Evening star., 1941-02-04

Seventy-seventh Congress we have
had several measures introduced.
In addition to these legislative at
tempts, the labor division of the
Defense Advisory Council under
Sidney Hillman is expanding its
activities, and the conciliation diW-
sion of the Department OF Labor is
also intervening wherever possible
in labor disputes affecting defense
production.
Hearings Due on Vinson Bill.
Last week Chairman Vinson Of
of the House Naval Affairs Com
mittee introduced bill which would
require at least so days of negotia-
tions and mediation before any
strike in any plant having a naval
contract. His bill would create
special naval mediation board to
handle such disputes. The proceed
ures under it are largely modelled on
those provided in the Railway Labor
Act, but his measure as introduced
would apply only to concerns hav-
ing naval contracts. He expects to
begin hearings on his bill in the
Naval Affairs Committee this week.
1 have introduced a labor rela-
tions bill for defense industries
modelled on our Minnesota act. The
principle in that law is Today
waiting period before either strike
or a lockout, during which the
Government steps in and brings
both parties together around the
conference table in a final effort to
effect a peaceful settlement of the
dispute.
Before discussing the provisions
of the bill I would like to quote
briefly from a statement of policy
adopted by the international presi-
dents and representatives of the
l3 big international unions affiliated
with the metal trades department
of the American Federation of La
Dor, at a conference here in WASH
ington January and 4. These l3
internationals comprise the bulk of
the skilled metal tradesmen en-
ployed in the vital defense indus
tries. After pointing out the gravity
of the international situation and
the need for speedy production of
all materials needed for our own
defense and for aid to Britain, the
statement of the metal trades de-
partment continues. I quote:
1t was the conviction of the
international representatives that
the most effective method Of
speedily unifying labor condi-
tions so that the greatest output
of production could be secured,
would be the immediate applica-
ton, on a wider scale than here
tofore. of collective bargaining
between the employers and the
employees in the metal working
industries.
Conferences Projected.
Our country naturally divides
itself into certain recognized
zones, and the conference de-
clared It's intention to immedi-
ately endeavor to secure con-
ferences with employees in such
districts. or zones. beginning with
the shipbuilding industry. so that
without loss of time those who
must produce for national de-
fense-management and labor
meet at the conference table for
the purpose of negotiating work
ing rules agreements, the intent
and effect of which will be to
unity and stabilize industrial re- i
lationS, and the terms of employ
ment in such districts. Such
agreements must contain pro- i
vision for voluntary arbitration,
and that there shall be no stop
page of work The entering into
of such agreements are the guar
antee that there will be neither
strikes nor lockouts.
AS the conference declared it
self on June 20, 1910, it so again
declares its policy and its inten-
tion to cooperate to the greatest
degree, to which recognition is
given to it, with every Federal
agency connected with national
defense.
There must be no stoppage of
work.
Thorough-go cooperation
must be established between
management and labor through
direct contact between their
chosen representatives.
Where their efforts fail to bring
adjustment of questions which
may arise, the services of the
Division of Cancellation, Depart
ment of Labor must be speedily
secured. Should this concllla-
ton not establish prompt results,
then arbitration must be applied.
The rules to govern voluntary
arbitration and the selecting of
the arbitration personnel must
be the Joint responsibility OF
management and employees rep
reSentativeS.
These are the methods of
democracy applied to national
emergency.
Statesmanlike Approach.
I believe the metal trades depart
ment of the American Federation
of LABOR is to be highly commended
for the breadth of understanding
and the statesmanlike approach TO
| our national defense production
problem displayed in this statement
of policy. l am in complete accord
with the entire statement, including
the position that the sooner all of
our major defense industries work
out collective bargaining agreements
with bona fide organizations of their
employees, the better 1t will be for
our defense effort. And if those
agreements include prohibitions
against stoppages of work and pro-
! vision for voluntary arbitration and