The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-17
NEW AGREEMENT
 WITH ENGINEERS
 NOW IN EFFECT
Pact Providing 15 Per Cent Reduction Is Ratified and Will Continue Until
 December 31
By Associated Press

Washington, June 16.--A new working agreement embodying l5 per cent reduction in wages was ratified by the shipping board and representatives of the marine en- gineers today and deposited with the Secretary of Labor.
 The new wage scale became eff. fective June IA, 1t was announced, and will continue in effect until De cember s1, next. A similar agree ment was reached with radio oper- ators, it was added, and others will be negotiated with representatives with the seamen, firemen and cooks.
 The agreement also covers work ing conditions along lines previously decided upon. Explanation was made that 1t had not actually been signed because the government does not en- ter into such contracts with It's en,- ployes but that ratification implied only a technical distinction. The ac tion today. it was added, meant the end of the strike begun on May 1, so far as the parties to the agree ment are concerned. Nothing was
 
 Immediately after promulgatins the agreement, Chairman sLasker ot the shipping board issued general order directing that all engineers and assistant engineers who have taken the place of striking board employees since expiration of the las, agreement on May 1, should be re- tained in their positions as long as they are efficient.
 None to Be Discharged
 No man now employed on any shipping board vessel" the order says, shall be discharged to make room for the engineers who have left their ships because of the re cent marine labor controversy
 Tt is ordered that all engineers and assistant engineers who have been employed since May 1, to take the place of striking engineers shall be retained in their position so long as they are efficient and qualified to discharge their duties
 Local unions in the various ports already have been notified that the agreement would be ratified, w. S. Blown, president of the Marine En- sin4ers' Beneficial association, stated adGi rx1 taht he had been informed {hAr 400 union engineers had signed
 
 fast two days.
 Although the American Steam xhip Owners association voted at Erw York today against entry into the agreement, the opinion was ex pressed here that the operators se cTetly would perhaps join with the Slipping board in the settlement.
 While overtime pay is technically provided for in the wage scale. the working conditions practically elim- mate overtime. No overtime" the formed at sea except for the safety of the vessel" Such work is fully set out and includes essential re- pairs Another provision of the agreement says that working day in port in excess of eight hours shall not be performed or paid for unless the work is done by written order by the chief engineer, master, owner or agent of the vessel.
 OWNERS NOT TO JOIN
 New York, June 16.--The American Steamship Owners association, rep resenting a large percentage of pri- vateaowned American flag tonnage, today declined to join with the ship ping board in ratifying new work ing agreement. embodying IS per cent wage reduction, with striking marine unionA
 telegram. signed by President H. H. Raymond, and addressed to Chairman Lasker of the board. stated the owners were unable to alter their previously announced position that of declining to enter into signed contracts with any seagoins union.
 Tn this action. MT. Raymond said, they are joined by the Pacific American Steamship association ami