Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-01
Phone Pay Rule
Gets Favorable
Reaction Here
Decision Brings Threat
Of WuIkout From
New York Workers

Employees and officials of the Ches-
apeake g. Potomac Telephone Co.
today appeared satisfied with the
decision OF the War Labor Board
granting 1850 operators weekly wage
increases between 81 and IS and some
200 clerical employees a weekly wage
increase Of about ST. Increases Of
So also were granted to telephone
workers In New York City, Louis
vile, KY, and Memphis, Tenn.
In New York, however, a strike
OF operators was threatened.
Counsel for the Federation of
Long Lines Telephone Workers in
New York reported workers were
considering reinstituting a strike
notice under the Smith Connally
Act. Attorney Henry Mayer charged
That the WLB had overridden the
telephone panels recommendation
OF S. weekly increase for New
York operators and had even cut
the company's own offer of 81.
In Washington, the board decision
was Endorsed by Mrs. Mary E. Gan
non, president of the Washington
Telephone Traffic Union. She COM
mented that, so far as the operating
force is concerned. "it appears that
1t will be satisfactory"
Months of Negotiations.
The WLB findings, described by
Chairman William H. Davis as "a
sound and practical approach to
the peculiar problems of the indus
try" followed months of negotia-
lions. Failing agreement between
the company and the union, the
local wage dispute went to a WLB
panel last September.
WLB made the wage increases
retroactive to April /, 1914, and also
decreased the length of the progress
sion schedule from 10 to years.
The present minimum wage for OPP
orators is $40 a week and the max
imum $33
On the question of temporary OPP
orators brought in from other cities
and paid extra for room and board.
the board stated that it was felt
that the new rates will alleviate
the necessity for having borrowed
employees in Washington within a
reasonably short time and will create
the conditions under which the an
nounced intention of the company
to remove all transferees can be
fully effective"
The board ordered the two parties
to meet, If necessary, with respect to
any question which might arise in
the future regarding borrowed en-
lployes. The union had strenuously
objected to the importation" of OPP
orators and paying them extra
allowances.
Findings Called Reasonable"
H. Randolph Maddox, vice presi-
dent OF the telephone company here,
said that while the company has
not completed its study of the VILE
decision, a preliminary review in
dicates that the findings are 'rea.,
sonable" ...
The company official added: 18th
er wage proposals which have been
agreed to between the company and
the union that represents plant,
accounting, commercial and other
employees are still before the board
for approval, and the company
hopes that decision on these pro-
posals will be received soon"
Cases acted upon yesterday are
the first stemming from the new
tripartite national telephone panel,
which has jurisdiction over all dis
putes and voluntary requests for
approval of wage increases in the
telephone industry.
Mr.. Davis pointed out that the
panel found that application of the
Little Steel formula in the tele-
lphone industry presents no spe-
cial problem other than the tech
nical ones arising from the long
automatic progression schedule"
Action on the question of substand-
ards was deferred, Mr.. Davis said,
until the problems of gross inequi-
ties are met.
Another popularity which creates
a special problem in applying board
wage policy on gross inequities
arises from the fact all Associated
Bell companies are part of single
closely woven SYSTEM" he declared.
The panels recommendations
which followed "a careful and pains
taking study" met the boards
unanimous approval, Mr.. Davis said.
Red Crnss Cnnfnine