The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-15
Labor Management Showdown Foreseen As Postwar Strike
 Troubles Sweep Over Nation
l6o,0oo Workers ldled by Strikes Which Hit MoioF Industries
By UNITED PRESS

A postwar SCrlke WM*M flared today into a maior economic battle as the naN tion's labor forces girded 70 keep wages at wartime levels and spread work opportunl~ ties in the reconversios1 period.
 Industrialists claimed wage increases were Inconsistent with the government holdv down on prices.
 As the total number of workers idled by strikes scared past 100000, the CIO United Automobile Workers union yesterday served notice of revolutionary tactics to force wages up.
 The executive board Of the big CIO union, representing 1,250,000 automobile work CTS, unveiled a power.packed weapon - a system wide strike of a single company ito be used, If needed, to gain a 30 per cent wage boost for the industry.
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 Swiftly on the heels of this nli~ founeement came 6 statement from Ford Motor Co.,, in Detroit, that, plagued by suppliers work stops pages, it had lald of 5000 elia@ ployeS, haltlng production of Ford cars.
 A similar blanket demand for wage increases came from tho unin ted Steel Workers of America (CIO). This was answered from managements standpoint last night in New York by Benjamin !. Ealf~ less. president of the .. 6. steel Corp.
 FairleSs, commenting on the stocls workers request for . e2 Q day pay hike, said tiatly there could be no wage raises without an increase n steel prices. The industgy's produe~ ton of ordinary steel pFoduolh, ha said, 'ls now being sold at an aRefs age loss"
 Brig. Gen. Leonard P. Ayers, vicos president Of the Cleveland Trust. Co.,, held that reconveFsion employs ment was not depression employs mont.
 Ayers said federal laws and puhIlo works would Do of little ald ia give ing work to war plant Idle and re~ turning Servicemen because Of tho need for fast peacetime plant Te- tooling.
 Several unIonistS have asised q shorter work week to spread aln@ ployment.
 Detroit, the nations top reConveF@ sion hot spot, became the chiok la4 Dor management battleground whom high .. A. W. oiliclAl suaaanloa that General Motors Corp, the Ford Motor O., and Chrysier Corp, be subjected to the proposed labor squeeze.
 George Adds. international see retary and treasurer of the Q. A. w. said no agreement had been reached as to which of the Big Three" auto manufacturers would De affected hV . mass walkout.
 One union ofiaeial said General Motors, considering the 90 per oofs pay boost in reopening of contract negotiations. would provide the best possible test because lb employs the greatest number ok automobile workers and possesnan the greatest financial power in the industry.
 An unauthorized strike Of f,B00 auto workers at the Kelsey. Hayes Wheel O., Detroit, was responaIhla for throwing out of jobs eoEao 7.on0 Ford workers. The strikers walked out 20 days ago to protest dlsinizsKE of i2 union stewards.
 Henry Ford II said tho layoH 0E 5000 In Ford plants thrcughout the country was necessary because Of Kelsey Hayes failure to aunn|y needed production parts. He aaI& this meant virtual shutdown Of aIi Ford operations.
 Some 10000 Of the affected Ford workers are in the Detroit area. The others were employed in paE0 units at Green Island, N. x, Hains ilton, O.: Buffalo, N. Y.: EdgeWafer N. J.; Louisville, Ky: Dallas, Tex.s Richmond, Calf, and Chester Ra.
 officials of the rebel Kegley4 Hayes JAW local were called he. fore international nnles. sfAn==s@ and advised that an administFator would be appointed over tho local to effect an immediate settlemezt of the lingering wildcat dispute.
 More than 20,O00 other workers were idled by Detroit akrikeE. A11