The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-07-04
: TEEL PLANS
BATTLE FOR
Open SHOP
Irwin Gives Workers
Promise to ave
Company Union

ONAJ NA'AN'AO''s
Applying the general principles
laid down last Monday in a state
ment by the American Iron and
Steel Institute, William. r. Irwin,
president of the United States
Steel Corporation, writing in the
United States Steel News, pub
lished today, stated United States
Steel will defend the right of it's
employees to work free from out
side interference and coercion"
He says:
ct (the cOrporatiOn) will
never require employees to be-
long to any union in order to
gain employment. The United
States Steel Corporation has
always stood for the open shop
and will continue to do So"
REPLIES TO UNION
In response to the recent an
nouncement by union organizers,
whom Irwin clasSifies as outside
the industry" the steel heads
statement, carried in the new
magazine published for the en-
ployes of the United States Steel
Corporation and its subsidiaries,
who number more than 225, 900,
sets forth in part:
Much publicity has been re-
leased by an organization out.
side of our industry of its aim
to uniOnize all of our plants. If
this be accomplished, it means
a CLOSED shop where no one
can secure employment unless
he is q member of such organ.
izatiOn, submits to dictatiOn by
the Self-chOSen leaders and sub
jectS himself to the dues and
assessments imposed upon all
members.
$50 that you may know at the
outset where the United States
Steel Corporation stands on
iN.S issue, the following out
line of policy is set forth for
your information and guild
ance:
STAND FOR OPEN SHOP
1--WE will resist with all our
strength all efforts to impose
such an organization upon the
employees. We are convinced
that the vast majority Of you
resent the idea of paying
tribute for the right to work
ave therefore stand
Squarely for the principle of
the open shop"
"No man in our employ has to
join any organization in order
to work for us. His progress
in his work depends upon indi.
viduaI merit and effort and not
upon his influence with some
outside organization.
I'VE are convinced that these
are sound American principles
which have been determining
factors in raising American in.
duStry and labor to a higher
level that exists in any other
country in the world. We feel
these principles have the en-
d0rsement Of the great majority
of American workers, and we
intend vigorously to defend
them.
TRY COMPANY UNIONS
"AbOut three years ago a plan
of emplOye representation was
adopted in the manufacturing
plants. 1t has been amended
from time to time at your re.
quest, and it is in effect only
where a majority of you, by
secret ballot, have favored its
adoption.
&C.. The elections are exclu-
sively supervised by the EN-.
plOyes themselves. 1t is the fair.
est method of collective bargain
ing that the employees and the
management have been able to
devise.
about 80 per cent Of the
employees voted at the annual
elections of representatives re-
Gently elected. This is to me
clear evidence that the plan is
satisfactory to the employees.
HAVE SAME INTEREST
Through this plan, both
men and management have
learned the benefits Of work
ing together in peace and har.
mOny. They have learned, too.
that they have one and the.
same interest-the success Of
the business.
at is through success alone
that the business will be able
to pay the highest possible
wages in the industry and offer
the best working conditions.
Those who endanger the sue
cess of the industry by stirring
up trouble are enemies OF all
who earn their living in the