Evening star., 1942-10-01

Inc general counsel S once OF the
C1O after noting that there now
have been two executive orders
covering overtime pay, says:
Provisions Of any outstanding
collective bargaining agreements
which are inconsistent with the
executive order cannot be observed
as long as the executive order ap-
plies. However, it is important to
note that where this occurs the
union has the right to negotiate the
entire problem raised and in the
absence Of an agreement between
the union and the employer the
dispute could be certified to the
National War Labor Board for dis
position"
This will be news to the public
and. In particular, to employers,
who are being told by the round
about manner OF CIO pronounce
n1ents just what the President evi-
IDENTITY has agreed to separately
with the CIO or perhaps also with
the AFL. No word Of these sep
arate arrangements has come out
Of the Government itself.
- Coercion "Warned."
IN further confirmation Of the
fact that the labor unions didn't
give up their existing contracts COW
ering overtime on Saturdays and
Sundays and holidays when the
hours do not exceed 40 a week, there
Is letter from the general secre-
tary of the United Electrical Radio
and Machine Workers Of America,
another CIO national union. This
tells all general vice presidents, in
ternational representatives and field
organizers that they had, in effect,
better bludgeon the employer into
agreeing in advance to the reten-
ton Of the contracts even where
they conflict with President Roose-
velt's executive order, because If
both the employer and the union
agree, it is assumed that Secretary
Perkins or the War Labor Board
may make an exemption from the
Presidents order and permit over
time and double time where the
order prohibits it.
Coercion Of the employer is to be
accomplished by the following warn
ing contained In the same letter
to field representatives and organ
izers:
If our companies desire to avoid
confusion, disruption and dissatis-
faction among our people, and If
they desire to maintain production
at the highest possible level, the
amendment to the executive order
affords them an opportunity to show
their good faith by joining in with
the respective local union In request
ing that the existing agreements,
voluntarily entered into by the COM
pany and the local union, shall be
maintained.
IF they refuse to do this, it should
then be clear that these companies
seek to take selfish advantage OF
the provisions of the executive order
even though an amendment to this
executive order permits reasonable
management to act in manner that
will be Of great assistance to the
war effort.
This point of view should be
made very clear by the local unions
to the companies. Before any COM
pany undertakes to place the blame
on the Government for issuing the
executive order, they must assume
full responsibility for their refusal
to join with the union under the
amendment to the executive order"
Two Exceptions Made.
In other words, the President
states on September in an execu-
tive order that he wants to attain
uniformity on the subject OF over
time pay and premium pay, and
then he amends it on September II
and says the Secretary of Labor
is empowered to make exceptions
where the employers and unions
agree. Now, If they don't agree, the
unions plan to accuse them of bad
faith and refusing to assist war
production.
This Is a peculiar way to carry out
an executive order and is but one OF
a number Of things that have made
the employers of America wonder
II there is ever to be a uniform
rule applying to all citizens where
laws or executive orders are con-
cerned or whether special privilege
is to be continued throughout the
war as it was practiced during peace
time under the present administra-
ton.
The Secretary Of Labor has Just
announced two major exceptions
to the Presidents Executive Order
OF September 8. These exception.
take both the construction anc
building trades and the shipbuild-
ing workers out Of the mandate o1
the original order. Hereafter time.
and-a-half will be paid in thos'
! Industries for Saturdays and Sun.
days and holidays irrespective O.
whether they fall on the sixth o.
seventh day and even II they CONF
In q work-week Of less than 4,
hours.
Nsproduction Rishts Reserved.)
Not everybody With = dollar +
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