Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-03-31
NY. CENTRAL ASKS
RIGHT TO CUT PAY
$4,000 UNSK|LLED

|
! duction of the wages of approximately
$4,000 unskilled workmen on the New
York Central railroad, to be effective
April fist, was asked of the Railroad
Labor Board today. Immediate relief
pending hearing on permanent reduc-
ton later and at the same time an
ences with other classes of labor were
| in session this week and that reduc-
| lions in every class of railway en-
ployes were being considered.
The unskilled labor dispute came be-
| fore the board after conferences with
eemployes early this month had failed
to reach an agreement on any wage re-
auctions. The case is the first one
brought by carrier and is considered
| in railroad circles as the first move on
the part of the trunk lines to cut their
| payrolls.
The railroad appeared prepared to
! submit extensive data on wages IN
other similar Industries and on the
| cost of living, but the board decided
to contine the present case to the ques-
tion of immediate reductions.
| Railroad representatives then pre-
scented a mass of statistics showing
the rates paid for similar labor in
| other industries and the case was con-
cluded, with a decision expected by
| the end of the week.
During the testimony of J. Aaronson.
counsel for the New York Central a.
.. Wharton, labor member of the
board. inquired into the proposed re-
duction and inquired how the unsl<iIle,I
! labor class was selected for a cut.
Other classes of employees who re-
ceived increases under the wage award
last year are being called in to con-
fer regarding wage reductions" Mr..
Aaronson said. I'VE are holding con-
ferences with clerical, mechanical and
signal employees this week, and are
considering reductions for yard service
men also"
| UP to this time unskilled labor wage
. disputes are the only ones which have
| been brought before the board.
! THE railroads have under the law
the duty of operating efficiently and
economically" Mr.. Aronson contin-
tinuch. 1.-The management feels that
ithe downward trend of business
! make is necessary to submit evil
dence to this board asking an ad-
! justment of wages"
Before the railroad testimony was
finished b. w. Jewell, speaking for
! the employees, made q brief answer
/ to the railroads request declaring il
| would be without precedence for the
! board to acquiesce in the New York
! Centrafs request.
! THE employees waited IS months
! for relief under rapidly increasing
! costs of living" Mr.. Jewell said 1--WE
do not believe the present rates are
| unjust nor unreasonable and we esti-
! mate it would take five years proper
! ly to reimburse the employees for the
! losses sustained during the time they
waited for an increase last year.
1.-THE burden of decreased business
! should not be placed on the lowest
| paid omploye--the common laborer
/ / think we should keep in mind that
! Wnen tnG TABOR DOdrQ eStdDllSlcU
| these wages. the Interstate Com
merce commission granted rates
which would take care of them.
! ''In our opinion this business de-
preston is only temporary. If the
railroads are granted any relief they
: should pas son the benefit to those
who pay the bill"
! Mr. Aronson replied that the cost
! of living had shown steady down
ward trend for nearly year and
| that a similar trend in wages OF
other industries also was noticeable.
Traffic rates, he said, could not be
! determined for any length of time
and the present rates were wholly
| Inadequate, he conterlded.
Reductions of II to 81 per cent.
| were proposed in various classes of
| unskilIed labor on the New York
Central and a comparison with COM
mon labor in other industries was
| made by NJ. A. McClory, statistfcian
! for the road. Maintenance of way
employees, he said, would be reduced
from As and As IL cents an hour to
re