Montana labor news., 1936-04-09
10 Building Trades
Settle Long Dispute
Convention in Washington Elects
Officers and Adopts Machinery
to Decide Jurisdictional Con-
troversies - Green Is Pleased
With Settlement.
(By A. F. OF L. News Seryice)

(By A. F. OF L. News Service)
WASHINGTON, D. C.-The inter-
nal controversy between 10 building
trades unions affiliated with the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor was settled at
a convention OF the two groups here on
March 25, which elected officers OF the
Building Trades Department and
adopted a plan to handle jurisdictional
disputes without interruption OF build
ing operations. The new executive
council consists of nine members. The
president and secretary-treasurer are
to be elected every three years and the
members OF the council annually.
The jurisdictional dispute settlement
plan provides that mechanics remain
at work where jurisdiction is in ques-
ton, pending action by an arbiter, pre-
ferably a Federal judge, who would re-
ceive cases only from international
unions. Hearings would be held, with
both sides given full opportunity to
presen their views and file briefs. De-
cesions would be made promptly and
be binding on all unions.
President Green's Statement
AT the conclusion of the convention
William Green, president Of the Amer
lean Federation OF Labor, made the
following statement:
The differences and division which
existed in the building trades organi-
cations OF the American Federation Of
Labor have been finally settled. The
building trades organizations chartered
by the American Federation OF Labor
are now united in one building trades
organization. They will act together
and cooperate with each other through
one Building Trades Department OF
the American Federation of Labor.
Building mechanics throughout the en-
tire country will give hearty approval
to this action and will gladly embrace
the opportunity accorded them to unite
and work together for a common pur-
pose to advance and promote the eco
nomic interests OF those employed in
the construction industry.
"The action OF the representatives OF
the building trades organizations, which
was taken at the convention held at the
headquarters of the American Fedora
ton of Labor today, demonstrated the
fact that the organized labor move
ment possesses the ability, the re-
sourcefulness and the power OF self
control to settle difficult, vexing prob
lens by negotiations, through mutual
agreement, within the family OF or
ganized labor. The plan for the settle
ment of jurisdictional disputes agreed
upon and adopted al the convention is
OF great public interest. 1t marks a
great forward step in the development
OF human relations in industry. The
purpose and definite objective OF the
plan is to rationalize the settlement of
iurisdictional disputes SO that adjust
ments can be made without Interrupt
ton in building construction.
This procedure will be Of great eco
nomic benefit to building mechanics,
contractors and the general public. 1t
is reasonable to conclude that it will
be very helpful in the promotion Of a
housing and building construction pro-
gram. The work done at the conven-
ton Of the Building Trades Depart
ment will be OF great value to the en-
tire organized labor movement