South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-15
LABOR BOARD
GIVES NEW SET
OF PRINCIPLES
Suggestions Given by Board to
Serve as Nucleus for
New Rail Rules.

as 20 promote this spirit.
Management having the re-
sponsibility for safe, and economical
operation. the rules will not be sub
versive Of necessary discipline
"4.--The right OF railway en-
ployes 20 organize for lawful objects
shall not be denied, interfered with
or Obstructed.
THE right OF such lawful or
Plantations to act toward lawful OBJ
jects through representatives OF It's
own choice. whether employees OF
a particular carrier OF otherwise,
shall be agreed 10 by management.
No Discrimination.
"G.-No discrimination shall be
practiced ny management as be-
tween members and non-members of
organizations or as between members
nor shall membe Of organizations
discriminate against non members
or use other methods than lawful
persuasion 20 secure their .membe.-
ship. Espionage by carries Of he
legitimate activities OF labor organ
izations or by labor organizations
on the legitimate activities OF car
riers should not be practiced.
THE right Of employees to be
consulted prior TO a decision OF
management adversely affecting
their wages or working conditions
shrall be agreed to by management
This right Of participation shall be
deemed adequately complied with.
# and when. the representatives OF
a majority OF the employees Of each
OF the several classes directly affect
ed shall have conferred with the
management.
"S.-No employe should be dis
ciplined without a fair hearing by
a designated officer Of the carrier
Suspension in proper cases pending
a hearing. which shall be prompt
shall not be deemed a violation If
this principle. At reasonable
time Irior 10 the hearing, he is en-
titled TO be apprised OF the precise
charge against him. He shall have
a reasonable opportunity 10 secure
the presence of necessary witnesses
and shall have the right TO be there,
represented by counsel OF his choos-
ing. If the judgment shall be in
his favor. he shall be compensated
for the wages lost, If any, suffered
by him.
Proper Classification.
"9-Proper classification OF en-
ployes and a reasonable definition
Of the work 10 be done by each
class. for which just and reason
able wages are to be paid is neces-
sary. but shall not unduly impose
uneconomicaI conditions upon the
carriers.
'1O-ReguIarity of hours or
days during which the employe IS
to serve or keep himself in readl-
ness to serve is desirable.
1.-THE principle OF seniority
long applied TO the railroad service.
is sound and should be adhered To
1t should he SO applied as not u
cause undue impairment Of the
service.
"12.-The board approves the
principles Of the eight-hour day,
but believes it should be limited u
work requiring practically con-
tinuous application during eight
hours. For eight hours pay. eight
hours work should be performed by
all railroad employees except engi
neer and train service employees
regulated by the Adamson act, who
are paid generally on a mileage
basis as we'll as an hourly basis.
"13.-The health and safety Of
emplOves should be reasonably
protected.
"14.-The carriers and the sew
eral crafts and classes of railroad
employees should have "A substantial
interest in the competency Of APP
prentices or persons under train
ing.
Majority Right.
"15-The majority OF any craft
or class Of employees shall have the
right to determine what organiza-
tion shall represent members of
such craft or class. Such Organiza-
ton shall have the right 10 make
an agreement which shall apply 70
all employees in which craft or
class No such agreement shall in
fringe. however, upon the right OF
employees not members OF the or
ganization representing the major
ity 10 present grievances either IN
person or by representatives Of
their own choice.
''16-Employe called or re-
Quired 10 report for work and re-
porting but not used should be paid
reasonable compensation therefor"
The boards decision came uneX-
pectedly in ths middle OF the hear
ing on the business and reasonable
ness of the existing rules and
opened a way 20 speedy conclusion
of the whole controversy. The
fight. over national agreements was
begun Immediately after the return
OF the railroads 20 private owner
ship March 1 1920. but was not
postponed by the labor board when
informed on April 10 1920. because
Of the urgency OF the wage ques-
ton at that time
The board reserves the right 70
stay the termination Of the agree
ment II it believes any carrier is
unduly delaying negotiations.
The board directed that the con-
ferences keep the board informed
Of final agreements and disagree
ments 20 the end that the board
may know prior TO July 1, 1921.
what portion OF the dispute has
been decided
While placing the choice OF the
responsibility for drawing up a new
set Of working rules on the parties
involved. the board did not say
what part the rules agreed upon in
conference and the rules promul-
gated BY the board Itself would
play. respectively, in forming new
national code.
Under the transportation act.