Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-01
PENNSYLVANIA RR.
IN WORKING PACT
WITH employees

WITH employees
Philadelphia, Dec. 3i.-The Penn
syivania railroad announced tonight
that it has concluded mutual work
ing agreement with the representa-
tives Of it's engine and train service
employees regarding the settlement of
future labor differences, which "if
lived up to in spirit by both sides,
should. in the belief of the manage
ment" eliminate any question of
strike on the system, as far as train
operation IS concerned.
The agreement, the announcement
stated, is the outcome of the series
of meetings between representatives
of the management and of the en-
CINE and train service employees
which began in this city December
81.
The plan will go into effect tomor-
row.
The "joint reviewing committee of
the Pennsylvania railroad system"
has been established as a medium to
carry out the purposes of the peace
full settlement. Through this COM
mittee. the employees involved will for
the first time in the history of the
railroad have equal voice and vote
with the management. The commit
tee will constitute a court Of review,
involving grievances, rules and work
ing conditions, including discipline.
The committee will be composed of
two representatives of the manage
ment from each of the four regions of
the system. end. on behalf of the en-
ployes, of rhe general chairman of the
men in the engine and train service,
All votes will be of equal power and
not less than a two-thirds vote will
be necessary to reach a decision upon
any question presented.
Employees, who, through their ac-
credited representatives, have Joined
the railroad management in the plan,
according 20 the announcement, in
clude the enginemen, conductors, fire.
men, hostelers, trainmen and switch
men. They constitute the most nu-
mereus groups of employees directly
engaged in the movement of freight
and passenger traffic.
Details of the plan were given in
the announcement as follows:
'In all matters, except individual
discipline cases, the full committee
will vote, and it's decisions will con-
stitute precedents, which will be
binding equally with respect to SIM
liar existing or future cases, upon the
management and the employees in all
four regions of the system uniform
iy.
| Discipline cases will be handled
somewhat differently, as they involve
a personal element which must be ac'
/ corded recognition. 1t has, therefore
been decided that when such a case
comes before the joint reviewing COM
mittee. the two representatives of the
management in the region in which the
case arises. together with the represent
tatives of the employee involved. shall
not sit as members of the committee
during consideration of that particular
case but shall act as counsel for the
presentation of their respective claims
The remaining members will hear the
case and determine the matter at issue.
1.-THE work of the joint reviewing
committee will be supplemented by an
extension of and Improvement upon the
methods of handling differences and
grievances which were in effect prior
to the war. Each division superintend-
ent will have a meeting once month
with the local chairman of the engine
and train service employees under his
jurisdiction at which either side may
present matters for consideration. Each
general superintendent will have a
monthly meeting with the general
chairmen and the general manager of
each region will also hold monthly
meetings with the general chairmen.
Appeals may be taken in the order
named. and appeals from the decision
of a general manager will be taken to
the joint reviewing committee of the
system. Thus in final determination of
any matter the employees through their
representatives upon the joint review
ing committee will have. equal power
with the officers in determining the
ISSUE"
Under the terms Of one provision,
whenever an agreement Is reached in
any particular case between the man.
agement and the men, the settlement
agreed upon will be placed in effect at
once but an immediate report will be
made to the joint reviewing commit
tee, which will, as soon as possible,
either ratify or modify the ruling. The
principles thus established will then be-
come binding upon the management
and men in all regions. and will gov
ern existing and future cases of SINH
| lar allure.
1.-THE management feels justified"
says the announcement 'in expressing
the conclusion that the understanding
reached SHOULD not make only future
strikes wholly unnecessary, but should
obviate even the necessity for ever TAX
ing strike vote II both sides live up
to the friendly spirit in which the I'M