Montana labor news., 1933-08-31
PART ii.
HOW DOES MIRA AFFECT
LABOR?
Is the right to organize guaranteed

It's Int law pIONlueS tHdb every
code must contain provisions for col
lective bargaining, and that employ
ers will not force their employees to
join a company union, or prevent
their joining any other union. The
yellow dog contract" is outlawed.
However, labor should be suspicious of
these rights, as other and similar laws
have not always been enforced. There
are already many examples of en-
ployees fired for union activity since
the Recovery Act was passed. So
far the government has taken no ac-
ton in these cases.
What is a company union?
A company union is one formed by
the employers in which the employees
have some rights, but striking is pro-
hibited and the method of adjusting
disputes is so complicated as to dis
courage complaints. The workers have
no real power in such a union, as the
organization is controlled by the man.
ayers.
Here is the outline of procedure I'M
der the DUPONT Company's plan:
l. All matters must first be taken
up by the employers with the foreman.
2. If not adjusted, then the en-
ployee and his representative shall
take the matter up with the foreman.
8. Then it shall be taken up with
each higher executive in turn until it
reaches the head of the employees
work division.
4. If no agreement is reached, it
may be presented to the Works Coun-
Gil, (half employees and half employ
ers).
5. The Works Council may decide
the matter by a two-thirds vote.
6. 1t shall then go to the Works
Manager who shall report his find
ings to the Works Council.
7. The Works Council shall re-
consider the matter and if unable to
agree by a t%wo-thirds vote it shall go
to the President who shall report his
findings to the Works Council.
s. The Works Council shall recon-
slider the matter and if unable to agree
with the President by a two-thirds
vote it shall be submitted to arbitra-
ton.
Is the company union Outlawed?
No. The law does not say company
unions cannot exist, but merely that
no mar can be forced to join one or
remain a member once he has joined.
Note that through the company un-
ion, employers hire paid agents to
keep the workers from feeling dis
satisfied. This is written off as a
business expense.
How does MIRA affect the right to
strike?
There are strong rumors from
Washington that the government is
considering some measure to outlaw
strikes, as in Italy and Germany, and
planning to make arbitration of all
labor disputes compulsory.
The government has made unsuc-
cessful efforts to have labor leaders
call off all present strikes. Watch
for the governments next step.
Will the Government organize I'M
ions?
No. In the first official statement
under this law it was said, at is not
the business of this Administration to
organize either industry or labor" 1t
is up to the workers themselves to
organize.
Does MIRA guarantee the right to
work?
No. 1t is hoped that people will be
put back to work because of this act,
but no one is guaranteed a job.
How does MIRA affect wages and
hours?
1t will probably increase employ.
ment by Is to 20 per cent and raise
the wages of approximately 100000
workers who are now receiving less
than the minimum that will be pro-
vided.
VIII MIRA put everyone back to
work?
No. While there have been some
increases in pay and many thou
sands have returned to work in re-
cent weeks, payrolls and the number
at work are still far below the 1926
1929 level. Not enough purchasing
power has been or will be created to
give everyone a job. Practically all
economists have agreed that machines
r ~displacing men more rapidly than
new jobs are created. We can look
forward to eight to ten million per-
manently unemployed as long as the
capitalist system lasts.
Will unorganized workers derive
any benefit from this act?
Yes, but very little. Certain min
imum standards will be established in
each industry but if the workers are
not organized they will have no way
of securing enforcement of the law or
lettering conditions.
How will the presence of low-paid
unoiganized workers affect the or
ganized workers?
1t is no more possible to compete
n ,,x,o~. iii L. -. n