The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1946-03-06
Negotiations For
GM Will be
Resumed
(By the Associated Press

! Nb VI Nht HdNiOu Nlldl lHuun-
tries--railroads and communica-
tions-were threatened with strikes
today, but there were hopes OF
settlement or delay OF both
scheduled walkouts.
As the deadline for the country
wide work stoppage OF 100000 tele-
phone workers. R. m. Thursday
drew near. federal conciliators
reported some progress" as they
sought to effect a settlement OF a
wage dispute between the Amerl-
can Telephone and Telegraph
company and the long lines tele-
phone workers.
A walkout OF about 5000 loco
motive engineers and trainmen
repeatedly was set TO start next
Monday on most ma ior railroads
but there were indications that
railway labor act procedure would
delay the strike for at least 80
days
Although officials OF the two big
railroad brotherhoods in several
cities disclosed receipt OF calls for
the walkout OF engineers and train
men. presidents of the unions at
headquarters in Cleveland did not
confirm or deny that a strike date
had been set. In Chicago, a rail-
road spokesman said that no raif-
road had been notified officially OF
the reported walkout
Thirty Days
Belief was expressed by observ-
ers that the mediation procedure
would be followed after the strike
call. with President Truman
naming an emergency fact-hnding
commission which would have 30
days in which to study the strike
| threat and report recommendation
for settlement. Since passage
| of the act 90 years ago. there have
been no extensive strikes against
ma ior railroads.
In a nationwide strike vote. men,
bers OF the two brotherhoods APP
proved a strike in support OF de-
mands for a % per cent wage in
crease and for changes in 45 rules
governing working conditions.
Three other operating and Is nom
operatig brotherhoods agreed to
submit their wage demands to arbi-
trstion after they had agreed to
drop the rules question for the
time being.
As officials OF the A. T.. g. 7.
and union leaders planned to re-
sumo wage negotiations in Wash
ington. Joseph A. Beirne. president
OF the National Federation of Tele-
phone Workers. parent affiliate or
the long lines telephone workers
and l6 other unions scheduled to
strike, did not appear optimistic
over a settlement being effected.
Would Respect Lines
Although only II OF the NFTW's
81 local unions have voted to
strike. which would result in a
work stoppage OF 10000. most or
remaining "a unions would respect
picket lines and stay away from
their Jobs. A NFTW spokesman
said the strike would cause a virtu-
ally complete blackout of telephone
service throughout the country.
Although results OF the negotia-
lions were not disclosed. the Long
Lines Federation held to its de-
mands for wage increase OF 1Sl2
cents an hour The company,
which earlier had offered hike OF
Is cents. was reported ready TO
consider a figure just under Il
cents.
No Nearer
Meanwhile. the l06-day General
Motors strike appeared no nearer
settlement as the CIO United Auto
Workers leaders planned to resume
negotiations with corporation Of
fcials in Detroit. The union
charged the strike was "a lockout
after General Motors repeated its
rejection OF a union proposal for
arbitration OF unsettled issues. in
Guiding wages.
In Washington. bituminous coal
operators agreed TO meet with
John l.. Lewis United Mine Work
ers committee March - to discuss
new contract covering wages,
working conditions and the issue
OF recognizing supervisory en-
ployes. The UNIV has filed 50-day
strike notices threatening e walk
out OF 100000 miners April l un-
less wage demands are met.
oh no