The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-15
AUTOMATIC OPERATORS

Local Western Union executives admit ted that they had had two more auto matic operators to strike, but had all ready replaced them with three more who had reported for work yesterday morning. They also claim that the re- frsal of the railway operators to handle their business, in the small towns where they have no offices, does not materially delay their traffic or cause them much inconvenience.
 Members of the local Association of Western Union employees an organization which has been working for the Western Union Telegraph and Cable company both before and after the recent general strike of the Commercial Telegraph Union of America against that company, claim that the strikers have misrepresented their organization to the public.
 PRESIDENT DUNN SPEAKS
 President Dunn of the local chapter of the A. W. E., when interviewed by an Age-HeraId reporter. said:
 ''The Western Union does not object to organization of it's employees, but on the other hand, they encourage it. The company does object to the affiliation of it's employees with outside labor organiza- tions of which the c. T. U. A. Is associa- ted and who use the strike weapon as a means of settling disputes and grievances. The A. w. E. was organized one year ago and recognized as it's association of employees It has over 24,0O0 members ir good standing and is today one of the largest labor organizations in the Unitr ed States.
 "They have the right of collective bar gaining.
 They have an eight hour day
 "They have time and half for over time.
 how ftun yUa vaNQfiOn pay each year
 They have double pay on all the prin- cipal holidays.
 "They have sick benefits, death bene- fits and life insurance.
 "Their typewriters are furnished them by the company.
 "They have full confidence that they will have many other concessions through conference and agreement between the officers of their union. They also have the profit sharing plan in which every employe with three months service par ticipates.
 RECEIVE INCREASE "At a conference between the associa- tion and the Western Union in Septem- Der of 1918, it was agreed that they should receive 10 per cent increase in salaries retroactive to August 1st of the same 1 year. Postmaster General Burleson dit grant this increase in January, 1919, but did not feel justified in using funds dur | ing the supervision of the government fol | expenditures of the Western Union in Au gust and September or before the gov ernment assumed control. Now that tho | Western Union has assumed control ol the wires they will live up to their agree ment with the association and give tho | employees this back pay from August til | January. representing five months bact pay at 10 per cent increase on their gross | earnings.
 Why should we leave our position! when we have been given every consider , ation that could be asked for and whicf i includes insurance benefits. death bene fits and a pension after we have passed /, tho period of usefulness in this world ?
 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED | At a meeting of the striking telegraph and telephone employees held in Birming ham June 12, the following resolutions were adopted, but were not made public by local union officials until last night | 'Whereas, the arbitrary, autocratic ant slave driving policy pursued by Alber | S. Buleson, postmaster general or tn United States, toward the employees O the telegraph and telephone compa.ie of America has caused said employees t enter upon a strike as protest agains inc autocratic and discriminatory tactic prrsued by said companies with tn knowledge and approval of vaid Burle son and in violation of the expresse
 wishes of the President of the Unite States, and;
 "Whereas, Postmaster General Burle son las recently increased the telegraph and telephone rates all over the Unite States approximately 30 per cent owe pre- existing tolls. and;
 "Whereas, Postmaster General Burle son tries to justify said increase as be ing necessary to pay increased wages t isaid employees when as matter of fac the increases allowed amount to no
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