Constructive Policies of Labor Relations

• Author: Alexander R. Heron
• Published date: 01 March 1951
• Date: 01 March 1951
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/000271625127400124
• Subject Matter: Articles

Constructive Policies of Labor Relations
By ALEXANDER R. HERON
CONSTRUCTIVE policies in labor they differ as widely as the concept of
relations are not the statements of
physical health differs from the technical
a carefully prepared document, adopted
rules of the prize-fight ring. The neces-
by a board of directors and circulated
sary concept of labor relations is one
to all employees and to the public.
which comprehends the whole field, and
They may be expressed in such a docu-
minimizes the emphasis on conflicts or
ment, or they may not. They cannot
contracts.
be created by such a document, or given
The second step toward constructive
the permanent status of the Ten Com-
results is the appraisal of any policy in
mandments.
They are the current
terms of content, not in terms of the
measure of a process of evolution, grow-
group or agency which conceived or
ing out of the experiences of the years.
proposed it. To be truly constructive,
The evolution is not complete, but will
policies must be accepted in some meas-
continue forever. The policies of today
ure by all parties who exercise power in
must not only have their roots in the
the field of labor relations. The policies
experiences of the past, but they must
of an enlightened employer cannot be
be able to grow with the experiences of
effectively constructive if they are op-
the future.
posed or thwarted by lack of vision and
A discussion of these policies may
understanding on the part of union
properly assume that certain standards
officials or government officials. The
of conduct are fully in effect. Many
policies of many local and national un-
of these standards may be classified as
ions are essentially constructive but are
policies. They may be policies of ex-
denied expression by the resistance of
pediency or of ethics or of tradition,
short-sighted employers, legislators, or
but they are not necessarily construc-
government agencies. Constructive pol-
tive.
These would include the con-
icies set forth in laws and government
ventional policies involving reasonable
regulations have been smothered in the
wages, hours and working conditions,
emotional resistance of employers or
union recognition and collective bar-
leaders of labor unions.
gaining in good faith, and basic fairness.
A third fundamental need in achiev-
The first approach to constructive
ing truly constructive policies is the ac-
policies in labor relations is the accept-
ceptance by all parties of the fact that
ance of a concept which goes beyond the
labor relations are relations between
field of collective bargaining. Both the
people, not between organizations. The
concept of policies and the concept of
recognition of the identity and import-
labor relations reach beyond the field of
ance of each human being is as essential
dealing with unions as such. They re-
here as in the operations of democracy
quire perspective which reduces the rel-
or religion. This means that the em-
ative importance of collective bargain-
ployer cannot consider himself primarily
ing techniques. Constructive policies of
as a member of the employer class or of
labor relations differ from the techniques
some association. He cannot look upon
of collective bargaining, contract ad-
those who receive wages through him
ministration, and grievance procedures;
as &dquo;labor&dquo; or &dquo;the work...