The voice of labor. (Cumberland, Md.) 1938-1942, 1940-10-10

These discussions proceeded. with Interrupt
tons. right until the day prior to expiry. The
Union negotiating committee. elected repre-
sentatives of the Celanese workers. receded
from many Of the concessions they asked.
They compromised here and there. offered
counter and modifying proposals to the man
agement.
Tentative agreement was reached some
matters. There was uncompromisng refusal
the part of management in others.
There was still plenty OF time before the
expiry date of the contract. The Union pre-
vailed upon the management to agree to in
vite a conciliator Of the United States Depart
ment of Labor and the Maryland Commits
sioner Of Labor and Statistics to sit in with
both sides Their fine services were unable
to shake the management in its consistent
refusals
The Union proceeded along another
line. II said to the management that
they would be willing to submit the points
in difference to the judgment of impartial
arbitrstors end accept their decisions as
final. These proposals were repeatedly
made and as repeatedly rejected by the
Celanese management!
The final proposal for arbitration came from
the Union in writing on the morning OF the
expiry Of the agreement. with a proposal that
another hve-day period of negotiations could
be held prior to calling upon arbitrators The
management did not acknowledge even receipt
OF the proposali
The results OF the failure of the management
10 reach a negotiated agreement or to submi:
the points at issue to impartial arbitration are
now we'll known. The Union in its letter had
made mention of the unsatisfactory situations
which develop when the workers are not en-
ployed under Union agreement
The stoppage is ended and a Union
agreement hss been duly ratified. During
the stoppage the Celanese management
subscribed to the principle of impartial
arbitration AFTER it had discharged a
couple of workers. The same corporation
rejected Union offers to arbitrate all the
points at issue for weeks prior to the
signing of the contract!
There is now talk OF arriving at a formula
which will prevent stoppages OF work at Celan-
owing to difficulties on arriving at an
agreement with its organized workers. The
interests OF the workers in such a desirable
proceeding is paramount to that OF anyone
else concerned.
The VOICE. OF LABOR proposes that,
those interested in preventing such stoppages
give thought to creating public sentiment for
arbitration proceedings. wherever necessary.
in sufficient time before expiration of an agree
ment
We have written that promotion OF har-
monous industrial relationships is a slow proc
But advancement has been made as is
shown in the fact that at first the Corporation
refused any agreement. year later it signed
an agreement. year later it refused the aid
OF conciliators, then still in later year it ac-
cepted their services. Now, with the Celanese
Corporation late acceptance of the principle
OF arbitration in one issue. it is to be hoped
that the management will apply the principle
to all future points of disagreement.
Again. we say. that those Interested in in
dustria peace at Celanese can be of service
by advancing the principle of arbitrating diff
ferences BEFORE an agreement expires and
all the issues involved.
We will welcome expressions of opinion
from all who care to communicate with us
on the topic.