The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1938-11-18
CHANGES URGED
IN WAGNER ACT
United Front Needed for
Labor, Management to
Obtain Sound Laws
Especial to The Democrat)

N0RONAEA W y 49, bSAAAVNA&S
Boston, Nov. IS - Management
and labor were today urged to pre-
sent a united front" in industrial
relations and to cooperate with one
another in fighting for changes in
the Wagner Labor Relations Act"
by Harold B. Bergen, Industrial Re-
lations Counsel of New York, in an
address at the industrial session of
the 18th New England Conference,
convened here at the Hotel Statler,
this morning. under the auspices of
the New England Council.
Sound Legislation
IF employers could agree with
organized labor on a legislative pro-
gram, much could be done to pro-
mote sound labor legislation and TO
prevent an increasing control of in
dustrial relations by the govern
ment," he declared.
Urging employers to "sit down
with labor leaders and discuss with
them the Wagner Act and other
labor legislation" Bergen asserted
that labor leaders are now "becom-
ing concerned over industrial rela-
tions."
IF management and labor could
present a united front on these mat
ters," he stated, politicians would
quickly follow their leadership. The
main difficulty to q unified program
at present is the split between the
American Federation of Labor and
the Committee for Industrial Or
ganization.
"Face the fact that the union
movement Is here to stay if we are
to preserve our democratic society.
Let your employees, without any sug-
gestions from you, decide what they
want to do about union organiza-
ton. Bargain In good faith with any
union designated by the Labor
Board to represent your workers.
do not, however, think that your
labor problems are solved when you
sign an agreement. You will have
just begun a new period in your in
dustrial relations. 1t will be desirable
for you to take the lead in develop
ing q long-range industrial relations
program with the cooperation of
the union, Development of greater
leadership by the employer should
result In improved industrial rela-
tions, increased sales, decreased costs
and larger net profits.
Relations Program
TN only q minority of companies
today, can be found the combina-
ton essential for a proper labor
relations program. This combina-
ton necessitates q chief executive
actively engaged in developing a
long range personnel program,
sound industrial relations policies
reduced to writing for the informa-
ton of employees, a well coordinated
management organization trained to
carry out the company's personnel
policies and adequate standards for
putting those policies into effect. In
companies where the employees have
been organized, the union should be
invited to participate in developing
such program. Many unions are
eager to work conStructiyely with
management in increasing net pro-
fits.
Employers should consider the
desirability of cooperating with one
another on an industry-wide basis,
or on community basis to present
united front in collective bargain
ing and in the adjustment OF lsbor
! disputes. Every trade association
should have an industrial relations
! committee studying labor problems
and every community should have
an organization actively engaged in
promoting Constructive labor rela-
lions within the community"