The Omaha guide., 1945-04-21


offs and rehireing, on a fair and
equitable basis. 1t is also the yard
stick on which vacations with pay.
severance pay and other social
benefits based. The CLIO stands
for this principle as a safeguard
against discrimination and favori-
tism.
How Seniority Works
What is seniority and how does
it operate? 1t is simply this: The
unions have introduced a new doc
trine into American industry Gao
copied for many years by British
Industry namely, that once man
agement has hired an employee
who makes good, except under
agreed upon circumstances, it must
continue to give employment or
preference for employment to that
employee until such time, if ever
as he chooses to quit his job.
Thus under union-management
relations, governed by collective
bargaining contracts. workers ac-
quire a qualified property interest
in their jobs which they seek to
make as inviolate as the most
sacred interests of real estate prop
erty.
Property is purchased through Ia
Dor. For example, John Doe buys
an acre of land for one hundred dol
lars which he spent M year acquir
ing. Consequently for one years
service, he acquired an acre of land
ON other person al take this
land from John Doe unless he vol
unfairly sells it or forfeits it by fail
ORANGES.
Ownership of Job
The same principle, varying only
in detail. entities the industrial wor
ker to a qualified interest in his
job. For instance. John Doe works
for the ABC Steel company. He
has been a craneman for five years
longer htan any other qualified wor-
ker. This entities him to the own
ersh1p Of the cranemans job, unless
he voluntarily gives it up or forfeits
it by hte %infraction of a rule agreed
upon by his union and management.
Another worker. with only four
years of service. has a second claim
to the same job but he will not own
it outright until he has worked at
it longer than John Doe. Thus by
virtue of years of service. workers
acquire possession of their jobs
which is supplemented by seniority
provisions of collective bargaining
contracts
AS each seniority rule is agreed
upon by union and management
and each Interpretation becomes a
precedent for similar cases to fol-
low, a body Of common law in in
dustry is being built up which guar
antees to each worker a property
interest in his job. Our courts
have recognized this principle as
such. Union membership
job protection and only those indiv-
Vel 0ldlIl StAlOIllN VI pro-
perty rights in a job as their sole
asset-with children, wife. sickly
mother-in-law. doctor bills. etc-can
fully appreciate how precious and
valuable is this asset of seniority.
Other Security Benefits
Seniority, of course. is only part
Of organized labors program to pro
vide workers with some measure of
security. Today as a result Of or
ganized labors efforts over the
years. the industrial worker can
say to his employer:
If I am hurt while in your en-
ploy. you must pay me workman-s
compensation"
IF | am killed while in your en-
ploy, you must pay my wife and
children workmen's compensation"
When you lay me off because Of
slack work. 1 shall receive unem-
ployment benefitsr"r
When you lay me off because !
am too old to work any more, 1 shall
receive old age benefits"
You may not fire me for union
activities"
job Protection
To these measures of security col
lective bargaining adds seniority
OF job protection which enables the
industrial worker to say to his EN-
ployer:
This is my job to have and to
hold as long as | do it well and keep
within the rules"
you shall not fire me wantonly
without cause or on the spur of the
moment"
You shall not make me suffer
from discrimination or favoritism."
You shall not pass me by in pro-