Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1921-12-01
NEW SHOP REGULATIONS CUT
RAIL PAY ROLLS so MILLIONS
CONTINUED From rirs, PAGE,

men immediately, although still
larger number will be affected when
the normal traffic Conditions are re-
stored.
Fav-reaching changes In the rules.
which supplant the national agree
| inent made during Federal control.
w"r" designed TO afford II basis for,
permanent stability in the railroad
shops OF the country ana were de-
clared by members of the labor
board to be the most important work
Vet done by the board ard OF much
greater Significance than any de-
cision In the past even including
wage scale adjustments.
Large economics are expected TO
result from revision Of the clnssifica-
ton rules. which were made more
elastic, and hereafter will permit
members of certain crafts To do minor
jobs previously done by members of
other crafts. StatiSticians attached
to the labor board estimated that
economies in operation. Increased ef-
hciency and larger output. would APP
proNimate $4,000. 600 u year
MinorItics To He Represented.
Provision for The representation Of
mihoritics who may have grievances
Is another important item OF the new
rules. Under the national agreement.
ieS"t'"'ion LOT employees was placed
almost wholly in the hands OF labor
organizations. n,;a the result that
the railroads and many Industrial and
civic institutions declared that the
agreement forced a closed union shop
on the roads
Nonunon men found it impractic-
able To attempt TO bring their ericv-
ances before the board and AZ The
rules worked out. union officials
handled the cases. taking their prr
ceuent from the national agreement
negotiations in which union officials
acted for the employees in drawing un
Inc agreement under Federal control
me principle OF the open Shop cs-
'ab'lshed by the new rules" n state
ihcht 10y board members sa id. will
In fact be more theoretical than
practical at the present time sine.
large majority OF the railroad shops
are unionizcd and the existing unions
are recognized by the board and by
the transportation act as representa-
tive Of the majority
Most of Old Rules crcScryrd
MOST OF the older working rules
sanctioned by the experience OF ycars.
are preserved in full effect. Many OF
'he more rigid rules. however. were
considerably relaxed In favor or the
roads, although the recognized rights
OF the men are fully protected and
tue principle of collective bargaining
ana union recognition is retained. MS
contemplated by the transportation
act"
The rules controversy dates back to
May |. 1920. when the railroads
emerged from government control
strenuous objections 10 the national
agreement were made In Il hearing
which began January 10. 1921. After
sfer"i mon'hs OF testimony, the
rules were referred back to tho in
uNidual roads with Instructions to
negotiate such new rules as they
couid with their employees to replace
the Federal government rules.
Replaces Rules Eat Agreed ON.
Numerous rules were thus aur.,,i
upon on individual roads. but on no
road was IL possible to draft an en-
tire new set. The rules disagreed
upon were then sent back to the
labor board, and the rules promul-
gated today will replace any such
rules not agreed upon by the roads
and their employees. In any case
where rule has been agreed upon
ny the carrier and its employees, that
rule governs. even though the labor
board rule may b. entirely different
The majority OF the changes eff
fccted hy the new rules is in the
Classification Of the work 10 be per-
formed by the various crafts. Al
most without exception these classin-
cations are made more elastic. Tn
der previous agreements with the
shop crafts. including the national
agreement. il has been the custom to
define in detail the various types OF
work belonging to each craft
BASIS of CARRIERS Complaint.
The carriers have complained that
the national agreement set up in
such minute detail the classification
of duties that work not requiring
specialized skill in any craft was as
signed exclusively to n particular
craft. For example Work not re
quir:ng "A mechanics skill was as
signed to a skilled mechanic, thus
making efficient and economical
operation impossible. according To the
railroads.
The rules effective today broaden
the scope of each crafts work. Tho
machinist working on running re-