1947 operations and policies. (Source: Committee for Economic Development: News release, Feb. 24, 1947; and Collective bargaining-How to make it more effective.) Feb. 27. The NLRB, in a case involving the Reed Roller Bit Co. and the United Steel Workers of America (CIO), held: "We think that the time has come when stability of industrial relations can be better served without unreasonably restricting employees in their right to change representatives, by refusing to interfere with bargaining relations secured by collective agreements of 2 years' duration. Such contracts, even in the presence of a contrary custom in the industry, should ordinarily preclude a determination of representatives until shortly before their terminal dates." (Source: U. S. Law Week, 15 LW, p. 2482.) March Mar. 9. The 439-day strike by members of local 180, United Automobile Workers (CIO), against the J. I. Case Co., Racine, Wis., and involving some 3,400 workers ended with the acceptance of wage-rate increases averaging 25 cents an hour. Settlements had previously been reached in company plants in three other cities. No provisions were made for the closed shop and check-off. On December 26, 1945, the strike had started in connection with issues of wages and union security. (Source: Business Week, Mar. 15, 1947, p. 100; for discussion, see MLR, Apr. 1947, p. 700.) On March 29, 1946, the company was invited to meet with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Labor in order to discuss the importance of resumption of operations. The company declined. On July 30, an invitation was again extended which was declined on August 1. (Source: U. S. Department of Labor release of July 30, 1946, and daily press.) On October 14, the company offered the workers a new contract covering wages and working conditions. On October 16, the union rejected this offer. On December 19, the NLRB ordered the company to bargain On February 25, 1947, the Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the Mar. 10. The Supreme Court, in the case of Packard Motor Car Co. v. National Labor Relations Board, decided that foremen are entitled as a class to rights of self-organization, collective bargaining, and other concerted activities which are assured to employees generally by the laws; that the statutory definition of "employer" does not 1947 Mar. 10 (Con.). mean that foremen are outside of the employee class and in that of employers. The Court held that the NLRB determination that foremen of various grades at plants of the motor company constitute a unit appropriate for collective bargaining is supported by substantial evidence. Only passing reference was made to a problem raised in the Jones & Laughlin Steel Corp. case (see Chron. item for Mar. 7, 1946, MLR, May 1946); namely, that the union of foremen was not affiliated with any rank and file organization. (Source: Labor Relations Reporter: BNA Advance Bulletin, Mar. 10, 1947.) On January 9, the NLRB unanimously had decided not to render any further decisions in foremen's cases until the Supreme Court reached a decision. On March 13, after the Court's decision, instructions were issued to the NLRB staff to process all foremen's cases which were pending at the following procedural levels: (1) those in which hearings had started before the January 9 moratorium; (2) those in which hearings had been completed and were awaiting issuance of intermediate reports; and (3) those which were awaiting determination by the Board. (Source: NLRB, R-6213.) Mar. 17. United States officials in charge of labor sections in Japan and in the American occupied zones of Germany, Austria, and Kores conferred with officials of the United States Department of Labor and the War Department. On March 18, the conferees met with the Department of Labor's Mar. 21. The President, by Executive Order No. 9835, prescribed procedures for Mar. 23. Local 248 of the United Automobile Workers (CIO) voted to end the 328-day strike against the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co., at West Allis, Wis., and to return to work the following day without a contract. Settlement had previously been reached in six other plants of the company (for discussion, see MLR, April 1947, p. 700). On April 30, 1946, the strike began. The union demanded an On September 9, the union and its officers were enjoined by the 1947 Mar. 23 (Con.). On December 28, the Wisconsin Employment Relations Board announced it had ordered a secret election, within 30 days, to determine the workers' bargaining agent. On January 8, 1947, the Federal judge denied the petition of local 248 for an injunction to block a collective bargaining election. On January 16, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against local 248 in their effort to stave off the election, On February 6, the management refused an invitation from local 248 for resumption of bargaining negotiations. (Source: Daily press.) Mar. 26. An explosion killed 111 mine workers at No. 5 mine of the Centralia Coal Co., at Centralia, Ill. On March 29, the president of the UMWA addressed a letter to the officers and members of the UMWA recommending that a memorial period should be observed (which, he stated, was in accordance with the contract provision), to begin at midnight on March 31 and to end at midnight on April 6. (Source: Text of John L. Lewis' letter dated Mar. 29, 1947.) Mar. 31. The draft provisions of the Selective Service and Training Act of 1940 expired; these provisions had been extended on May 9, 1945, May 14, 1946, and June 29, 1946. This law was the first which introduced military conscription of manpower in peacetime. (Source: White House release, Mar. 3, 1947, and daily press; for discussion, see MLR, Oct. 1940, p. 834.) Mar. 31. The President "with reluctance" approved the Sugar Control Extension Act of 1947 whereby sugar rationing was extended until October 31. This termination date, the President stated, "appears to be too early." Without this legislation, rationing would have lapsed at midnight under the Second War Powers Act. The law also extended certain price controls until October 31; such controls would otherwise have lapsed on June 30 under the Price Control Act. A Sugar Rationing Administration was established in the United States Department of Agriculture to enforce the extension act. (Source: Public Law 30, 80th Cong., 1st sess.; see Chron. item for Feb. 3, this issue.) Recent Publications of Labor Interest May 1947 Coal Industry Pennsylvania anthracite. By J. A. Corgan and Marian I. Cooke. Washington, U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, 1946. 42 pp., charts. (Preprint from Minerals Yearbook, 1945.) Includes data on production and consumption, number of days plants operated, mining methods and equipment, employment, prices, and other subjects, for 1945 and earlier years. Bituminous coal and lignite in 1945. By W. H. Young, R. L. Anderson, L. H. Isaac. Washington, U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, 1946. 97 pp., maps, charts; processed. (M. M. S. No. 1468.) Final figures for the calendar year 1945, showing production, consumption, mining methods, number of days mines were active, number of men employed (by length of working shifts), and other information, by State. Report of the commissioner appointed to inquire into and report upon the coal-mining industry, [Australia]. Canberra, Commonwealth Government Printer, 1946. 2 vols., 505 pp., diagrams, plans. £1 5s. for set. The major subjects which the board of inquiry was charged with investigating, in addition to industry conditions (coal reserves, requirements, mining methods, etc.), were largely those connected with employment in relation to production, such as avoidable absenteeism, causes of work stoppages, possible defects in the existing system of conciliation and arbitration of labor disputes, health and safety of employees, compensation for industrial accidents and diseases, housing, and pension plans. These and related labor matters are treated in detail and are the subjects of recommendations. Report of the Royal Commission on Coal, [Canada], 1946. Ottawa, Edmond Cloutier, 1947. 663 pp., maps, charts. $2. Findings and recommendations of the Commission, popularly known as the Carroll Commission, from its chairman. In addition to the industry data (coal reserves, production and distribution, markets, mining methods, etc.), the volume contains information on governmental regulations and activities with respect to the industry; the miners, conditions under which they live and work, their unions, and their earnings; employer-employee relations; and other labor subjects. The future of the coal miner. London, Ministry of Fuel and Power, 1946, 39 pp., charts, illus. 9d. net. Based largely on the Reid Committee's report of 1945, which recommended important technical reforms in Britain's coal industry, this pamphlet explains the critical situation of the industry and outlines the Committee's recommendations. Ventilation and lighting of the mines and protection and training of the workers are among the subjects treated. Report on an inquiry into conditions of labor in the coal mining industry in India. By S. R. Deshpande. Delhi, Manager of Publications, 1946. 197 pp., bibliography, map. 4s. All phases of labor and welfare conditions are covered. Information is also given on trade-unions and on labor legislation applicable to coal mines. EDITOR'S NOTE.-Correspondence regarding the publications to which reference is made in this list should be addressed to the respective publishing agencies mentioned. Where data on prices were readily available, they have been shown with the title entries. Information on coal mining in Spain. By J. H. East, Jr. Washington, U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, 1947. 27 pp., diagrams; processed. (Information circular No. 7396.) Subjects dealt with include mining methods and equipment, production (1945, and earlier years), ventilation of mines, accidents to workers (1944), employment (1935 and 1944), and wages in the Asturias district (March 1945). Cooperative Movement A short history of the Cooperative League of the U. S. A. By James P. Warbasse. New York, Cooperative League, 1946. 40 pp., chart, illus. 25 cents. Brief account of the formation of the League and of its activities, written by one of its founders and its president for the first 25 years of its existence. Activities of credit unions in 1945. Washington, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1947. 13 pp. (Bull. No. 894; reprinted from Monthly Labor Review, December 1946, with additional data.) 5 cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington. Thirteenth annual report of the Farm Credit Administration, 1945-46. Washington, 1947. 120 pp., maps. 25 cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington. A considerable part of this report deals with the work of the FCA in the field of cooperatives-production credit associations, banks for cooperatives, and farmers' cooperative marketing, service, and purchasing associations. One table gives the number of farmers' cooperatives (and estimated membership) of various types, including those of Indians, mutual fire-insurance companies, telephone associations, and burial associations. Annual report of the Tennessee Valley Authority, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1946. Washington, 1946. 245 pp., map, illus. 40 cents, Superintendent of Documents, Washington. The report includes brief discussion of operations of various types of farmer cooperatives in the Tennessee Valley and also the text of TVA's contracts with electricity cooperatives. North Dakota cooperative statistics. Fifth annual statistical report, for the past fiscal year, of Division of Cooperatives, North Dakota Department of Agriculture and Labor. Bismarck, 1946. 15 pp. (Bull. No. 63.) Statistics cover 273 cooperative grain elevators, 110 petroleum associations, 30 creameries, 16 store associations, 30 mutual insurance companies, 66 credit unions, and a number (not specified) of miscellaneous associations. A total business of $209,913,252, net earnings of $6,827,509, and patronage refunds of $5,805,385 were reported. Yearbook of agricultural cooperation, 1945-46. Edited by Horace Plunkett Foundation, London. Cambridge, W. Heffer & Sons, Ltd., 1946. 295 pp., bibliography. Although dealing mainly with agricultural cooperatives in various countries, considerable information on nonfarm cooperation is included. The people's yearbook, 1947. Manchester, England, Cooperative Wholesale Society, [1947?] 176 pp., illus. In addition to general articles on cooperation in "Britain and the empire," the yearbook contains detailed statistics on consumers' cooperative associations in Great Britain through 1945 or 1946 and summary data on cooperatives in various other countries. Cooperation in the Soviet Union. By N. Barou. London, Victor Gollancz, Ltd., 1946. 123 pp. 6s. net. The author discusses the status of the various branches of the cooperative movement-agricultural, consumers', handicraft, banking, etc.-under the changes in Government policy toward them. He explains these changes from the Government viewpoint and attempts to demonstrate the necessity for the official policies and the democratic character of the cooperatives. The account goes only through 1944 and does not, therefore, include a decree reported in Pravda, November 11, 1946, permitting formation of cooperatives in cities again (urban cooperatives were dissolved by decree in 1935 and their property transferred to the State), and otherwise encouraging the cooperative movement. |