The Connecticut labor news., 1923-02-16
Resolution No. T.

The executive council has carefully considered the protest of the United | Brotherhood of Carpenters and Join CTS of America in which the authority 1 to empower the national board ot l jurisdictional awards in determining questions of jurisdiction between the building trades unions and forcing its decisions is questioned, and wherein the executive council Is asked to de eide, If under the constitution of the A. F. of L. a department of the A. F.
 of L. has the authority to order or approve a strike against another bona fde trade union affiliated with the American Federation of Labor
 In connection with this the execu- tive council has also considered the
 action taken by the building trades councils of Cleveland, Detroit, and
 assisting strike against members of
 bona fde trade union affiliated with
 the American Federation of Labor
 A careful review and analysis of all
 decisions and actions by the Amer
 ican Federation of Labor clearly show
 that Ithe American Federation of La
 compulsory arbitration in any matter
 effecting the relations of workers and
 employers, or in any matter effecting
 the relations between organizations of
 labor; that where agreements upon
 jurisdictions or decisions relating to
 jurisdictiona1 claims have been ques-
 tioned or disregarded by affiliated ir>
 ternatlOnal unions, the severest pen
 alty ever imposed by the A. F. of L.
 has been the suspension of such or ganization from membership until
 such time as they might adhere to the agreements reached or decisions made, but that the A. F. of L. at no time encouraged, authorized, approved or countenanced a strike on the part of any of it's affiliated local or inter national unions for the purpose of enforcing such agreements or decis- ions upon an unwilling organization.
 There is no power in the A. F. of L. to order or support a strike for the enforcement of jurisdictiona1 de- cisions or awards and surely the power never vested in the American Federation of Laior itself cannot be exercised, delegated to or even coun- tsnanced when exercised by any sub ordinate body of the A. F. of L.
 The executive council therefore calls upon tn building trades depart ment to carry into effect the funda- mental facts and principles herein de- clared ,and to at once convey the above to the building trades councils affiliated to the department and par ticularly that strikes of union work are intolerable and must be instantly In so doing the execu- tive council Is prompted not only by ha 6 f0 he 9,11H tof the guarantees of trade autonomy and limited authority granted to the A. F. of l.. and its subordinate depart ments by it's affiliated international unions, but IS moved also to this end by spirit which seeks to avoid the and untenable position of having union men and trade nnion or ganlzations striking against one an- other. The council Is further moved by the desire to create a state of mind that will permit 1t to prove help Ful in effecting an adjustment of the 1 original controversy underlying the l present unfortunate state of affairs 1 among the building trades 1 1nions
 With respect to the several issues l involved in the question of the extent | of the authority and power of the na- ional board of jurisdictional awards o render final decisions in matters of i and to demand compli- lnce with it's decisions, the executive ;ouncil deems it imperative that this ,ntire subject should receive further and therefore directs hat a conference be held between the
 representatives of the A. F. of L., he building trades department, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, he International Sheet Metal Work rs' Alliance, board of jurisdictional wards. This conference to be held t the earliest possible convenience nd to meet in Washington, D. C., it
 eing the purpose of this conference o effect an adjustment, if that be pos r, ible.
 The committee recommended the doption of the resolution. Recom- nendation of the committee adopted.
 Following the report of the com nittee on constitution, President Richards introduced C, w. Cameron, delegate from Massachu- VT. Cameron explained that due to he train service, he was prevented rom reaching the convention on the lrst day. He said: T want at this ime to extend to you the greetings
 f the Massachusetts State Council of Carpenters and Joiners and to say to ,ou that we enjoyed having Brother smith, your representative, at our last convention. He took an active part n, the proceedings of the convention
 nd offered helpful suggestions. MT. Cameron urged the carpenters of the tate to support in as far as possible he State Federation of Labor as it vas necessary on the political field. He also talked at some length on . Resolution No. I, since the carpen- CTS of Massachusetts have the same ontention regarding jurisdictional
 laims as the carpenters of Connec- icut, and in closing, said: "Gentle-