AFL-CIO claims legal duty for unions to get best pay

Unions have a legal duty under federal labor law to seek the best possible wage settlement for their members, regardless of government guidelines, the AFL-CIO's executive council stressed at its spring meeting in Washington this week, Monitor correspondent Ed Townsend reports. General economic conditions, more than an official restraint policy, determine the outcome of contract negotiations, LAne Kirkland, President of AFL- CIO, said.