The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-03-26
By MILTON BRONNER
NEA Service Staff Correspondent

LONDON, March 26.-Nhilc
organized labor's rights are per-
hans more clearly defined in Bri-
lain than in the United States, SO
are its duties and responsibilities.
In the sweep of labor lcgisla-
ton that followed the general
strike of 1926 certain acts which
formerly gave protection and
privileges to labor unions were
iepcalcd, and now unions may be
held liable for damages TO" loss
suffered by employers in the
course of q strike that has been
declared illegal.
EMPLOYEES of city or corpora
ton gas, water and electric Scrv-
ices arc especially restricted. The
Trades Dispute Act Of 1927 pro-
vides that no person employed by
a municipality or corporation
which supplies any place with gas,
water. or electricity, shall Witiu!-
ly break his contract OF service
knowing that the probable conSe-
oucnccs of his strike would be to
deprive the inhabitants OF their
supply of gas, water, or electric
ity. A maximum fine Of 500 on
three months in Jail is provided
for violation.
MAY TIE UP FUNDS
For the first time, too. the m
junction method SO prevalent in
America is lcgalizcd. The Attor-
ney General is given the right to
obtain an injunction restraining
labor unions from using their
funds in any strike which has
been declared illegal under the
law.
"Grudgc strikes" and labor rae
keteering have been rendered al
most impossible in Britain. both
by the labor union machinery IT.
self and by various laws.
No union organizer, on his own
decision, can declare, call, or
threaten strike. If dispute
arises in q small plant, OF in a
small section of the country, m
volving hours, wages, on WORKING
conditions, the union organizer
must report the facts to the
unions branch committee. This
committee would have to pass on
any strike.
MUST APPEAL TO BOARD
If the matter is one which
would be likely TO affect the ma
tional membership, it would be
reported to the general secretary
and executive committee Of the
nationwide organization.
Even such general secretaries
or executive committees in many
cases have not the full right to
decide whether or not to strike.
The coal miners, for instance, al
ways take Il nationwide ballot OF
all members before making their
decision.
In many other unions all local
branches send delegates TO a con-
vcntion which votes on the queS-
tionS involved.
Picketing rigidly is restricted
by the Trades Union Act of 1927.
which largely curtailed rights OF
peaceful picketing which had been
commonly resorted to before its
passage.
The new law makes it unlawful
to approach Il person where he
works or lives in such IL manner
as to intimidate him or obstruct
his passage in the street, or lead
to any breach of the peace. To
intimidate is defined as causing
in any persons mind apprchcn-
sion of injury to himself or any
member of his family, or damage
to his property" Some lawyers
believe this definition would even
extend to calling Il workman
"blackleg," "scab," or any SINH
larly approbriouS name.
Violation may be punished by
maximum fine Of 500 or three
months in jail. If indicted, the
offender may go to prison for two
years. This anti-picketing provi-