New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-29
FiveRailUniOns
Begin Vote on
Pay Reduction
Cleveland Headquarters Is
sues 100000 Ballots on
Acceptance of 400 Mil
lion Cut by U. S. Board
Trainmen Specify Strike
Take Separate Referendum,
Authorizing Walk-Out TO
Support Their Decision

CLEVELAND, Aug 2S.-Strike ballots
on the acceptance or rejection of the
$500, 900 900 wage reduction recently
ordered by the Railroad Labor Board
were mailed tonight to the 400 900
members of the Big Four" brother
hoods and the Swstchmen's Union of
North America.
The ballot revealed a difference of
opinion among the chief executives of
the five organizations. the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers, Brotherhood
of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen,
Order of Railway Conductors and the
switchmen using a joint ballot, while
the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen
sent out separate ballot.
The trainmens ballot states that it
had been the intention of all the or
CARNATIONS to use a joint ballot, but
that this was impossible because the
ballot adopted by the other organiza-
tions ibid not, in our opinion. contain
an impartial and unbiased recital of all
assurance that the wishes of the men,
if against working for reduced wages,
would determine the question, and that
they would be permitted to leave the
service"
Strike Proviso Qualified
The joint ballot declared that if the
membership vote was to reject the wage
reductions which became effective on
July I, 1921, "it is to be understood
that the men will be permitted to with
n ,-lu ft.nn ho - l,o,x
spective companies unless satisfactory
settlement can be reached under the
laws of the organization"
ne proposition which confronts our
members and Others" said the train
mems ballot, carries with it an attempt
to reverse the decision of the United
States Railroad Labor Board on the
wage reduction now in effect since July
l. or else persuade or compel the rail
road companies to reinstitute wage
rates that the labor board decided
should be reduced
Many general chairmen at the Chi,
cago meeting on July 5 favored an i'm
mediate vote of the members on the
wage cut, and held that if the neces-
sary majority Of the membership voted
10 leaVe the service strike should be
called forthwith in an effort to force
a restorat ton of the rates that were in
effect on June so, 1921.
Az members and others are herehv
notiiied that if membership vote is in
lawful, necessary majority to leave the
service rather than continue service
under the reduced wages now in effect
they wlll on any or all lines where such
vote is secured with the sanction of
the general grievance committed be
given necessary authority by the pres
ident of the grand lodge. The presi-
dent of the grand lodge will not with
the information given above) under
take TO prevent the wishes of the men,
as expressed in their ballot, from be-
ing adhered to-"
Shop Workers Already Voted
The number OF active members of
the five organizations to whom ballots
were mailed was estimated at 10000
trainmen. $4,000 hremen, 80, 900 en-
gineey's, 10000 conductors and 1900
switclanen. In addition the wage re-
duction had been previously voted upon
by the six shop crafts under the rail
way employees department of the