Evening star., 1944-05-03
Canadian Ford Plants
Again Idle in Dispute
Over Board's S Terms
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
WINDSOR. Ontario, May s.
The giant plants of the Ford
Motor Co. of Canada were idle
again today after a mass meet
ing at which members of the
United Automobile Workers
Union (CIO) voted last night to
halt work until satisfactory set
tlement is reached on a dispute
over grievance procedure.
The new shutdown came only
three days after work had been re-
sumed following a Today stoppage
which resulted from a similar dis
pute.
Picket lines again were established
at the gates of the factories and men
coming on the midnight shift made
no attempt to enter through the
lines when they were informed of
the union decision
One thousand office workers. also
members of the union but who had
not taken part in the previous
Walkout, refused to cross the picket
lines and union spokesmen said
they would remain out In sympathy.
Dissatisfied With Procedure.
The work stoppage which began
April 20 apparently had been settled
last week end on the basis of terms
drawn up by the National Wartime
Labor Relations Board in confer
ences with union and company rep
resentatives at Ottawa.
Union officials, however, expressed
dissatisfaction with the boards rec
concentrations for grievance pro-
cedure, and the mass meeting was
called. The stoppage decision, how
ever, was opposed by Roy England
president of Local 200 of the union.
while a Chicago telegram from
George Burt, Canadian director of
the UAW, said the International
Board wished the men to return to
work.
The mass meeting last night was
among the largest the union has
ever held, the union asserting that
10000 attended.
The telegram from Br. Burt said
TT Is my belief the company is
trying to jeopardize the unions posi-
tlon with the board. Don't let the
company force us into this position.
The reputation of your union is at
stake"
Difficulties in Other Plants Seen.
Thomas MacLean, assistant re-
glonal director of the union, told
the workers, however: 1--WE have
always capitulated to the company.
We did SO because we wanted to
build a strong union" He added
that the policy at present laid down
by the board in Ottawa as regards
grievance procedure could only re-
suit unfavorably for u.s."
IF we capitulate this time 1t will
be Chrysler next and then General
Motors" he continued. "If the gov
ernment can find room for $4,000
men in Jail, let them find it. They
may have to find room for $4,000
more. If you go back tomorrow
you'll get the same treatment you
got before"
Mr.. England said: "We're forget
ting few things, it seems to me.
This decision we make tonight, if it
is in support of this recommends
ton (to resume the stoppage), will
weigh heavy On our heads If invasion
starts within few days. IT we
continue to remain out I believe 1t
will be very, very bad for our union
throughout Canada" ...
Supports Majority Decision.
When these sentiments apparently
received no support. Mr.. England
pleaded for unity on the picket lines
and behind the majority decision.
The original work stoppage on
April 20 started when day-shift
workers left their jobs for a half
holiday" in protest over grievance
procedure. A short time later the
company notified the union 1t was
terminating the collective bargain
ing agreement, in effect since jan
uary Is. 1912, on the grounds the
Walkout was breach of contract.
Settlement of the stoppage was
reached after the union and COM
pany accepted recommendation of
the National Wartime Labor Rela-
tions Board for a return to work
pending negotiation of a new bar