Evening star., 1945-04-10
Spiritual Approach :
Urqed in Labor Deals
Code Formulated by CIO Leader
Worth Study, Says Observer
Bv David Laurence

"OIH OtuOy, Gays CDSCI FCi
BY David Laurence
Whether labor and management can
get together on a code of principles to
govern labor relations depends on how
much of the spiritual approach they
can bring to their discussions. This
means fundamental willingness to ex-
anime the issues effectively.
Here is code worth studying which
was formulated by Howard T. Curtiss,
| a-member Of the Executive Committee
| of the United Steel Workers Of America.
| CIO, and which he contributed recently
to the bulletin of the "Laymen's Move
ment for a Christian World" 1t is di-
vided into three categories:
a. Labor Agrees With Management:
| a. That the management and con-
troll of an industrial unit should remain
in the hands of representatives of the
| company.
80 That the authority of manage
ment should be questioned only when
an injustice is alleged and then only by
orderly procedure.
"3. That the property and materials
| which represent the investment of stock
holders must be protected both as to its
|
| power.
a That the intelligent planning and
control of production and marketing By
management should be adequately COM
| pensated.
IS. That the company's position as
competitor with other companies in the
same line of production must be pro-
| tected
"6 That management must be free
to select and assign its own executives.
'"7. That management has right to
expect every worker to do his work we'll
up to the limit of his normal capacity
to produce.
"8. That management has the right
and obligation to introduce new equip
ment and methods designed to increase
the amount of or reduce the unit cost
of production.
20. That top management cannot be
held responsible for the errors or mis-
deeds of minor executives until it has
affirmed them by denying relief from
them.
10. That management has the right
to enter the field of political action and
exert reasonable and honest influence
on State and national administrations.
III. Management Agrees With Labor:
| i. That WCrEefS have ilent to or
ganize into unions of their own choice
for purposes of collective bargaining
-. That labor has a substantial inter-
est in many of the problems of produc-
ton and can assist in their solution.
''3. That worker acquires a right to
job security commensurate with length
Of service.
4 That labor unions. having estab-
lished a record of dependability, have
right to some measure of security.
rs. That disputes between manage
ment and labor which cannot be ad-
justed by conference between the parties
should be referred to an arbitrator whose
decision is final.
6. That the terms of wages. hours
and conditions of employment should be
established by a written agreement
signed by representatives of labor and
management.
u That grievances should be adlu-ted
quickly, preferably at the level of the
first complaint.
g. That workers have a right to a
wage level that will provide more than
mere subsistence.
g. That there should be equal pay for
equal work within given plant and.
approximately, throughout a given in
oustry.
10. That labor has right to express
itself in political action and to influence
State and National administrations
within the bounds of reason and hon.
estv.
Ill Labor and Management Agree
Together:
Il. That they have a Joint RESPONSE
bility to maintain and promote the eco
nomic welfare of the Nation.
q. That they have a joint RESPONSE
bility to consider the safety and health
not only of the plant personnel but also
of the community and the Nation.
'3. That they have a joint response
billty TO promote and support public
agencies engaged in the solution OF So
cial problems.
a. That in time of war the security
of the Nation and victory of our armed
forces is of prime concern to both labol
and management
IS That they have a joint responsi
bility to maintain and promote the prin.
ciples of equality, justice and democracy
which constitute our civic heritage.
g. 1t can be concluded that the
resolution of industrial conflict for the
future depends largely upon the ad-
vance of honest and objective think
ing and action on both sides. Since
as over against these basic agreements
the differences between labor and man
agement are comparatively few and un-
important. the outlook for industrial
peace ought to be very good.
TT remains true, however, that a
lack of sincerity on the part of indi-
vduals on either side, can threaten not
only the welfare of industry and labor
but also that of the Nation.
"One single requirement remains
that men be honest with one another
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