The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-08-20
u. s. Board Modifies Part
of Working Rules
For Shop Men.
EIGHT-HOUR DAY
WINS RECOGNITION
Wharton, Labor Member,
Files Dissenting
Opinion. -,

States Railroad Labor Board iAte
today settled the overtime con
troversy between practically all OF
the railroads OF the country and
the Federated shop crafth repre-
senting nearly 100000 union shop
men
The employees were granted con
tinued time and . half overtime
after eight hours; overtime on Sun
days and holIdaya except where
regularly assigned TO Sunday work;
and complete recognition OF the
eight-hour day.
The railroads won important
modications Of seven Of the most
important working rules granted
shop men during Federal admins
tration Of the railroads, part OF
which were enjoyed by the en-
ployes before government control
Neither side Claims Victory.
Neither the railroad executives
nor the union leaders publicly
hailed the decision as q victory. al
though both were pleased with
many Of the rulinga
II was a half Ioaf- arbitration.
which is expected 10 do much 20
stop strike talk on the part OF the
shop employees and the bitter de-
nunciatIon of the working rules ~
"inencIent. unjust and unreason-
able" by the carriers
The fact that the board ala not
completely abrogate the seven big
rules regarding overtime, a. asked
BY the railroads. Is considered
union victory IN many quarters. al
though A. o. wharton labor mem
Der OF the board. severely criticised
the findings.
Favors Overtime sunday.
II offers the groundwork OF ma
tional railroad working code which
the carriers have strenuously op-
posed
These rules will now take effect
on practically every railroad in the
country except where the individual
carrier and its employees have
agreed TO rules covering the same
ground These cases are rare.
I Wharton said in his opinion that
the board was taking away rules
enjoyed by the employees before Fed
| eral administration He said that
| Sunday work by shopmep is never
a regular assignment" and should
always be paid for as overtime. The
decision gives the men regular pay
| on Sundays when they are regular
ly assigned to Sunday work.
The decision affects the shopmen
only and does not consider over
time questions with the Big Four
| brotherhoods. The decision is re-
garded, however, as Indicating that
the train service men will be grant
ed time and a half overtime.
Jewell Declines Comment.
II have not had time 20 study the
decision and cannot comment on q
now" said President r. NJ. Jewell
OF the Federated shop Crafts
"A mere comparison by an un-
biased mind Of the seven rules
adopted by the board and the cor
responding rules embraced in the
national agreements which were
proposed by the employees for re-
adoption by this board is sufficient.
the board believes. to convince that
the notifications are just and res-
sonable and that the complaint made
by the carriers that the national
agreement rules were burdensome.
unreasonable and unjust was well
founded" the decision rules.
The board has felt impelled. how
ever, TO decline many OF the modt-
fications of said rules advocated BY
the carriers because they appeared
to go to an opposite extreme that
is unjust and unreasonable. In this
case, az SO often happens in human
experience. there is a point some
where between the extreme posi-
tions of opposing forces where JUS
tice and reason may be found.
Cuts Limit on Penalties.
Throughout these rules, the
soundness Of the principle OF punt
tive pay for overtime work has been
recognized, but not TO the extreme
extent embodied in the national
agreement.
The eight-hour day has been
given full recognition. The policy
of paying time and a half overtime
on Sundays and holidays is also ap-
proved. but an important exception
| Is VI NOEA
which are unavoidable and regular
lly performed on Sundays and holi-
days and which are absolutely es-
sential to the continuous operation
of the rail. DAD, are not treated al
overtime work. The carrier has no
choice in the performance OF this
work and docs not arbitrarily re-
quire IL. II is not just TO penalize
the carrier for that which IL cannot
escape"
In making this rule. we tried 60
make plain that sonse shop worn
is necessary on Sunday, but where
IL is not necessary we penalize the
railroads for doing IT," Chairman r..
NJ. Barton said.
Concessions 90 Railroads.
Besides the two rules governing
overtime otter eight horrs and on
Sundays and holidays. the decision
also inclHdes five others regulating
overtime for shop men while on the
road. in terminals. in emergencies
and OF call. Here the railroads
were given important concessions
and the pay OF the men trimmed e.
an extent that led 60 the dissenting
opinion of A. o. Wharton. labor
member and former president Of the
federated craftG O.