Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-11-19
Jssszg. !,
First Time in History of
Packing Industry That
Both Sides Agree
OTHERS TO FOLLOW
Omaha Men Refuse to Follow Chica-
go Lead is Stated-Strikes May
Follow.

Chicago, Nov. 19.-Employes OF
A Armour G. Co., 10000 in all, yester-
day, through their plant governing
committee, agreed with officials OF
the packing house that wage reduc-
ton is necessary and fixed its amount
The cut is effective November 28.
This is the first time in the his
tory of the industry that wage
reduction has been arrived at in such
q manner. -,
Last night officials of Swift & 20.
announced that after an all-day con-
ference the representatives OF the
Chicago Assembly of Employees mad
voted that readjustment OF wages
was necessary, had extended vote
of confidence in the management and
had voted to leave the wage read
iustment to the discretion of the
management.
Reductions for various classes OF
employees of the Chicago assembly
practically corresponding to those
fixed by the employees of Armour q
Co. and effective on the same date,
November %, were then announced by
company officials who said they ex-
pected the other 1G assemblies OF
employees to take similar action,
Swift and Co., also announced last
night that the Omaha assembly had
voted to accept wage cut, but hao
not specified the amount or how 1t
ryas to he determined.
Officials said they expected the en-
ployes would ratify the action OF the
men appointed to represent them IN
the assemblies
Employees of Wilson & Co. and the
Cudahy Packing Company, who are
holding plant conferences, are eX-
pected to accept similar reductions,
and Morris & Co. has announced that
it will follow the example Of the
others. All Of the "big five" except
the "plant-congress" system OF en-
ployes' participation in the manage
ment of the industry.
When the reductions are applied to
the plants Of the other members OF
Morris G. Co., last spring inaugurated
the "big five" 125,000 men and wo-
men will be affected. In the final re-
suit a far larger number will be dl-
rectly concerned, as wages in several
hundred smaller packing houses are
based on the "big five" scales.
No change is made in working con-
ditions or the 44-hour week guaran-
tee.
The agreement between Armour &
Co. and it's employees followed a two
day conference. Twenty-four emplo-
yes, representatives of the plant coun-
ellis in nine cities, met with an equal
number of company officials. The
books were opened and the financial
condition of the company explained.
The question was put to vote, and
the following reductions, elective in
all plants except that at Fort Worth,
Texas, adopted:
For piece workers, per cent; un-
skilled labor, getting 45 cents an hour
or less, T 1-2 cents; semi-skilled labor
getting Is and so cents an hour,
cents. A minimum wage of 25 cents an
hour for adult female labor is provid-
ed. These reductions apply to plants in
Chicago, st. Paul, Sioux City, Omaha,
st. Joseph, Kansas City, st. Louis
and Denver.
The reductions at Fort Worth,
where wages are gauged by local Ia
Dor conditions, are: Unskilled labor,
receiving less than AZ 1-2 cents an
hour, 7 1-2 cents; semi-skilled labor
receiving from AZ 1-2 to Al 1-2 cents
an hour, 5 cents; skilled labor receiv-
ing more than Al 1-2 cents an hour, 3
cents.