The Connecticut labor news., 1922-03-10
Award by Arbitrator hev.Jas. McGee, Com mends Spirit of Work CTS, Declares Cost S Should Be Divided and Then Takes $1 Weekly Off Figure of Employers.

New Haven journeymen bak- CTS, like the trolleymen and other workers who have recently agreed to submit their wage question to arbitration, won a moral victory this week, but like the trolleymen had to bear the brunt of the costs of production and their wages are cut 10 per cent. accordingly in an award given by the Rev. James Niece, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, who was selected as the fifth wheel about which the arbi- tration turned.
 MT. McGee carefully points out that the $5 a week reduction asked for by the master bakers IS not justified and that the costs of production should be divided, so he only takes 10 per cent. or about $4 a week from the jour- neymen and the other dollar or SO from the employers. Because of the agreement the award will be accepted and in fact Is already in effect. The journeymen proved that the cost of bread materials had been reduced 30 per cent. while the master bakers had re- duced the selling price only l6 per cent. but the employers con- tended that their "overhead was yet high and SO put it as usual up to the journeymen.
 MT. McGee's Decision.
 In his decision Ms. McGee says:
 "In attempting to reach just de- cision in the issue now pending be- tween the Master Bakers association of New Haven and the Bakery and Confectionery Workers International Union, No. II, of New Haven, your arbiter begs to submit the following review and award:
 First: The provision of section 12 in the working contract between the above named parteis is evidence that the necessity of some change or changes in the contract was antici- pated by reason of the unsettled con- ditions of business in general. Sec ton I2 was adopted by both parties to the contract with the understand ing that should unforeseen conditions Q6VelOp WHICH WOulA (duSC CIthCi party some hardships, relief might be sought through the provisions of this article.
 Second: It is the conviction of your arbiter that the Master Bakers association is acting in entire good faith in taking advantage of section I2 to ask for a reduction of five dol lars ($5oo) per week for each em- ploye in the present wage scale. It IS the judgment of your arbiter that the Master Bakers association feels that this proposed reduction Is necessary to the prudent conduct of their eS- tablishments.
 Conditions Necessitate Cut.
 Third: It further appears to your arbiter that the conditions which have led the Master Bakers association to seek t1is reduction have likewise placed heavy burdens upon the Bak- cry and Confectionery Workers In- ternationa1 Union, No. II. It appears that some 30 of the members of Union Mo- II are without steady em- ployment, and that the employed members of Union No. II are sharing a portion of their weekly wage with the unemployed members of their craft. Such a service Is most com mendable, and the spirit which prompts it is not only blessing to the unemployed, but to the employ CTS of such. It is the right spirit in industry Its wider application so as to embrace all the parties engaged in any commercial enterprise is greatly to be desired.
 Cut Price Not Decreased.
 Fourth: The representatives of the Master Bakers association con tend that the selling price of bread has decreased 22 2-o per cent, where as the decrease in the cost of mater
 (Contipued on Page Eight.)