Montana labor news., 1935-06-13
m|SS0uLA hACHlNSTS STRIKE FOR MORE PAY
SCHOOL BOARD RE-
TO RECOGNIZE
TEACHERS j Mo N
Citizens Members Deny the Re-
quest of Teachers for Recog-
milton of Their Union.

milton of Their Union.
We are printing the proposal OF the
School Board in full and the counter
proposal of the teachers, emitting the
Introductory paragraph and sections
one and four which are identical in the
teachers proposal.
The main outline OF the recognition
agreement submitted by the school
board Of District No. | has not been
altered in the counter-proposal pre-
scented by the Teachers Union No. 1872.
The last part of section two beginning
with the words Shall not preclude rec
ognition Of any similar association,
etc." were omitted because they were
deemed to be outside the scope OF this
agreement as no third party was men
toned in the Introductory paragraph
which provides for an agreement be-
tween two parties, namely the School
Board OF District No. / and the Teach
ers' Union No. 1872. The last sentence
of that section was eliminated because
it was redundant and unnecessary.
In section three there was a substi-
tuition made asking that the Teachers
Union be called into a conference to
negotiate salary adjustments instead Of
just being notified before final action is
taken. It is only fair that the Teach
ers' Union be called in for such nego-
%tiations as it is organized for the eco
nomic and professional advancement Of
its members.
Surely these few changes cannot be
the real cause for the failure OF the
school board to recognize the Teachers
Union. Nor can it be that members
who cast the dissenting votes fail to
understand the prime factor in such
agreements-mainly negotiations, for
among that group are three who hold
union cards. Surely they are familiar
with the value and necessity OF bar
gaining. Or can it be that unions
benefit them while they deny the
benefit to others?
1t seems the board hesitates to rec
ognize this unit affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor without
good reason. Now until the u. S.
finds a better central group, until the
state Of Montana and County Of Silver
Bow, including District No. l, finds a
better group for affiliation, there is lit
tie for the present board OF whom the
majority Of its members are already
members of organized labor in Butte,
to do but extend recognition to a
teachers group.
Lehwalder and Reardon voted to sup
port the recognition Of the Teachers
Union.
Outline of Recognition Agreement
Between
School Board of District No. / and
Teachers Union No. 1892:
The Board of Education Of School
District No. l deems it advisable to
recognize the Union of teachers in the
employ of the district under the follow
ing mutually agreed on conditions:
lst: That it is understood and
agreed that there is a fundamental dis
tinction between a business or corpora
ton operating for profit and a repre-
sentative body elected to conduct the
affairs Of a political subdivision OF the
public, such as the school board, whose
duties are laid down and defined by the
legislature of the state and are opera
tive upon all actions Of the school board
wherein the interests OF all OF the peo-
pie included in such subdivision are
concerned.
End: In recognizing Butte Teach
ers' Union No. 1892" it is agreed and
understood that membership in the
union is and shall be voluntary only,
and shall not preclude recognition of
any other similar association Of teach
ers employed by the school district or
any individual teacher. Any other basis
of recognition by the board would be a
betrayal Of a large part Of the people OF
School District No. /, including a sub
%stantial number OF the teachers so en-
ployed.
3rd: 1t is understood and agreed
that whenever the economic conditions
prevailing in School District No. |
warrant an adjustment in salary OF the
teachers, representatives OF Teachers
Union shall be notified before final ac-
ton is taken.
4th The school board is ready and
willing at all times to hear and consider
any and all grievances Of members OF
the union when presented either in
writing or by representatives OF the
union and will mutually endeavor to
maintain amicable, reciprocal and cor
dial relations.
Outline of Recognition Agreement
Between
School Board of District No. ! and
Teachers Union No. 1872:
End: In recognizing Butte Teach
ers' Union No. 332,' it is agreed and
RI 49,. 4 De-