The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-10-31
N Overtures .odeto End City Strike
 WoIkout Threot
 By Pork Workers Reported Today

The strike of Street Department and Engineering Bureau employees against the City of Waterbury con- tinued today without any overtures toward settlement being made.
 Timothy M. Collins, secretary treasurer of Local 677, A. F. L. In- ternational Brotherhoow of Team Sters. and president of the Con- necticut Federation of Labor, said the union is ready and willing to meet the proper city officials at any time to work out settle ment." No comment for fotrhcom- ing from the city administration, which yesterday charged that the strike had been called without no- tice and while the workers pleas for higher pay were being studied by the Board of Public works
 Possible spread of the strike, which started yesterday, +~ another municipal subdivision was seen in an announcement of a meeting of Park Department employees to- snight, Yesterday MT. Collins an- nounced that his union is ready to accept members from any city of- fNe, department or bureau.
 Tickets carrying signs describing the city government as unfair marched in fvont of entrances to the City Yards today as work re- mained halted on surfacing and oiling projects. The strike has not affected the Bureau of Water.
 Time and Half Major Demand
 Union spokesmen today empla- sized that payment of time and a half for overtime is one of their principal demands, claiming that some employees have had to work 72 hours a week without receiving more than straight time pay.
 The union also seeks recognition as bargaining agent, wage increase of 10 1-2 cents an hour, and i'm provements in working conditions. Complaints on working conditions involve alleged poor toilet facilities, lack of ventilation in the blacksmith shop and insufficient safety masks in the asphalt plant. Street depart ment workers also complain against practices of certain supervisors.
 Business Agent Walter Dinkosh of Local 677 said the union will insist that any agreement on wages be made retroactive to Oct. 16, when union representatives appeared be- fore the Board of Works. MT. Col hrs had first placed the unions de- mands before Mayor John S. Mon- agan in September.
 Work on fall projects is well ahead of schedule because of the excellent weather, said John P. FitMnaurice, executive secretary o the mayor. No major projects are tied up be- cause of the strike, he reported. Trucks under contract to the city are being used to haul sand in preparation for Winter needs, he said.
 Cites Increase From 1941
 Superintendent of Streets Her. bert Scott-Smith claimed yesterday that since 1941 the pay of drivers has been increased B percent and that of laborers 46 percent.
 Edward Martin. union steward at the Street Department, said that 65 union members of the departments 85 employees were on strike and that an additional eight or 10 non-union members were away from their jobs He claimed that 12 laborers in the Engineering Bureau were on strike The city said that the strikers in the latter bureau numbered only 10 instead of F.
 Business Agent DinkosN said that a formal 30-day advance notice of the strike had been filed, in compli- ance with the Smith Connally Act.