Evening star., 1939-09-13
7 U. 5. Projects
Hit as Truck
Drivers Strike
A. F. L. JurisdictionuI
Dispute Affects 400
Men Called OFF Jobs

Work on seven large Government
building projects here was struck a
paralyzing blow today as 400 truck
drivers walked out in a jurisdictional
strike with another A. F. OF l..
union.
Striking were members of Truck
Drivers Union Local 639. who claim
jurisdiction over the men who drive
the giant transit mixers-combina-
ton concrete mixers an dtrucks.
These trucks at present are manned
in large part by members of the
Operating Engineers Union.
The strike began late yesterday,
when truck drivers quit work on the
Census and Social Security buildings
project. This morning 300 more
drivers struck on projects at CALM
ger and st. Elizabeth's hospitals,
the Municipal Center and two sewer
construction jobs at Twenty seventh
and K streets NV and Thirteenth
and D streets S.W.
Work May Halt Soon.
Work continued on these jobs for
the present, but it appeared likely
that it would be halted within a few
days unless the strike was settled.
The strikers man dump trucks and
other vehicles furnishing supplies for
the projects.
John Coyne, president of the
Building Trades Department of the
A. F. of L., moved this morning to
negotiate the strike. which both
unions claim involves a violation
of Federation agreements.
Stewart Keyser, business agent for
the striking local, stated that the
truck drivers union had been
awarded jurisdiction over the transit
mixer drivers nationally by an arbi-
traitor appointed by the A. F. of L.
The battle for jurisdiction has been
in progress between the two unions
since 1881, Mr.. Keyser said. Last
year., after lengthy hearings, the
truck drivers were awarded the jur-
isdiction, he said.
We've tried every way to make
the engineers abide by this ruling"
ne said, but nothing happened. The
strike was the only thing we could
do"
Agreement Held Violated.
J. P. Shields, business representa-
tive of the Union of Operating Engi-
neers, Local n, pointed out that the
strike was called in violation of an
A. F. of L. agreement which outlawed
such methods in jurisdictional dis
puteS.
I'VE have had agreements since
1881 covering these transit opera
tors" he said These agreements
cover wages, hours and other work.
ing conditions and still have two
years to run. We intend to keep
these agreements.
Mr.. Coyne said that at meeting
of A. F. of L. vice presidents in At
1antic City last year it was agreed
that no strikes were to be called to
settle jurisdictional disputes, except
under very few special circum-
stances"
He intends to call on officials of
the two unions for an immediate
explanation, he said, and hopes to
settle the strike as quickly as pos
sible.
Sand Strike Recently Ended.
The strike came on the heels of
two-week tieup of local building
which ended last week with settle
ment of walkouts by workers at the
Smoot Sand g. Gravel Co. and by
members of the Plumbers Union.
The Social Security Building is be-
ing constructed at Third street and
Independence avenue S.W.; the Gen.
sus Building work is going up at Vir-
ginia avenue and D street SW., and
the Municipal Center is being built
on Indiana avenue near Fourth
street NV,
Work was reported to be proceed
ing normally on these projects this
morning, with members of the Engi-
neers' Union continuing delivery
of concrete. Unless the strike is set
tied, however, it appeared that work
would be halted when present sup
plies-hauled by members of the
rival union-are exhausted.