The Connecticut labor news., 1921-07-22

D welfare. The occupation of the paint CT Is less OncrOuS and involves the expenditure Ot less vitality than that Ot many other Ot the artisans who are rcCelV1ng the same pay, and are work ing five and One-half days per week There is q limit beyond which leisure is a burden and a source of ineffic- icnCy and dcmoralizatiOn to all of us regardless of the character of our occupation. It is impossible for those Of us who are Ill sympathy with the ideals and ambitions of organized la Dor and who want to see 1t come into its own to encourage this attitude. It breeds ineffiCienCy. It Is illogical and unreasonable to ask Us 10 say that the cost of living requires a given wage when we find that the wage is suffic- tent to impel the men in given trade to insist that they will work only five days a week when by working five and One-half days at the reduced wage they will receive the weekly pay for which they are contending. By talk ing this attitude, the Yonkers paint CTS are int1icting an injury on all or ganized labor in Westchester county and elsewhere.
 Having now discussed all the ques tions that have been prcsented on either side (and some that have been injected by mel, l have reached the following conclusion and so decide: Arbitrator's Conclusion. I. That subject to the conditions hereinafter mentioned, there should be a wage reduction of $I per day, based on the present wage of So, but that such reduction shall take effect only as and from September I next, | and that the men shall, in any event, be paid at the rate of So per day (and correspondingly for other classes of labor included within the scope of this arbitration that are receiving lesser sums) until that time.
 The reduction has been postponed to September I, notwithstanding the | fact that the reduced cost of living, if that were the only factor to consider would just about justify an immedi OnS:
 (a) I am not satisfied that the pub lie would secure any benefit from an immediate reduction nor until the re- forms to which reference will here after be made have been put into ef- feet
 (b) I am of the opinion, for the reasons above stated, that existing contracts have largely been figured on the So wage basis and that as the changes are asked in the public inter est and in order to reduce the cost of building, this profit from a reduced dure to the benefit of the employers on the outstanding contracts. Co The failure of the employers to plainly indicate their demand for the reduced wage, when they should | have unequivOcally done SO as re- quired by the contract, and their fail ure 10 promptly follow up their de mand by negotiations, entities the men to some consideration on that score.
 (d) Unless a reasonable time is given the unions, within which to pro- mitigate and enforce regulations to prevent further exploitation of labor | by refusing to furnish labor to those who charge all advance in excess of | 20 pc rCent. to cover overhead and profits, the reduced wage will go into the pocket of these eNploiters of labor l instead of going to the public. The conditions above referred to on which the $8 wage will go into effect on September I are:
 I. That the contract shall be modi- fed by strikin gout the provision giv- ing to the Employers Association preference over other employers i'll securing union labor. The attempted justification of this provision does not appeal to me; no such discrimination should be asked by the employers or made by the unions in favor of any | class of employers for any reason. It | is liable to great abuse and tends to discredit the cause of organized labor ?. Every contractor and builder in | WeStCheStcr county employing union l labor, whether or not he be a member of the Building Trades Employers Association must, in order to secure the benefit of the reduced wage here I-by conditonally directed from and after September I, on and after Au- gust I, 1921, figure his labor based on actual cost in all estimates. To the amount so determined he will add whatever percentage of profit he may see fit, provided the profit thus added | is plainly shown on the estimate, and
 in his books of account. On and after that date all estimates that re- suit in contracts must separate the figures on the various classes of labor | involved and the prices at which they are figured from the other items of the estimate and all such estimates must be filed with the secretary of the Building Trades Employers Asso- citation "Within 10 days after the con- tract has been closed, there to re-
 main for GO days, subject to the con fidential inspection of the accredited officials of the union, but to none others.
 In thi sway, the unions will be able to learn, as they are entitled to know, whether the wages they are receiving fairly represent their contribution to the enterprise. Such disclosure should go a long way toward inaugurating g an era of understanding and good will between the men and their en- ployers. It may appear arduous and
 inquisitorial in the beginning but in
 the end it will pay and the public will be the gainer
 If either party finds any ambiguity in this decision, or in the condition hereby imposed, the arbitrator may be reached through his office by com munication in writing of which a copy must be served on the other party, with opportunity to the latter to re- ply. Meantime this decision shall take effect immediately, so as to af- ford the parties ample time to comply with the conditions above set forth.
 (Signed)
 SAMUEL UNTERMEYER,
 Arbitrator.