate working rules to succeed those established by the rail road administration. and continued by the board. pending their replace ment, the Pennsylvania System fed eration, comprising the six shop crafts unions, authorized It's general chairman to conduct the negotiations
 The carriers however, refused t3 negotiate with his committee and ballot was sent out by the road.
 This ballot did not provide for designating any organization, reuuir- ing votes to be cast for individuals. Upon refusal of the company to amend the ballot allowing votes for organizations, the union men refused 10 vote the company ballot and is- sued one of their own.
 Recognized Own Committees
 The Pennsylvania recognized only the committees named by it's bal lot, conferred with them and sub sequentH put into effect rules nego- tiated with those committees. It is these rules which the board today peclaTeu void.
 The dispute. as the labor board viewed 1t, was entirely one of who should represent the employees. The transportation act, however, does not prescribe the method by which em- ployes shall select their representa- tives and both parties correctly con- clcded that an election by ballot would be necessary," the decision said There the dispute arose.
 The carrier had no more right to undertake to assume control of tha selection of representatives of the employees than the employees would nave had in supervising the naming or the carrier representatives" the decision said. 'In this sophisticateG land of popular elections. no political party would submit to having it's prI mary held and managed by the op- posing party" The Pullman com pany was recently involved in a simi- lar dispute and after holding a gen eral election, disregarding the unions, as ordered by the board to ne- gotiate with the union committee The Pennsylvania, however. is given ahe opportunity of new election bv which 1t is expected that both union ana nonunion employees will be sat isfied.