The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-06-13
Workers At
LibbySawnill
Out On Strike
Entire Plant of j. Neils
Lumber Company Closed
Monday Morning.
SEVERAL POINTS
IN CONTROVERSY

Libby, the entire plant of the ]. Neils
Lumber company of this city has been
shut down since Monday morning Yes
terday afternoon through the efforts
of Mayor j. F. McCully and one or
two business men, meeting was ar
ranged between the management OF
the lumber company and committee
from the union. According to reports,
the meeting was harmonious through
out and all points of disagreement were
thoroughly discussed, the conference
continuing from before 3 o'clock until
after 6 o'clock However, no definite
agreement was reached that would
bring an end to the strike.
As is the usual procedure following
a conference, meeting of the union
has been called for this afternoon at
100 o'clock but no report has come
from that meeting as the newspaper
goes to press.
Workers Demands.
Briefly stated the demands of the
workers are as follows, as given to a
reporter by union officers:
First, it should be stated that there
is no controversy over wages. The COM
pany posted wage increase effective
June that raised minimum pay TO
SO cents per hour. There is no demand
for higher wages. The union is de-
handing the following:
Continuance of the 40 hour week and
time and half for overtime They
claim some departments have been put
on 48 hour week The workmen admit
this would mean more money for them
but they fear that ultimately it would
result in unemployment for some of the
men now employed This they are OPP
posed to.
Recognition of the union, although
not closed shop. This includes g
signed agreement as to working con-
ditions and practices.
Operation of seniority rule on q
modified form in the hiring and lay
ing off of workmen. Operation of semi
ority rule to be confined to the work
ers in the various departments.
Appointment of grievance commit
tee, composed of representatives of the
company and the workers and disin-
terested or impartial person; settlement
of disagreements as to working matters
to be decided by said grievance com
mittee.
The Company's Side.
When approached yesterday morning
by a reporter, Walter Neils, genera
manager, stated that up to that timt
he had not received any demands from
the strikers nor had he had any intina-
ton of the strike, and that the strike
came like bolt from the sky.
He said the 40 hour week is still il
effect and that there had been no in
tention to change to six day weel
except in the woods He said the woods
men were entitled to longer hours a
this time of the year because SO mucl
time is lost during bad weather in thu
winter and spring. He stated that h
believed the woods workers were il
favor of the longer week
In discussing the wage increas
granted by the company, Neils said i
amounted to approximately 10 per cen
and that it raised the pay of skilled an,
semi-skilled workers somewhat highe
than the Al schedule.
AS to recognition of the union, Neil
said the company was always ready +
meet representatives of the Workmel
and discuss any grievance they nigh
have, but he also stated the compan
would not sign any agreement. He take
the stand that if such an agreemen
were signed, the entire resources Of tn
lumber company would be back of tn
agreement while on the other hand, h
said, the agreement would be signe
by a committee Of workers of five 0
six men and that those five or six me
could not bind 400 or 500 workmer
The company also objects to bein
bound by the seniority rule in the hir
ing and discharging of1 men, arguin
that that would result in the discharg
of competent men and the continue
employment of less competent men.
Recognition Is Issue
Following yesterdays conferenc,
Glen Nolop, president of the uniol
stated he believed an agreement coul
be easily reached on all points exceI
the one of union recognition but tn;
there was a deadlock on that issu
Walter Neils is out of the city TIL
morning and further statement frol
him is not available.