The Washington herald., 1918-01-15
Eight Men DIseharEed.

Eight Men Discharged
Should the differences between
the company and the men fail OF
settlement other employees Of the
plant also will walk out
The eight men dismissed yesteT-
day were called one or two at q
time by company oficiaIs and dis
charged, Mr.. Johnston said. As
soon as their dismissal became gen
orally known the men Immediately
resolved to strike until their COM
panions were reinstated-
Members of the union reporting
at 4 o'clock in the afternoon refused
to start work when they learned Of
the action and the third shift ef
the day. beginning at midnight. fol-
lowed their example.
Dismissal OF the men. according 20
Mr.. Johnston, grew out OF their re-
fusal TO work Sunday unless they
were paid double time. Double-tfme
pay for Sunday and holidays has been
the rate Of pay for the men for thres
years. he said.
Recently, the men claim. the con-
pany. without explanation. reduced
this nay to time and a half. and
at a meeting OF the union held three
weeks ago a resolution declaring their
intention to refuse to work on Sun
days and holidays for less than double
rate of pay was adopted.
our men are as loyal as any you
can find" Mr.. Johnston said. They
are willing 10 work any old hours for
the government at any old time. But
we feel that when working for a COM
pany that is making a profit Gu
present stand is just"
Increase Denied.
Another grievance against the
company is held by the men. They
claim that an increase in pay was
asked for and promised by the COM
pany last november. The increase
was to go into effect the first of this
year. When the date OF the increase
arrived, Mr.. johnson said. IL was re-
fused with the explanation that the
promise Of il had been made by the
superintendent without authority.
Negotiations looking TO a settle
ment OF this dispute were under
way and settlement in sight. Mr.
Johnston said. when the action OF
the company in dismissing the men
for abiding by the action of the
union brought about the strike.
A conference with War and Nay
Department and other government
officials scheduled to take place to-
day. he said. probably would hs
held despite the strike action takca
yesterday.
He expressed confidence that the
differences between the men and
the company would be quickly ad-
justed. 81 think the company has
made a mistake. I am confident
they will see IL, and higher officials
OF the company will reverse the ac-
tion taken yesterday and reinstate
the men.
Expects Settlement.
Time and half-time pay was the
regular rate for ordinary overtime
work, Mr.. Johnston said. but for more
than three years the men have been
receiving double time for Sunday ana
holidays.
While he expects a complete settle
ment Of the differences. Mr.. Johnston
said that unless the adjustment was
quick and entirely satisfactory to the
men they would be oraera asrzy-r-r
other cities. Thousands of lnacEiuisir
and toolmakers are needed IN plants
all over the country, he. exniaincd-
Officials of the steel Company rs
fused to discuss the strike n any ~
beyond admitting that there had seen
some trouble"
The company is engaged upon con-
siderable ordnance work for the gov
ernment, il is said.