from Financial Times 2/9/63
The use of compulsory arbitration to settle the labour dispute on the railways is regarded in Vashington as the most significant development in labour— management relations since the gnactment of the Taft-[artley Bill, Last week's action by Congress, which was largely overshadowed by the civil rights march, was unprecendented. ven though the arbitration panel will be limited to the consideration of the two most controversial issues in tho dispute = the use of firemen on freight and yard diesel engines and tho size of train crews -— the need for compulsory arbitration in any form is seen as a serious blow to the collective bargaining aysten,
Thé measure finally adopted by Congress was considerably stronger than President Kennedy's origmal suggestion, which would have required the Interstate Commerce Commission to arbitrate the issues on an interim basis, Congress provided for a seven-man pansl: the unions and the employers will appoint two members each and these four will then pick 3 neutral mombers, Its doliboerations will begin within a month of the Bill's signature, tho panel has 60 days to rench its decisioi. and the decisions will take effect within 60 days thereafter, The Bill expiras after 180 days from onactment.
There are fears, however, that the dispute will be back in the hands of the Government after these 140 days havo passed. For many of the secondary issues not coverad by compulsory arbitration and intended to be settled by normal bargaining procedures may prove intractable. These issues include the employers! demand for greater freedom to use road crews for yard work, manning requirements for selepropelled trains, and the revision of the pay structure based on a combination of time worked and miles travelled. If bargaining on these issues breaks “down, yet -nothor emergency will be created and Congress may have to step in sgains The Administration hopes, however, that the limited application of compulsory arbitration will be sufficient warning to the two parties to ensure that collective bargaining is made to work.