LABOUR WINNING

Grey River Argus, 4 March 1937, Page 5

LABOUR WINNING

FIGHT FOR UNIONISM In United States STEEL TRUST CAPITULATES. (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received March 3. 9.5 p.m.) PITTSBURGH, March 3. The Carnegie Illinois Steel Corporalion (a subsidiary lof the United States Steel Corporation), has signed an agreement- with the Workers Union, grantling recognition to , 'the Union, also a wage increase, a fortyhour week, and other demands. . . This agreement ends the possibility of a general steel strike in the Spring, which- previously had freely been predicted. This agreement lis the first one concluded with an independent Trade Union in the history of the United States Steel Corporation. The news of the agreement has been received with rejoicing in Washington by Miss Perkins (Secretary for Labour) and l Mr Edison (the Secretary- of the Navy). The latter at once announced that he would -iinmedi. ately advertise again for bicig ±°r twenty.five million pounds ■of steel this is urgently needed for naval construction. Mr Edison indicated 1 that the officials feel that the settlement of the steel troubles is particularly timely, this feeling being due to an announcement that Britain will have twenty five capital ships by the year 194-., and the recognised United States pol icy is to keep pace with any leader m naval strength. The- United States Steel Trust has been one of the bitterest foes of organised labour, and this conference resulting as it ha s in an agreement has been the first time in the past fifty years on which the Steel Corporation has been willing to discuss negotiations with unions. . Therefore the C. 1.0. victory is be. ing hailed 1 by’ the Union leaders and by -the Administration at. Washington as the forerunner of a widespread acceptance of the Walsh-Healey Act. A minimum labour standard in other large industries is now believed probable. . Some quarters consider President Roosevelt is delaying the presentation of his Labour legislation programme in the-hope, tliat other radus'tries will follow the lead lof the Steel Corporation, and the motor industries in entering on wage and hour agreements through bargaining.