AUTOMOBILE STRIKE

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 75, 29 March 1934, Page 9

AUTOMOBILE STRIKE

FURTHER CONTROVERSY

MULTIPLE BARGAINING

WASHINGTON, March 27. Tho automobile strike compromise seems to have produced a controversy rather than settled one. While /the Government will supervise the elections to determine union preferences and manufacturers have agreed to abide- by the decision, a close scrutiny of the agreement reveals that it provides for multiple collective bargaining—that is, while the majority of men may wish American. Federation of Labour representation, minorities may desire company unions or radical organisations to speak for them, and all must be recognised by the employers. This is sure to lead to illimitable confusion and is regarded by some,' American Federation of Labour men as a distinct loss of ground in their campaign to gain predominance in American industrial labour. Legislation pending in, Congress calculated to clarify the situation has been subjected to renewed attacks and will possibly be so emasculated that it will be but another compromise concerning vexing problems. Some observt crs see unionists becoming exasperated at the continued failure to achieve their complete aims and preparing to light the issue -with move widespread strikes. At a Camden (New Jersey) ship-build-ing plant today 2701 men struck, halting the construction of three cruisers5 and six other naval vessels. A strike is threatening the coal industry, while the railway labour negotiations are still fruitless. , ■ The Amertean Federation of Labour estimates that while 350,000 were reemployed in industry in February, 11,375,000 are still unemployed throughout the nation, one of the highest estimates since the Boosevelt recovery drive.