The New York herald., 1922-02-23


the right to employ the necessary help
to properly and efficiently man and
operate the presses in it's business. The
publisher through its foreman. who IS
deemed TO have knowledge and efficient
judgment as to the competency OF en-
ployees.
1T is the intent OF this agreement
that the union shall at all times have
the first opportunity to supply the men
necessary for the publisher. but upon
failure so to do for a period of ten
days, the publisher may permanently
retain workmen who are not members
of the union"
The foregoing provision is intended
to constitute the foreman In every sense
workman and representative OF the
publisher, representing the publisher
and his business. 1t Is thought that
his experience. with freedom of judg-
ment, will make for the best interests
! of the industry If the responsibility
rests upon him to determine the COM
potency of workmen. He is In a position
to judge the competency of the work
men, but the publisher must have the
| final decision as to competency. Pro-
vision will hereafter be made for the
| right of the publisher to employ a fore
man, will eliminate the real or fancied
abuses said to have existed heretofore
by reason of his required membership In
the union.
Foreman Is Responsible.
The foreman must be responsible for
the administration of the pressroom'
efficiently and economically. He must
therefore not be interfered with by the
| chapel chairman. The right of the en-
ployer to discharge employees for cause
within the limits of this contract must
be observed. 1t Is essential that the
foreman be- free to act in directing the
men, where they shall work and what
they shall do. 1t must be realized at
all times that he is an employee and
representative of the publisher.
1t is the intent of this provision that
the publisher shall have the free and
full control OF it's press room operation,
it's shall be the final judgment as to
the competency of the men engaged In
the work and the work itself.
Article shall read as follows:
| "II. Eight consecutive hours, exclusive
of the luncheon period hereinafter pro-
vided for, considered between the hours
of I A. NJ and T. NJ, shall constitute
a regular days work Any eight con-
secutive hours, exclusive of the luncheon
period provided for, between p. M. and
A. NJ, except on Saturday, when the
hours shall be in eight consecutive
hours between p. NJ. and A. NJ,
shall constitute a regular nights work.
Workmen called for duty between b
A. NJ and A. NJ. for day work shall
receive 81 extra. Reasonable notice
shall be given by the publisher to the
workmen for the hours it is desired
that they labor Men working on Sat
urday and Saturday night or Brooklyn
papers shall receive the regular Satur-
day night scale for Saturday night and
bonus of $3.50, provided at least four
hours elapse between the two shifts"
This is a radical change in the day
shift hours as well as the night shift
hours. The demands of the publishers
business require it. To permit OF four
shifts as heretofore. does not work for
the essential purposes of the employ
ment. 1t is very clear that It has here
tofore resulted in the men wc-kine not
! more than eight hours but receiving
| extra pay for alleged overtime because
of the arbitrary hours fixed for the
shifts 1t is established beyond con-
tradction that in the work To be per-
formed by the pressmen 1t IS necessary
| TO commence earlier than IL midnight.
A fair twelve hour shift should begin
at the appropriate hour Of A NJ. and
=. NJ The public demands for the
publication of newspapers have changed
The workmen must have regard for this.
1t is essential that the newspapers be
out and ready for delivery TO trains
leaving for points outside OF the city
This is a convenience and a requirement
Of the publisher. 1t should be met by
the workmen under their promise OF
service.
Eight Hour Day Established.
The eight hour day has been estab-
lished and is now universally recog-
nized. A shift of twelve hodrs Is es-
tablished by the practice in the great
majority of other cities, and in New
York alone is there six hour shift. The
publishers requirements make II neces-
sary that the night shift hours begin
at Z p. NJ. except on Saturday night.
This business condition should be ap-
preciated and met by the union In fixing
the hours. Special provision should be
made for Brooklyn. The four Brooklyn
newspapers are published IN the after
noon and have a Sunday edition II the
men return after n four hour rest
period they are permitted to earn an
other days pay. 1t is not demanded
that the so called regular" men work
Saturday or Saturday night. The priv
ilege OF doing this remains With the
men. II they do so they receive seven
days pay. Fixing the shift hours as
above. requiring the men 20 work but
eight hours day. imposes no addi-
tional hardship II may mean q different
Arrangement at home so as to at comrno-
date these hours Of employment 1t is
no greater tax upon the health Of the
workmen. Changing the hours of shift
on Saturday night to p. NJ. Is neces-
sary to take care Of the normal and
regular Saturday night work.
The bonus for this service on Sat
urday night Is reduced The bonus Of
$22S was granted during the war period
We think the request to entirely elimi-
nate this bonus should not be granted.
II is a privilege accorded the publishers
to have the same crew man the presses
for sixteen hours out of the twenty-four
hours which should be recognized not
only by the usual pay therefor but a
bonus to encourage the men. We think
this will be helpful TO the industry. the
publisher as we'll as the workmen
Article 3 should read as follows.
"III. Luncheon. The time for the
luncheon shall be designated by the
publisher. A full half hour for lunch
shall be allowed each man during eacl
eight hour shift. but no man shall be
sent to lunch until he has worked at
least three hours nor shall lie be kept
| from lunch more than five hours from
starting time. except In cases Of emer-
gency When more than on" hour
overtime is required at the end of tho
1 regular eight hour shift a second lunch
period shall be allowed. The lunch