The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1947-03-06
Green's Statement Hitting Anti-Labor Bills

all of the disastrous economic con-
sequences that the sweatshop i'm
plies.
That is so because in many in
stances it is impractical or impos-
sible for host of reasons to estab-
lish decent work standards save by
peaceful, econ ON ic pressure
brought to bear on the customers
or suppliers of unfair employers.
The operation of a substandard
plant means that the fair and hu-
name employer, anxious to main
tain decent work standards and
adequate mass consuming power,
must, out of pressure of competi-
ton, either be forced out Of busi-
ness or abandon his fair and hu-
name practices. 1t means the de-
cimation of one of the most con-
structive contributions made by
organized labor to American pro-
gress and the American way of
life-namely, the elimination of
competitive advantages based sole
ly on the crude exploitation of hu
man beings.
1t means, finally, that the work
ing people of this country would
be compelled by law themselves to
destroy the standards of living
achieved over the years.
Dues Check-Off System
Some of the proposals, as for
example, H.R. 122 and H.R. $50
would render illegal the dues
check off arrangement established
through the process of collective
bargaining. In 1945 slightly over
5.3 million workers or about 80
per cent of all employees under
agreement, were covered by check
off provisions.
Not only is the check-off a rela-
lively common provision but it is
one of long standing, existing for
more than 40 years in some indus
tries. The many thousands of such
presently existing check-off agree
ments would be outlawed by these
bills. | am advised by counsel that
under principles of contract law
there is strong possibility that
should the check-off provision i'm
such agreements be rendered il
legal by statute then the parties
to the agreement would have the
right to consider the entire agree
ment at an end.
Since there has been no serious
criticism Of the check off arrange
ment on moral or other grounds,
It seems Of doubtful wisdom even
to risk the automatic termination
Of so many collective agreements
which assure stability in industrial
relations and continued production
Of necessary commodities.
COOling-Off Period
Organized labor takes strenuous
exception to the provisions contain
I'd in several proposals, such as
H.R. 3O1 and H.R. 1895 forbidding
any strikes during the period that |
4 government agency is seeking
settlement of a dispute by media
ion or conciliation or for the per-
cd of a specified number of days |
intervention by the
BOARD, whichever occurs first.
We have on several occasions ex-
,lained the reasons for our opposi-
ion to the compulsory Cooling
IF" period. First, we object to it
IN principle. 1t is an unjustified
INVASION of an essential liberty
he right to strickland violates
he spirit, if not the letter, of the
Amendment prohibit
ng involuntary servitude. Second,
/ suggests what is completely un-
rue, namely that unions impetu-
'usly call and engage in strikes
n a moment Of heated excitement
md in reckless disregard for the
Welfare of union members or of
he general public and without al
owing any opportunity for gov
rnment agencies to attempt medi-
tion and conciliation. That sug-
,estion, is utterly false and con.
rary to the demonstrable facts.
'hird, it is impracticable.
1t has not worked i'm the past, as
overwhelmingly shown by our ex-
erience under the War Labor Dis
utes Act, and it will not work in
he future. Unions faced with such
legislative freeze will be forced,
/ order to avoid its harsh conse-
uences, rapidly to develop their
ifferences with their employers
ito full-blown formal labor dis
utes i'm order to invoke the serv-
es Of the mediation and concilia-
on agencies and Immediately to
art the "cooling-off' period.
Minority Strikes
Section 105 of H.R. 725 makes it
nlawful to call any strike if upon
Secret ballot" majority of the
nployees voting do not approve
ich strike or cessation of work.
Certainly, il is the basic right of
ny citizen Of a free country to
,ase employment at any time that
ny given conditions become intol-
able to him, and he can do that !
ngly, or in the company of a
inority of his fellow workers, or