The union times., 1944-08-05
POSTWAR RELATIONS

 shed by law.
 POSTWAR RELATIONS
 The pact drawn up by the A. F. of L., C. I. O. and the V. F. W. constitutes a statement of policy on postwar relations between ''vets'' and organized labor, it was ex- plained.
 It is two-way proposition. The V. F. w.. on its part, agrees that unions are here to stay and should be supported-that "the right of labor to organize and bargain collectively has been accepted by the people of the United States and so written into Fed eral statutes"
 On the unions side, a major point in the understanding is that veterans shall be given full credit for all military service from Sep- tember l, l94O, when they return to plants where union seniority programs are in effect.
 The agreement goes well beyond the law in proposed protection for disabled" vets. The law provides for reinstatement of a veteran only if he is ''still qualified to perform the duties" of this position, but the unions agree that, if a disabled ser- viceman can no longer fulfill his old duties, they will fight to have him placed on a job he can per. form, Sat prevailing wages"
 The agreement also specifies that all veterans qualified by skill and training to enter craft where union has an agreement, will be accepted into full membership at an initiation ice no greater than existed prior to January l, 1940, and at regular union dues.
 Some unions, such as the Ma chinists and Carpenters, already have announced more liberal pro- visiOns-including the complete waiving of initiation fees for hon. Orably discharged veterans. Other internatiOnals are planning to do likewise.
 Commander in Chief Carl J. Schoe- ninger of the V. F. w. hailed the policy statement as "a great forward step Tn relations between labor and veterans" He and five other officials ot his organization joined with labor in drafting the statement.
 A. F. of L. participants were: Matthew WOn, vice president: George Meany, secretary-treasurer, and Robert J. Watt, international representative. For the C. |. O.: Clinton s. Golden, assistant to Pres. ident Philip Murray of the United Steel Workers; James B. Carey, secretary-treasurer, C. I. O., and Dr. J. Raymond Walsh, research director.
 The American Legion was asked to join in the parleys, too, but de- clined. Labor leaders pointed out that the V. F. W. has always been friendlier to the trade union move ment than the Legion.
 Standard Railroad Labor Organi- zations did not officially participate in the conferences which led to the un- derstanding, but they emphatically support the spirit of the agreement, it was made clear by T. C. Cashen, president of the Switchmen's Union and chairman of the Railway Labor Executives Association.
 Tt wasn't necessary for us to take part in the conferences, since we al- ready provide sweeping protection for railroad men in military service under a national agreement reached with the carriers several years ago." Ca shen explained.
 ''In fact, Standard Railroad La- bOr Organizations were first in the field in formulating a thorough program to safeguard the jobs and accumulated seniority rights of men in uniform, and we have made it alright by a signed and sealed agreement with the homogeneous.
 "We believe our agreement takes care of the interests of the 300OO0 men in military service better than anything formulated in any other field and, of course, much better than the protection provided bv law"