Montana labor news., 1934-07-12
STEEL STRIKE SUSPENDED; GREEN'S
PLAN FOR MEDIATION BODY SELECTED
BY ROOSEVELT IS ADOPTED BY UNION
Board Would Have Power to Arbitrate Disputes and Hold Elec-
tions for Collective Bargaining Agencies to Deal With Steel
Companies-Union Officials Given Power to Call Strike in Case
Plan Falls Through.
(Reprinted from AFL Weekly News
Service; Special Release of June
70. l934)

~ lJOf+J
The special convention of the Anal
gamated Association OF Iron, Steel and
Tin Workers, held in Pittsburgh, Pa,
on June Is, suspended the impending
steel strike, which was scheduled to
begin at midnight on June Is, and
adopted the Cancellation plan proposed
by William Green, president Of the
American Federation OF Labor, calling
for an impartial board Of three men
appointed by President Roosevelt to
consider all the grievances which the
steel workers included in their strike
demands.
Strike Right Reserved.
The convention left the way open
for a strike call if the proposal is not
accepted by the president and the Iron
and Steel Institute" by adding a pro
vision that in case the plan fell
through the international officers are
delegated with power to call a strike
at a time which the officers will set"
The convention appointed a commit
tee consisting Of the associations eX-
ecutive board to lay the plan before
President Roosevelt in Washington.
The board proposed in Mr.. Green's
plan would have authority to investi-
gate and adjust complaints Of alleged
violations of the fair competition code
Of the iron and steel industry and OF
the labor provisions OF the National
Industrial Recovery Act, and arbitrate
disputes arising under the code and
the Act. The board would also be
authorized to hold elections for collec-
tive bargaining representatives, the
men selected by the workers to be rec
ognized by the steel companies.
A. F. of LIS Interest in Strike.
In opening his address Mr.. Green
told the delegates he came before them
wearing the badge OF the United Mine
Workers of America. with this
badge" he said, 81 am sure l can talk
to you as a miner to a fellow trade
%unionist. As a man to man we can
counsel together in this emergency"
"The officers and members Of the
American Federation Of Labor" he
continued, ARE deeply interested in
the deliberations Of your convention
and in such action as may be taken
regarding the threatened strike OF
those employed in the steel manufac-
turing industry.
Because of this interest and the af-
filiated relationship which exists be-
tween the American Federation of
Labor and the membership Of the
Amalgamated Association, it seems
quite appropriate and imperative for
me in my official capacity as president
of the American Federation of Labor
to offer counsel, advice and recon-
mendations in the grave emergency
which has arisen and which you are
called upon to consider.
Hits Steel Institute Scheme.
1.-THE representatives OF steel work
ers who are organized into bona fide
trade unions could not accept the plan
for an industrial relations board for
the iron and steel industry as sub
mitted by the Steel Institute through
the administration Of the National Re-
covery Act.
"The composition OF this board is
highly Objectionable for the reason
that steel manufacturers could have
two out Of three representatives on the
board, one a representative Of the EN-
ployers and the other a representative
of the employers organized and ere
ated company union.
Furthermore, the defined authority
OF the board and the prescribed plan of
administration would in operation and
effect tend to perpetuate the company
union in the steel industry. r.
Presents Cancellation Plan.
in rejecting this plan OF settlement,
the economic and social welfare of the
steel workers, as well as public inter
est, require the submission of a coun-
t%er-proposal looking to the settlement
Of the threatened strike by peaceful
means on the part of the officers and
delegates to this convention.
1T is therefore out of deep sense
of duty and Of public obligation that |
present to you my recommendation as
a practical, just and fair plan OF set
Element of the threatened strike"
Strike Should Be Avoided.
After reading the text of his concili-
alton board plan, Mr.. Green contin-
ued
81 am offering this counsel and ad-
vice in all good faith and in all sin
cerity of purpose. The interests OF
the steel workers and their families
are Of transcendent Importance to the
officers and members Of the American
Federation of Labor.
81 am firmly convinced that all eff
forts possible should be put forth to
avoid an industrial conflict in the steel
industry at this time. The highest and
best interests OF the steel workers,
their friends and their families will be
served through a settlement of the in
dustrial controversy which has arisen,
through the acceptance and applica-
ton of the plan herewith briefly out
lined.
81 urge the officers and delegates in
attendance at this convention to &C
cept the recommendations herewith
submitted and offer them as a coun-
ter proposal, with a guarantee that, if
accepted, no strike will occur in the
steel industry"
Tomato Growers in Texas
Strike for Price Boost