Show nABS BABSON'S ONS ON'S a AUTHENTIC STATEMENT ST A TE-MENT TE poser w V Special to THE EXPRESS RESS Strikes kes Affecting Public Weil Being I Babson Park Mass August 25 Peculiar counter countercurrents currents j jare are in play in today's stream I of labor events Moving in one direction is the growing deter deter- determination of workers even in infields infields fields that affect the public we wel fare to g t more money and wider benefits regardless of whether it will mean paralyzing strikes to achieve these ends Against this tide is developing an Increasing Impatience on the part of business and citizens generally strong strong enough to snag the attention of our legis- legis legislators legislators and them to action El Election Veal Reluctance The fact that this i 1 a C onal gressional cle election tion year has been th reason for the limited and wary type of action taken by the lawmakers In Washing ton But sharp proof of the na na- na national concern over ups tie that injure the public g well as aswell wen well as business lies In the fact that so many of our legislators crucial year when the labor on the air strike during this did respond to a call caU for a curb vote can determine many a cloe doe Congressional contest Once next falls fall's voting is out of the way it is our opinion that both houses will give fresh committee attention to formu I hating a general measure that will protect us against the in- in intense in tense inconvenience and dis- dis discomfiture of scale large pro pro- prolonged longed service public walkouts This does not mean menn that labors labor's fundamental right to strike will willbe willbe be curtailed Rather economy economy- crushing shutdowns will be mace less possible and less necessary genuine coll col- collective bargaining will continue to receive encouragement Tough Gel Attitude Gaining Ground It is not difficult to see why Congress is likely be mor more disposed to reasoned con than In the past The New York City transit strike which was illegal spurred roll mil lions of local residents to an anger and frustration that did not go unnoticed by President Johnson and the Congress The airline strike and Its almost endless repercussions on busI- busI busInesses businesses nesses large larga and small through throughout out the country as well as its vast impact on individual travel and prearranged vacations went farther than even the un ions wanted Labor leaders thought they had n a settlement then the rank and file of the mechanics and ground service workers refused to accept the package this is another reflection of the sharp determination of the workers themselves to get bigger pay envelopes end and more fringe benefitS benefit while the bloom is still on the tha boom It is showing up mOre and more among em- em employees In lines that have the greatest effect on the public such as hospitals state and city services transportation farms and utilities Congressmen may feel In 1967 that the time has come to shield their from unwieldy or illicit labor impasses PlY Pay Demands Will Not Ole Die Down Whatever happens next year in terms of such labor legisla legisla- legislation tion the drive for higher wage rates and fringe will wUl strong for the remainder of 1966 1960 and 1907 Employers are arc afraid of exaggerated advances in bas is ic labor costs but in many many in stances thEy would prefer refer to give workers what they want rather than risk walkouts while demand is high for virtually all products Smart management officials know of course that the business skies are not al- al always al- al always ways as blue as they are now At least they haven't been beell in inthe inthe the past But its it's easier to give in on worker demands when profits have been on the climb for over five years Despite the lesson of the air line stoppage and its warning repercussions in Congress a lot lotof of strikes will be seen over the ahead There are trig trig- lOf happy gee conditions emerging in quite a number of important industries There could be at least token trouble for instance in telephones trucking rail roads oil and electrical ma ma- ma machinery chinery Success of the grape grape- growers in California may en en- en encourage courage more union action on I farms in some ome Southeast states I |