The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1939-02-09
TECHNIQUE OF THE LABOR BOARDS
MALADMINISTRATIO EXPOSED


Labor Relations Board to administer the
National Labor Relations Act against it's spirit
and purpose in opposition to the traditional and
well-defned rights of unions affiliated with the
American Federation of Labor and in favor of the
c.. O. secessionists and dual union promoters was
definitely set forth by the Executive Council of
the American Federation Of Labor in its report to
the 1888 convention of the Federation. The con-
vention adopted the Councils report it's own
declaration.
warranted procedure, the Executive Council said:
'In the short period of time from April 12
1887 (when the United States Supreme Court held
the Labor Act cOnStitutiOnal), to the date OF the
holding of the Denver Convention, the tendency
on the part of some members of the Board to per
vert the spirit and intent of the law became appar-
ent The American Federation of Labor, desiring
to maintain the substantial benefits OF the Act and
desiring to accord the Board the benefit of what
ever doubt may have existed as to it's apparent un-
fair attitude towards the American Federation OF
Labor, abstained from any official disapproval OF
the Board in the report of the Executive Council to
the Denver Convention. The Executive Council
however directed attention to the fact that the
Board was over-stepping the bounds of it's proper
functions and the Executive Council urged eau
tion as disclosed by the following statement in the
Report:
"'The National Labor Relations Board is now
taking jurisdiction under the decision of the Su-
preme Court over great portion of the vast in
dustries of America. 1t possesses more power
than does any other governmental board now IN
existence. The Boards task is important enough
if it adheres to the original intention of the Act OF
preventing employers from interfering with en-
ployes in joining unions. This work could well oc-
cupy the entire time of the Board and its staff
The Board, however, is going beyond this function
and letting itself be drawn into conflicts between
unions when such entry by the Board is entirely
improper and we believe unlawful. The adj
mnstration of the Act by the Board is becoming
more and more important. Whether or not 1T Will
recognize the validity of union contracts where a
question of representation has been raised, Wheth-
er or not it will continue its hands-oh policy with
respect to intervention during strike and wheth-
er or not it can continue to avoid the Jurisdctonal
dispute between the Federation and the &. l. q. in
the determination of units appropriate for collec-
tive bargaining remains to be seen. 1t is OF the
utmost Importance to organized labor that the ad-
mnstration of the Act be in competent and con-
scientious and impartial hands
''Our suggestions for caution have gone un-
needed. The administration of the Act has not
been in competent and impartial hands. On the
contrary, fragrant bias and prejudice exists on the
part of the members of the Board as is evidenced
by decisions which attempt to undermine and de-
stroy American Federation of Labor unions.
"A study Of numerous cases diScOses the fol-
lowing:
1.-THE Board has thwarted the intent of Con-
gress in determining what shall constitute an ap-
proprlate unit for the purpose Of collective bar
gaining.
2-lhe Board has by It's decisions determined
that craft unions or other labor unions of long
standing and affiliated with the American FEEDER
alton of Labor have right to free choice and
self organization. The Board has assumed the
, power to make the determination of the proper
unit contrary to the desires and wishes Of craft
groups or other recognized constituted unions af-
filiated with the American Federation of Labor.
"3-The assumption of power by the Board to
disregard existing units of long standing and to
substitute its own ideas and judgment Of what
shall constitute the proper unit has caused dsinte
grafton and in some cases virtual ds-eStabliSh-
ment of American Federation of Labor unions.
"4-The pronouncements of the Board respect
ing the proper unit disclose the determination on
the part of the Board to comply with the conten-
tions and demands of the G. |. o. and to favor C..
|. o. unions in effort TO destroy American Fed
Grafton of Labor unions.
"5-Great difficulty is experienced by many
American Federation Of Labor unions which are
strong and clearly have majority III d plant III