The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-22
METAL WORKERSARE CONTINUING STRIKE FOR INCREASED PAY AND SHORTER HOURS Tennessee Company Men Are Said to Have Gone
 Out Yesterday Under
 Protest
FEW PLANTS IN THE
 CITY PROPER ARE [ FEELING THE EFFECT
Courts Yesterday Granted Request to Have Plant W0rkmen Excused
 From Jury Duty

The strike of the union machinists and metal workers, which was called here Wednesday afternoon at , o'clock, continues and statements will not be issued by either party to the controversy. It is estimated, how ever, that approximately 5000 were affected by the strike regulations and are now idle pending settlement of the difficulties.
 From information gathered yester- day it appears that the only disagree ment between the machinists and the owners is that of the eight-hour day, holiday and overtime labor.
 The same pay is demanded for the eight-hour day that is now being paid for the g, 10 and 11-hour days, and in ad- dition time and one-half for all over time with double pay for Sunday and holiday work.
 ENSLEY STEEL PLANT
 That HOO machinists, pattern makers, the plants of the Tennessee company at Ensley have struck against their will, following the order of their union, is the report of citizens of Ensley and those employed at these plants, who freely dis cuss the situation.
 It is estimated that there are 5000 men idle in the district, following the order of the Metal Workers Council on Wednesday, when a strike was ordered in Of ba of ha low to recognize their demands.
 Few plants in Birmingham proper are seriously affected by the action of the men in calling the strike but it Is stated that at Ensley. in some of the plants of the Tennessee company, it is doubt full if they will operate full capacity un- less at least some of the men return to work. At the big Ensley steel plant it is stated that only one electrician Fairfield plant all of the electricians struck. but other classes of workmen did not strike, giving as their reason the fact that they were not strong ly enough organized to call strike and carry it through.
 MACHINISTS OPPOSED STRIKE
 The machinists employed at the big steel plant at Ensley, it is understood, voted 80 to 15 in favor of not striking, but were forced to accede to the de- mands of their union and accordingly called the strike.
 At the by-product plant at Fairfield it is reported that one-half of the machn- ists struck; at the American Steel and Wire company's mill 35 machinists struck, while the electricians did not strike. It is stated that the coal supply at this plant is short, and that relief in this di- rection is being sought
 None of the Tennessee company of ficials at Ensley would give out any statement as to how many men were out with the strikers, but they all expressed the opinion that the plants would con- tinue to operate as usual, and that they had no doubts to the contrary.
 Several meetings were held in Birming- ham at Machinists hall yesterday A large number of striking machinists and metal workers were seen about the entrance to the hall, congregated in bunches talking over the strike.
 It is stated by the union men that full ly 3000 men are out. and that they will not return to work until they get their demand for an eight-hour day with nine hours pay. and overtime holiday and Sunday increases.
 FARLEY ON THE GROUND
 William R. Fairley of the department of labor at Washington is Investigating the situation for Secretary of Labor Wilson.
 The Woodward Iron company request ed the courts to release men on juries for work in the plants yesterday and the request was immediately complied with. One or two of the larger plants had mo- tices posted yesterday that any employe desiring to quit work would be given his time and wages due upon application.