The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-04-05


 the Bank Street headquarters of the Chase Local, C.LO. Mine, Mill & Shelter Workers Union.
 Preparations for resump- tion of production next week were being rushed by the management. Large mainte- nance crews were getting machinery and equipment ready for the return of work CTS to their jobs. Union pick cts were withdrawn, after 61 days.
 The contract provides wage in- crease of IS leg cents an hour for all Chase employees, effective the day they return to work, with the increase to be paid regardless of any action by, the Wage Stahiliza- ton oBard, Other key sections of the agreement provide for involun- tary checkoff of union dues, arbi- tration of disputes, distribution of vacation pay during the first week Of work, and establishment of mini- mum rates for workers at the com pany's three local plants Waterbury Manufacturing Company, Chase Metal Works and Chase Rolling Mills.
 Agreement Ratified
 Agreement reached between the management and the negotiating committee of the union on basic issues was ratified by the member ship of the Case Local at Temple Hall Wednesday. The committee was authorized to complete nego- tiationS with the management on remaining. issues. 1 e-t.'y
 The full contract text was ready for signing this afternoon after the negotiators had prepared 1t clause by clause during several all-day sessions
 President James McGrath of the Chase Local announced that a spe- cial meeting of the locals member ship will be held at 10 a. m. tomor- row at Concordia Hall The meeting will be followed by a union victory parade and demonstration in the downtown area.
 The Chase strike began February {, after the company had declined to make any counter-offer to the MMS.W. demands for higher wages. The company's position was that higher operating costs after the end of the war made wage in- creases impossible unless the OPA authorized higher price ceilings for brass products.
 Negotiated Other Issues
 First direct negotiations came soon after word from Washington that higher brass prices were be- ing authorized. The company sub- mitted two alternate wage offers, neither of which was acceptable to the unions negotiating committee.
 Stymied on wages, the disputants agreed to negotiate other issues. When considerable progress was made, the wage issue was allowed to be introduced. After exchanging offers and counter-offers, the re- gotiators finally arrived at an &C., cord on wages and other basic is- sues. The terms were submitted to the membership of the Chase Local at Temple Hall Wednesday night and unanimously approved.
 The union committee. authorized to complete negotiations on all re- maining points, was in session with the company representative all day yesterday and again this morning. Four stenographers worked with the conferees from Wednesday on, as they worked over the full new con- tract word by word.
 Maintenance Men Let In
 The union asked that a full con- tract be drafted and signed before withdrawing its pickets. However. maintenance workers and addition al office and clerical workers were allowed to enter Chase plants and offices yesterday to prepare for re- sumption of production.
 A strike at the Cleveland plant
  of the Chase Company ended Mon- day, after the company had agreed to an l8la cent increase. Mrs Chase announced yesterday that approval of this increase had already come from the Wage Stabilization Board. The WISE. he said. had acted with comnendable speed.
 End Of the Chase strike left the American Brass Company as the only member of the Big 3" still strike-bound. Chase and AB.C. workers began their strikes on the same day. February {. A strike be- gan two days later at the Seovill 1 Manufacturing Company, ending l March IS.
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