work assured to employes of government navy yards. 17. Licensed officers, such as masters, mates and pilots, guaranteed right to quit, and protected when reporting defects of their vessels to government inspectors. 18. Bureau of Mines Act extended and strengthened. Ten new experiment stations and seven new safety stations provided. 19. Senatorial investigation of industrial dispute in coal fields of West Virginia, whereby peace was restored; the eight-hour day secured; check weighmen provided, and ten per cent increase in wages gained-right of organization guaranteed and other improved working conditions included. 20. Compensation for Injuries Act extended to Post-office Employes. 21. Post-office employes-annual promotion maintained, notwithstanding the Postmaster General's effort to substitute biennial for annual promotions. 22. Eight-hour law for Post-office Clerks and carriers retained, notwithstanding the effort of the Postmaster General to change radically. 23. Letter carriers' salaries restored, notwithstanding the effort of the Postmaster General to reduce the pay of letter carriers, known as collectors, from $1,200 to $1,000 per year. 24. Locomotive boiler inspection act extended to cover locomotive engines and tenders. 25. Leave of absence with pay to employes of Government Printing Office extended from 26 to 30 days per year. 26. Impeachment proceedings of Judge Wright responsible for his resignation. Measures of Interest to Labor which Failed of Enact ment 1. Immigration law with literacy test failed of passage over President's veto by four votes. 2. Convict Labor regulations for domestic and foreign commerce, failed in Senate. 3. Child Labor bill failed in Senate. 4. Employers' Liability and Workmen's Compensation for government and railroad employes failed in the House and Senate. 5. Bureau of Labor Safety bill failed in Senate. 6. Conservation bill with eight-hour proviso failed in Senate. 7. Hours of service law with minimum penalty provision failed in Senate. 8. Eight-hour law for telegraphers on railroads failed in House. 9. Old-age pension, superannuation and retirement bills not advanced. 10. Employment bureau measure reported too late for action. 11. Safer building regulations for the District of Columbia failed in Senate. 12. Safety appliance bills on railroads not advanced. 13. Impeachment proceedings of Judge Dayton dismissed in House. During the period of Congress that this report covers, the greatest co-operation among the officers and members of our organizations was given. Without their vigilance, activity and splendid response to all the appeals for aid and assistance, it would have been impossible to have made these remarkable legislative advances in the interest of the people of the United States. It is hoped that the material facts contained in this report will encourage and stimulate our fellow workers for still greater achievements in the future. It must not be overlooked that it will require the greatest vigilance to retain what is already gained. Respectfully submitted. ARTHUR E. Holder, Legislative Committee, A. F. of L. F Additional Legislative Achievements OR several years Mr. N. P. Alifas, President of District No. 44, of the International Association of Machinists, has been in attendance at Washington for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the rights and interests of those government employes engaged in the machinery and metal trades. We recently asked him to make a succinct report of the results his organization had secured at the hands of Congress and in securing which he had the co-operation of the American Federation of Labor. Under date of March 9, 1915, Mr. Alifas submits the following summary: During the Year 1912 1. The special committee investigating the Taylor System made a report that was favorable to Labor. 2. The Committee on Labor of the House reported favorably a bill to restrict the Taylor System in government shops by prohibiting time study and the premium on bonus system of payment. 3. The Senate Committee on Education and Labor reported favorably a bill to prohibit time study and the premium or bonus system in government shops. 4. An eight-hour clause was inserted in the Naval Appropriation bill of August 22, 1912. The regular Eight-Hour Law did not go into effect until January 1, 1913. 5. A clause was inserted in the Naval Appropriation bill preventing the encroachments of enlisted men on work of civilians at Navy Yards. 6. A clause was inserted in the Naval Appropriation bill to require two fuel ships to be built in Navy Yards. 7. An eight-hour clause was inserted in the Fortification Appropriation bill. 8. The fight against the Taylor System prevented its extension to other Arsenals and Navy Yards; the Watertown Arsenal being the only place where it continued in operation. 9. The Civil Service Law was extended to include Navy Yard employes. 10. An increase of 40 cents per day was secured for the machinists at the Government Printing Office. 11. An increase of $100 per year was secured for a portion of the machinists at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. During the Year 1913 12. A clause was inserted in the Naval Appropriation bill requiring one battleship to be built in a Navy Yard. 13. An appropriation of $250,000 was secured through the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill to extend the manufacturing facilities at the Rock ⚫ Island Arsenal. 14. The Senate struck out of the Sundry Civil bill a clause prohibiting the payment of longevity pay to Panama Canal employes. It was, however, reinserted in conference. 15. An increase of 7.81 per cent was secured for the mechanics at the Washington Navy Yard; and an appropriation of $240,000 was included in the Naval Appropriation bill to cover the increase. 16. An increase of 16 cents per day was secured for the machinists at the Norfolk Navy Yard. 17. An increase of from 8 cents to 16 cents per day was secured for the machinists at the Mare Island Navy Yard, the Puget Sound Navy Yard, and the Portsmouth Navy Yard. 18. About forty machinists at the New York Navy Yard were increased from $3.76 to $4 per day. 19. The wage of twelve machinists at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing was increased $100 per year. 20. The Prouty Anti-Lobby bill, directed principally against government employes, was prevented from being passed by the House. 21. A clause to give enlisted men preference in the government service was blocked in the Senate. 22. The practice of running two or more machines was prevented in the machine shop at the Newport Torpedo Station. 23. The specialization of the machinists' trade at the Newport Torpedo Station was prevented after a vigorous protest. 24. A clause was inserted in the Naval Appropriation bill requiring one battleship to be built in a government Navy Yard. 25. A clause was also inserted in the Naval Appropriation bill providing that no work shall be let out to contract until the Navy Yards are run at their full capacity; when costs in yards are not greater and when the work can be done within the time required. 26. A clause was secured in the Army and Fortification Appropriation bills providing that not more than 10 per cent of the work authorized should be let out to contractors. 27. A contemplated reduction in wages of 58 cents per day for machinists on the Canal Zone was prevented; by a joint agreement with Colonel Goethals, a clause was inserted in the Urgent Deficiency Appropriation bill to prevent a general reduction in wages of all employes which was made necessary by the provisions of the Canal Act of August 24, 1912. 28. Through our general efforts to extend Government construction and manufacture, we have been instrumental in securing the construction of a transport at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, a supply ship at the Boston Navy Yard, and a submarine at the Portsmouth, N. H., Navy Yard, all of which are yards in which no new construction work has been done before. 29. A clause was inserted in the Sundry Civil Appropriation bill granting fifteen days' leave, with pay, to lighthouse employes. 30. We secured an increase of 25 cents per day for machinists and toolmakers at the Rock Island Arsenal. 31. The introduction of piece work in the machine shop in the Boston Navy Yard was prevented, after a vigorous protest. 32. A contemplated reduction in wages for machinists at the Washington, Boston, and New York Navy Yards, was prevented. 33. Some progress has been made in conjunction with Mr. W. O. Thompson, counsel for the Commission on Industrial Relations, towards perfecting a collective bargaining plan between the War Department and its employes at the Watertown Arsenal. 34. Contemplated discharges in several Navy Yards have been changed to furloughs after repeated appeals to the Navy Department. During the Year 1915 35. The same provisions were inserted in the Army, Fortification and Naval Appropriation bills, requiring work to be sent to government shops. 36. A continuance of the appropriation of $240,000, necessary to continue the existing wage-scale at the Washington Navy Yard was secured. 37. We secured a rotative furlough system for the employes at the Boston Navy Yard to take place of the indefinite furloughs or discharges, thus giving everyone an opportunity to earn something. 38. In lieu of the Deitrick-Borah Anti-Taylor System bills, clauses having practically the same effect were inserted in the Army and Naval Appropriation bills, having the effect of prohibiting time study and premium or bonus systems of payment in government shops during the life of said appropriations. This is a culmination of the fight against the Taylor System of shop management of four years' duration. 39. The time study and premium features of the Taylor System were discontinued at the Watertown and Frankford Arsenals a few days after the passage of these bills by the House. During the period covered such minor matters as discriminations against individual members and numerous concessions of like importance have been omitted. The work upon bills in Congress that have made but slight progress has also been omitted. Not knowing the purpose for which this information is desired, the arrangement and scope of the above outline may not meet your requirements. I shall, therefore, be glad to supply you with such further details as I have at my disposal. T UNION AND MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT HE Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railroad employes of America has been endeavoring to establish the principle that employing municipalities should recognize organizations of employes and should grant them the right of contract. Recently the Association entered into a contract with the employing municipality of Monroe, Louisiana. This contract of unusual importance to all organizations which have to do with the relations between workers and the government as employers. It is therefore published in full that all may become acquainted with what the Amalgamated Association proposes to establish. Ordinance No. 2020. Authorizing the Mayor to enter into and sign an agreement and contract with the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America, Division No. 667, of Monroe, Louisiana. SECTION 1. Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Monroe, in regular session convened, that the Mayor be and he is hereby authorized directed and empowered to make, sign and execute for and on behalf of the City of Monroe, Louisiana, a contract with the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America, Division No. 667, of Monroe, Louisiana, in the following form, substance, letters and terms, to-wit: This agreement made and entered into by and between the Municipal Street Railway Company, their successors and assigns, party of the first part, hereinafter called "The Department," and the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America, Division No. 667, of Monroe, Louisiana, party of the second part, hereinafter called "The Association": WITNESSETH, That in the operation of the lines of the party of the first part, both parties hereunto mutually agree that for and in consideration of the covenants and agreements hereinafter stated, further the party of the first part agrees with the party of the second part as follows: A. Wages of motormen and conductors: For the first six months, 17 cents per hour. B. Time and one-half time for all overtime after 12 o'clock midnight. C. Any regular man missing his run at barn for three (3) days during any one month except by permission of superintendent of transportation or for sickness or death in his immediate family, shall be placed at bottom of extra board at his present salary. D. All passengers not paying cash fares, must have employe's ticket or employe's badge in full view. E. When a car on road has been reported in bad order, all responsibilities of motorman and conductors cease until same has been fixed. F. All headlights must be cleaned and adjusted in barn by barnmen. G. All doors and windows in cars must be kept in good order. H. Section 1. Motormen and conductors to be promoted to best runs, in accordance with the length of time they have been in continuous service of the company. Section 2. All business matters arising between the parties hereto shall be transacted between the properly accredited officials of the department and the properly accredited officials of the Association, or a duly appointed committee thereof. Section 3. All motormen or conductors or other employes shall be entitled to free transportation, subject to the rules of the company. Section 4. Where employes are laid off to look up evidence or to act as witnesses in court, in behalf of the City of Monroe, such employes or employe shall be paid full time for the time consumed in attending court or looking up evidence in behalf of said City of Monroe, payment to be made at the next regular pay-day. It is further agreed that any motorman or conductor, member of the Association, who shall be elected to office or assigned to any duties by the Association which require his or their temporary absence from runs, shall be granted leave of absence at any time his or their attention is required, except during special occasions, without pay, and upon their return shall be entitled to their respective runs or place on the board. Section 5. An employe suspended, but, upon investigation, found not guilty of the charge for which said employe was suspended, shall be reinstated to his former position and paid the wages he would have earned had he been working. Section 6. No employe serving time shall be asked to report, and any employe, serving time, and called back to work before said time has expired, shall be considered to have served his full time. Section 7. Where leave of absence is granted to a regular man, and he is off for a period exceeding five days, his time shall be so divided between the extra men as to give each five days regular work, insofar as is possible. Section 8. There shall be no sympathetic strike, or no strike of any kind, providing the department will submit any and all grievances to arbitration where an adjustment can not be secured in conference. Section 9. Except in cases of discharge on account of irregularities in registering fares or transfers, an employe of the department who may be a member of the Association, feeling that he has been unjustly treated, may ask the superintendent for a review of his case, and on his failing to secure satisfactory adjustment, may appeal to the Association for consideration; and if the proper officials of the Associa cion feel that such employe is entitled to further tonsideration, then such question or grievance shall be submitted to a temporary board of arbitration, one member thereof to be selected by the proper officials of the department and one by the executive committee of the Association, and the two so chosen, before entering upon the performance of their duties, shall select a third in case they do not agree, and the decision of the majority of the said board, submitted in writing to the department and to the Association, shall be binding upon the parties thereto. The Association and the department shall select their arbitrators within five days from the time either party shall notify the other, in writing, that an arbitration is desired and shall state in said writing the points to be arbitrated. Failure of either the department or the Association to name an arbitrator within five days shall constitute a default and cause the defaulting party to lose the case. Said two arbitrators so chosen shall hold daily meetings to adjust the matter referred to them, and, if they fail to agree, shall immediately call the third arbitrator already selected as above, and said board of three arbitrators shall likewise meet daily to consider the matter so submitted, unless by mutual consent, the time shall be extended. The executive board shall first hear and pass upon all grievances before they are submitted to the degartment. Should the department desire arbitration of any such question, the same ruling as above shall apply. Section 10. The committee of the Association shall have the privilege of examination of report of inspector on any conductor or motorman, discharged for irregular registering of fares or transfers. Section 11. Any member expelled from the Association, pursuant to the rules of the Association, shall be discharged by the department upon request of the Association, in writing, accompanied by a copy of the resolutions, certified by the Mayor and City Council and attested by the seal of the Association. Section 12. All motormen and conductors, who are members of the Association, shall remain members in good standing according to the rules of the Association. The department further agrees that all new employes shall become members of the Association within thirty (30) days from the date of employment. It is understood by both parties hereto that such new employes are on probation for thirty (30) day, and the purpose of this clause is that such new employe shall not have the right to the protection of the Association in matters of discharge or other grievances. Section 13. There shall be suitable closets and motormen and conductors given reasonable time to visit same. Section 14. All regular men, after six (6) months service, shall provide, at their own expense, and we constantly while on duty, a uniform composed of material, color and pattern prescribed by the superintendent. Section 15. Should negotiations be necessary for a new contract at the end of this one, it is mutually agreed that said renewal shall be executed at least thirty (30) days previous to the expiration of the contract then existing. Section 16. This agreement shall be binding upon the department, their successors, transfers and assigns, and the Amalgamated Association of Street and Electric Railway Employes of America, Division No. 667, and the members of said Association individually, and the employes of the Municipal Street Railway Company for a period of three (3 years from the first day of January, 1915, to the first day of January, 1918, at Monroe, Louisiana Witness our signatures to the above contract th the 9th day of January, 1915, at Monroe, Louisiana For the Municipal Street Railway Company Monroe, Louisiana. C. A. DOWNEY, (Signed) "Labor organizations have been foremost in calling public attention to and demanding the recogr. tion of the conditions against which their members are struggling. Indeed they are to be credited wi forcing the observance of these facts both upon employers and political economists. Had they not done > political economy might have continued to be the 'dismal science,' which so long faced practical conditions with abstract theories."-Graham Taylor. "We owe it to our ancestors to preserve entire those rights which they have delivered to our careowe it to our posterity not to suffer their dearest inheritance to be destroyed. But if it were possible : us to be insensible of these sacred claims, there is yet an obligation binding upon ourselves, from whic nothing can acquit us--a personal interest, which we can not surrender. To alienate even our own right would be a crime as much more enormous than suicide as a life of civil security and freedom is superi to a bare existence; and, if life be the bounty of heaven, we scornfully reject the noblest part of the gift we consent to surrender that certain rule of living without which the condition of human nature is not onl miserable, but contemptible."-Junius. WHAT OUR ORGANIZERS ARE DOING FROM THE ATLANTIC TO THE PACIFIC In this department is presented a comprehensive review of industrial conditions throughout the country. This includes: A statement by American Federation of Labor general and local organizers of labor conditions in their vicinity. In reases in wages, reduction of hours, or improved conditions gained without strikes. Work done for union labels. Unions organized during the last month. City ordinances or state laws passed favorable to labor. Strikes or lockouts; causes, results. A report of this sort is rather a formidable task when it is remembered that nearly 1,000 of the organizers are volunteers, doing the organizing work and writing their reports after the day's toil is finished in factory, mill, or mine. The matter herewith presented is valuable to all who take an intelligent interest in the industrial development of the county. It is accurate, varied, and comprehensive. The information comes from those familiar with the conditions of which they write. These organizers are themselves wage-workers. They participate in the struggles of the people for better conditions, help to win the victories, aid in securing legislation-in short, do the thousand and one things that go to round out the practical labor movement. Through an exchange of views in this department the wage-workers in various sections of the country and the manifold branches of trade are kept in close touch with each other. Taken in connection with the reports from secretaries of international unions, this department gives a luminous vision of industrial advancement throughout the country. |
