Evening star., 1941-12-04
Municipal Workers
In Detroit Vote Strike
In Wage Controversy
Roll Workers Plan
Express Agency WoIkout;
Dispute Hits Arsenal
BY the Associated Press.

Detroit's city government was con-
fronted with a strike threat by 5000
A. F. L. workers today and produc-
ton was curtailed at the Ravenna
arsenal by four-union strike
City employe union members voted
last night for a strike by December
IS, unless Reasonable" concessions
are made to their l6 demands which
include a Is per cent wage increase.
The meeting climaxed a day of
arguments before the Common
Council during which councilmen
delayed a vote on the unions pro-
gram until they could get a report
from Budget Director David V. Addy
on the total cost of putting the de-
mands into effect.
Arthur M. Stringari, union busi-
ness agent, said salaried employees
would meet in the next few days to
consider a similar vote. He eSti-
mated that union membership COW
cred approximately 5000 of the city,
daily workers. Mr.. Addv said the
city pay roll listed $1,000 employees.
Arsenal Strike.
The Ravenna arsenal strike, how
ever, did not affect construction
work on uncompleted portions of the
$57 900 900 project.
Army spokesmen said only 10 per
cent of the approximately 1850 pro-
duction employees left their jobs.
President r. r. Walker of the In
dependent Arsenal Workers of
America declared Yesterday the
strike was so per cent effective and
predicted 1T will be 100 per cent to-
morrow"
Army offlcials said they were in
formed the 5000 to 10000 A. r. l..
construction workers would cross the
picket line, although two A. F. l..
unions-the switchmen and ma
chinists-collaborat in calling the
production walkout.
The strike was called because the
Atlas Powder Co, operator of the
plant, refused TO sign a contract
which it previously had agreed TO.
said Mr.. Walker
George NJ Harrison. president Of
the Brotherhood Of Railway Clerks,
called the unions general chairmen
to meet in Chicago Monday to plan
q al trtl
Railway Express Agency. He said
the company refused TO accept the
Of the Presidents S
board which settled the
general railroad wage dispute.
Shipyard Closed
In Wilmington, Del. production
Of s22 800 900 in cargo ships for the
Maritime Commission was still halt
ed at the Pusey Il Jones Ship
building Corp after c. l. o. union
lists called a strike yesterday to back
up demands for union shop and
wage adjustments.
While leaders of the Industrial
Union of Marine and Shipbuilding
Workers of America claimed more
than half of the yards 1000 en-
ployes had Joined the walkout,
company spokesman announced the
firm had decided not to open the
yards.
United States Cancellation Com
missioner Lucien F. Rye sought to
work ont a settlement
In Flint, Mich, Is policemen and
sheri1's deputies. armed with tear
gas equipment and riot guns. stood
guard at the Durant Hotel. scene
of the picket line Staying of a c. I.
o. organizer last night. State po-
lice were being held in readiness
nearby in case of a renewal of fight
ing between C. I. o. and A. F. l..
unionists.
The c. I. O. union threw picket
line around the hotel last night.
charging that nine C. I. o. employees
had been discharged at the insist
ence Of the A. F. L. Culinary Work.
ers and Bartenders' Union.
Fighting broke out after an A. F.
L. unionist escorted two mattresses
from the besieged building.
The A. F. L. man and c. I. o.
organizer rolled on the ground Both
men were wounded. apparently by
Seven-inch kitchen knife, the c. l.. o.
man fatally.