I 



CHAPTER XI 

 Collective Bargaining 



Every trade union finds it necessar}^ to devise methods to 

 enforce its rules. The most usual of such methods is that 

 of collective bargaining.^ This method of enforcement is 

 supplemented in some unions by the bojxott,* and the union 

 label.^ The two latter devices have been unimportant in 

 the iron and steel industry. 



Developments in the method of collective bargaining in 

 the iron and steel industry have moved pari passu with 

 changes in the area governed by uniform prices. As pointed 

 out in a previous chapter,* the extent of territory over 

 which the standard rate of wages is binding has been grad- 

 ually enlarged. 



The Iron and Steel Workers were the first union in the 

 country to introduce a system of regular annual conferences 

 at which joint agreements are made between employers and 

 employed. These agreements cover both wages and the 

 conditions of employment. The system of joint agreements 

 in the iron trade had its beginning in a joint conference 

 resulting in an agreement covering the wages for puddling 

 in 1865. The puddlers had frequently made demands upon 



^ Legal enactment has played an inconspicuous role in the enforce- 

 ment of the demands of the Iron and Steel Workers. 



2 The boycott has been tried by the Amalpamated on several occa- 

 sions (National Labor Tribune, April 17, 1886, p. i, col. 5; Novem- 

 ber 17. 1888, p. 4, col. i; Proceedings, 1888, p. 2357; 1906. p. 7554), 

 but this weapon has never been important in the successful outcome 

 of any conflict. 



'The association adopted a union label in 1905 (Proceedings, 1905, 

 p. 7442). It was used by two companies — the Champion Horse Shoe 

 Company, of Pawtucket, R. L, and the Kansas City Nut and Bolt 

 Company, of Kansas City, Mo. The adoption of the label did not 

 bring as gratifying results as its advocates anticipated. The product 

 of iron and steel mills is sold to individuals belonging to the employ- 

 ing class, who are not attracted by the label. 



* Chapter vi. 



1.^8 



