Montana labor news., 1935-01-03
Advisory Board Makes
Recovery Revisions
Continued from Page y

ONLY AZ codes contain any prONlSloh
for minimum scales for those workers
whose skill and experience justify a
higher earning power than that OF the
least skilled worker. The result has
been to leave an unfair competitive
situation in the wages paid in many
industries, often at the expense OF those
plants who were paying a fair wage
scale before the NRA. In many plants
the minimum wages became the maxi
mum. while in other plants the upper
brackets Of wages were reduced to
make up for the increased wages OF
those brought up to the new minimum,
or even to pay the wage bill OF the
workers re-employed by reason OF the
hours reductions.
After more than a years expert
ence, we are convinced that only by
establishing separate minimum for
common, semi-skilled and skilled
labor can any approach to a prac-
ticable solution Of this problem be
found. That is the only effective
way to accomplish a wage situa-
ton which will mean fair COMPETE
tive conditions and increased pur-
chasing power. We, therefore,
recommend that the act be amend
ed to specifically provide for COM
mon, semi-skilled and skilled labor
in codes of fair competition.
Labor Representation.
Section l of Title I Of the act de-
clares that one of the policies of Con-
gress shall be ito provide for the gen
eral welfare by promoting the organi-
cation Of industry for the purpose OF
cooperative action among trade groups,
10 induce and maintain united action OF
labor and management under adequate
governmental sanctions and supervi-
sion" Yet on over 500 separate code
authorities established thus lar, only
% include any adequate representation
of the labor interest. In the remaining
industries, united action of labor and
management" remains accidental or
mythical.
The Labor Advisory Board believes
that desirable and practical industrial
relations depend upon proper machin-
erv for an economic democracy. We
believe that the means to attain united
action of labor and management de-
ponds upon giving labor the same OPP
%portunity to organize for collective &C
ton that has been accorded to employ
ers in the code procedure, and, further
in giving labor an equal opportunity
with management in the administrator
- IA-..1 ta..- .vhscb MIRA hQl
created.
We, therefore, recommend that
the act be amended to provide
specifically that labor be equally
represented with management on
all code authorities or on any
other administrative bodies estab-
lished to administer code OF fair
competition, including the National
Industrial Recovery Board or its
successors.
Compliance.
During the first years experienced
under codes of fair competition, n o
the major obstacles toward an effective
program has been the lack Of compli-
ance. The effort to live up to stand
ards which are not adhered to by COM
petitors is a costly and disastrous proc
ess. The widespread violation OF those
code provisions which are loose and
easily evaded makes the improvement
of codes all the more difficult. There
results a cumulative undermining oil
the whole code structure.
The machinery of compliance has re-
Gently been reinforced by the estab-
lishment of 10 regional compliance
boards with labor representation, anc
the undertaking of a program OF mass
enforcement whereby inspection of es-
adjustments will supplant the investi-
cation of complaints. The Labor AID
visory Board heartily supports and en-
dorses this renewed effort for enforce
ment Of code provisions.
Since the establishment and
proper administration of effective
compliance machinery depends
largely on individuals whose tenure
of office is problematical, we rec
ommend that the act be amended
to incorporate into legislation those
provisions. for proper enforcement
machinery which are now being
undertaken.
Code Amendments.
The Labor Advisory Board acts a.
the connecting link between the Ma.
tional Recovery Administration anC
those millions of workers in the fielc
for whose protection the labor pro.
visions in the codes are being admin.
istered. 1t, therefore, stands in a po'
sition to gain an intimate knowledge
of the effect of code provisions on la.
Dor, of the abuses and of the subter'
fuges by which the codes are evadet
1t is in a position to know what pro
visions of codes are Intellectual or arr
detrimental to the workers in each in
dustry.
The experience of the past year ant
a half has proved, however, that it i
practically impossible to put the benefi
of such experience into effect. Indus
try may propose amendments will
every possibility of adoption. Blu
labor representatives find it impossibl
to propose amendments except at sue
time as an industry initiates change
in its code-and frequently not even a
such times.
In order that the voice of all in
terests may be expressed, and that
the experience of all groups may
be utilized to make the codes flex-
ible instruments for a democratic
control of industry, the Labor Ad-