The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-01-25

T and our employees could have con- tinued to work while solution was found. Our mill employees average over S60 a week, which is com paratively high pay fin any industry"
 Union Representative Quiet
 John J. Mankowski, international representative of the CTo Mine Mil & Shelter Workers union, said today that the union officials had nothing further to say other than the strike date was official.
 we are now making preparations for the strike should the compan- ies refuse to go any further on the issues involved, Mir. Mankowski said.
 Union officials held an intra- committee barley again this morn- ing. A meeting has been called with the Chase Company for 9:30 a. m. Tuesday for discussion of strike operations. It is likely that main- tenance workers and administra- tive employees will be permitted in- to the plants.
 The strikes are expected to in- yolve each entire plant, so that picketing will take place entirely around each of the industrial con- cernS.
 Other Branches Hit
 Involved are the Scovill Mfg. Co.,, and it's Waterville branch, the Chase Brass & Copper Co.,, and the Waterbury division of the American Brass Company and its plants in Torrington, Ansonia and Buffalo, N. Y. About l9,500 workers will be In. volved while an additional 5000 Will be made idle at the Bridgeport Brass Go.
 The unions resolution passed last ritht when the strike date was set points out that the wage demand IS made to meet the sharp increase in living costs and to protect the lake-home pay level established during the war" declares that the major companies have refused to offer any adequate" counter-wage proposals although their war prof its have been huge, their financial position impregnable and their tax credits under the present law pro- vide them with full protection against operating losses in the next two years"
 The CIO charges in the declara- ton that the corporations have re- fused to give wage increases until they receive price relief. The union asserts further that it has no aSSur- ance that these companies will fol- low the so-called national wage pattern" to be set by nationwide strikes in the other major industries because they have refused to avert strike action by agreeing in advance the cents-per-h settlement in the steel wage dispute"
 In similar strikes already 1T progress throughout the State tht | custom has been to permit various specified type workers through tht picket lines. These have consist ed of maintenance workers and some administrative employees. Cards are usually issued to these people by the unions permitting them to cross the picket lines. It is expected that similar measures will be tax. en locally Harold Senior CIO eci- tor said today.
 Cards will be issued to union pick cts which will be punched each day to show the number of hours put in oy the union member in the actual picketing. The rotating method will be used so thGt each picket will serve in the latter capacity but for~ short time. Each normal shift of the slant involved will be blanketed.
 ScOvilI Makes Suggestions
 The Scovill statement issued tC it's employees today is as follows:
 "To Members of the Scovill Brass Workers Union, Local 569 CIO: To- night you will consider the com pany,s offer to settle the remaining four contract issued. In brief the company has offered: IA 10 percent wage increase. "A voluntary revocable check-oft instead of a union shop.
 3-A strong no strike no lockout clause.
 4-Tle same clause as in last years contract to employees on leave of absence of work for unions.
 The union has turned down each of the company's offers. We now learn that strike deadline has been set for Monday. Feb. 4th for the Scovill main plant and it's Wateryil!e Division.
 "If you strike what will you be striking for? Certainly not for wages We estimate that a two week strike will cost the average employe more than any possible additional offer could yield in year of work. No ad- ditional offer will be made with the national wage situation what it is.
 "Perhaps a union shop? Our em- ployes have shown they will not be forced into a union. Tn October. the last month of check-off a total of l.0ls employees were checked off in the two plants.
 We suggest you accept the com pany's offer and avoid strike. No one will win itl"
 I. was stated by company officials today that the concern employes 6. :. 900 in its main plant and 575 in the WateFYille division.
 F0ur Plants Agree Meanwhile four non-basie bras. plants in Waterbury have reached : an agreement on issues involved With the cIO Union. These con. sist of the Mattatuck ManufactlIr, ing Company, A. H. Wells Company Waterbury Rolling Mills and Sey, mour smith, Inc, Oakyille.
 Mir. Mankowski said today thai organized employees of the U. s Time Corporation. although the. have not voted to strike. will bl asked to reconsider if future nego nations on the wage issue with tn company should collapse.