U.S.A. LABOUR CONDITIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 265, 7 November 1919, Page 10

U.S.A. LABOUR CONDITIONS.

A SUCCESSION OF STRIKES. Reporting upon labour conditions in the United States, Messrs. Mailler and Quereau, of New York, state: — "Business would be very much more active were it not for tlie constant lnbour troubles through which this country is passing. Strikes seem to be almost universal in every trade, and one seems to lead to another, as, in order to make ! their action successful, one union sup- ; ports another by refusing to work. There ■has never been'a condition similar to the i present, and the future does not promise I anj- great improvement. In many cases these strikes have resulted in comi promises and always with an increase in : wages, sonietimes to a very large amount, and this causes increase in cost of output. The steel industry has ! been threatened for some time with a general strike and walk-out of the steel labourers. In opposition to this, the United States Steel Corporation has refused to recognise the labour unions, claiming; that only a small percentage j jof their employees belong to the unions, | land that their men as a rule are well | satitied with their present conditions of I living and the pay they are receiving. j • The effort of the unions is to force ' : everyone into their organisation an>t bring about the principle of the 'closed shop , so that only those who arc union; members can secure any employment, j The United States Steel Company has } : taken the position that every man has a j i right to determine his own conditions of i S employment and either take it or leave I it, without being governed by any union regulation. This ig entirely contrary to | I the union rules and regulations, and the I ! leaders are using every possible effort to J (force the steel companies to yield to' i their demands. With the manufacturing (in the steel industry so very active and j their men employer]" at high wasrs, it is 'greatly to be hoped that the unions will j not succeed; for if they do, it will un-j doubtedlj- mean not only higher waeres, ; ■but much less efficiency when working i under union regulations. The situation is causing very, much anxiety, ac the j steel problem enters so largely into the ! prosperity of this country. As these : conditions are also prevailing in Europe, even in defeated Germany, no doubt they will affect the cost of output in those countriets so that the handicap of i higher costs will not he so severely felt i .as though it applied only to the United j States."