ALA WHI'01)1(:c and Professional Employees COInternational AFL -CIO and CLC I

No. 362 FEBRUARY, 1977

from the desk SEVEN MIDWEST LOCALS of the SET UP' NEW COUNCIL Delegates from seven OPEIU tion Art Lewandowski was the ticularly OPEIU members Locals in the North Central Re- guest speaker. whose pay scales and fringe gion voted unanimously to join He told the group that for- benefits must be protected from together to form a new OPEIU mation of Councils is the key the unfair competition of non- Council at a meeting in early to new organizing if the OPEIU union companies. PIIESIDDT January at the Red Carpet Inn is to reach the masses of the He said the Council concept in Milwaukee, Wisc. They also unorganized, presently beyond had been successfully tested by agreed to hire a Representative the scope of Locals which lack our Canadian Locals, especially for the new Council. the resources individually to ex- in new organizing. It represents Misguided Class Action Suits a new approach now to our. Lo- A further meeting was sched- ploit fully new organizing leads. cals in the U.S. for organizing When Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was being uled to draw up a Constitution Moreover, he said, Councils the unorganized in the white considered, the AFL-CIO and all of its International Unions, in- for the Council, to give it a will enable the OPEIU to give collar field. cluding the OPEIU, fully supported its aims. The AFL-CIO and name, elect officers, and make greater service and representa- He concluded by expressing the OPEIU felt that all minorities were entitled to a fair shake in arrangements so that it can be- tion to members in each indi- the hope that all OPEIU Locals the work place and that discrimination in employment must be functioning before April .1. vidual Local through providing gin throughout the nation will be eliminated. meeting expressed the more paid staff to assist them The quick to follow the example of Act of 1947 eliminated the last vestige of hope that other OPEIU Locals in collective bargaining. In The Taft-Hartley the seven pioneer Locals in the workers. This Act not only pro- in the Region will shortly join addition, pooling their resources any union voice in the hiring of North Central Region. bargaining agreements the new grouping. for this purpose will give added hibited unions from including in collective The delegates regarded the before economic protection to each the provision that workers must be members of a union Thirty-five delegates repre- Council concept with enthusi- member because it is a wise being hired, but also eliminated the referral system including those sented the following Locals asm, and looked forward to it investment for the future. who were not members of unions. from a three-state area: as "providing a great vehicle In supporting the Equal Employment Opportunities Act, known Local 12 (Twin Cities)-St. He emphasized that compan- for new organizing in the area," as Title VII, the AFL-CIO in effect joined with the government in Paul-Minneapolis, Minn. ies which are now unionized as well as promising better compelling employers to hire on a non-discriminatory basis. This Local 39, Madison, Wisc. and paying union scales are at service and representation for Act was passed over employer opposition. Local 44, La Crosse, Wisc. a competitive disadvantage with members in their own Locals. International unions, including our own, were shocked to find Local 158, Aurora, Ill. those in the same industry in They invited other OPEIU that class action suits brought by blacks, Hispanics and women Local 311, Kankakee, Ill. an area who remain non-union Locals in the area to join the wages fringe in most cases include all of the unions having a collective bargain- Local 336, Kenosha, Wisc. and pay lower and new Council, feeling that as it he said, ing relationship with the firm involved despite the fact that these Local 391, Chicago, Ill. benefits. As a result, expands its scope it may be unionized companies are placed unions, including ours, have no voice whatsoveer in the selection The meeting was chaired by possible in the near future to at a competitive disadvantage of new hires. Vide President Bill Adams, and hire an additional Representa- Numerous lawyers instituting such suits have persuaded minor- was attended by Vice President so that more emphasis must tive for its staff, thereby doubl- ity workers to name all of the unions in a particular company in H. R. Markusen and Interna- now be put on organizing the ing its capacity for growth and order to widen the possibility of success insofar as targets are tional Representative Mike unorganized to balance the service to all members in the concerned in the courts. Employers have done nothing whatsoever Walker. Director of Organiza- scales for the benefit of all, par- region. to discourage the naming of unions in such class actions. In fact, the reverse is true. Employers have secretly encouraged workers to include unions in such suits. OPEIU Wins Dispute on Stewards The Office & Professional Employees International Union has been named in such class actions when, as pointed out above, wet NLRB Rules They Enjoy Super-Seniority in Layoffs have nothing whatsoever to do with hiring by employers, and The National Labor Rela- seniority clause in the OPEIU ity for stewards does not per- workers become members of the OPEIU only after working 31 tions Board has ruled that a contract was "unlawful." Both mit lateral bumping, then it days after hire by the employer. union steward can exercise su- the OPEIU and her employer means nothing at ail," the panel In one case in a paper company in the South, we have been per-seniority in the event of lay- appealed the decision to the declared. "The use of super-se- named in a class action suit along with the employer and every off over all other employees even board in Washington, D.C. niority to protect a steward's other union in the plant by a janitor, who has never been a mem- with greater seniority, a deci- A three-member panel, com- grade level and position in the ber of the union and was never included by the National Labor sion of significance to all union prising Chairman Betty South- event of involuntary job change Relations Board in our collective bargaining unit. stewards across the nation: ard Murphy and members John furthers the statutory purpose While we realize that these suits are encouraged by so-called The ruling was handed A. Penello and John H. Man- of protecting employees' statu- "liberal" lawyers, some of whom are supposed to lie friends of down in the case of Elaine Sic- ning, unanimously overturned tory Section 7 rights by insur- labor, it is imperative that we use counsel to answer 'these actions iliano, a Hospital Service Plan the Law Judge's ruling and dis- ing that a steward be kept on and appear in court on our behalf. Needless to say, these actions (Blue Cross-Blue Shield) of missed the case in its entirety. the job at all times and not be are nuisances and expensive. The burden of discrimination against New Jersey senior accountant "If, as the Administrative subject to the contingency of women and minorities in the labor force rightfully belongs on the who filed unfair labor practice Law. Judge found, super-senior- threat of layoff." backs of those responsible for it-the employers. charges against her employer In addition, we are now faced with threats to our seniority sys- and OPEIU Local 32 in New- tem in lay-offs. With the economic picture as dreary as it is, our ark, N.J., which represents the 26 to 35% Wage Gains collective bargaining units throughout the United States have been health agency's 1,000 office reduced in hundreds of instances. Our contracts, like those of employees. Firm other unions, call for lay-offs to be made in accordance with se- She charged that she was un- Won at Insurance niority. In effect, therefore, the last hired is the first to be laid fairly bumped laterally to a Across-the-board wage gains totaling 22%, plus another 4% off. lower grade by Hansel Anglin, provided each year on the employee's birthday, were won in a When rehiring takes place, as the company's economic picture a union steward and also an new three-year contract renegotiated by Local 27 for its 900- brightens, the last laid off is the first to be rehired. This seniority accountant in her grade whose member unit at American National Insurance Company in Gal- practice has been in effect for 76 years in the United States, even position was deleted and who veston, Texas, International Bill Kirby reports. long before the Wagner Act. It has been considered, and rightly then exercised a clause in the It calls for a 10% increase effective last October 10, another so, to be the only fair way of handling lay-offs as a result of an union contract providing super- 7% on October 9, 1977, and 5% on October 8, 1978. Rates in economic downturn. seniority for stewards in the pay grades one through four and the top grade M-1, are increased The seniority system was introduced in 1900 by the Railroad event of layoffs. by 14% in the first year, 12% in the second, and 9% in the third and Typographical Unions. It was recognized as the fairest yard- In a decision on her case last year so that "turnover problems may be reduced by a higher stick to determine who is to go from the graveyard shift to the May, Administrative Law Judge scale." day shift; who is to get the choicest vacation period; who is to be Melvin J. Welles decided in her Monthly salaries for Grade 1 employees are increased to a (Continued on Page 4) favor, holding that the super- minimum starting rate of $517.18. Page Two WHITE COLLAR February, 1077 WHITE COLLAR IBEW Reader Hails RTW Column Official Organ of OFFICE AND PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION affiliated With the AFL-CIO, CLC Says 14(b) Repeal Will Be "Great Day for America" HOWARD COUGHLIN WILLIAM A'. LOWE President Secretary-Treasurer The following comment on the morality of a fellow-em- to be costly to both employers POSTMASTERS, ATTENTION - Change of address Form 3579 President Coughlin's December ployee, an employer is privi- and employees. should be addressed to: Office and Professional Employees Interna- column was received from Fred leged to force the close asso- "It will be a great day for tional Union, 815 16th St., N.W. , Washington, D.C. 20006. H. Powers, a member of Local ciation of his employees with America and for all workers- 437 International Brotherhood unsavory characters, and those both union and non-union- of Electrical Workers (IBEW) deemed to be unfit for union when Jimmy Carter signs the in Des Moines, Iowa. membership. bill nullifying Section 14(b). "Dear Sir & Brother: "Personally, having been a "With best wishes for the Published monthly by Office and Professional Employees International Union, 815 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. Second class postage paid at "With reference to your very full-time union representative New Year, I am Washington, D.C. Reproduction by the Labor Press of any or all material herein contained is good article in the December for twenty-two years, I have "Fraternally not only permitted, but wholly desirable in the interest of workers' education. 1976 White Collar, you missed found nothing good about that (signed) Fred. H. Powers." Subscription Price $1 a Year one very important factor af- misnomer, 'right to work.' On January 1977 fecting members of a collective the other hand, it has proved "Best personal regards," bargaining unit of employees. "IMMANORMY,MMONSW SSIMMEMSZMOM::. " Tide Rising Against 14 (b) "Under the 'Right to Work for Less' regulations, contrary Dr. Ray F. Marshall, the new Secretary of Labor, told reporters to the concept of rule by major- RTW's P.R. Man's Reaction that he supports affirmative action programs to expand job oppor- ity-the fundamental princi- tunities for minorities and favors repeal of Section 14(b) of the ple of the U.S. Government- A Circular Letter to Editors Taft-Hartley Act, which permits states to outlaw union shop an employee may choose to dis- President Coughlin's column this just a National Right to agreements. regard all contractual conditions in the December White Collar Work Committee trick to draw He indicated that he "probably" would have supported the of employment and there's seemingly has created hysteria attention to itself? construction site picketing and bargaining legislation, shaped under nothing the union may do at the so-called Right-to-Work "Howard Coughlin, president the guidance of former Secretary of Labor John P. Dunlap, but about it. Committee's Washington, D.C., of the Office and Professional vetoed by former President Ford. "A parallel would be that headquarters in Fairfax, Va. Employees International Un- Marshall disclaimed expertise in the area, but said he saw site should a person not be agree- We are indebted to a national- ion, AFL-CIO, has been kind picketing rights as part of an "overall effort" to improve labor- able to the provisions of a city ly-known newspaper and radio enough to answer this for us. management relations in the construction industry. ordinance, or any public law, commentator who has forward- Writes Coughlin in the Decem- The new Secretary of Labor has had a long and distinguished he could hold that it was not ed to us a copy of a letter re- ber issue of his union's newspa- career in the academic world as a labor economist whose views his desire to abide by the rules ceived by him from Herb Berk- per, White Collar, 'While Pres- are liberal, informed and sensible. A former University of Texas affecting all others. owitz, RTW Director of publicl ' ident-eled 'Carter 'A I facing professoi and manpower eipert, he has worked closely with the "A union member assessed a Relations, which apparently was Herculean tasks of combatting trade union movement to provide jobs for the underprivileged. fine for violations of union laws circularized to all opinion mak- unemployment and inflation, In addition to his teaching duties, he served as a director of the or agreements, by virtue of ers in the mass media. It says: and these problems should be Center for Study of Human Resources, chairman of the Federal `right to work for less,' may "Dear Editor: given high -priority, we cannot Committee on Apprenticeship, and president of the National thumb the proverbial nose, go "Are union officials really allow too much time to pass be- Rural Center. He is also president-elect of the prestigious Indus- merrily on his way and con- going to mount a major cam- fore tackling the subject of re- trial Relations Research Association. tinue to disregard all rules and paign in the 95th Congress to peal of Section 14(b) of the In an interview at Plains, Ga., he told reporters that the gov- contractual provisions of em- wipe out Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act.' ernment should provide useful jobs when persons "willing and able ployment. Taft-Hartley Act, authorizing "We'll let Coughlin's words to work" can't find employment in the private sector. "In addition, irrespective of state Right to Work laws, or is gpeak for themselves." In his new post, he can count on the full supnort of organized labor and union members in efforts to achieve "full employment, rriii:MR*MAIMVAMMENEEMMUTIMIX.MAMMROM.M.ts'gr.WPARMAMOVIMAWSRPARMWR full 'production, and a balanced economy." His support for repeal of Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Lowe Launches VOTE Act, of course, is a bitter pill for the so-called Natlional Right to Work Committee to swallow. (See letters on subject on this Page and stories on Pages 3 and 5.) "President's 100 Club" Initiating the new approach eheck-Off Authorization Form The J. P. Stevens Boycott to fund-raising for VOTE rec- ommended by the Executive I voluntarily request and authorize my employer, Office and More than any other company in American industry, J. P. Board at its December meeting, Professional Employees International Union, to deduct $10.00 Stevens is the symbol of anti-unionism, anti-workerism in Amer- Sec.-Treas. William A. Lowe per month for 10 months from my salary checks, a total of ican life. The entire labor movement, including the OPEIU, has circularized all OPEIU In- $100.00, as my annual enrollment fee in the OPEIU "President's has joined in an unrelenting nationwide boycott of J. P. Stevens ternational Officers, Interna- 100 Club." products, as the only weapon left. tional Representatives, and full- time Representatives of Local This authorization to be effective as of and These Are Some of the Products Unions to join the "President's shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter, or until such That J. P. Stevens Makes 100 Club" by giving $100 each. time as such authorization is revoked in writing. He wrote: SHEETS & DRAPERIES TABLE LINEN "It is hoped to have 100% Signed PILLOWCASES J. P. Stevens Simtex representation in the "Presi- Beauticals dent's 100 Club." Those who Dated Beauti-Blend HOSIERY COTTON meet this quota will receive rec- FABRICS Fine Arts Big Mama ognition in the form of gold Peanuts (comic Finesse Academy VOTE membership cards and Medicare Premiums Face strip figure) Fruit of the Loom Lady Twist Twill the names of such contributors Tastemaker Hip-Lets Twist Twill will be appropriately published 50¢ Utica Spirit in the White Collar. Another Boost in July Utica & Mohawk SYNTHETICS & "Of course, we all realize the Some .25.4 million Medicare nounced earlier. BLEND FABRICS BLANKETS TOWELS important point is not the beneficiaries will be charged an The increase in hospital in- Baby Stevens Fine Arts Blentempo award of a gold card, or other additional 50¢ a month pre- surance means that an elderly Coachman material form of recognition, mium beginning, next July for Forstmann Tastemaker or disabled person entering a Consort but rather the fact that contri- supplementary medical insur- hospital in 1977 pays the first Utica Utica Carousel butions to VOTE arc used to ance, says the Social Security $124 of the initial bill covering CARPETS Gesture elect those persons and promote Administration. up to two months, WOOLENS & compared Contender Stevetex legislation that will benefit our The new monthly premium previous charge of WORSTED with the Gulistan 20 Below members and their families. increase to $7.70 will cost the $104. Merryweather FABRICS Lady Consort nation's elderly and "In order to enroll in the disabled The need for the increase Tastemaker Windshear "President's 100 Club" you may about $152.4 million for the Boldeena was said to be rising doctor Linebacker either send us a $100 check or optional coverage of doctor bills SLIPPERS (wash- Forstmann fees, a trend toward more ex- Weftamatic you may authorize us to make and other medical expenses for able) Hockanum (cotton-nylon payroll deductions by complet- 12 months. pensive medical services, and Always in Step Worumba knit) ing and returning the enclosed Out -of- pocket expenditures increased cost and use of hos- check-off authorization card. for Medicare hospital insur- pital outpatient services. "The Executive Board urges ance, an automatic benefit when We urge all OPEIU members when shopping for any textile every OPEIU member to par- a person begins receiving Social Spread the Word! products to make sure they do not purchase any of the brands ticipate in this program at the Security checks, were increased .:Tell your friends not to buy listed above, and to inform the salesperson why. earliest opportunity." 19% on January 1, it was an- J. P. Stevens products. Page Three February, 1977 WHITE COLLAR WOMMUMSZTEREMIMEMMOVMMISMEMINMMIMMEEKENEWANOSSUMMEMESMEAMEWMOZ.::: easons Why -Congress Should Repeal Section 14(b) Current figures compiled by With weakened employee or- $6,145. that passes under that regres- islation in 1954 when average the AFL-CIO show once again ganizations, business and in- Further, the average weekly sive legislation. When Alabama weekly earnings were $877 the economic effects of the so- dustry are relatively free to im- wage in "right-to-work" (for passed its "right-to-work" (for below the national average. called "right-to-work" (for less) pose their own concepts of fair less) states is, only $169.02 less) law in 1953, it was $680 Here aagin, that state's workers laws on the wages of working wages and working conditions while workers in the "free below the national average in now have fallen even further Americans. upon their employees. states" can expect an average per capita income. By 1975, it behind. In 1975, Mississippi The legislation, section 14(b) Thus, it's no accident that of $195.97 - a difference of had fallen $1,258 below that was $1,850 below the average, of the. Taft-Hartley Act, forbids workers in those states earn $26.95 per week for 52 weeks average-a loss of $579 in re- a wage erosion of an additional workers and their employers less, and labor in less desirable a year. lation to the national average. $973. freely to negotiate union shop circumstances than their coun- Workers in Ohio, a "free North Carolina adopted sim- The same dismal tale can be clauses in their contracts. terparts elsewhere. state," earn an average weekly ilar legislation in 1947, when told for most of the 'other the state was $457 below the "right-to-work" (for less) states. As a result, unions in those For the entire United States, pay check of $223.67. Vir- average. In 1975, the state had Nevada is the only RTW state 20 states having such laws are the per capita personal income ginians, on the other hand, can dropped to $850 below the. that has consistently remained expect an average weekly wage hampered b y "free-loaders" is $5,902 per year. In the average-a loss of $493. The above the average per capita who take advantage of union "right-to-work" (for less) states of only $156.41, a big differ- average weekly wage in North income. negotiated wages and benefits that figure is $5,329.. But in ence. Carolina in 1975 was a meager Clearly, the time to repeal while refusing to shoulder their those states without this legis- Tragically, such differences $135.14. Section 14(b) by the new Con- fair share of the responsibiilty. lation, the per capita income is are compounded with each year Mississippi adopted such leg- gress has now come. Finnish Labor Leader V ts OPEIU Harris Poll Shows Unions Says 93% of His Nation's Bank Employees Are Unionized Enjoy Wide Public Esteem A recent Harris nationwide ance, higher unemployment Kari 0. Virtanen, interna- difficulty encountered." Some- from 75% to 80% of his survey shows that by an compensation, better Social tional secretary of the Finnish times hard-shelled bankers don't normal earnings on retirement, Se- astounding margin of 85-to-7 curity, minimum wage laws and Confederation of Salaried Em- provide a private room but in and for those, in the lower percent the public feels that "in other desirable social needs." ployees from Helsinki, Finland, such cases the union rents a brackets up to 90%. The Fin- many industries, Unions are By margins of better than was a recent distinguished visi- room nearby, he disclosed. nish labor movement is now needed so the legitimate griev- 2-to-1, a majority feels "most tor to OPEIU international pressing for a change in the law Women bank employees with ances and complaints of work- employers would quickly move headquarters where, he was yvel-, that will give lower income childEen know that' they gained ers can be heard and action to exploit" them if no Union corned by President Howard earners retirement payments on-premises day care facilities taken on them. were present, and "most Unions Coughlin and Director of Orga- equal to the weekly minimum only through collective bargain- A near unanimous 96% stand for helping less-privileged nization Art Lewandowski. wage, he added. ing so they realize what union- of those polled believe Unions people get a better break." Visiting the UrS. under the A national health-welfare ' ism means. Finnish banks pay were started "because workers The Harris Survey also re- State Department's exchange plan covers all workers for for these day-care centers and were being exploited by low vealed majorities of the public program to study white-collar surgical hospital expenses, and their staffs, he said. wages, long hours and bad have some negative feelings unionism here, the 32-year-old each individual is required to Mr. Virtanen disclosed that working conditions." about "many Union leaders" Finnish labor official has writ- pay only a small amount. unions deal in negotiations only By a margin of 80-to-7 because of "abuse of their pow- ten several Asked how large, he said: "If I bops and now with wages and working condi- percent, the public believes er" or "known ties with rack- plans one on had to be hospitalized when I , the world labor tions but vacations, holidays, "Unions are as much a part of eteers and organized crime" movement. Before return to Finland the entire cost visiting the health-welfare and pensions are our democratic system as pri- (even though less than a frac- OPEIU he had to me would be only $1 a day." called at the prescribed by national laws vate companies, consumers tion of one percent have. ever He disclosed the health -, AFL-CIO headquarters in which the combined unions, that groups, farm groups, and other been accused of such charges). Washington, welfare D.C. through their political power, plan did not cover den- organized parts of American These feelings, no doubt, are During an tal costs adults, which are exchange of views have had enacted. for society." nurtured by sensationalist news with OPEIU officials on the He said that the average Fin- "very expensive," although By a 76-to-10 percent accounts any time some ranking problem of unionizing white- nish bank employee now earns there is "free dental care for margin, the public feels "most official is accused of wrongdo- all collar workers in this country, about $125 per week although children under 18." unions in the U.S. have been ing. This viewpoint always gets Mr. Virtanen expressed surprise he noted prices here are about Mr. Virtanen revealed that a good forces, working for such prefered treatment in the mass that only about 20% of U.S. equal to those over there. On Finnish law enacted under un- things as national health insur- media. workers belong to unions, lag- peisions, he said that the law ion pressure now makes the ging far behind the proportitt requites all employers to pay teaching of a course on union- in ism all Lucky Stores Unit Wins West European countries. an amount for each employee compulsory in vocational Bank Employees 93% Union into a national pension fund schools, and there is a move- Although Finland has a popu- that will provide 60% of nor- ment to make this course com- $6.10 Hourly Average pulsory also in primary and tion of only 41/2-millions, 70% mal salary on retirement. Wage boosts ranging from will receive pay for up to six secondary schools as an integral of the work force is unionized 350 to 730 an hour in the first days of unused sick leave per Finland's Pension System part of the educational system. in the blue and white collar year, with most receiving a 560 year. There is also Social Security The Finnish labor official categories with bank employees increase bringing the average Other improvements are a to supplement pensions but pay- has traveled in all West Euro- the most high unionized of all pay to $6.10 an hour, and 7% provision for a check-off of ments are rather small, he ex- pean countries (except Albania), salaried employees he disclosed, across-the-board in each fol- union, dues; requirement that plained. However, for those in interviewing trade union lead- adding:. lowing year, highlight a new the company hire temporary the higher salary brackets the ers. His travels also have in- "We have 30,000 bank em- three-year contract renegotiated employees from among union Social Security payment, plus cluded Mexico, the U.S. and the ployees' in Finland and more by Oakland Local 29 for its stronger language on pension, enables a retiree to get U.S.S.R. members, than 28,000 belong to the un- 225-member clerical unit at subcontracting, leaves of ab- ion. About 70% of the bank Lucky Stores in San. Leandro, sence and sick leave for mater- employees are women and 93% U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Calif. nity. are union members," he said. Business Representative Alice The Lucky Stores settlement He was amazed to learn that Case on Strikers' Welfare Bartley reports that a COLA will set an OPEIU pattern for of the one-million bank em- providing one cent for each much smaller stores in the area ployees in the U.S. only a few The U.S. Supreme Court has denying welfare air to children average 0.45 rise in the 1967 represented by Local 29, Bart- thousand were unionized, al- agreed to consider a case that whose fathers are unemployed CPI for the San Francisco area ley says. though he predicted that "even- raises a controversial issue of because of a strike, miscon- is continued. whether strikers are entitled to duct or voluntarily quitting tually you'll succeed in union- An 1 1 th holiday (floating) NLRB Chairman Moves izing them." welfare benefits. a, job. The lower court also was also gained, with a revised He explained that in Finland But the Justices didn't com- struck down a federal regula- vacation schedule calling for To Speed Up Cases because the vast majority be- mit themselves to a decision on tion that allowed individual four weeks after nine years NLRB Chairman Betty long to unions, newly hired what employers contend is the states the discretion to deny (was 10); five after 13 (was Southard Murphy has formally bank employees present no dif- basic issue: Whether such tax- benefits in such cases. 15), and a sixth week after 20 recommended that the Board ficulty. Banks must notify the supported benefits for one side But the court didn't say if it years. adopt and promptly implement union about new hires, he said, in a labor dispute violate the will consider a companion case Employer pension contribu- 61 of the 69 recommendations so a union representative calls government's obligation to re- brought by the U.S. Chamber tions will go to 400 an hour made by the Chairman's Task at the bank and meets with of Commerce that raises the in the first year (was 350), Force to expedite case-handling main neutral under national them in a private- room pro- labor policy question. Thus, the and 500 in 1978. The health- procedures. vided at most banks. labor policy. Justices could merely decide welfare plan was improved in As of September 1976, there The advantages of union The Justices will review a whether the federal regulation the dental section. Shift differ- were 19,173 cases of all types membership are explained and lower court decision that in- can allow state discrimination entials will increase by five pending disposition, compared then a question-and-answer lower court decision that invali- and avoid any ruling in this cents per hour each year, rising with 17,996 at the end of last period follows, so there's "little dated a Maryland regulation case on the more political issue. to a 500 total. Employees also June. Page Four Lib COLLAR February, 1977

Educational Materials FIET Eyes Global Bank Growth Available For Members Finland Congress Delegates Hear Need for Bank Unionism Delegates to the 1974 Convention expressed the need for mate- President Howard Coughlin tion to these regulations. try. rials pertinent to the OPEIU and membership in the union. They and Sec.-Treas. Bill Lowe rep- During the debates on the It was clear from comments also indicated an interest in information on the labor movement resented the OPEIU as dele- claims put forward by FIET's made during the Congress that in general and in social, economic and political data relevant to gates from the U.S. and Canada, Banking Section, it was pointed many employers were not happy them as both wage-earners and consumers. respectively, at the 18th World out that bank employees were about the fact that trade unions In response, WHITE COLLAR will publish a continual listing Congress of the International now organizing themselves on a in the white-collar field were of available resource material-pamphlets, books, brochures, sub- Federation of Commercial, worldwide international scale organizing on an international scriptions, films-many free and some offered at a very modest Clerical & Technical Employees and formulating policies to basis although the employers cost-which will prove useful to union member and officer alike- (FIET), held in Helsinki, Fin- combat the international groups themselves had done this for and provide a well-rounded "library" for every local. land, recently. that had been set up by bank many years. For handy reference, we suggest you clip the lists as they appear The Congress is held every employers. With the expansion of multi- in future issues. three years. It was attended by The first European Confer- national companies and interna- 467 delegates, observers and ence of Bank Employees was tional banking it was recognized Political Education guests representing 150 affil- held in Zurich last year, and that the cooperation and ex- Equal Pay-Under the Fair Labor Standards Act iated unions from 70 countries similar FIET conferences of change of information between Division, U.S. Department of Labor, Available from Wage and Hour with Washington, D.C. 20210. 9 pages. Free in reasonable quantity. The Equal a total membership of 6- bank employees have been held similar unions in different coun- Pay Act of 1963 amended the Fair Labor Standards Act to require that million white-collar workers. in Asia, Africa, and South tries would become increasingly men and women performing equal work must receive equal pay. This During the conference it was America. important. pamphlet identifies the types of jobs to which the equal pay provisions disclosed that a regional group Attention was drawn to the The British National Union of the apply and what action can be taken regarding the applicability known as EURO-FIET, com- fact that cartel Employees (NUBE) equal pay standard. agreements be- of Bank prising 31/4 million white collar tween national banks, groupings disclosed that it had a number Federal Labor Laws and Programs employees in the Common Mar- of banks from different coun- of problems with foreign and 180 pages. U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Admin- ket and other European coun- tries for business purposes, and overseas banks in the City of istration. Bulletin 262. Available from Government Printing Office, Wash- ington, D.C. This booklet outlines major labor laws and tells where to tries, has been set up with a the formal and informal under- London, particularly the giant get further information, on each topic. permanent office in Brussels to standings between banks at American banks which are the Growth of Labor Law in the U.S. monitor any changes which may international level, were not most anti-union of all. effect members in un- fully by many mem- 311 pages. 1967. U.S. Department of Labor. Available from Government the trade understood Printing Office Washington, D.C. $1.25 each. This booklet briefly outlines ions affiliated with it. bers of bank unions. If you move, send your old and state laws on child labor, minimum wage, health and safety, workmen's The directives issued by the Speakers said the task of new address, including zip code and compensation, labor relations, unemployment insurance, fair employ- European Commission social security or social insurance are play- FIET was to publicize these number to: ment practices, and other areas. For more comprehensive information ing an increasingly important secret agreements so that mem- on your state laws covering thege areas write the state department William A. Lowe, Sec.-Treas. which administers these laws. Also check your telephone book for local role in the running of industry ber unions would know what 815 16th Street, N.W., Suite 606 or regional offices which may be located in your city. and commerce in the EEC they were up against when they Washington, D.C. 20006 member countries, and the were negotiating with an em- Community Services and Consumer Information banking industry is no excep- ployer in one particular coun- Know Your Pension Plan U.S. Department of Labor. Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. '34 pages. 55 cents each. Federal law Equal Rights Amendment gives an employee the right to a copy of the pension plan. This pamphlet outlines where to find other needed information on pension plans. Your Social Security Ratified by Indiana State U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Social Security Indiana has ratified the ,Equal long logjam over its adoption. administration, 1325 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20203. 28 pages. Rights Amendment to the Con- Which states may next act Single copy free. This pamphlet is designed to answer most of the stitution which it refused to do on the amendment is not quite questions asked about social security benefits. on two previous occasions. The c 1 e a r, according to Sheila Consumer Information Index amendment would ban dis- Greenwald, executive director Public Documents Distribution Center. Pueblo, Colorado 81009. 14 crimination based on sex by the of ERAmerica, the coalition of pages. Single copy free. I.isted in this index are more than 200 consumer Federal government, or any 120 groups supporting ratifica- publications issued by the federal government devoted to helping con- state or local government. sumers select, use and care for products such as clothing, appliances, tion. food and other items. Other pamphlets, published in both English and It's the 35th state to ratify Among the states in which Spanish, discuss child care, health, nutrition and safety. the amendment which requires action is expected in the first Information for Consumers approval by 38 states before it few months of this year are of and South Carolina, Everybody's Money, P.O. Box 431, Madison, Wisconsin 53701. 48 pages. becomes part the Constitu- North Flor- 50 cents each. This guide has helped the consumer find the proper agency tion. Supporters say Indiana's ida, Nevada and possibly Mis- to take a complaint to. It lists the major national, state and local con- action signals a break in the souri. sumer organizations, government agencies and top executives of major companies. To Be Continued Misguided Class Action Suits (Continued from Page 1) laid off in an economic Harvard Study Finds 1975 downturn; who returns to work when gmattamantswassosmemenom the economy rebounds. It must be remembered that this system Bosses Are "Stuffed Shirts" prevails only where a union holds a collective bargaining contract U.S. Price Index with an employer. Today's American bosses are are male, Caucasian, from afflu- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics In other instances, roughly three out of four cases (75 percent New Base 1967=100 plastic men and stuffed shirts ent families and from "a hand- 1975 of the work force in the United States is unorganized), lay-offs are even more than in, the 1950's, ful of universities." In sum- December 166.3 determined by 1976 the heyday of conformity mary, the study found that "the the employer without any regard whatsoever for seniority, age, sex or minorities. January 166.7 That's the conclusion reached overall picture that emerges is February 167.1 Now we are faced with civil action suits by laid-off women March 167. in a study published in the one of a business leadership April 168.2 and members of minority races who are, in effect, fighting the May 169.2 prestigious Harvard Business group lacking diversity of back- June 170.1 seniority system. They are contending that where employers did July 171.1 Review, Cambridge, M a s s., ground and, indeed, becoming August 171.9 not in prior years make a practice of hiring women and minority September 172.6 which reported that "the execu- increasingly alike" and this October 173.3 tives of 1975 form a more ho- "may not be compatible with workers that the seniority system is, therefore, flawed. November 173.8 The Labor Movement asks those workers employed by em- December 152.7 mogenous group than those meeting broad social expecta- ' from earlier periods." tions in a free and democratic ployers who are not responsible for discrimination in the first The bulk of the executives society." place, what fairer formula than seniority can be used in times of MPOMMTI.3.MMANNMMAISSM lay-offs resulting from an economic recession? Some attorneys and opponents of organized labor by using this device are, in ef- Canadian Anti-union Forces Suffer fect, carrying out a divisive tactic. Price Index They are pitting whites against blacks and males against fe- Statistics Canada males. They are attacking the seniority system which, even in * New Base 1971=100 Severe Setback in Florida 1975 today's work force is still the only fair way of treating all work- November 144.1 144.3 Anti-union drive in Florida bargaining rights. ers-whites, blacks and women alike. The seniority system in December 1976 by the National Right-to-Work They needed 215,000 peti- most cases not only guarantees recall, but also protects pensions January 145.1 February 145.6 (for Less) Committee has been tions to place a constitutional and fringe benefits. Marbh 146.2 stalled-temporarily. Joined by amendment on the November We are not only supporting seniority in lay-off clauses but April 146.8 May 148.0 the Chamber of Commerce, ballot, but got only 60,000. we also ask that the lay-off time during which a worker can be June 148.7 July 149.3 state and county representa- They, now plan to begin another recalled be made indefinite. Suits attacking the seniority system August 150.0 September 150.7 tives, the "Pay Less" -reaction- petition drive aimed at getting are seeking to destroy the very fiber of organized labor and col- October 151.7 November 152.2 aries failed in an attempt to the proposal considered in the lective bargaining. If seniority is destroyed, minorities and fe- December 174.3 strip public employees of their 1978 election. males will be amongst those principally affected. SPEROMMS.MPAMMEMMXIM