Omaha daily bee., 1921-09-24
Car Men to Vote
On Acceptance Of
7-Cent Wage Cut
Union President Says He Be.
licves Majority Of Men Will
Object to Decrease; Meet.
ing Tuesday.

A vote will be taken Tuesday at
Central Labor temple TO determine
whether union car men will accept or
reject the 7-cent wage re-
duc.;on announced by the street rail-
way company yesterday.
Tony Rubcck, president OF the car
mems union, local No. 807, c,nphat-
icaliy declared himself against the
proposed wage cut last night.
~ believe large majority OF the
men will vote against accepting such
a decrease" said President Rubeck.
"Thc street car men arc willing 20
help the country get back to normal,
but I am sure the decline in the
cost oi living thus far docs not war
rant 4 7-cent decrease"
VIII Call General Meeting.
President Rubeck said the cxecu-
tive board OF the union would prob
ably hold meeting tomorrow, make
recommendations. and call general
meeting for Tuesday.
Asked if it were possible that the
Sdl HlSH iiliSht PioPSS Nonie oAi''
by offering to take smaller wage
cut. President Rubeck said:
II would be overstepping myself
in making any such prediction. 1t is
Up to the men to decide" @
A strike VOTE taken prior to a
hearing before the state railway
commission on application for wage
increase, more than year ago, will
have no bearing OH the present situ-
alton, according to President Ru-
beck. At that time, union officers
said majority of the men voted to
strike unless an increase was granted
thenl.
Twelve Per Cent Reduction.
BY the reduction announced yes
terday the wages OF train men are
fixed at 46 cents an hour for the
first three months OF service, 4S cents
an hour for the next nine months
and 50 cents an hour thereafter. Re-
ductions for other employees are to be
determined by department heads.
The reduction amounts to approxi-
naately II per cent. Wages hereto
fore paid train men have been So, 55
and 81 cents an hour for the rcspec-
tive classes. The reduction becomes
effective October l, according to an
nouncement of the company.
The cut follows the recent order
OF the state railway commission
which denied the company's applica-
ton for an increase of fare, but
which suggested reduction in operat-.
ing expense by cut in wages.
Anticipates No Difficulty.
r. A. Leussler, vice president and
general manager OF the company, in
a statement made before the cut was
decided on by the company board,
asserted that Should the cut be
made" he anticipated no difficulty
with the men.
If we can show them we are fair
and we are, there should be no rea-
son to, expect them to resent the re-
duction," said Mr.. Leussler.
The eompany's statement to enl-
ployes declares that wages through
out the country have declined ap-
proximately 20 per cent since Janu-
ary l, and that street railway eln-
ployes' wages have been cut an
average Of IS per cent in cities where
changes have been made.
Company's Situation Serious.
w. A. Smith, president Of the
company, in his announcement OF
the wage reduction, which was
posted in all car barns yesterday
calls attention to the fact
that although The railway scc.n,m;s-
sion refused :ae company a fare i:l-
crease, it sustains the contention
that the company faces serious sit
uation and must have financial re-
lief.
The situation is especially acute
because of the falling off OF the COM
panys revenue during the last year,
cn account OF business depression
and Unemployment and resulting
decline OF passenger traiTic.' Presi-
1cnt Smith say.