Harmonious union management relations are essential to a productive society. But where management leans over backwards to...

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TOO HOT TO HANDLE

Harmonious union management relations are essential to a productive society. But where management leans over backwards to preserve the peace by acquiescing to the illegal demands of corrupt unions, the cost to both the consumer and the individual workman is excessive. The industrial relation laws must be written so as to preserve the delicate balance of power that will ensure equal benefits to society. The Landrum-Griffin Bill seems to have been effective in eliminating some of the more glaring loopholes. In connection with this bill and the companion effort to stamp out racketeers in labor's house, the names of McClellan and Kennedy ring a familiar note. The name of Desmond Barry is less familiar, but he is perhaps the man most responsible for the prohibition of hot cargo clauses--the weapon used by the Teamsters to force trucking companies into union contracts not petitioned for by the employees. This book presents his story of his lone-man fight with that powerful union. It is the story of a courageous and determined man. He writes bluntly and spares few feelings. As a result, there are many who will disagree with his analysis of the problem; much of what he says is subject to strong disagreement by readers who hold a different political philosophy. But there is no question but that this is an important contribution to industrial history. The author had the advantage of describing a personal experience. He speaks from first hand knowledge. Such a case study is becoming extremely fashionable at American universities, and for students of industrial relations it is probably required reading.

Pub Date: Nov. 2, 1962

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doublday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 1962

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