1 - American Memory

2BS
bers work under Intolerable conditions for 8 months without the right to strike
When S. 1566, the Senate version of H.B. 7189, was debated on the floor of the
Senate, Sen. John Tunney stated "In the American labor movement the right to
strike is sacred, and justifiably so. Without it American workers would not enjoy
the good wages and working conditions that prevail today. S. 1566, if passed
would seriously jeopardize that right to strike." '
I have requested that the adverse report of the Committee on Labor and Public
Welfare, United States Senate, on S. 1566, Senate Report #93-941, be included
as a part of this hearing record. It establishes that in 1971-72 when we struck
against our employers, at no time was the health, safety or welfare of the state
of Hawaii in jeopardy, and in that report we refer you to Page 92 (Excerpts from
hearings before the Merchant Marine Subcommittee, 92nd Congress, 2nd Session,
Jan. 18, 19, 20, 1972 on S. 2836, entitled "Hawaiian Public Interest Protection
Act 1971") statement of Dr. Sherrel Mark, Director, Department of Planning
and Economic Development, State of Hawaii. He said, "Considering these factors,
we see that the Hawaiian economy was able to endure the adverse impact of the
strike. Most businesses were able to make the necessary adjustments, carry on
operations : For example, use air cargo, find new sources of supply or distribution,
shorten the work week, or have employees take their vacations sooner.
"Now, maritime shipping strikes can severely disrupt the economy and inflict
hardships on particular sectors of the economy. When of long duration, they can
even lead to a complete showdown of the economy, resulting in intolerable rates
of unemployment and serious losses in revenues, incomes, and proflts. Obviously,
everything that can be done to prevent strikes should be tried. Yet, despite their
adverse impact, it is important that the principle of collective bargaining be left
intact. The operation of a private enterprise economy requires that decisions be
made in the marketplace and/or at the bargaining table, and that no side, neither
labor nor management, be forced to accept terms that are unfavorable or have
a settiement imposed because the power or possibility of a strike is diluted
through immediate, direct Federal intervention."
The above-mentioned Senate Labor Committee report states: "In short, the
Senate Labor Committee is not pursuaded that 'any dispute' In the West Coast
maritime or longshore industries 'automatically imperils the health and well
being of the people of Hawaii and the United States Pacific Islands," as stated in
S. 1566. Accordingly, it cannot support legislation of this type."
The proponents of this Bill are asking for exceptional privileges. They are
requesting that the state of Hawaii be guaranteed by Federal law that they
will never be afTected by strike action of any kind where commerce to or from
the Islands is concerned, certainly for 8 months. This, of course, enhances the
position of the two steamship companies, Matson Navigation Company and The
United States Lines, which are engaged in commerce to and from the state of
Hawaii. This type of regional injuncttve powers under Federal control has al-
ways been opposed by the entire labor movement. S. 1566 was opposed by the
National AFT/-CIO. the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the United
Automobile Workers, the AFL-CTO M'>ritime Committee and the AFL-CIO Mari-
time Trades Department, in addition to our opposition.
We urge. Chairman Dingell, that this Committee reject this legislation In
the interest of free collective bargaining.
MATSON NAVIOATION CO.,
Washington, D.C., September 27, i974.
Hon. JOHN JASMAN.
Chairman, Bouse Subcommittee on Transportation and Aeronautics,
Washington, B.C.
DEAK MR. CHAIRMAN : I submit the following statement on behalf of Matson
Navigation Company in support of H.R. 7189 and request that the statement be
made a part of the hearing record.
Matson is a common carrier of property by water and has operated as such
in the U.S. Pacific Coast-Hawaii trade for 92 years: In April of this year Matson
extended its common carrier container operations to Include the U.S. Pacific
Coast-Guam trade. In both instances it operates a dedicated service in the sense
that its ves.sels and operation's are concerned soley with providing the ocean
transportation n»eds of Hawaii nnd Guam without involvement in other trades.
Its total operation Involves a full range of container services for general com-