LABOUR TROUBLE

Southland Times, Issue 22295, 10 April 1934, Page 5

LABOUR TROUBLE

MOTOR INDUSTRY PREVIOUS SETTLEMENT DENOUNCED THREAT OF STRIKE (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Detroit, April 8. The labour controversy in the automobile industry again faced a crisis today as efforts for negotiation in connection with the strike in shops producing essential parts failed, while American Federation of Labour onicials bitterly denounced the settlement which Mr Roosevelt negotiated. If the supply of parts fails large manufacturers will probably be forced to slow down, perhaps halt, production. Furthermore, there is again talk of callinc a general automobile strike. Labour leaders allege that the board created by the President is not moving fast enough in fulfilling their demands, and point out that unless full union recognition comes soon the production peak will have passed with little chance of a strike then being effective. A message from Washington dated March 25 stated: After a week of negotiations an automobile strike was averted to-night with a compromise, an agreement being reached satisfactory to the union leaders and the employers. According to word from Detroit, Flint and other production centres, the workers were prepared to walk out to-mor-row morning. The settlement prevents what undoubtedly would have been the most serious industrial clash under the “new deal.” The terms of the settlement provide for the Government to supervise polls in which labourers will indicate preference for the American Federation of Labour or company unions with manufacturers agreeing to abide by the decision. Thus the employers retreated from the flat stand that they would never recognize the American Federation of Labour. It now appears that the unionization of the vast motor industry is all but an accomplished fact, provided the workers show preference for the American Federation of Labour as indicated.