Evening star., 1927-07-16
PERSONNEL BOARD |
IGNORES UNIONS
Clerks Groups or Lawyers
Will Not Be Heard, Rating
Official Announces.

The Personnel Classification Board,
ment workers. will have no dealings
with labor unions, lawyers or other
representatives of the Federal en-
ployes concerned, 1t was fatty an
nounced today by Chairman EanLeer
of the board.
His statement followed quickly on
the heels of the disclosure last night
that the board has refused to do any
business with the women's union Of
the Bureau of Engraving and Print
ing in connection with its appeal on
behalf OF several hundred women at
the bureau for higher salaries.
Fight Prospect Looms.
Prospect Of a fight with the National
Federation of Federal Employees
loomed today. as a preliminary state
ment, authorized by Luther Steward.
president of the federation bitterly
attacked the position of the board.
A letter from IT, board is in the
mails addressed TO, = !SS Gertrude Nc
Nally, secretary of tie wOmans union
and of the national federation. The
hoard today declined to disclose the
text of the letter,
Refusal of the board to consider
the appeal of the union on behalf of
the employees does not. however, mean
that the case is closed against the
employees themselves. il was explained
hy Capt. Van Leer. 1t means that no
outside agent or organization may
represent the employees. he said. The
Women's Union appealed for re-
hearing of the ALLEGATION of employees
of the wetting and printing divisions
Of the bureau to a higher pay. The
-.
the women themselves, and the union
then took up the fight.
Holds Rights Denied.
Luther Steward in his attack on
the position of the board declared that
the board thereby assumes differ
ent attitude from that of any other
agency of the Federal Government in
declining to receive and consider
statements made by employees through
their chosen organization representa-
tive.
The denial of such a right" said
Mr.. Stewart. lis an attempt arhitra-
rily to deprive employees of the right to
collective presentation OF grievances
specifically recognized by congress
sional enactment. 1t offers on its
face further convincing proof of the
continued unfitness of the Personnel
Classification Board. as at present
constituted, TO administer the classi-
fication act which created it, The
National Federation of Federal En-
ployes readily accepts the challenge
so clearly directed at the funda-
mental right of Federal employees To
present their grievances collectively
through representatives of their own
choosing in the manner contemplated
fal- 4la
steps to carry the issue TO whatever
point may be necessary in defense of
the right SO arbitrarily denied
"Hearsay Is Reason"
Chairman Van Leer said the decision
in the case of the women's union
was in line with the policy adopted by
the board which will deny the right
to any employe to be represented by
any lawyer or agent. Anything such
a second person would say, Capt. Van
1eer said could be only "hearsay"
Such persons do not came so much
to present the facts as TO ARGUE" in
the opinion of the chairman of the
board. 1T is not necessary to have
presentation of arguments for us
to decide. What we want is the facts
said Capt. Van Leer, and the EN-.
ploye himself, or his immediate
superior, is the one qualified to tes-
tify."
If the board allowed some persons to
be represented by lawyers, and others
to be represented by labor unions, it
would be permitting a discrimination
against persons who were not so rep
resented, Capt. Van Leer thinks. The
board has laid down the rule and in.
tends to stand by it, lie indicated.