The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1921-12-30
We Understand

On Tuesday of this week a notice was
posted in the Ann Arbor shops saying
that they would be closed down for an
indefinite period, retaining only such
men necessary to make emergency re-
pairs A lack of business, 1t was stated,
was the cause of this order.
1t Is stated by employees that the
matter of adjustment in wages has been
under discussion between the railroad
management and the union officials and
the employees feel that this shut down
is only a means of bringing them TO
terms, and that Is a direct evasion OF
rule 36 of the decision given by the
United States Labor board which reads.
while questions on grievances are pend
ing there will neither be a shut, down
by the employer nor a suspension of
work by employees" F#ks{kkEbF
The employees claim that there Is suf-
ficient work to keep them busy and
that the railroad company is appor-
tloning this work out to private con-
Germs under contract. They also claim
that since last spring all steel car re-
pair work has been sent out Non con-
tract to Toledo, also some box cars.
Also one locomotive was sent out under
contract for repairs and the concern
having the contract was formerly
ship yard. Another locomotive Is now
ready to be sent.
IT is claimed that the cost of repairs
at private yards where they are mex
perienced in this line of work is far
in excess of the cost for which II could
be done in their own shops, not count
Ing the class of work done.
Repairs on these two locomotives alone
II IS claimed would have furnished snf-
fcent work for the shops in Owosso
for a period of two months.
According to information received,
wages of railroad workers have been
reduced approximately s450, 100000 this
| year, not counting the saving to tho
roads under new rules worked by the
| labor board and this board. II is SAID.
stated that IL meant a saving to the
roads of at least $50, 600, 900 year.
Altogether employees have suffered a
reduction of one-half a billion doilars
since July, 1921.
II these figures are true. why las
not this reduction been reflected by
lower transportation rates? And now,
why is II found necessary to apportion
repair work out under contract to- Arms
| in other cities and lay off men who
have had years of experience In this
| particular line of work and who can
do the work more economically than
| elsewhere? Is IL a direct evasion on
the part of the railroads of the Cum
Minis Esch bill or a method of brow
beating to bring the employees to their
own terms?
The majority of the employees of the
railroad here are residents OF Owosso
and have proved themselves among the
/ best of citizens. They have their homes
here, spend their money here, and We
believe should be entitled to fair play
and IL they are being Disseminated
against as claimed by taking work from
here to other yards ship yards at that.
Il should not only be considered mat
ter Of discrimination against them. but
a discrimination against the business in~
/ a. A. =
matter that should be investigated
thoroughly.
The Ann Arbor railroad derives quite
a little revenue from the business In
terests Of Owosso and IL they. are TO
Close their shops here and sen6 their
repair work elsewhere and IL II Is not
a matter Of economy but a method OF
accomplishing an end. they should ba
brought to a complete show down im-
incoiately.