The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1938-12-29
Rdilrodd Brotherhoods To
Cooperate With A. F. L.
To End Control
AMENDMENTS SEEN
Constructive Changes To a
Acts To Be Considered
BY Congress

Washington, ID. ca strong pro-
gram of Federal legislation for Amer
lean working men and women was ap-
proved by over fifty legislative repre-
sentatives of the American Federation
Of Labor, it's affiliated unions and of
the railroad brotherhoods at a meet
ing in the A. F. of l.. headquarters
here called to make a preliminary
canvas of the major labor measures
which these unions will press for con-
sideration during the session Of Con-
gress which convenes on January 3.
Foremost in the program were
amendments to the National Labor
Relations Act to curb further malad-
ministration of the measure by the
National Labor Relations Board and
to protect thMvYsRrkers in their col
lective bargsGIno rights which the
sponsors of IL had in view when
it was passed, ard amendments to the
Social Security Act, the Fair Labor
Standards Act, the Walsh Healey Con-
tracts Act and the Housing Act.
The legislative agents will unite in
supporting whatever labor legislation
is acceptable to the railroad labor
unions, adequate appropriations for the
continuance of relief to the unemploy-
ed and an appropriate preparedness
program.
In addition opposition will be con-
tinued to the Reorganization Bill
which would substitute a one-man
Civil Service Administration for the
present three-man Civil Service Com
mission.
Labor Act Amendments
In announcing the results of the
meeting President William Green of
the A. F. of l.. stressed the National
Labor Relations Act amendments. The
proposed changes are now being pre-
pared and are to follow out the rec
concentrations made by the Executive
Council to the recent convention at
Houston and adopted by the conven-
ton.
The A. F. of l.. will sponsor two
amendments to the Labor Relations
Act The first would remove from the
discretion Of the National Labor Rela-
tions Board the power to decide on the
proper unit of employees for collective
bargaining, whether that unit be by
craft, plant or employer or any sub
division thereof.
The amendment would make it pos
sible at all times for employees to Sc
lect their own bargaining agent
rather than to have the Board select
it.
The second amendment, Mr.. Green
explained, would deprive the Labor
Board Of any power to void contracts
made between independent, democratic
trade unions and employers. Although
the United States Supreme Court has
held that the Board has no right to
invalidate the contract made by the
Consolidated Edison Company, with
locals of the International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers, Mr.. Green said
the court, by implication, indicated
that, under certain circumstances, it
might sustain the boards right to de-
clare an agreement invalid.
"In working for this change we will
guard and protect the other provisions
of the Wagner act" said Mr.. Green.
"We will fight for retention of the pro-
visions which guarantee the right of
self-organization without discrimina-
tion by employers.
"We stand now, as we have always
stood, for the preservation Of the act
and it's fundamental principles. Our
complaint has been against the malad
ministration Of the act by the Board.
"We will refuse to join any group
that will attempt to weaken the act.
am sure that Congress will respond
to an appeal to preserve the act"
Mr.. Green said he did not view with
favor the suggestion that the admin
istrative and judicial provisions Of the
Wagner act be separated. That would
not be necessary. he said. if a fair