18 Capital Journal, Salem, Ore., Saturday, June 21, 1952
Why Stf!! Sffpolk dd
Companies oeJeve real reason is Union demand for compulsory Union membership.
A few days ago in Washington steel
companies made a new wage offer to the
Union in an effort to get a prompt settle
ment of the steel strike.
' This offer includes higher wages and
other benefits adding up to the biggest
increase in the history of the steel in
dustry. It places the pay of steelworkers far
above the average of all manufactur
ing industries.
It includes an average wage increase
of 16 cents per hour plus substantial
increases in fringe benefits, making a
total direct cost to the companies of
approximately 25 cents an hour. That
would be about $500 yearly per em
ployee based on the average hours
worked in 1951.
Workers lose $10 millions daily
Every full working day that this strike
continues means the loss of approxi
mately $10,000,000 in wages to some
600,000 steelworkers and their families.
It means the daily loss of about 260,
000 tons of steel production.
Why does the strike continue? Why
do union leaders refuse the offer which
would mean substantial increases in
take home pay for the steelworkers? '
The companies believe the reason for
this refusal is the Union's demand for
compulsory Union membership.
Granting this demand would force
every future applicant for employment
in the steel mills to join the Union as a
condition of holding his job.
Steel Companies' Offer to Union
JUNE 9, 1952
1. General increase in wage rates averaging 16 centi
an hour.
2. Six paid holiday!, double time for holidays worked,
with appropriate provisioni ot to eligibility.
3. Increase shift differentials to 6 cants per hour for
second shift and 9 cents per hour for third shift.
4. Three weeks vacation after IS yean f service,
effective January 1, 1952.
5. Decrease Southern differential of the two com
panies concerned by 5 cents an hour.
6. Above adjustments to be effective upon execution
of complete agreement and return to work, except
that general increase in wage rates to be retro
active to April 1, 1952.
7. Agreement to run to June 30, 1954, reopenable
by either party as of June 30, 1953, en the subject
of general adjustment of wage rates.
8. Union security provisions of present agreements
which provide for freedom of choice of individual
employes to join or refrain from joining the union
will not be changed.
9. All other matters must be satisfactorily resolved.
STEEL COMPANIES IN THE WAGE CASE
5400 Empire State Building, New York 1, N.Y.
The steel companies have refused to
grant this demand. They will not be a
party to coercing any individual, who,
for reasons of his own, does not want
to join the Union.
Opposition of the companies to the
Union Shop cannot be construed as op
position to the Union itself.
Since 1942 the labor agreements with
the steel companies have contained pro
visions that gave the Union stability
end security.
Free choice is basic
The companies believe it is up to each
man to decide for himself whether he
will or will not join any organization.
If the companies signed a contract
forcing all future applicants for em
ployment to join the Union, then we as
an industry and we as a nationwould
be surrendering one more right of the
individual, one more freedom.
In a world of encroaching dictator
ship we are trying to preserve freedom
in Europe, freedom in Korea, and free
dom at home. The freedom of choice,
no less than the freedom of speech and ,
of the press is important to the life of
every American.