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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1982)
Monday, October 25, 1982 Daily Nebraskan Page 3 Management, labor discuss compromise By Pat Higgins Management and labor must be more willing to compromise during negotia tions, according to representatives of both groups. Union and management leaders squared off at the second annual Delta Sigma Phi debate at the College of Business Administration Friday morning. Because of the current economic climate and foreign competition, both sides agreed that survival of the organi zation and job security are the key issues. , "We have to recognize that both sides have mutual interests. We have to break away from the old pattern of confrontation and recognize that the organization has to continue to exist and that people need jobs," said Leeta Mackey, personnel staff supervisor for the Lincoln Telephone Company. In the automobile industry, new contracts have been negotiated that involve unions giving back certain bene fits because of the weakness of the in dustry. Local union representatives disa greed with the necessity of these con cessions. "The only time that unions should give concessions is if it is an essential means of getting the industry on its feet. The problem is that financially sound companies are trying to take advantage of the economy," said Arlie Heald. Heald, the business representative of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 265, said a "unionbusting" climate is being encouraged by a group called the Business Round table, which is made up of major corporations. "The true desire of these moguls of the Business Roundtable is to create a union-free environment. This is shades of Poland," Heald said. Mike Bruggeman, personnel director of Square D Co., said that he was of fended by the reference to Poland. He said he had been a union member when he worked at a slaughterhouse, so he understands working people's attitudes. '"Unlike Poland, we have the free enterprise system which allows us to make progress." Bruggeman said "When corporations organize politically, they are doing what unions have done all along with political action committees." Lloyd Worley, president of Lincoln Central Labor Union, said an atmosphere of trust must be established before concessions can be made. Management has told labor representatives that cer tain items were not profit-making, when in fact they are, he said. "We've had experiences where manage ment has continually told us that they weren't making money and then lo and behold, we find out that they were," Worley said. Gilbert Laws, president of the United Rubber Workers 286, said that the union has a good working relationship with Goodyear because the union and manage ment at Goodyear have learned to co operate. "Management has finally realized that the employees know something about their job so they listen to us. If labor and management can cooperate in Japan why can't we? If given equal opportunity, no other country in the world can equal the American worker," Laws said. W ji e li I ft 3 LJ LjnuTTujV 1kfl slRi5Mi:n r 2 i0niii m 2 I U-i M I fh Ate mil ;C1 1 HP-33C Program- 491ine sofWV conditional keys. 8 .., memories. 1 10.00 ' 1 oft M X i 1JCJ 1 1' II -n mitt CiOMtttf cuoaettedUW m CD OCT i m a " 1 Nov3"- Bch0,?cSltcH Feature linage caw)wflow,-,gn HP's un.QUj, c" YOu vt convention W nhand1' simultaneously- sec! features of ,'Solves routine 8 ot more power .t nd$ophKnf.W No previous the touch ;'xpenence programming" 20 necessary, ?'"Cae req.sters Pus .ddreswi- Une$. cq.oO jt &C ... tinllOO T,.'1ud.o370 TlJ..--t data Storav '."""'TJ.t. editing. '?le:u. oels. And "Vkt Price Suggest $ AbOOO Nov, $9000 (30 l m 12 2k HEWLETT PACKARD Open Monday-Friday, 8-S 30. Saturday 9-5 30 1 2th A R Streets In Urvcoln Center 476-0111 i -4 1