Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-09-27
STRIKE VERDICT OF
SIX RAIL UNIONS
AGAINST WAGE CUT

WIN
AGAINST WAGE CUT
Chicago, Sept. 2s-(By the Associat-
ed Press).-Leaders of the Big Four
brotherhoods and affiliated railroad
unions tonight declared that they had
little doubt that the railway en-
ployes had voted for a geenral strike
rather than accept a wage reduction,
but announced that the conservative
council of the leaders might prevail
against a walkout.
! General chairmen of the Brother
hood of Railway Trainmen began
counting the $4,000 strike ballots of
their men but admitted before the
first envelope was opened that, judg
ing from the known temper, of the
men, the result will be overwhelming
ly in favor of a strike. Giving an
estimated majority, Vice President
! James Mutuoch Salu'
! Our past experience has been that
80 per cent. of the men will always
vote to strike"
Next Monday officials of the Broth
erhood of Locomotive Engineers, Or
der of Railroad Conductors, Brother
hood of Locomotive Firemen and En-
ginemen, and Switchmens Union of
North America will meet here to count
the strike votes of their 259,00O mem
bers.
Railroad union leaders here expect
all the brotherhoods and the switch
mems union to cast substantial ma
jorities for d strike. The affiliated
shop crafts have already voted, by a
majority of approximately 332, 900 to
walk out and are only waiting to see
what action the other unions will take
and for the United States Railroad
Labor Board to dispose of the pending
working rules agreements.
Reports of the general chairmen OF
the trainmen when they assem- bled
today We're plainly disappointing to
the Union leaders. The trainmen had
voted on a separate ballot because
their leaders did not approve of the
joint ballot prepared by the other
unions. On Sept. II President w. G.
Lee addressed a circular letter to the
mon in which he pointed out five
reasons why he thought a strike
would be unwise at this time and
why the men might expect to accept
some wage reductions.
He asked the men to consider the
fact that wages and working condi-
tons of all classes established since
1918 were the result of a world war;
that 5000 600 men are now unCmploy-
cG; that nearly all glasses of labor
have been forced by meadiation ar
bitration. strikes or ,lockouts to ac-
Cept reduced rates of pay during the
past year; that the increased wages
granted railroad men last year were
based on increased cost of living and
that government reports indicate a
Is per cent in living costs since
July /, 1920.
The letter however. apparently
has failed to inf1uenc the vote, the
general chairmen reported today.
ficials pointed out, does not necessar-
lily mean the imm ,diate calling of a
strike. The question as submitted to
the men carried a vote for or against
"a strike unless the wage reduction
question can be settled in a manner
satisfactory to the general grievance
committee representing the class of
service in which / am engaged"
The grievance committee probably
will meet here as soon as the vote is
canVassed. it was said, and either
take steps to reopen negotiations
with the roads or set a date for the
walk out. Mr. Lee, in his letter, de-
clared he would take no hand in the
question but permit the committee
to reach its own conclusions.
1T has been frequently charged"
4, Mr.. Lee wrote, that officers of the
brotherhood have prevented the
membership from enga ging in a
strike after vote was canvassed in
favor thereof and it is admitted that
| in years gone by officers of the broth
erhood with general committees. have
accepted n partial fulfilment of their
requests. in some instances, rather
than resort to a strike.
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn etaoi etao etaot
''As regards the reduction of pay of
July l, 1921. it has been decided by
the undersigned to permit general
| grievances committees to determine
for themselves whether they desire
the membership on their systems to
be withdrawn from service, regard
less of the action taken on any other
railroad by our membership or by
the membership of any or all the sis
ter organizations
|, The general chairman on any rail-
road system where the men vote to
strike will lbe given authority to call
out his followers, Mr.. Lee continued.