Evening star., 1947-12-24
s. GSI Eating Places
face Strike Jan, |
AFTER Union Vote

| FdlTOIlS OF 53 cd1eCeP1aS and snack
bars in Government buildings to-
day were faced with the prospects
that the New Year would bring a
strike by their employees.
The United Cafeteria and Res
| taurant Workers, Local All, CIO, an
nounced that more than 900 mem
bers employed in the cafeterias and
snack bars by Government Services,
Inc, had voted unanimously last
might to strike on January "un-
less renewed agreements are signed
with GSI by December 81" Emer-
gency committees were named to
supervise walkout details.
j. G. Niehuss, chairman of the
IGSI committee which has been ne
gotiating with the employees, said
today: "GS1 does not believe our
employees are supporting the stand
taken by the union officials. We ex-
pect to maintain service in GSI
cafeterias."
Seeking 15-Cent-an-Hour Raise.
The union has been seeking a l5-
cents-an-hour wage increase. higher
longevity pay, improved sick leave
benefits, a disqualification plan and
other minor benefits. Oliver T.
Palmer, chairman of the union ne
gotta ting committee, said the aver
age weekly take-home pay of the
workers is $2l90.
Mr.. Niehuss said, however, the
question of wages has net been dis
cussed SO far. GSI has CHALLENGED
the right of the union to bargain
for its employees and has petitioned
the National Labor Relations Board
TO hold an election among the
workers.
The present contract expires New
Year eve. On December l the union
filed a strike notice with the Fed
eral Mediation and Cancellation
Service.
Mr.. Palmer said after last nights
meeting: I'VE are prepared to fight.
We will die fighting before we fall
prey to any trap that will sell our
workers into slavery"
hSSdIS uSl request.
He assailed GSI's request for a
labor board election as "deceitful
action in its efforts to avoid collec-
tive bargaining" He asserted GSI
knows that "ail but 20" of the en-
ployes belong to the union since
GSI checks off union dues.
Mr. Niehuss SAID that instead of
900 being present at last nights
meeting at Shiloh Baptist Church.
Ninth and P streets NV, he had
information that probably fewer
than 600 were there. Those present
Included a large portion of en-
ployes of the cafeterias in the Pen
tagon and the Agriculture Depart
ment, which are not run by GSI.
He said also that ordinary meetings
OF the union are attended by fewer
than $50 members.
GSI does check off union dues be-
cause such course is provided in
the present contract, Mr.. Niehuss
said.
In the check-off the employe has
the option of directing whether the
amount of the union dues should 90
to the union or to charity" he said
IF he fails to make a choice, the
sum automatically goes to the union
and the employe automatic be-
comes union member"
Appeal Is Ruled Out.
Labor board spokesmen today
clarified the procedure the board
takes in view of the GSI petition for
a bargaining election. Failure to
file non-Communist affdavits by the
officers would not disqualify the un-
ion as bargaining agent but would
prevent it from any appeal to the
NLRB to protect what it regards as
its rights.
If bargaining election is ordered
and the union is to be on the bal
lot. the non-Communist affidavits
must be filed with the NLRB,
financial statement must be filed
with the Labor Department and
copies of the financial statement
must be distributed to the members.
If the union fails in this and no
other organization seeks to qualify
as bargaining agent, no election
would be held.
The union pointed out that no
election has been ordered 1t has
asked the NLRB to dismiss the GSI
petition, citing the number of en-
oloyes whose dues are checked off
Is evidence the union really repre-