Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1946-06-15
By jones Y. Newton

The Nation today was free OF
a major strike or strike threat
for the first time since last Sep
TENDER after narrowly averting
a Gripping maritime strike be-
cause of last-minute agreements
literally hammered out by the
Government.
Five unions of the CIO-controled
Committee for Maritime Unity
called off strikes set for last mid
night directly on the heels of the
signing here of new agreements
which the unions said meant "un-
precedented victories for sea-faring
men,
The peace settlements were signed
at the Labor Department at II pm.
last night, one minute before the
strikes were scheduled to begin at
Eastern ports on daylight saving
time. Agreement was preceded by
wild confusion and stormy sessions
between representatives of the
unions, maritime management and
Government taking part in the
negotiations.
Stoppage Expected to Be Brief.
Although many crews already had
lett their vessels when the settle
ment came and work stoppages were
reported still in progress at most
ports, officials believed the disturb
ances would be of only brief dura-
ton. Rank-and-file members had
yet to ratify new contracts in a
number of ports.
Briefly, the new agreements mean
a wage boost of about $50 a month
to most seagoing personnel and %
/ cents an hour to West Coast dock
workers of Harry Bridges Intsrna-
tlonal Longshoremen's Union. Sea-
going unions which entered into
new contracts with ship operators
are the CLIO National Maritime
Union (sailors), Clio American Com
munications' Association radio op-
erators), CLIO Union of Marine
Cooks and Stewards and the Pacific
Coast Marine Firemen, Oilers,
Watertenders and Wipers' Associa-
! ZION tlndependent).
Newly won pay increases boost
the pay of ordinary seamen from
s127.50 month to s177.50 and of
able bodied seamen from las to
about sl95 month.
| Measure Retroactive to April.
| Two unions of the recently formed
Committee for Maritime Unity were
not involved in the negotiations
since their contracts have not ex-
plred. These are Inland Boatmen's
| Union of the Pacific and National
Marine Engineers Beneficial Asso-
citation.
Contracts of the four sea-going
unions involved in the settlements
were EXTENDED to June is, l947, but
may be reopened for wages on
January l. Their month paw
increase is retroactive to April of
this year.
Terms granted Mr.. Bridges long
Shoremen were the same as recon-
mended a month ago by a Federal
fact-flnding board, except the re-
troactive pay of % cents an hour to
October l last year must be paid by
water front management by October
81, point insisted on by the union.
Mr.. Bridges contract extends only
through September 80 and he has
issued solemn warning that he will
demand another wage increase at
that time. He got nothing from the
two weeks of negotiating here that
would not have been given his men
as result of fact-finding.
Conway Orders Acceptance.
/ The Government owns 80 per cent
OF the estimated 3,100 ships of the
American merchant fleet, some 800
of which have been immobilized
since VI day. Shipping companies
operate the Government ships as
agents for the War Shipping Ad-
ministration.
Key to the settlement of the mari.
time strike was an order from Capt.
Granville Conway, war, shipping ad-
ministrator, to the operator
of the Government directing" them
ICoo NThDITTNFE 49,