The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1926-11-23
new AGREEMENT
SETS ASIDE the
lands AWARD
Building Trades Pact
Gives Strike Right
Continued from page u

sided over by an umpire whose de-
cision was final.
The building trades unions split on
this question in 1921. Thirteen small
crafts accepted the Lands Award,
The big trades, notably the carpenters
and painters, refused to abide by 1t.
A Citizens Committee to Enfirce
the Lands Award" was created to as
sist the scab contractors and the
struggle has been on for the past five
years over this question. The Ian
dis agreement expired this year.
Considered Victory.
Building trades union officials
claim the employers were brought to
time chiefly because Of the huge ex-
pense involved in scab labor and the
unceasing controversy over the Lam
! dis Award.
But while officials Of the Builders
Association who drew up the agree
ment are in full accord with it, the
employers association has not yet
ratified 1t. They meet this week TO
consider 1t. Already some employ
ers are diffident and have expressed
themselves as determined not to go
along with the new agreement. There
is talk of creating new building
contractors association to continue on
an open shop basis.
Wages Not Included.
This new agreement makes no pro-
vision for wages or working condi-
lions. These matters will continue to
be settled each year as heretofore.
The important paragraph in the
agreement follows:
This agreement shall not be con-
strued to require members of the
party of the second part to work
with nonunion workmen engaged in
building construction, nor to work
for members of the party of the
first part on any building or job for
any firm or person having construc-
ton done in Cook coutyn by nom
union workmen, provided the union
of the trade in which such non
union men are working is a mem
Der of the Building Trades council
which has a similar agreement with
the recognized association of en-
ployers."
While it is somewhat vaguely put,
its superiority over the damning con-
ditions laid down by Paragraph IA Of
the Lands award is obvious.
Other Provisions.
The other provisions, which were
also contained in the Lands docu.
ment, are:
1. There shall be no limitations
as to the amount of work a man
shall perform during his working
day.
2. There shall be no restriction Of
the use Of machinery, tools or APP
planes.
8. There shall be no restriction
Of the use of any raw or manufac-
tured material, except prison made.
4. No person shall have the right
to interfere with workmen during
working hours.
5. The use Of apprentices shall
not be prohibited
8. The foreman shall be the ag-
ent of the employer.
Z. The workman is at liberty to
work for whomever he sees fit, but
he shall demand and receive the
wages agreed upon by the joint ar
bitration board in this trade under
all circumstances.
8. The employer Is at liberty TO
employ and discharge whomsoever
he sees ft.
Back in Fold.
The constitution of the building
trades unions say explicitly that no
agreements shall be made signing
away the right to strike. The thir-
teen small crafts that signed the Ian
dis award in 1921 therefore, violated
their own constitutions. But the pres.
ent agreement brings these crafts
back into the fold again and will prob
ably contribute b more unity Of ac-
ton than has been the case since the
Lands controversy.
One concession, hangover from
the LandIs award that will stand crlti-
clsm is the provision concerning the
handling Of nonunion material by the
men. The agreement also Is lacking
In point Of establishing uniformity OF
contract for the various trades.
But the agreement proves. as moth.
ing has since the disastrous and de-
vitalizing split in 1921, the necessity
for united action on the part of all
building trades workers. in their strug.
gle with the employers.