IN DECEMBER 1960, President Eisenhower established, at
the joint request of the nation's railways and the five unions representing
the some 250,000 workers who operate the trains, a Presidential Railroad
Commission. This Commission was composed of representatives of the railway
unions and carriers, designated by them, and public members appointed by
the President. On March 5, 1961, I appointed Judge Simon H. Rifkind to
be chairman of the Commission. By the mutual and voluntary agreement
of the parties, the Commission was charged with the duty to study the dispute
in the railroad industry over work rules and practices and to submit to
the President and to the parties a report of its findings and recommendations
for the amicable settlement of the dispute.
Today, I have received the report
of the Commission. It represents more than a year's work, during which,
I am informed, over 15,500 pages of oral testimony was given before the
Commission, and more than 300 exhibits filed with it. In addition, special
studies were made for the Commission by its staff and by outside experts.
The work of the Commission represents an exhaustive study of the relations
between the railroads and their operating employees.
As provided for in the memorandum
of agreement entered into between the parties in October 1960, the report
is remanded to them for their appropriate consideration. Under the terms
of their agreement, this report is not an arbitration award. Rather it
is a study by men who have conscientiously tried to ascertain the facts
as they exist and to make recommendations based on these facts. It is now
up to the parties themselves to consider these recommendations and, as
they have agreed, to enter into immediate and expeditious collective bargaining
over the issues which remain in dispute. I believe the report will be useful
in this task.
The good offices of the National
Mediation Board and the Secretary of Labor are available to help the parties
reach agreement.
I cannot point out too strongly
that while the carriers and the unions have great responsibilities to their
respective interests they have an overriding responsibility to the national
interest to provide the most efficient and safe rail transportation possible.
I know that both sides agree with me that in serving the national interest
first they serve their own interest best.
The railroads and their employees
are important national assets which we must conserve. Their survival as
a healthy industry and an outstanding work force vital to our economy depends
to a large extent upon their cooperative ability to modernize and improve
their services and practices in the face of increasing competition from
other means of transportation. In doing this, the human aspect of the equation
must not be overlooked.
The railroad industry is a conspicuous
illustration of the problem of changing technology. While seeking ways
in which to reap the benefits of advancing technology, it is necessary
at the same time to preserve basic human interests.
These demands - service to the
public, modernization of the industry, protection of the legitimate rights
of the workers - are the basic issues that lie on the bargaining table.
I am sure that the mature wisdom of both parties, experienced as they are
through many years of labor-management relations, can resolve these issues
sensibly and amicably.
I commend the members of the
Commission for their diligent efforts on the report they have submitted.
The report contains the unanimous views of the public members, the dissenting
views of the labor members and the supplemental views of the carriers.
I am sure that it represents the sincere views of the various parties.
I especially wish to extend my personal thanks and appreciation to Judge
Simon H. Rifkind, the Commission chairman, for devoting his time and energies
to the work of the Commission and for bringing his great competence and
integrity to bear on its operation. Judge Rifkind has rendered another
fine contribution to his already outstanding record of public service.