Montana labor news., 1934-02-15

CODE MEETS UN-
IONS'APPROVAL

WASHINGTON-(FP) - Signing
of the construction code by Pres.
Roosevelt marks the opening Of s
period of unparalleled opportunity for
the unions in the industry, Pres. M.
J.. McDonough of the A. F. of L,
building trades department told Fed
Grated Press, Feb. 2. Contractual re-
lations between employers and unions
are shifted to a new bace, wide oppor-
tunities are offered for the ~organiza-
ton of all construction workers, and
the possibility is seen that the issue OF
jurisdictional disputes may be settled
according to McDonough.
The code provides that when unions
and employers in any region or di-
vision of the industry draw up a con
tract and obtain the Presidents sig
nature to it, wages, hours and con.
ditions of the agreement shall be
binding on all employers in the di.
vision or region. This knocks out the
chiseling contractor, and does away
with the fear that unorganized labor
can be used to weaken union stand.
ards, McDonough said.
Instructions will be sent out within
the next week to all building trades
organizations in the country On pro
cedure in drawing up regional con
tracts. The completion of divisional
sub-codes affecting branches of th'
industry is proceeding in Washington
under the direction of Maj. Georg'
L. Berry, in charge of all construc
ton codes.
In crafts where unions can establish
that their membership covers two
thirds or more of all workers, uniol
rates of pay will be written directl!
into the national sub-codes, Melon
ough believes. In other divisions O
the industry, wages and condition
will depend on local agreements.
In charge Of all disputes in the in
dustry will be the national planning
and adjustment board, composed of II
representatives of the employers an,
10 of the employees, headed by an i'm
partial chairman. The labor member
will be chosen by the NRA labor ad
visory board from nominations sub
mitted by A. F. of L. unions. Inas
much as the unions intend to submit
only 10 names, it is felt certain tina
the labor members will be all A. f. o
l.. officials.
The unions won the rewriting of tn
40c minimum wage to cover all labor
The previous proposed code set 40c a
a minimum wage for only unskillei
and common labor; chiselers coul'
have reclassified workers in order t
pay under the minimum.
While the code provides a 40-hout
week, with tight exemptions for tn
48-hour week, machinery is set up TO
cutting the work-week as low as con
tractors and unions can agree in an.
specific locality, in order to Absorb
the unemployed. The previous cod,
practically permitted the 48-hou
week in all branches, through loop
holes for making up time lost due tt
Indictment weather"
On the code authority will sit
government representative with vet,
power, aided by a labor and a con
sumer's adviser. The code admins
traitor is to set up divisional board
composed of two representatives eacl
of employers and employees, nominateI
by them, and an impartial chairman
The national planning and adjustmen
board may also set up regional board
to handle disputes and make plans.
The national planning and adjust
ment board is to make a study of jur
isdictional disputes. The decision o
the national labor board that on gov
eminent work the contractor is to de
eide on jurisdictional disputes ha
been found ineffective and an appea
has been taken to the board from tn
ruling. The disputes have sprea,
from postoffice jobs to the new labo.
department and other buildings il
Washington.
A II T. TTNT0N