Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-12
MIDVALE AWARD
DISPLEASES MEN
Machinists' Leader Will
Appeal From War Labor
Board Decision
BENEFITS FEW. HE SAYS
Minimum Wage Given Only
One Shop, Which Reduces
Force. He Asserts
BENEFITS FEW. HE SAYS

William kelton, Philadelphia head OF
the Machinists' International Associa-
tlon, said this afternoon he would ap-
peal from the war labor boards decision
in the case of the Midvale steel Com
pany's Nicetown plant. as reported to-
day from Chicago.
The decision was announced by former
President Taft, chairman OF the board,
and followed extended hearings OF rep
resentatives of the men and their em-
ployers. It provides equal pay for men
and women doing the same kind OF
work, basic eight-hour day, the right
Of collective bargaining, minimum
hourly wages and retroactive pay where
the employees have received less than
the scale established by the award.
Mr. Kelton's objection TO the award
lies in the fact that the minimum wage
scale applies 10 only one shop, No. {.
He said he considered this unfair and
undemocratic.
"The men presented their case last
October" said Mr.. Ke,ton. THE board
heard witnesses on both sides and me
chanics and employers were represented
by counsel
William II. Johnston, international
president of the Machinists' Interna-
tional Association, represented mo at
Chicago Yesterday when the decision
was handed down. l have not yet re-
celved a copy Of the official award.
Rejected Award
"Basng my judgment upon the report
OF it telegraphed TO the Philadelphia
newspapers from Chicago, however, !
wish to say that IL is unsatisfactory to
us.
THE award made was the identical
award which I rejected last week in
Washington when the case was up be-
fore the board. The men will refuse
even TO listen unless the award includes
all the employees of the plant.
1T is unfair to give the minimum
wage scale TO only one plant, as the
award does. At the hearings ! produced
ten witnesses, who testified TO condi-
tions in every shop.
'1f this award, as reported, is The
final decision We will make an appe al
as we have done in other cases. The
minimum wage award leaves out finally
so per cent of the men. There are three
shifts running in Shop No. 7, and they
total only $50 men at present At III
busiest period during the war ShoI
No. : had only 1900 wen in three shifts
although the plant officials stated there
were 10000 employees In the works.
Moreover, men are being transferred
from Shop No. to Shop No. :. II
thirty days, at the recent rate. there
will be no one working in Shop No. Z
Better no Award
no award at all would be better thar
such an award as this
The award declared that eight hours
shall constitute a days work, with
time and one-half pay for overtime work
and double pay for Sunday and holiday
work, the scale to remain in effect un-
til Apri. / and not to affect piecework.
Minimum pay was fixed at eighty
cents an hour for frst-class machinists
and tooln1akers, ffty-flve cents for help
ers and sixty-five cents for specialists.
The award also ordered that women
receive the same pay as men for the
same scrt of work, and that no woman
shall receive less than thirty-tive cents
an hour after three months work.
The board also declared that 1t sha.
be optional with the workers whether
! they join the Midvale Beneficial Asso
citation. II was ordered that an exam
| iner be sent TO the plant to ascertain
whether the present shop committees
chosen TO make wage agreements, wer'
| fairly elected and whether the presen
| system permits the employees prope
\ means of amending the agreements