Evening star., 1946-01-14
Hope Is Fading for
Early End Of D. c.
Operators Strike
(Picture on Page BIZ

OIL lh1IlS ClilplOyCo VI WCoCCl IL
Electric Co. were ordered back
to work today, removing pickets
and clearing the way for full re-
sumption of telephone service
throughout the Nation.
The action meant the return to
their jobs of 1000 commercial and
maintenance telephone workers
here, but did not end the work stop
page of the 5000 Washington area
operators. The latter have been in
continuous meeting since walking
out last Thursday.
The Western Electric return to
work order was included in a de-
cision of the National Federation OF
Telephone Workers, which last night
directed locals to file notice under
the Smith -Connally Act of a gen.
eral strike of 250,000 telephone en-
ployes. Under the cooling off" pro-
vision of the act, the strike would
not take place for at least 80 days.
Hope Fades Here.
The 5000 Western Electric en-
ployes throughout the Nation were
ordered to cease picketing and re-
turn to work by pm. today.
Prospects for an early back-to-
work order for 5000 Washington
area operators as an aftermath of
withdrawal of pickets appeared to
fade after meeting of the Wash
ington Telephone Traffic Union in
Turner's Arena this morning.
At present the operators are out
in protest against working condi-
tions, an issue apart from that which
caused the Association of Equip
ment Communications Workers to
strike against Western Electric.
Although Mrs. Mary E. Cannon
union president, spoke encourag-
ingly of an early settlement, ar
rangementS we're made for another
mass meeting at 10 am. Wednesday
Leave Decision to Local.
Hope that the National Federation
might step in and order the op-
orators back dimmed when A. B
Harrington, public relations spokes-
man, said the NFTW would not
make any recommendations, leav-
ing any action to the locals discre-
ton,
Earlier, Joseph A. Beirne, president
OF NFTW, said he hoped to confer
with Mrs. Cannon today on the
local situation.
Pleading for the operators t.
stay with mel know what ii
BEST" Mrs. Cannon told the 2,oot
gathered in Turner's Arena sht
hoped to-day will bring good news.
Il hope you will hear from news.
papers and radios that you will bt
returning to your jobs" she added.
AT the conclusion of the 15-min.
ute speech, she called reporters int
the auditorium and urged the au.
dience to show the newspapers how
YOU feel about everything
The operators broke into a hearty
round of hand-clapping.
Demands Not Excessive"
Mrs. Cannon said the union de.
mandS were not excessive and thai
the company had been given every
opportunity to meet them. The
company has not learned what col.
lective bargaining is, she continued
I don't need to tell you we must
stick together" she said. Il assure
you that when you do 60 back tt
work there will be no discrimination
against you or interference with youl
seniority"
She said the union would not be
stubborn in its position and did moi
expect working conditions to bs
perfect.
Lack Adequate Training.
Admitting that telephone service
might be improved, she said part o.
the trouble was the company's fail.
ure to train new girls adequately.
They expect the girls to Civ,
fVe-second service" she continued
Where else can you find five-sec
ond service? Not at the cafes o.
department stores"
Despite the enthusiasm displayed
for newsmen, some of the operator
admitted before the meeting the1
were eager to return to work. To.
days attendance was about 500 un,
der that of last Saturdays meeting
Mrs. Cannon said the operators
union would file notice by Wednes.
day of intention to strike, in &C.
cordance with the national fede
ration plan of a general strike unde,
provisions of the Smith -Connall,
Act.
Chances of finally composing tn,
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