The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-02-02

"A well-rounded industrial rela-
tions program" for employees should
include some form Of group insu-
rance, advises the National Indus
trial Conference Board, the big re-
search bureau of the American en-
ployers' associations.
Group life insurance for industrial
workers has been leaping forward i'll
recent years. Seven great insurance
companies do most Of the underwrit-
ing. Hundreds Of firms have in
duced their employees to accept the
insurance free, and in some instances
contribute to the premiums, often by
means Of checkoff from the pay en-
velope. Nearly five billion dollars
worth has now been written, repre-
senting rise of about $4,000 in ID
years. Approximately 100000
workers are now covered. In addi-
tion to life insurance at least half
million workers are covered by
health insurance, and the number is
increasing rapidly. Accident insu-
rance is also growing.
The Bunk In Quantity.
Corporations say they go in for
group life insurance, largely to pro-
mote "good will" among employees, to
reduce labor turnover, and for a
variety of economic and "humanitar-
IAN reasons. The Chase Metal
Works, in a pamphlet issued to its
workers, says: Every year of con
tinuous employment increases a mans
insurance without any cost to him,
and quite naturally the man will
think twice before giving up this free
insurance and leaving his job" lit
might be added, ito strike"
DR.. Herman Frank, insurance ex-
pert, declares that GROUP life insu-
rance, as it is practiced by the large
scale employer, is in its very nature
paternalistic, a mere continuance to-
benefit the employer by reducing his
labor turnover and tying the employe
to his employment"
The Commonwealth Edison Co.
finds that as result of group insu-
rance, efficiency is improved. Loyal
ty to the company is increased. The
mental outlook of employees on indus
trial questions tends to become more
healthy =. more dependable class
Of workers is attracted by these
plans"
Spokesman Of organized labor are
unqualifiedly against any sort Of in
surance instituted by employing cor
pcrations. 1t compromises the work
ers' independence and weakens the
power of collective bargaining. To
the conscious worker it looks like al
sedative or sugarpill. Unions like
the full fashioned hosiery workers
cite definite instances where it is used
to break strikes. The Brotherhood
Of Locomotive Firemon and Engine
mems Journal looks at insurance as
an "endeavor TO wean railroad en-
ployes away from their allegiance to
their legitimate labor organization
and the A. L. Of l.. officially points
out that the workers are mislead into
thinking they are getting insurance
at very low permanent cost, where
as, in fact, they have temporary one
year term insurance, written at prem
ium rates, which are likely TO be in
creased at any time.
Workers for the Studebaker Corp.
tell OF group insurance policies
forced on every member at the De-
troit plant last summer. One worker
who held out was brought into line
by a threat Of discharge.
Optn Shop For II.
Open shop bodies are enthusiastic
about the scheme. The National
Metal Trades Association, most ruth
less anti-labor association in Amer
lea, prints exhaustive reports and
recommendation on the subject. The
Industrial Association Of San Fran
cisco, which has just broken strike