The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-03-10
RAILROAD UNIONS
U R &c SCRAPPING
OF LABOR BOARD
Public Representatives
Made the Trouble
(By The Fedsratsd Pressl

CLEVELAND, Ohio, March o.
The demand of the 16 standard rail-
way unions for abolition of the U. s.
railroad labor board and a return to
direct mediation and voluntary arbi-
tration between railroads and their
employees was explained here in a
press statement by D. B. Robertson
president, Brotherhood of Locomotive
Flremen and Enginemen.
Robertson helped to draft the
Barkley-Howell bill to abolish the la
Dor board, which is now before con-
gress. He declares that the board is
an admitted failure, and that peace
IN the industry will not be brought
about until it is abolished.
Board Was Bosses Tool.
The railroad officials were the en-
thuslastic sponsors of the board at
the time of the enactment of the
Eseh-Cumplins law. They then de-
clared that it would solve all railroad
labor problems efficiently, thereby
putting an end to the possibility IF
strikes. In other words, thew knew
that the three public representatives
would side with their own in out-vot-
ing the labor members of the board.
and they felt confident that public
opinion would then compel the en-
proves TO knuckle down and accept
the dictates of the board as law.
The employees, who opposed this
sort OF solution" for industrial diff
hculties, now find that experience has
their stand, and that the
railroad officials themselves have
learned the folly of attempting to
make both sides agree and compel
men to work by judicial mandate.
Under the existing law discord and
strife have been promoted" Robert |
son says. 1.-THE only nationwide |
strike in American history occurred
after two years of embittering effort
to settle industrial disputes thru the
mechanism of the railroad
labor board"
Propose Next Tribunal.
The amendment to the transnorta-
ton act proposed by the labor organ
lzations not only eliminates the board |
by cancelling section Ill of the. act,
but provides ample machinery for the |
prompt and peaceful settlement of |
difficulties arising between the mani
agement and the employees by the Gre
alton Of national board Of adjust |
ment with four sections covering all |
branches of the railroad industry.
This board would consist of an equal |
of representatives from the
roads and unions, appointed by the
president.
If this method of voluntary nego-
tiation fails, the parties can 90 to a
board of mediation and Cancellation.
with final appeal to joint board Of |
voluntary arbitration.
The merits Of the new plan. ac-
cording to Robertson, are: at places
on railroad officials and employees
representatives the obligation to ne
gotiate agreements and abide by vol
untary contracts, providing that con-
ferences must be held between en-
ployes and men. If this fails, a board
Of mediation's aid may be invoked or
It's services rendered. This board is
10 consist of five disinterested per-
sons appointed by the president.
Decisions Binding.
IF mediation is not successful pro-
vision is made for the selection of ar
oitrators by the board of mediation.
with voluntary submittal Of the dis
oute by both parties. The arbitra-
ion boards findings are to be bind
ng.
These provisions" Robertson con-
dudes, care distinct advance over
he present act, whose awards Of the
'ailroad labor board have not been
binding upon neither party