Madison.com: What we said ... 40 years ago: Bargaining must be balanced

[Omaha Steve]

http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_7b1abe6a-5294-11e0-8c1f-001cc4c03286.html

Posted: Sunday, March 20, 2011 6:45 am

The following Wisconsin State Journal editorial was published on March 19, 1971:

Collective bargaining is on trial this year, and for good reason.


The 1970s marked a turbulent time in the tug-of-war between labor unions and management, as marked by this meat cutters' strike. File photo


Labor Secretary James D. Hodgson has noted "a growing disillusionment in bargaining and a growing pressure to make it more responsive to the needs of the times" ... by avoiding "excessive wage settlements as a hedge against inflation."

Those are fighting words, of course, to militant labor leaders.

There seems to be little sentiment for moderating wage demands... despite the cooled off economy, unemployment, and some reduction in inflation.

The most obvious conflict between labor intentions and the reality of industrial trouble is in the aerospace industry. Union leaders concede the industry is depressed. One official, however, said, "It's a problem of pressures in the kitchen. Workers having a hard time paying the prices of inflation need more money." Wage gains... earlier have eroded.

FULL story at link.

[Scuba]

1. As is well documented here too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVoP5SvqJVo