Evening star., 1946-05-19
'WM&A Drivers
Stage Wa|kout
In Pay Dispute
Bus Union Action
To Affect $4,000
Workers in District
(Picture on Page A-6.)

Employees of the Washington,
Marlboro g. Annapolis Motor
Lines, Inc, which brings into
Washington daily about $4,000
persons from Is Maryland COM
munities between the District
line and Chesapeake Beach,
walked out at midnight last
night over a Accent wage dispute.
James M. Halcombe, president of
Local 1865, Amalgamated Associa-
ton of Electric Railway and Motor
Coach Employees, AFL, declared that
more than two-thirds of the unions
100 members yesterday voted against
the company's proposal of S1.06 an
hour for operators, insisting on
$l.l0.
He explained that this is not a
strike" but that the union members
simply would not work without
contract. The contract under which
they had been operating expired at
midnight.
Meeting Scheduled Today.
A meeting between Government
conciliators and union and COM
pany officials, at which the issue
will be discussed, is scheduled to be
held today, it was learned last night
from Raymond Johns, secretary OF
the local
The conciliation meeting was be-
ing arranged by Richard Goedrick
of the United States Cancellation
Service.
One of those who will attend the
meeting, Mr.. Johns said, will be
Clayton Perry, president of the
unions Local 1900, in Baltimore,
who has been called to represent
the union.
Union members reported to the
home of their president, Mr.. Hall
combe, last night between $50 and
midnight, as they completed their
runs.
Terminal Picketing Planned.
CAS- they reported to the union
presidents home at 2109 Fairlawn
avenue Sc, they We're assigned
to set up 24-hour picketing, without
signs, at the bus terminal, 403
Eleventh street NV, and the Office
and garage, 1910 Southern avenue
S.E.
Leslie L. Altman, president Of
the lines, said in a prepared state
ment, that>sthe company has no
further proposition to- make to the
union and there is now no arbitra-
BILE issue"
He added that the company's pay
roll would be increased by SAC, 600
under the contract his company
proposed. and that to accept the
unions demands would add another
$4,000
Mr. Altman said the new tsdl.,ract,
which already has been approved
by committee representing the
union in all respects except wages,
calls for 19-cent hourly increase
for bus operators and an increase
of from l3 to l8 cents an hour for
shop and garage employees.
19-Cent Offer Made.
The 19-cent figure, Mr.. Altman
explained. includes Scent an hour
increase given to the operators last
January under the expiring con.
tract. At present. according to Mr..
Altman, the operators receive 90
cents an hour.
The new contract also provide,
for a union shop and an extra weeks
vacation after four years service.
the company president said. EN-
ployeS now get one weeks vacation
after four years.
The union has refused arbitration.
Mr.. Altman said.
Passenger points served by the
line include Andrews Field, the NAVY
photographic Office and Census
Bureau at Suitland.
Among the communities that are
served are Capitol Heights, Seat
Pleasant, Suitland. Temple Hills.
Silver Hill, Forestville, Ardmore.
Carmody Hills, Oaklawn, District
H e g HI is. Marlboro. Chesapeake
Beach, North Beach, Bradbury
Heights, and intermediate points.
Field to Increase Service.
The Andrews Field public rela-
tlons office announced last night
1t would increase its regular bus
tSee WM6sA, Page A-6.)