New-York tribune., 1921-06-17
Engineers End
Strike ON u. 6.
Board Vessels
TO Accept IS
p. c. Wage Gut Ratified;
Radio Operators Also De-
eide to Return to Work
Other Unions Still Out
Private Owners Refuse to
Take Part in Contract;
May Reduce Further

: WASHINGTON, juno 16. A new
working agreement embodying 10 per
cent reduction in wages was ratified
by the Shipping Board and representa-
tiSes of the marine engineers to-day
and deposited with the Secretary Of
Labor.
The new wage scale became effective
June IA, it was announced, and will con-
tinue in effect until December 81 next.
similar agreement was reached with
radio operators, it was added, and
others will be negotiated with repre-
sentatives of the seamen, fremen and
cooks.
The agreement also covers working
conditions along lines previously de-
cided upon. Explanation was made that
it had not actually been signed be-
cause the government does not enter
into such contracts with it's employees,
but that ratification implied only a
technical distinction. The action to-
day, it was added, meant the end of
the strike begun May l. so far rs
cerned. Nothing was said as to the
private operators.
Private Owners Refuse to Sign
Ship owners in New York to-day
voted to reject the terms of the agree
ment.
Immediately after promulgating the
agreement, Chairman Lasker, of the
Shipping Board, issued general order
Il oil OF =
ant engineers who have taken the place
of striking board employees since ex-
piration of the last agreement on May
1, should be retained in their positions
as long as they are efficient.
"No man now employed on any Ship
ping Board vessel" the order says,
"shall be discharged to make room for
the engineers who have left their ships
because of the recent marine labor
controversy
Local unions in the various ports all
ready have been notified that the agree
ment would be ratified, w. S. Brown,
efcial Association, stated, adding that
he had been informed 400 union engi-
neers had signed with ships at New
Orleans in the last two days.
Although the American Steamship
Owners Association voted at New York
to-day against entering into the agree
ment, the opinion was expressed here
tonight that the operators separately
would perhaps join with the Shipping
Board in the settlement.
Overtime Practically Eliminated
While overtime pay is technically
provided for in the wage scale, the
working conditions practically elimi-
nate overtime.
"No overtime" the agreement pro-
vides, "shall be performed at sea ex-
cept for the safety of the vessel"
Such work is fully set out and in
cludes essential repairs. Another pro-
vision of the agreement says that a
working day in port in excess of eight
hours shall not be performed or paid
for unless the work is done by written
order OF the chief engineer. master,
owner or agent of the vessel"
The American Steamship Owners
Association at meeting yesterday re-
fused to accept the terms of agreement
that resulted in settlement of the
nationwide shipping strike so far as
the United States Shipping Board and
the marine unions are concerned. The
association again voted to refuse any
recognition of or agreement with the
unions of marine workers.
1t was reported in shipping circles
that the members of the association,