The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1925-12-23

TN the "B. & o. plan" of class col
laboration, which has now been Of
ficially endorsed by the American
Federation of Labor, we are told that
the magic formula has finally been
found which unites into one happy
family the employing capitalists and
the employed workers. AS evidence
of the benefcence of the new scheme,
it is pointed out that whereas, former
ly, certain employers were militantly
fighting against the labor unions, I'M
der the slogan of the open shop"
they are now recognizing the
unions"
enemies of labor, the open shoppers"
are now so ready to sign agreements
with the unions?
The reason is, that the unions have
surrendered to the open shop" and
the new agreements that are being
signed transform the labor organiza-
lions into company unions in sub
stance. Under such conditions why
shouldn't these employers be ready to
sign the agreements?
Similarity of Company Unions and
"B. & o. Plan"
How does the "B & o. plan" change
the labor unions into company
unions?
First we must establish definitely
what are the characteristics of com
pany unions" These are: (1) Re-
place the union as a fighting organ
ization Of Independent working class
power, with machinery for con
sultation" between employer and
worker; ca eliminate strikes and
speed up production; CD soothe the
workers with the form of consulta-
tions about their working conditions,
while keeping all power in the hands
of management; (4) to draw the
worker directly into the process of
increasing his own exploitation.
This is the ideal union in the eyes
of the open shop" employers. Stated
definitely in the words of-these en-
ployers themselves, the open shop"
or company" union has the follow
ing purposes (From the open Shop
Encyclopedia" published by the Open
Shop Department of the National AS
sociation of Manufacturers, 1929:
"(a) To provide regular means of
access by employees thru the repres-
entatives to the employer, and for
consultation by the employer with
employees thru representatives.
"(b) To avoid interruption of pro-
duction and to maintain maximum
production.
"(c) To give employees an oppor-
tunity to discuss conditions under
which they work and the means OF
Improvement
"(d) To further the common inter
est of the employees and the employer
in all matters pertaining to work. or
ganization and efficiency"
Compare the foregoing statement OF
open shop principles with the prin
ciples of the "B. C o." plan," which
were formulated by VIM. H. Johnston,
president of the Machinists Union,
and Otto S. Boyer. Jr., consulting
engineer" for the railroad shop unions
(see the New York Times, March 20,
1925:
"(1) Full and cordial recognition
Of the federates shopmen's unions as
the agents OF the employees.
"(2) According TO these. unions
and their spokesman constructive as
well as protective functions in rail-
road management.
"(3) Agreement between these
unions and the management to CO.
operate for improved service to the
public.
"(D Agreement to share fully any
consequent benefits.
"(5) Perfection of definite admin
strative machinery to accomplish
these purposes"
The 3. & o. plan. 1t will be seen,
contains all the principles of the
open shop plan, with the addition
Of the idea that the best instrument