The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-03

Tn Q recent series of articles we have analysed some of the sources Of the present labor unrest and the abuses growing out of the recent labor legislatlon. A basis of facts has thus been established upon which to construct legal remedies.
 The preamble of the National La. bor Relations Act states that its purpose Is ito diminish the causes of labor disputes burdening or oh- Strueting interstate commerce." The Act has produced a contrary result and its continuance on the basis of It's preamble Is not justified, While 1t might be wise to repeal the Act and start afresh, this, during the present emergency, would probably be a political impossibility, We are, therefore, suggesting only such changes as are necessary to work our way out of It's major defects and ar- rive at degree of industrial unity which will not SO dangerously reduce our production for defense.
 The Act is based on the fallaclouS Idea that what is wrong for one is right for another.
 The Act specifies certain practices by an employer which are deemed to be unfair, the resort to which Sub- jectS him to heavy penalties. It is unfair for an employer to: 1. Restrain or coerce eIn-
 ployes ir the exercise of the
 rights guaranteed by the Act.
 2. Dominate or interfere with
 the formation or administration of any ,abor organization or con.
 tribute financial or other sup-
 port to 1t.
 3. Discriminate in regard to hire or tenure of employment or
 by any term or condition of em-
 ployment to encourage or dis.
 courage membership in any la-
 bor organization.
 {. Discharge or otherwise dis
 criminate against an empioye
 because he has filed charges or
 given testimony under the Act.
 5. Refuse to bargain collec-
 lectively with representatives of
 employees duly designated by a
 majority of the employees.
 Employers must act in obedience to the law in these respects.
 The Act, however, contains no specifications as to practices by em- ployes which are unfair. Justice and equity require that 1t specify those practices by employees which are unfair and the resort to which should deprive them of some of the benefits granted under the Act. By the following amendments it should be declared an unfair labor practice for employees to:
 1. Strike to compel the estab-
 nshment of any shop In which
 membership in a union is to be
 made compulsory upon all em- ployes, either immediately or
 within limited period of time.
 This is to protect the right to work which is fundamental to the protection of Life, Liberty and Property"
 2. Strike without the authorIza- ation of a majority of the employees affected. as determined by a secret ballot: or to strike in violation of an agreement or an arbitration award which the unions concerned had bound themselves to accept.
 This is to secure the right of all to vote on matters vital to their own welfare, and to hold unions re- sponslble for their agreements both of which are fundamental to the democratic process.
 3. Exercise coercion or intimida- ton with the object of forcing .an employe to join or not to join any labor union.
 This is to insist that protesting unions must come into court with clean hands and may not benefit from their own criminal and Illegal acts.
 (. Engage in any conspiracy In restraint of trade to limit or stop the use or distribution of goods produced by non-unlon labor or by the labor of unions not directly inc Vosved tn 6 labor dispute.
 This is to prevent unions and their members rum establishing nionopelles of labor which have proven to he tho meat taEannloai cs