The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1923-08-31
A LESSON ON UNION LABELS

1hC uioSuoSloIi DSGWCeil Tie employ
er and the union committee had been
Cne of endurance. Each side fought
for every inch of ground. The en-
ployer conceded rule after rule. The
eight-hour day was agreed to, a
minimum wage, the abolition of piece
work and dozen and one other
things demanded by the union. The
last clause in the proposed trade
agreement provided for the union
shop.
The employer made his final stand
on the issue that he should be per-
mitted to employ and discharge whom
he pleased. "None but members OF
the union," insisted the committee
I'VE cannot maintain the conditions
we have secured without the union
shop" they said.
The employer asked time to con-
slider. He left his private office and
walked thoughtfully up and down the
waiting room adjoining. Back to him
came recollections of his early life
When a worker he had taken the
same position. He had been an all
around union man from "stem to
core" He refrained from supporting
unfair firms. He patronized the
union label. He subscribed for the
local labor paper, and he contributed
literally to struggling unions.
81 wonder how sincere these men
are?" he asked in silence. Noticing
their hats and overcoats upon the
table, he examined each carefully and
in but one hat the hatter's label and
the label of the Garment Workers
Union in but one overcoat. Four hats
and four coats were non-union made
Consistency, thou art a minus fac
tor in this day." he said to himself.
"Gentlemen," began the employer
as he returned to the committee, 81
cannot repudiate my early convic-
tions. You are right in your stand
You have no security for the wages,
hours and conditions we have agreed
to without the union shop. | under
stand it. I'll sign up and settle our
differences right now, but in doing SO
| want to be assured that | am deal
ing with honest, consistent and sim
cere men who will live up to their
xxyi+l mo
ooh, we're all right" said the
chairman. "Our word is good. We
are loyal union men and have given
our pledge to live up to the tenets
of trade unionism, among which is
the obligation of contract" "And
another is" cut in the employer, 'to
purchase only such goods as bear the
union label, the emblem of honest and
well-treated labor.
"The trouble with you men is that
you are selfshly looking out for the
interests of your small group of asso-
ciates without regard for the welfare
of other union workers. Your union
could not stand alone overnight. The
fact that there are more than four
million union workers in the country
adds to the strength of your organi-
zation, and it sustains you"
I'VE don't get you," said the
in questioning our integrity. We have
always been square with you. We
are affiliated with our international
union, to which we pay per capita
tax. We are also affiliated with the
A F. of L. and pay our share toward
its support. We never turn a deaf
ear to a plea for help from a union
in trouble. Why do you say that we
are but selfshly looking after our own
interests without regard for welfare
for others? You have nothing upon
which to base your accusations"
"Ah, but / have" replied the EN-
ployer. "You have asked me to en-
ploy union men in this shop to the
exclusion of all others, and | have
agreed to do so, but you men are
greater employers than am and you
employ non-union men to do your
work"
The members of the committee
looked inquiringly at one another. The
chairman broke the silence. "Agair
we don't get vnn.n he said. owe have