Montana labor news., 1934-10-25
Interest Of Organized Labor's Officials Is Drawn
To Ideas Sponsored By Firm Which Has Had
Reputation OF Opposing Unions; President VIM.
Green and Secretary Morrison Offer Comments.

IL NOlls NllCH.-lHe 0tlcidi Mo
tors Corporation has evolved several
new ideas in employer-employee re-
l%ations, which it hopes to put into eff
feet in all of its divisions, according
to a statement in pamphlet form mail
ed to the corporations 10000 employ
ees, over the signature of its famous
president, Alfred P, Sloan.
In a letter accompanying the pam
phlet, Mr.. Sloan tells the corpora
tons views on collective bargaining,
in this language.
'As you know, the subject deals with
the problems OF collective bargaining
First, | want TO make it clear that we,
in General Motors. recognize 'collec-
tive bargaining as a constructive step
forward, both for the employees and the
management.
Regardless OF any obligation that
may exist, we propose not only to
continue the idea but to deveolp it.
How much can be accomplished will
depend upon the cooperation Of all
concerned.
10 develop the maximum, we must
both understand what we are trying
to do, and how we are trying to do it,
and then, again, must be patient with
each other, because we are proceeding,
in a way, along a new road. Mistakes
are bound to develop and mistakes are
sure to be made on both sides - that
is inevitable - in establishing a new
relationship Of this character. How
ever, experience and cooperation will,
through evolution, correct all this if
we approach the problem in the right
spirit.
From the standpoint Of manage
ment, | am extremely anxious that
every individual concerned in manage
ment, wholeheartedly and with an open
mind, cooperate with the employees in
making this potential step forward, a
read step forward.
Own Definition of Collective
Bargaining
Collective bargaining is to be under
stood as a method of inter-communi-
cation and negotiation between en-
ployes and management, whose objec-
tive is the maintenance of harmonious
and cooperative relations through mu-
tual understanding and agreement with
respect to terms and conditions OF en-
ployment."
Inherent responsibilities Of manage
ment are referred to and a declara-
ton is made that this agreement does
not mean collective employer-employe
management.
Own Construction of Coercion"
Recalling that coercion by unions as
well as employers has been banned, the
corporations plan states that "all cases
Of attempted coercion by outside un-
ions to force employees to join them
should be thoroughly investigated and
referred to the Industrial Relations De-
partment.
LABOR OFFICIALS COMMENT
When the General Motors Corpora
tons announcement was called to the
attention of A. F. of L. officials, just
before their departure from San Fran
cisco, following the close of the con-
vention, they expressed keen interest.
The plan was not given approval.
William Green said it was particul-
arly encouraging to note that Alfred
P. Sloan, Jr., had stated that the en-
ployes must be given entire freedom
to form their own union and manage
its affairs in their W way"
On the question of sharing executive
powers with the employees, Mr.. Green
said
1T is no purpose OF labor to inter
fere with the rights of management.
Labor asks to be recognized as a par
tner in the business and to have its
relations with the management set
down in %contractual form, to establish
clearly its rights.
"A fundamental point is that the
will of the majority Of the workers
should be followed in settling the point
as to what organization is to speak
for the workers. A majority is enough
to establish the union as a bargaining
agency. The decisions of the National
Labor Relations Board, the steel, pet
roleum and railway boards, have all
said So"
Frank Morrison, secretary of the
federation, said;
at is a step forward beyond any
position the motor companies have
taken heretofore.
1T appears to be in accord with the
spirit of the MIRA.
81 entirely agree with Alfred P.
Sloan when he says collective bargain
ing is a constructive step forward"