The Ypsilanti daily press., 1946-04-03
Union demands
Dismissal of
Engineer

In one OF the stormiest sessions
on record Ypsilanti city council
Tuesday evening voted to retain
Carl Greim as an employe In the
engineering department. His dis
missal after allowance OF 80 days
In which he could seek new en-
ployment, had been recommended
by State, County and Municipal
Workers OF America Union and by
a majority OF the labor relations
committee Of city council.
There were five votes against re-
tentlon OF Mr.. Greim and four In
favor OF keeping him. This ap-
peared to be a deciding vote. but
was declared lost on accoun: OF a
vacancy in the council, the ruling
being that since the city charter
provides that a resolution must be
passed by a majority OF all elected
aldermen, and since ten had been
elected. no less han six votes can
constitute a majority.
Aldermen voting to oust Mr..
Greim were Frank Seymour, Clyde
Budd, Forrest Tefft, William A..
Jellis. and Fremont Peterson. AL
dermen voting 20 retain him were
James Waite. W. C. Durant, Stan
ley Norton and C. Fred Beck.
The missing alderman was Leon
Y. Burrell. who after being elected
alderman in the second ward.
moved to another ward. To avoid
expense Of a special election. coun-
cilmen had decided not to fill his
position till May 6 when the newly
elected alderman, Creston B. Myers
will be seated.
The issues involved in no way
reflected on Mr.. Greim's ability as
a gas or electrical engineer. He
was given the all OUT support Of
the board OF public works and Of
City Engineer T. Fred Older tor
whom he works.
Wanted Good Service Ia,
The evenings lively. discuss il,
Indicated that the difficulties which
came to q head Tuesday had .heir
beginning when Mr.. Greim first
came to Ypsilanti to meet an emer-
gency situation which resulted
from a six months illness OF Mr..
Older. There were personality
clashes with employees OF the city
at that time, and testimony given
In the council meeting Tuesday in
dicated that the demands for Mr..
Greim's retirement are the result
Of his demands for efficient serv-
fee.
A year ago city employees wen.
on strike with dismissal OF Mr..
Greim as the main issue. This was
settled on agreement that he be
removed from all contact with city
employees and function only in an
engineering and clerical capacity.
Workmen claimed they were given
an additional guarantee that he
would seek employment elsewhere
but this was denied.
The agreement was signed Jan.
22. 1915. and was 10 be In effect
one year with either party being
required to give 80 days notice be.
fore terminating It. During the past
year neither the union nor the city
gave such notice. but on January
II. 1916. the union asked that the
agreement be resigned. The
Board OF Public Works held that,
since neither party had given no.
:ice OF termination, 1t remained in
effect and no new signatures were
required. At Tuesday nights meet
ing. however. John P. Kirk, city at.
torney ruled that theyone year time
limit had the effect OF Terminating
the agreement. The Board OF Pu.
lie Works expressed itself as will
ing to continue the arrangement.
Experience Valuable
They pointed out that Mr.. Greim's
services are required because Of
the heavy duties OF Mr.. Older as
both city street commissioner and
manager Of public utilities. In add.
tlon Mr.. Greim has had experience
In converting a city from artificial
to natural gas and II Is anticipated
that his expert services in this
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