The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-01
SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT LABOR


oughly informed as to all of the details
connected with the strikes now causing
unrest and uneasiness in a number of
States. In fact, there are few citizens any
where who understand the situation in its
full significance and the editor of this
newspaper is not included among the
minority that does.
So with this introduction We will give
a few views on the present labor situation,
without suggesting, in the least that an ex-
pert is expressing himself
The right of labor to organize is gem
orally recognized, except in the most re-
dictionary circles. The right of labor to
strike, it seems, is also acquiesced in.
With strikes, however, comes picket
ing, which is rarely without bad-feeling.
Peaceful picketing, upheld by the Courts,
is extremely rare when mass workers are
involved
In time, public opinion will compel
the creation of effective mediation ma
chinery or compulsory arbitration of dis
putes. Until then, however, there will be
strikes and as fast as issues and grievances
are adjusted new demands will arise from
new conditions. Among these demands. it
is plain to see, will be the demand on the
part of labor organizations for the closed
shop and the check-off.
With the express statement that our
sympathies are with labor and that, in the
long run, we give labor our support re-
CARELESS of some questionable tactics, let
us look into the closed shop and check-off
ideas. Surely, the friends of labor must
expect responsible leaders to recognize
the obligations that come to them and
their organizations when they acquire the
power to represent workmen.
Let us assume, that in small town
somewhere, there is a plant employing t.
600 workers, who are divided between two
union organizations and some .ron-union
another 400 and there are $50 non-union
men. What, now, are the rights, not of
the owners of the plant, but of the work
men themselves?
Suppose, for example, that strike is
called by the union with 400 members
and that the other union men want to work
and that the non-union men want to work
Has the striking minority right, as a
union, to prevent the others from work.
ing2 Has the union, which called the
strike, the right to demand that it be given
exclusive representation of all the workers,
and that out Of the pay envelope of each
worker there be deducted dues for its
treasury?
Frankly, we know not the answer.
There arises this question:: Can labor eff
fectively organize in plant or industry
without the closed shop? Should the vote
of a. majority of those employed decide
this question: Would it be possible. by
means of regular elections, held in the
plants and industries, to decide whether
there shall be closed shop, an open
shop or a mixed shop? Is it feasible for
labor representation to be decided, not by
strikes and battles, but by the vote Of the
workers? If so. would the organization of
labor be reasonably effective to secure the
advantages which organization alone can
secure for working people
These are questions which we make
no present attempt to answer but they
are among the issues which viii face not
only laborers of this country but all peo-
pie in the next few years