Evening star., 1955-07-24
BY WILLIAM SHADE


When labor's guaranteed an
nual wage offensive moved to
the General Electric Co. last
week. James B. Carey, presi-
dent Of the CIO International
Union of Electrical Workers
and secretary-treasurer Of the
CIO, was put on the spot.
For Mr.. Carey and his 400,-
000-member union 1t will be
the second try at persuading
General Electric to set aside
5 per cent of its payroll in a
fund to assure laid-off work
ers the difference between
their regular pay and State
unemployment compensation.
Last year the union got no.
where. The prospects this year
look no better.
When the union made its
annual wage bid last year it
was only a token effort. The
battle was fought in press re-
leases blasting GE officials and
not at the bargaining table.
When the company rejected
the plan the union dropped 1t
and went on to issues it felt
more hopeful Of winning.
This year the situation is
different. Pressure from the
recent auto negotiations, in
which $4,000 TUE members re-
ceived the auto workers guar
anteed semi-annual wage pro-
gram from General Motors,
hangs heavy over Mr.. Carey's
head.
Decisive Year
This years contract settle
ment with General Electric is
almost certain to be decisive,
not only for GE employees, but
for the entire electrical in
dustry and perhaps in many
other industries.
General Electric is the ira
ditional pattern-setter for the
electrical industry. In the case
Of the guaranteed annual
wage it might well prove to
be the pattern-setter for many
other industries as well.
The National Association of
Manufacturers has been at
tempting to drum up employer
opposition to the annual wage
idea. II Mr.. Carey can win
even the modified program
auto companies gave to Walter
Reuther's CIO United Auto
Workers. management opposi-
tion will probably disintegrate.
If, on the other hand, GE
successfully resists the Carey
unions drive for an annual
wage plan, other employers
may become more adamant in
their opposition.
These factors add to the
pressure on MIR. Carey. In
effect. he Is now labor's
standard bearer in the annual
wage fight. He must negoti-
ate some form OF guaranteed
annual wage plan to maintain
prestige.
Demond Exceeds Hopes
When Tue presented. GE
with this years demands ut
a preliminary session last
Tuesday it asked for a "full
guaranteed annual wage" plan.
But few. even within the
unions hierarchy, expected
anything like that to emerge
from the negotiations. Top
union officials. including Mr..
Carey, would be satisfied with
the same semi-annual wage
agreement reached In the
auto industry.
There seems little pos
sibility, however, that Mr..
Carey will be able to spring
even the limited auto plan
from General Electric.
Company ofiicials have re-
fused to make specific COM
ments on this years unem-
ployment pay demand. But
they give no indication that
the strong opposition which
resulted In last years rejec-
ton Of an Identical wage
guarantee plan has softened.
Rather, they hint that 1t has
increased.
To buck this opposition and
further entrench the annual
wage principle in American
industry. Mr.. Carey has few
effective tools at his disposal.
Question Of Support
He lacks the Reuther sense
Of timing and other bargain
ing skills. A fiery, outspoken
labor leader, Carey tends to
bargain emotionally rather
than on q cold, realistic basis.
This has been especially true
in negotiations with General
Electric where bargaining In
the past has frequently de-
generated into q personal fight
between Mr.. Carey and the
company's vice president in
charge OF industrial relations.
Lerhuel r. BoulwAre.