Evening star., 1941-01-08
Building Union Pact
Bans All Strikes
On Defense Jobs
A. F. of l.. Units Also Agree
To Limit Initiation
Fees of Locals

Schedules of maximum fees for ini-
tiation into unions and orders for
bidding strikes on national defense
projects were being prepared today
by leaders of 10 unions in the build
ing trades department Of the Ameri-
can Federation of Labor. following
an agreement reached here yester-
day.
Under the agreement, announced
by John P. Coyne, head of the build
ing trades department, union Off
cials will:
/. Establish maximum fees which
locals may charge men who join
unions so as to get work on defense
projects.
2. Ban strikes "for any reason" on
national defense jobs.
Cost of Joining Varies.
Previously, it had been the prac-
tice of local unions to fix initiation
fees as they saw fit. As a result, the
cost of joining a union has varied
widely in different parts of the
country.
On some Jobs, the fees have been
high enough to cause protests. Mr..
Coyne said that the new policy had
resulted from charges that some
fees were "eXorbitant."
The new plan would result in the
lowering of initiation fees in some
places, he stated. The Common
Laborers' Union, MI Coyne de-
clared, has already fixed a maxi
mum fee of SIS.
The building trades official said
that unions affiliated with the de-
partment had been cooperating 10
the fullest extent to furnish work.
ers for defense projects and in
every instance have supplied an
adequate number of skilled work.
men"
Project Record Cited.
THE information received by the
department" a statement said. is
10 the effect that the vast majority
Of the projects which have been
undertaken have been completed on
schedule or ahead of schedule. 1t
is a source of satisfaction TO 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 national
defense"
The unions participating in the
agreement are:
/ International Brotherhood Of
Teamsters, Chauffeurs and Ware
| housemen and Helpers; Journeymen
Stone Cutters Association, Sheet
Metal Workers International Asso-
citation, United Slate, Tile and Com
position Roofers, Damp and Water
/ proofing Association; United Assoc
citation of Journeymen Plumbers
and Steamitters, Operative Plasters
and Cement Finishers' Internatio
Association; Brotherhood of Paint
ers, Decorators and Paperhangers.
Wood. Wire and Metal Lathers
International Union; International
Association of Marble, Stone and
Slate PolisherS. Rubbers and Savers.
Tile and Marble Settlers Helpers and
Terrazzo Workers; International AS
sociation of Heat and Frost Insula-
tors and Asbestos Workers; Inter-
national Brotherhood of Boiler
makers, Iron Ship Builders and
Helpers; Bricklayers, Masons and
Plasterers International Union:
United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners Of America; Interna-
tional Brotherhood of Electrical
Workers, International Union of
Elevator Constructors, International
Union of Operating Engineers,
Granite Cutters International Asso-
citation, International Association of
Bridge. Structural and Ornamental
Iron Workers. and International
Hod Carriers, Building and Common
Laborers Union.