The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1941-01-23
l9 Buildinq Unions
Continued from Page One)

ment of the American Federation of
Labor
Together, these two departments
represent more than 100000 key
workers in defense industries, includ-
ing the highly skilled artisans whose
services are essential in the rearIna-
ment program.
"Our policy" Mr.. Coyne said at
press conference, "is to bar strikes
for any reason whatsoever on defense
projects. Our contracts provide for
mediation and arbitration of disputes.
These contracts set up definite stand
ards and union conditions Of work.
If these standards are followed there
will be no trouble. The situation will
take care Of itself"
Mr.. Coyne disclosed that the Build
ing and Construction Trades Depart
ment has become national clearing
house for the settlement Of all dis
putes arising on defense construction
projects. When difficult situations
arise, the department is notified by
the contractor, the War and Navy De-
partments or the National Defense
| Advisory Commission and immedi-
ately sets machinery in motion for
settlement. Mr.. Coyne said he had
settled seventeen major disputes in
the field within the past few months
"The Government should be COM
plimented," Mr.. Coyne continued, "on
getting outstanding contractors to do
the necessary defense construction
work. Most of these contractors have
had contractual relations with the
building trades unions for years. Nat
urally, the same conditions, customs
and practices prevailing on private
work will apply to defense jobs"
Newspaper criticism of high initia-
tion fees charged by a few local
unions precipitated the action to set
universal maximum fees, Mr.. Coyne
explained. He said the purpose and
effect Of the action taken at the de-
partment conference were to have the
international unions establish a cell
ing for fees above which local unions
could not go.
Citing the fine record made thus
far by the building trades unions in
the defense program, Mr.. Coyne con-
cluded:
"The building and Construction
Trades Department of the A. F. of l..
since the inception Of the defense
program has been cooperating with
all government agencies engaged in
preparing the nations defenses.
"a survey Of the unemployed men,
bership indicated on June Is, 1910
that there were available for employ
ment on the defense program 100000
skilled workmen. The varied activi-
ties Of the defense program in many
localities throughout the 4S states
were far removed from the centers
of population. The Building and Con,
struction Trades Department in or
der to more effectively serve the gov
ernment in their efforts have fur
nished the needs for men in the vari.
Gus skills from time to time, anC
in every instance have supplied al
adequate number of skilled workmen
"The information received by the
Department is to the effect that the
vast majority of the projects which
have been undertaken have been com.
pleted on schedule or ahead of sched
ule. 1t is a source of satisfaction tC
the Department that no criticism has
been made of the activities Of labor
by the Army, Navy or any Other
agency of the Government engaged
in activities preparing for nationa
defense.
"In the past the Department has
used its influence and has averted ap
parent threats of stoppages of worl
over various grievances which have
arisen. The fullest cooperation be-
) tween management and labor through
direct contact has been provided for
This in effect is the policy of the
Building and Construction Trades De
partment for furthering more com
plete and better understanding be-
tween the government and the million
and a half members of the Building
and Construction Trades Department.