Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-08
CITY EMPLOYEES
TALK OF STRIKE
Association Members Dis
pleased at Report They
Get No Bonus Increase.
MEET AGAIN WEDNESDAY

Several hundred District govern
ment employees, members of the City
Employees Association, plan to go out
on strike II the Commissioners do not
give them the additional bonus of
1920 to be paid government workers
for the fiscal year beginning July L.
This statement was made last night
by Joseph H. Hurley, president Of the
s4eSsk 49, -.psess.ss.--,. - q
meeting of the association was
held last night at fhe Perpetual
Building Association hall. The re-
port that the men would not receive
the added pay was discussed, with
the result that it was decided to call
mass meeting Of all the emp1oves
for Wednesday night at the o Street
Armory.
Short Strike Last Summer.
II a strike is called, 1t will not he
the first of" its kind in Washington.
Municipal employees under Mr.. Hur-
ley's leadership. walked out for a few
hours last summer over a wage differ
ence with the Commissioners. which
was adjusted through mediation by
the Department of Labor.
In the present case. the District
wage board has recommended to the
Commissioners that the basic rates of
1on7
borers be reduced in order to absorb
the 1920 additional bonus to be paid
after July 1. The board claims that
this is contemplated for this class of
employees in the act of Congress grant
ing the additional pay. The purpose
is to make the basic rates, after the
total bonus of $40 has been absorbed
by them. comparable to rates paid for
similar service on the outside.
This procedure was followed by the
board for the current year, when
basic rates were reduced to account
for the existing bonus of $120. It is
planned to repeat the performance
for next year. The employees would
receive the same as they are now re-
ceiving.
May Sustain Wage Board.
But the employees, Notwithstanding
they are working under this plan at
present. can't see the justice of it for
next year Mr.. Hurley already has
had the matter up with the Commits
sioners He acquired the impression
that the Commissioners would sustain
the recommendation of the wage
board. Hence. last nights meeting
was called to consider ways and
means of meeting the situation.
The laborers case Is different from
that Of about 800 per diem men, who
were transferred from statutory to
a per diem basis during the war in
order that they might be given more
pay.
The wage board takes the position
that these men. by reason Of the limi-
tations of expenditure for their class
comparable with the rates paid an
nual employees. The board, therefore,
recommends that they continue to
draw their per diem pay and be given
the full bonus Of $40 in addition.
Talks Of Arbitration.
Regarding the complaint of the
laborers, Mr.. Hurley last night said
that before a strike is called the
matter will be taken up with officials
Of the Department Of Labor. !
I'VE will not take drastic action"
he said, unless we find that we can
not get results by other means.
THE men in the street cleaning de-
partment." he continued. who were
laid off because Of lack of funds
showed their public spirit when they
came out the day before Easter Sun
day, many Of them at a loss Of S. and
Sc, and cleaned the streets of the city.
Now, when they should have this
bonus, 1t is to be denied them"