The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-06-16
s59,669,547 IS
YEARLY SAVING
STRONG PROTEST BY LABOR REP
RESENTATIVES BOARD MAKES
CUT IN SHOP WORKERS PAY
Just And Reasonable Wage Is Not
Established by Majority Declares
Minority Opinion on
Decision

| NniNoSV Ofti thC otiohe PACSNct Va
the three labor representatives on the
Cnlted States railroad labor board, a
new wage cut of seven cents an hour
for railway shop mechanics and nine
cents for freight car men cutting 400
900 shop men approximately 100000
900 year was ordered by the board
Tuesday.
The new wage reduction brought an
estimated added saving of S59,669, 347
annually TO the railroads. following on
the heels of $500OO,OO0 cut in the
wages Of maintenance of way laborers
last week. The shop crafts decision
becomes effective July 1, the same
date as last weeks order
"The tendency of the decision is TO
vindicate the propaganda of the rail-
roads and consequently condemn such
statements as the employees have been
able to bring to public attention" the
minority opinion said. 1t was signed
by Albert o. Wharton, w. L. McMeni.
men and Albert Phillips, the three la
Dor representatives.
The reduction for mechanics aver
aged little more than s per cent, all
machinsts, boilermakers, blacksmiths.
sheet metal workers, electrical work.
ers, carmen (except freight car men)
moulders, cupola tenders and CORE
makers and the regular and helper APP
prentices receiving a cut of cents an
hour. Freight car men, commonly
known as "car knockers" and the OBJ
iect of some of the heaviest assaults
by the roads in their battle for lower
wages, were cut 8 cents.
The larger cut was ordered for the
"car knockers" because the board said
it believed that their work did not re-
quire the same skilled service as other
branches of carmen's work. This
heavier reduction for the freight car
men came under especially severe
criticism in the minority report, the
labor members declaring there was no
Justification for Discrimination in car
work.
Car cleaners, who now receive an
average of $319 a day, were cut
cents an hour. or 40 cents a day.
The mechanics whose daily rate now
averages from $6.11 for electrical work.
srs to $6.2S for blacksmiths, will lose
10 cents day under the new decision.
bringing their daily wage to approx |
nately 500.
The boards latest decision which is
% be followed shortely by reduction
or railway clerks, telegraphers and
Ill other classes of railway employees
except the train service men, was
'rief and offered no explanation of
low the new rates were arrived at.
This dismission brought more fire fro.s
he dissenters who declared the ma
ority decision did not consider "hu-
IAN needs" ignored the pleas for a
living wage" and made mo attempt
D show that mechanics are not en-
tied to such standard"
Suggestion for "some recognized
tandard'' to be worked out by the
GARD and used as a basis for future
age adjustments was contained in :
lie minority report, which consumed
sveral times the number of pages in
lie majority decision. The labor men,
srs felt, they said, that the board
should initiate a study which shall A.,
stermine the amount necessary TO ,
eet some recognized standard and
must use its results as a basis for :
5 decisions and that it must, through
ose decisions transmit this inforina-
On to The public"
The decision, the minority report ),
ntinued, tended "to substantiate the 3,
's:tion Of the railroads that wages
ed not be established with reference =,
the needs of the family" contend. i,
G that a minimum wage fer the shop a.
ats should be 30 cents an hour. ;,
,uld mean a rate of 81 cents FOR r,
illed mechanics