South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-05-27
MEDIATION BOARD GIVES UP
ATTEMPT TO SETTLE STRIKE
Report of Board
ToPeople of City
onStrikeHe
To the People Of south Bend

To the People of South Bend.
The undersigned constitute
board Of mediation and concilia-
ton. appointed by Gov. Goodrich,
with instructions 10 try and bring
about a settlement of the strike on
the Chicago. South Bend and North
ern Indiana railway (South Bend
city division).
When the board arrived at South
Bend Wednesday afternoon, May 23,
il found, after several conferences,
that the differences radiated from
several heads, to-wit:
LIST. Recognition OF the union.
2d. scale Of wages.
Sd. Conditions under which men
should return.
4th. Working conditions.
a matter not precisely collateral
with the above, but a matter of SUI
regarded by both sides as funda-
mental. concerned the validity or
invalidity of a supposed contract
which all employees were required
20 sign at the time of its execution
some three years ago. and which
each new employe was required
thereafter 10 sign before he could
enter the service OF the company.
In the various conferences the is
sue raised by this contract was dis
cussed but there was no agreement.
The board regards this issue as one
that can be determined only in the
-, Of to Sc
on H.
In regard to the first point in con-
troversy. the company refused TO
recognize the union. or to enter in
to any negotiations, if such negO-
tiations involved the consideration
Of the recognition Of the union.
The employees conceded this
point.
In regard to the second point. the
first proposal of the employees was
for an increase in the scale of
wages. The proposed scale started
at % cents per hour, and through
gradations rose to 80 cents per
hour after two years of service.
4 later and the final proposal or
the employees was for 23 cents an
hour for beginners and rising
through gradations TO IS cents
per hour after two years of service.
The company refused to modify
its advertised rates. which begin at
22 cents per hour and rise through
gradations to 81 cents per hour
after four years Of service. These
rates are AN increase Of cents per
hour over the rates that were in
force when the men went on strike.
A later and final proposal by the
company was an offer TO submit TO
their directors. at a meeting to be
held at indianapolis on May 20. the
subject of a raise OF l cent per hour
over the advertised scale. This
proposal was on condition that the
men would concede all other points
chen i'm dispute. The officials of the
/ company, however, refused to rec
ommend this increase, but agreed
under the condition indicated. 10
submit il without prejudice.
The proposals Of the employees
were rejected by the company. and
:he proposals of the company were
declined by the employers
In regard TO the third point. the
employees requested a grievance
committee Of three members TO be
chosen from among the employees
/ bv them The company refused this
REQUEST. but consented TO a srieN-
ance committee of three members.
4 to be chosen from along the en-
ployes by the company
The two parties declined each
I others proposal
! Tn regard to the fourth point. the
company accepted the proposals OF
/ the employees with certain eNcep'
/ tons These included;
| LIST Double time for slow work
ID. Time and quarter for over
time
Sd. Extra pay for training stu
dents
4th. seniority as to choice Of
! runs
The employees later withdrew
their demands in regard TO the hrs'
/ three Of the above exceptions
Ii will he observed that the chiet
points OF contention between the
! two parties in controversy were the
recognition of the union and the
/ increase in the wage scale. lnso-
much as the employees conceded
I that the union should not De rec
ocnized. il is the unanimous opln
ION OF this board. present HNlns
conditions considered. that the com
pany should have granted the re-
quest OF the employees as TO vases
/ The public will bear in mind tha'
this board has no power 10 enforce
its findings. Ii is not an aroitra
ton board. IL is merely board OF
mediation and Cancellation. Under
the law il could go no further than
leo try 70 brinx the two parties "a
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