The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-03-14
Both Agree
 T'oPostpone
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Continued from Page n cannot begin bargaining "immedi- ately",
 He asserted that company state- ments that action by conciliator iS awaited appears to be an at- tempt by the company to make the coneiliation service take the rap for its own delinquency,
 Clark s, Judd, chairman of the board of American Brass, said last night that conferences will probably not begin until next week.
 The same view was expressed to. day by J, Harold Madden director of industrial relations for A, B. O., who said that U. s. Conciliator Walter Maggiolo Is in the dispute officially and that any conference must Sbe arranged by him.
 'The situation is in Commis- sioner Maggiolo'S hands," said MT. Madden, Were subject to his call and ready to meet at his request"
 BenruS Raise Asked
 The C,IO, disclosed this after noon that 1t has asked the Benrus Watch Company to grant @ wage in- crease of l8 li2 cents an hour, MT. Mankowski said he has written the company q letter asking that the wage clause of the present contract be re-opened, under a provision al- lowing this step when any two com- companies in the area as large or larger than Benrus grant wage in- creaSes, The union, he said, will ask that the increases be made retroac- tive, The union contract with Ben- rus was signed Sept. 5, l945.
 The road for wage offers by Chase and American Brass was cleared yesterday when it was learned that the OPA has authorized increases averaging l l/2 cents a pound for brass products. This increase is aside from any wage increases that may be given.
 Chase and A.BC, employees went on strike Feb. 4, after the company had declined to make any wage offers to the union. Joining in the A.B.C. strike were employees of the Torrington, Ansonia and Buffalo, N. Y. plants. This week walkouts be- gan at the Chase plant in Cleve- land and the American Brass plant in Detroit.
 The text of MT. Mankowskis statement follows:
 The American Brass is now the only major brass firm in the Nau- gatuck Valley which has not taken steps to reopen negotiations with the union, toward the end that this dispute can be settled without un- due delay.
 The union wishes to make it clear to the public, that the union is just as agreeable to reopening negotla- tions with the American Brass, as was the case with Scovill's which has signed with the Union ending that dispute; with the Bristol Brass which has also signed; and with the Bridgeport Brass and the Chase Brass & Copper Company, with which negotiations are now in pro- gress.
 Direct Contact
 The union also wishes to point out that in the majority of cases In which negotiations were reopen- ed, the companies made direct cons tact with the union in the pros ductive stages. This is emphasized because the American Brass evl- dently is trying to make it appear that reopening Of negotiations is dependent upon contact being made between the parties by a federal conciliator Federal eoleiliatlon is frequently helpful during negotia- tions, but is not necessary in es- lablishing the contact to reopen negotiatiOns.
 Now that the pattern Of settle nent has been definitely eStablish- cd there is not the sllghteTs reason why the American Brass and the union can not st dawn immediate y to discuss the IS i-2 cent wage besls. Company statements that it is awaiting action by q eoneiliat0F appear to be an attempt by the company to try 10 make the cone ciliation service take the rap g0r its own delinquency.
 The union has no objection Q action by a eonclliatoF. but lt Is not essential at this point. pr0vid- cd the American Brass is sincerely 6esiFous Of Teopening negotiations on 2 realistic basis. in fulalment of its 6uiy t0 the community.
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