U.S.A. AFFAIRS

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 August 1943, Page 5

U.S.A. AFFAIRS

ANTI-STRIKE MEASURES

(Rec. 12.30) WASHINGTON, Aug. 18. President Roosevelt has issued an Executive Order empowering the Economic Stabilisation Director (Mr. C. A. Vinson) to cancel draft deferments of striking workers or workers who fail to obey War Labour Board orders. The Executive Order also authorises the withholding of union dues from recalcitrant unions and the cancellation of Government contracts and priorities of non-complying employers. The United Press points out that the Executive Order has strengthened the War Labour Board in handling the coal mining dispute. It means the War Labour Board can collect union dues from workers but hold the money in escrow if the union persists in its refusal to sign a new contract with the coal operation employers. The Associated Press explains that when an employer refuses to comply with a War Labour Board order his plant may be seized and operated by the Government, but if this could not be done without impeding the war effort Mr. Roosevelt recommended less drastic penalties, such as Withholding or withdrawing from the employer any priorities, benefits, or privileges, including contracts, until compliance with the War Labour Board order. When a union refuses compliance, the plant involved will be operated by the Government, if necessary, to prevent interference with production and protect the workers who wish to work.