The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-11-23
TO the Public and all Shop
Employees, Rock Island Lines:

In view OF the rumors of an i'm
pending strike Of the shop EN-
ployes OF the Rock Island Lines,
and recognizing the right OF the
public 10 have full information on
question that involves its wei.
fare, as well as one which involves
the surrender TO a committee OF
employees the right TO say in what
manner the corporation shall per.
form its service to the public. the
following statement IS submitted.
The policy OF the company has
always been one OF airness toward
its employees, Ii has withheld re.
trenchment OF forces as long as
possible. Il has always paid wages
equal 10 those OF contiguous lines.
It's men have always served under
working rules and conditions as
favorable as those OF contiguous
lines.
in view of these facts and the
present business conditions OF the
country this company could not
consider anything that contemplate
ed an increase in its expenses, and
the General Committee OF Shop
Employees, at the beginning OF the
conferences. over four months ago,
were fairly advised OF this.
But, Notwithstanding that notice,
the above committee insisted upon
pressing negotiations that finally
terminated November ID, 1911.
Briefly. the issues mon which
the employees committee justify q
strike are as follows;
l. They demand that the pay.
nent OF five hours minimum over.
time shall commence one hour
earlier than at present
The company declines This. bee
cause OF increased expense, with no
compensating return.
II. They demand that any EN-.
pioye called to work overtime shall
"be released upon completion Of
the job called or held for, unless
other emergency work arises which
requires immediate attention and
he is the only man OF his craft on
duty"
The company declines this, be-
cause OF Increased expense, and for
the reason that man is given
minimum OF five hours pay If he
works a9ter six A. NJ. or P. NJ. The
has a right to the use OF
the man for the time paid. even
though the JOB for which he is call
ID may not consume all Of that
-ime.
H. They demand that laying OF
md employing men shall be gov
.rned exclusively by seniority.
The company declines this. for
he reason that its schedules with
lli other employees provide thar
lbillty Of the individual shall be
aiken into consideration in employ
ng and promoting men and in re-
Iucing orces.
u Is the duty OF the company 10
reat ali employees alike and to give
II fair and equal consideration, 10
he end that the most efficient
'QnEHA anu LiAA-1AL " va hAlNA CAAtA
ie given STEADY employment, and
or the further reason that If forces
we're TO be reduced in the manner
by the employees it would
iermit them TO indicate those 10 be
aid Off. thereby prohibiting tue
ou 9any from ridding the service
( the less desirable employees, and
bus embarrassing II in lis efforts
or economical operation
" They demand that only
running repair" work be done
,hen shops are closed; that time &
nd one.hatf be paid TO men en-
loyed - regular hours, when shops
re closed. upon miscellaneous re
airs to locomotives or cars, OF
pon what is commonly known as
tead' work.
Tie company declines this. be
iuse OF increased expense which
Ould result from an idle force o
lch men, a greater part % the
me, as are necessary 20 be en-
Ioytd IN keeping nn running re-
lirs when shops are closed, and
.clined for the further reason that