The Reduction of Tension in the Plant
Alvin W. Gouldner · 2025
After several weeks of negotiations between the Company and the union a settlement was finally reached which the workers accepted. The strike was ended on the basis of the following terms which were incorporated in a memorandum of understanding: “(a) Spiedman will finish his job (at the plant in another city to which he had been sent during the strike) before returning to Oscar Center. This will require at least three to four weeks, (b) Upon his return [he] will have to work through top [plant] management rather than superseding management.” “(a) Ferdinand will be put in charge of mine development, air, and water problems, etc. (b) He will not be in charge of a production gang.” “(a) The union and the Company will get together to work out a practical understanding concerning foremen working.” (b) The arrangement later agreed upon specified that management was not to run the board machinery faster than related machinery allowed. That is, management was to install new take-off and other machinery, so that the speed of the board machine would not be greater than that of other machinery into which it fed lath. “All union stewards will be required to get the permission of their foreman before leaving his department.”