The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-01-05


  sistant Secretary of Labor Edward F. McGrady conferred with John L.. Lewis, whose committee for indus trial organization Is backing the automobile workers, in an attempt to learn what the union leaders irl- tended doing and how the labor de- partment could help in an "amicable settlement"
 Sloan's announcement, his first since the outbreak of strikes throt- tied his booming organization, was posted on bulletin boards in all Gen. eral Motors plants today. Union leaders had no immediate comment but indicated the strategy commit tee, scheduled to start at Il a. m., would decide their course. No Union Bargaining
 Despite Sloan's notice to workers that General Motors will not -ecog- nize any union bargaining agency for its employees, to the exclusion of all others" Homer Martin, JAW president, dispatched to company executives the eight demands adopt ed at Flint, Mich, Sunday by union organizers from 16 cities. They tn- cluded:
 A national collective bargaining conference; abolition of the piece work pay system; 30-hour week; i; minimum wages; reinstatement of all workers "unjustly discharged;;" ] seniority, based upon length of ser- vice; recognition of the JAW as the sole bargaining agency; and mu- tually agreed upon speed of pro- duction.
 It was believed the corporation would not attempt formal reply. Sloans statement, issued before Martin completed drafting the unions communication, apparently set forth the company's final posi- | ton.
 Individual Ability
 General Motors grew up on the principle that workers job and his promotion depend on his own individual ability-not on the say so of any labor union dictator, J Sloan said. And on that principle, General Motors stands and will con- tinue to stand" As he left the conference with Governor Murphy yesterday, Martin accepted service of the temporary injunction issued by Circuit Court Judge Edward D. Black in Flint or- dering the "sit-down" strikers to vacate the Fisher plants. The writ named national officers of the union. ./,
 Sheriff Wolcott said his deputies would serve other union officers here today.
 T want everything to be peace able" he said. T will try to be fair to both sides"
 The union has contended the in- functions are worthless because they name only the national officers ard not the men actually remain ing in the plants.
 | 1000 Workers Assemble Meanwhile, 1000 workers assem- bled here last night to hear reports on progress of conferences with plant managers of the Cadillac and Fleetwood divisions of General Mo- tors. Union organizers said the man. agement had promised aid in get ting general conference. The workers adopted a resolution declaring the union was ready tc "sit-down" or walk out and if the two companies locked them out they would turn the lockout into q strike. Another meeting was called for Thursday. Cadillac employ about 1900 workers and Fleetwood about 5000.
 There were rumors in Flint, Gen. eral Motors chief producing city that non-union men were growing resentful of the fast-moving activi. ties of union leaders which have forced many plants to close because of lack of materials and made then jobless. Police were prepared to pre-. vent any disorder among strikers and non-strikers.
 The Chevrolet plant employing 17,0O0, Buick with 14,000 and AC Spark Plug with 5000 remained open. It was feared, however, that shortage of supplies resulting iron shutdowtis of Fisher Body and Guide Lamp and Delco Reny plants would force company executives to clost them before the end of the week. General Motors officials estimated that general strike would affec 135,000 men. At present about 39,OOt are jobless because of strikes ane forced Shutdowns.
 | Strike Va Cerfair
 | Washington, Jan. 5.-(UP)-Ar official of the committee for indus. trial organization said today that { general strike order against the Gen. eral Motors corporation was a vir. tual certainty" unless the automo. bile company swiftly changed it.