Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-16
PackerMen
Plan n eW
Agreement
Resolution on Wages and
Working Conditions Formu-
lated by Butcher-Work-
men in Conference.
Pay Cut Not Considered

A resolution affecting wages and
working conditions Of packing house
employees is being formulated by in
ternational officers, district presidents
and delegates attending the interna-
tional conference of Amalgamated
Meat Cutters and Butcher Work
men Of North America at the Butcher
Workmen's hall on the South Side.
Delegates would not divulge the
character OF changes from the present
agreement called for in the resolu-
ton. They stated the resolution was
in an embryonic stage and that much
work and time would be required be-
fore it was completed.
1t was admitted, however, that
there would be some changes in
working conditions and that possi-
bly, a different scale of wages would
be favored by the resolution, which
is being prepared in view Of the ex-
piration OF existing agreements on
September IS.
No Decrease Considered.
Asked ii the resolution might be
expected to entail wage decrease,
deigates said no decrease was being
considered, thus affirming the state
ment OF c. J. Hayes, general presi-
dent of the organization, on his ar
rival here yesterday morning, that
q Iaoe cut would be resisted by or
panized packing house workers on
the theory that economic conditions
would not warrant it.
By the close Of yesterday alter
Moons sessions 1l8 delegates and Of
GERS in the organization had arrived,
Most of the day was devoted to lis
tening to reports of delegates from
various sections Of the country rela-
tive to the condition OF unions. These
reports were favorable. union leaders
said, and although the meeting was
closed. applause could be heard from
time to time.
Opposed to Company Plans.
As utlined by President Hayes,
main purpose OF the meeting is to
devise some plan or method OF con-
tinuing the present form OF arbitra-
ton Of wage and working condition
questions. =.
President Hayes and other Off
GERS and delegates declared them
selves opposed to plant organization;
or what they term Company plans
for arbitration OF wage and work.
ing matters. A concerted effort will
Be made 10 secure the appointment
bv President Harding or Secretary
OF Labor Davis OF disinterested ar
bitrator to decide disputes between
packers and employees, it was inti'
mated by President Hayes.
Optimistic Feeling.
HAYES made this verbal statement
at the conclusion of the meeting:
"a most optimistic feeling exists
in most OF the packing cities that
there will be no trouble with tho
packers when the present agreement
expires next month. Delegates from
some cities, however, reported that
trouble is to be expected in their dis
tricts. The International officers are
pleased with the exports received,
which show a substantial gain OF
members in every plant int the
country
Delegates are attending the con-
ference from packing houses in Bos-
ton. New York, Philadelphia, But
falo, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincin-
natl, Detroit, Indianapolis, Louis
vile, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul,
Sioux City, Omaha, Des Moines. St
oJseph Kansas City, Oklahoma City,
Fort Worth, Denver, Spokane, Seat
tie, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The conference will be resumed at
o.30 this morning,