Evening star., 1940-03-24

A STATEMENT OF FACTS
CONCERNING LABOR DISAGREEMENT
IN MARCH 18, 1899, we entered into a contract
with the United Cafeteria Employees Local Union No.
All &C. l. o. affiliate? covering the scale of hours,
wages, working conditions, etc. applicable to
poyees This contract was mutually satisfactory to
both parties.
Under that contract, during 1889, this Com
pany earned but 3.3 cents net on each dollar of
sales.
On March 49, last, the Union presented de-
mands for wage increases, which, if agreed to-
upon same volume of sales for 1910, would rep
resent net loss of one-flfth of one per cent on
each dollar all other factors being equal In
addition to the increased wages demanded the
Union also demands double pay for eight legal
holidays.
In our effort to negotiate contract the Unions
representative was shown the Companys 1889 Federal
Income Tax return showing the gross and net profit
The answer that they not interested in profits
only Union wages. The Unions Business Agent took
the unqualified position that there is relation what
ever between the wages company can pay and the
profit it makes.
Wages, once agreed to, the least of
ployers trials and tribulatons. Actual management
Of our business, in so far the hiring of efficient
employees and the discharging OF inefficient employees
is concerned is taken out of hands and placed in
the hands Of the Union. We quote the Unions de-
mands ..ts H..
to sna .sa $
procure the consent Of the Union -
Two cases will illustrate the impossbiities of such
a demand, viz
engaged in fight in the dining room. Af1davits by
other employees and the arrestng officer showed that
both were drinking that att the fight was
the other employed iron bar and threw heavy water
glasses Several items of Company property were de-
liberately destroyed.
to Emergency Hospital for treatment: He treated
and discharged the following day Seven weeks later
he returned and demanded his job which was refused
on the grounds of his conduct and because of his alb
sence of seven weeks. In the interim he had been
employed at another place. The Union for several
weeks thereafter insisted that he be renstated which
was refused.
(2) The second incident occurred in August last
when white girl complained to the management of
the conduct OF cOlOred employee whom she charged
in an affidavit, had made improper advances to her
and had placed his hands on her person On August
7th, still another white waitress charged the same
colored employee with having attempted to assault
her in one of the storerooms Both charges sup
ported by afdavts of each girl The coored employee
was Immediately discharged.
On August 18th, 1889, suit was filed by the dis
charged employee and the Union, demanding $500
damages. On October Is, 1889, the case was tried.
At conclusion of the plaintiffs case verdict
being that of the Unions Business Agent, and
admission by the Unions attorney "that there
great deal of merit in the for his discharge"
Verdict for costs were awarded the Cafeteria, and
the Union refused and still refuses to pay Veri
cation of the facts be had by reference to Munich
pal Court Case No. 383 496.
CONCLUSION AND AN APOLOGY
We have no quarrel with the 81 of our employees
who belong to the Union. They have moral and legal
right to Union representation. Many Of our employees
have been with for several years and do not desire
to be represented by the Union That also is their legal
and moral right The owners of the Company are
entitled to fair return their investment and for
their labors
The Company has not refused to barter with the
Unions representatives but has refused to enter into
a contract that takes away from the management the
control of the affairs of the Company and which makes
the successful operation Of the Company Improbable
We have agreed to renew our present contract
with the Union, provided control Of the COmpanys
operation remains in the management This the
Union has refused. Thus the pickets.
We apologize to our patrons for any Inconvenience
they may have suffered result Of the picketing.
HARVEY L. COBB,
Attorney
PRESS CAFETERIA INC,
National Press Building (14th & F N.W)