United Automobile Worker

Tories Draft Bill
to Cripple Labor

The wartime restrictions under which organized labor has worked during the war period will be made permanent if a bill, described as the Federal Industrial Relations Act, is passed by Congress.

Drafted by a group of corporation attorneys and introduced by three reactionary Senators, the bill would, among other things:

1. Wreck the Wagner Act.

2. Wipe out the right to strike.

3. Permit courts again to hamstring unions through injunction orders, which they are now prohibited from doing by the Norris-LaGuardia anti-injunction act.

4. Practically outlaw the union shop.

5. Completely deprive millions of workers in small firms of 20 or less employees from rights guaranteed by the Wagner Act.

6. Permit the levying of heavy fines and jail terms on workers exercising their constitutional union rights.

No person representing labor was consulted in the drafting of the act, although its sponsors and supporters piously declare that it is intended to help labor.

Numerous Congressmen have spoken out against the bill, as have other public-minded citizens, and it is predicted that it will have tough going in Congress.

Nevertheless, it is significant as an indication of how the Tory mind is working as the war nears its close.