LABOUR IN AMERICA

Wairarapa Age, 7 October 1926, Page 5

LABOUR IN AMERICA

FEDERATION WOOING WORKERS IN MOTOR TRADE. DEFENCE OF THE “OPEN SHOP” INDEPENDENT STANDARDS. (Received Wednesday, 9.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 5. The American Federation of Labour in conference at Detroit, announced an ambitious programme for unionising the automobile industry in America, which hitherto has been virtually completely “open shop” (i.e., non-union). Automobile manufacturers have announced that they are bitterly opposed to any interference in their relationships with the workers, which they claim have been particularly beneficial. The Federation of Labour, however, being jealous of having the members of such an important and extensive industry outside its ranks, has declared that it will take all possible steps to induce them to join the fold. It asserts that this step is essential for the maintenance of the strength of organised Labour as a whole. It is intimated that the reason the federation’s convention is being held iu Detroit, which is the centre of the automobile trade, is to impress the workers therein. A representative of the employers’ association stated: “Our workers aro better paid, enjoy better home conditions, and generally are more contented, than workers anywhere else. Organised Labour has contributed nothing to our prosperity. We assart that our standards were set here and were not dictated by the American Federation of Labour.” —(A. and N.Z.)