The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-10
UNIONS Are
PREPARING
TOSTRIKE
In Event of Inability to Prevent
Wage Changes Walk0ut
Likely.
OTHER WORKERS
TO BE AFFECTED
Packers Charged With Forcing
Livestock Prices
Down
fnx The AssocIated Press.1

OMAHA, NeD., MaFcn s.--FieSlueh'
Harding was appealed to tonight by
representatives of packing house en-
ployes with a request that he try 10
prevent a proposed reduction OF wages
and readjustment of working hours
which have been announced by meat
packers to become effective March Ia.
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation of Labor, was
asked in another telegram to go TO
the white house as the direct repre-
sentative of the meat cutters union
and urge Immediate action on the re-
quest. He was asked also TO call
meeting Monday in Chicago of all al
lied unions working for the packers
To outline concerted action in event
or a strike
Delegates to the conference here
called by the Amalgamated Meat Cut
ters and Butcher Worl<men OF North
America voted unanimously late to-
day to appeal to the president in an
effort to forestall abrogation of the
war time agreement between the
packers and their employees.
The action Of the delegates who
represent workers in every large
n
pIoyes. union officials said
The telegram to the president asked
him 10 request the packers to hold
in abeyance the wage and hour
changes. announced as effective Mon
dav. until the secretary of labor can
investigate charges contained in the
message. The conference also adopt
ed a resolution requiring the presi-
II oft RI NJ
the packers to comply with the
agreement entered into by the gov
ornment and that unless the packers
consent that he exercise his power
10 place the packing house industry
under government control and opera
ton and publicly brand the present
owners and managers OF the industry
as a menace to the government and
society in general.
A strike warning appeared in the
same resolution which instructed the
uaion officials to take such action as
will result I'm a unanimous and eftec- |
tive resistance to a return to the ten
hour working day reductions ana
other barbarous conditions that exist /
ed prior to 1919 unless President
Harding sends assurance of action.
This resolution, according 10 Dennis
Lane. secretary treasurer of the union
means authorization for a strike af-
fectIng all packing house employees of
the United States and Canada.
The decision to appeal to the chief
executive was made in a lengthy ses
sion of the executive board this after
noon. The recommendations were i'm
mediately placed before the delegates
i'm general conference heated dis
cussion followed in which the propos-
cd action of the packers In reducing
wages by approximately Is per cent
and making straight time" apply for
ten hours daily instead of eight, was
unanimously denounced.
The delegates present were unani-
mously in favor of striking If the
changes announced by the packers
are put into effect. according to Mr.
y.ane. referendum vote will be
necessary however, before the strike
order can be issued. he said.
During the war;" the telegram con-
tinued. workers of the packing plants
were confronted with mounting living
costs. and at the same time informa
ton OF the enormous profits of the ,
packers was published broadcast.
I'm this national emergency" the {
telegram said, "the employers showed !
fight and said they were willing that !
a strike should take place. On the ?
other hand, the employees representa- !
tives induced them to remain on the I
lob as a patriotic duty. President {
Wilson succeeded in bringing the I
hackers into conference and the re-
suit was an agreement that during the I
period OF the war they would submit l
all points Of difference with their en- .
nloyers 10 arbitration. Judge Alschu- 9
ser was selected to arbitrate these
bisferences."
The telegram further recites that
the agreement was continued after the /.
ormtstice at the request OF the pack /.
ers and that now. at the very be- =
shining OF the reconstruction period. !
the packers repudiate their agree /
ment. They have further announced !
that beginning next Monday, they {
would reduce wages 12 1-2 TO rs per )
lcontinued on Page Twol q