Evening star., 1946-10-11


service employees went on
strike with the mid afternoon
change Of shifts today, Attor-
ney Samuel Levine, spokes-
man for the union, an
nounced. The strike pickets
were reported preparing to
take their posts.
Last-minute efforts were be-
ing made today to avert a strike
of about 5000 service en-
ployes in 18 Washington hotels
after the collapse of negotiations
for the third time last night.
Spokesman for all parties in
volved in the dispute joined in the
opinion that strike is imminent"
These spokesmen announced that
affected workers who are off duty
are to meet at midnight tonight in
Turner's Arena, 1341 w street NV,
to discuss the situation.
The chief hope of averting the
walkout appeared to be United
States Conciliator Clyde Mills, who
said he had resumed efforts to
bring the unions and hotel opera
tors together.
Hotel Operators Call Meeting.
A conference of hotel operators
was called for today to discuss op-
Grating policies to be followed II
the strike occurs.
Opinion was divided in advance
OF the operators meeting as to
whether hotels, in event of strike,
would attempt to agree on gen.
eral operating policy, or if each
management would attempt to ham
die its own problems.
Expressed of the record opin-
ions" ranged from the prediction
that affected hotels would have to
close to the belief that they would
attempt to continue operation de-
spite the serious handicaps.
There was agreement that. at best,
many services would have to be cur
tailed sharply. if not cut Oft. These
included dining room service, bars,
cocktail lounges and the like.
Agreement likewise was unani-
nous that, at best, strike would
be extremely serious-almost para
|lyzing-in its effect, since the walk
out would include walters, wait
resses. maids, elevator and telephone
operators, porters, bellboys, cooks.
Kitchen workers and bartenders.
$500 Rooms in Is Hotels.
1t was estimated that in the 10
hotels there are approximately $500
rooms for transients and the hotel
operators said the present rate Of
occupancy was very high.
The operators. were discussing
how to take care of these guests
with room service, elevator service.
meals and other hotel accommoda-
tions in event of a walkout.
Meanwhile, Attorney Samuel Le-
vine, representing the unions, said
that, if the strike is called, it prob
ably will not be known publicly url-
til picket lines form. He expected
that the official announcement OF
any strike will be made through
him.
Stalemate on Wages.
All participants in negotiations
which have been in progress nearly
two weeks agreed that they have
lstalemated chiefly on the question
of wages.
The situation as to this contro-
versy, as outlined by Mr.. Mills, MIR.
Levine and Joseph C.. McGarraghy.
attorney and spokesman for the
hotels. is:
Unions originally demanded in
creases of Is cents per hour for en-
ployes who do not receive tips and
10 cents for those who do.
Hotel operators proposed In
creases on five and two and one
half cents basis.
Mr.. Mills proposed an eight and
four cents boost as compromise. :
The unions notified Mr.. Mills OF
willingness to accept the proposal.
but Mr.. McGarraghy said the hotels
could not absorb such an increase
He estimated the hotel offer would
add about 100000 yearly to.
operating costs. .
Involved in the controversy are
four union groups: Local 781, Watt
ers and Mattresses; Local 209, Cooks
and Kitchen Employees: Local 80.
Hotel and Restaurant Employees Al
lance. and rs, Bartenders. All are
AFL affiliates.
Hotels listed by Mr.. McGarraghy
as objected are: Ambassador, Annap-
oils, Carlton, Continental Harring-
ton, Adams, Lafayette, Marti-
nique, New Colonial, Raleigh, Roger
Smith, Lee Sheraton, Shoreham,
Statler, Wardman Park, Washington
and Willard.
All are members of the Hotel AS
sociation Of Washington.