Evening star., 1937-02-12
The Strike Settlement.

For some time it has been apparent
that the chief obstacle to settlement of
the automobile strike was an agreement
that would reflect peace without victory.
Such an agreement, it is believed, has
at last been gained. Neither side has
been forced to lose face. The greatest
victory belongs to Gov. Murphy of Mich
igan, who has added enormously to his
prestige by his patient efforts at con-
ciliation and his prevention of the vio-
lence and bloodshed which less capable
handling of delicate situation might
have precipitated.
The settlement has been achieved
through compromise on both sides. It is
useless to speculate on which side has
gained the most. The union has won
recognition where none formally existed
before. But it has receded from its
demand that 1t be recognized as a sole
bargaining unit of the automobile work.
ers. The corporation has won it's point
that 1t would recognize the union only on
the basis Of its membership. But it re-
ceded from its demand that it could
make no settlement of any kind until
the unlawful occupation of its property
by the sit-down strikers had been ended.
Such compromises are essential for the
settlement of most strikes. The question
now is the wisdom Of the most important
and far-reaching compromise of all-the
compromise with the laws of Michigan,
which permitted, in defiance of court
order, occupancy of the corporation
property by the sit-down strikers. As
practical matter in dealing with an i'm
mediate emergency, this compromise
was probably necessary. Had the sit
down strikers been ousted by physical
enforcement Of the court order the re-
suits might easily have been widespread
disorder and violence. Furthermore, the
door would have been virtually closed to
any immediate peaceful settlement. For
this reason, temporizing with the law
was expedient and in this case may have
been wise.
But temporizing with the law, COM
promising with important principles, is
a dangerous process. Once under way,
1t is hard to stop. If the sit-down strike
is now recognized as having been the
effective weapon which brought about
the present settlement the use of that
same weapon in other cases is immedi-
ately invited. A dangerous precedent,
In other words, has been established.
The authorities who must deal with such
situations from now on will recognize
that fact or pile up great deal of
trouble for themselves and for the
country later on.
To avoid the sit-down strike there
must be mutual willingness to agree on
the nature Of the compromise which is
the basis of this present settlement.
Employers must recognize the right of
collective bargaining. But employees
must recognize the right of the indi-
yidual worker to choose, without coercion,
the unit which is to represent him in
collective bargaining. That is far more
logical and equitable basis of collective
bargaining than the Wagner acts pro-
vision that the majority shall constitute
the bargaining agency, thus forcing the
closed shop principle on a possibly un-
willing minority of workers. General
Motors agreed, even before the strike was
settled, to deal with the union in so far
rs its actual membership was concerned.
Ut agreed. moreover, to permit a secret
ballot under the auspices of third party
to determine this membership. That is
the formula which suggests itself as the
reasonable alternative to such dangerous
manifestations Of illegal force as the sit
down strike.