Evening star., 1941-07-24
Electrical Workers
Strike Threat Lifted
In New York City
One-Doy WoIkout Of
Crane Operators in
Illinois Called or
BY the Associated Press.

ployes of three West Coast airplane
factories, and officials of rs building
trades unions at ST. Louis signed an
agreement-still subject to ratihca-
ton by the rank and file-barring
work stoppages on defense projects.
Although national defense off,
cials were cheered by these and
other signs of conciliation, labor
disputes continued at several other
points, including Key West, Fla,
and Huntington, w. Va.
Strike Vote Rescinded.
A spokesman for the New York
City A. F. L. electricians announced
that the union had rescinded its vote
for strike, after long consultations
with electrical contractors, who de-
clared strike would tie up millions
of dollars worth of construction
projects. The union has been in an
extended dispute with the Consoli-
dated Edison Co. over installation Of
electrical equipment by the COM
pany employees, rather than A. F. L.
electricians.
The strike of los crane operators
at plants of the American Steel
Foundries at East st. Louis and
Granite City was called off late
yesterday when the men agreed to
return to work pending negotiation
of their grievances. The operators
have demanded 40-minute rest
periods every two hours. The COM
pany has offered midmorning and
| midafternoon rest periods of 20
minutes each, and Is minutes at
noon.
Master Contract Considered.
The master wage agreement under
consideration by the Lockheed, Vega
and Consolidated airplane factories
on the West Coast was expected to
be patterned on the scale negotiated
by the North American Aviation
Corp. and the c. I. o. That con-
tract raised the minimum starting
rate from so to so cents an hour,
provided for automatic stepups to
IS cents and gave a blanket increase
of 10 cents an hour to all workers
not otherwise affected.
At Key West 1000 A. r. L. con-
struction workers who walked of
several defense projects voted last
night to continue their strike for an
increase in wages from 40 to 62l2
cents an hour Marines with bay
oneted rifles patrolled the construc-
ton areas.
Unsuccessful efforts were made
yesterday to settle a strike at the
American Car and Foundry Co.
railroad car building plant at Hunt
ington. The plant was closed yes
terday when a one-year labor con-
tract expired.
Seeks Basic Pay Increase.
The c. I. o. local seeks an increase
in the basic hourly wage rate from
so to 72la cents, also a union shop,
the checkoff and vacations with
pay. The company has offered to
increase the basic rate to so cents
and to raise the pay of pieceworkers
by 10 per cent.
Negotiations opened at Chicago
today on the demands of American
railroad workers for wage increases
which the carriers estimated would
amount to nearly $500, 900 900 year.
The five big operating unions
sought a 80 per cent increase in the
basic pay rates of 350,000 workers,
and the IA incorporating unions
were prepared to specify tomorrow
their requests for increases of from
80 to "a cents an hour for about 80O,-
900 additional employees.
Current wage scales vary widely,
with the lowest pay among the five
operating unions being S5.06 q day
paid switch tenders.
New Open Shop Policy.
The Federal Works Agency met
a strike on a defense housing project
at Grand Prairie, Tex, by changing
contractors and introducing 4 new
open-shop policy. A. F. L. con-
struction workers had walked out
yesterday, protesting against use of
w. P. A. workers on landscaping and
road building.
C. I. o. United Automobile Work
ers accepted a plan worked out by
the Defense Mediation Board for
settlement of a strike at Air As
sociates, Inc, at Bendix, N. j., but
the company was to study the set
tlement plan for a few days. The
union men walked out July IA con-
tending that "a employees had been
laid off for union activity.
The Mediation Board proposed
that all employees, including the "a
laid off, be allowed to return to
work without discrimination. that
back-pay disputes be arbitrated, and
that the company and union start
negotiating for q collective bargain
ing agreement, to be reached by
August 9. The plant makes parts
for airplanes.
Lewis Urges Avery Action.
John L. Lewis, president of the
c. I. o. United Mine Workers,
called on Sewell Avery, president
of the U. S. Gypsum Co., to join
him in efforts to settle strike at
II of the firms plants The union
seeks a common national contract
and a wage increase of 10 cents
an hour. The present scale was not
made public.
The International Harvester Co.
announced a 5-cent-an-hour wage
increase for an estimated 5000 en-
ployes, whose present wage scale was
not disclosed. The wage boost will
cost the company about $500, 900
year, and acects workers in Chi
cago, Rock Island, Rock Falls, Can
ton and East Moline, ILL.,; Indian
apolis, Fort Wayne and Richmond,
Ind; Springfield. Ohio; Milwaukee,
Auburn, N. Y; Chattanooga, Tenn;
Huntington Park, Calf, and New
Orleans.