Evening star., 1947-05-21
Rail Union Leaders
Call Strike Threat
Reports Premature
By JONES 7. Newton

counted reports Of = threat o. =
railroad strike soon, saying 1t Is too
early to predict how the brother
hoods win make out In new demands
on the Nations carriers.
In fact the fiye so-called operat-
Ing brotherhoods involved In the
new strike reports have not even
formulated their contract demands
finally. That win be done when
representatives Of the unions meet
In Cleveland Monday. However.
the brotherhoods have asked for
meetings with the railroads.
A year ago next Sunday Presi-
dent Truman broke . 48-hour strike
OF the Brotherhoods of Railway
Trainmen and Locomotive Ensi-
neers, dramatically asking joint
session Of Congress for power to
draft strikers into the Army. The
strike had tied railroad transporta-
tion In knots.
Moratorium On Rule Changes.
The two striking unions reluctant
.ly accepted the Presidents formula
Of an lSh cents per hour wage IN
crease and 4 one-year moratorium
Eon demands for numerous changes
In working rules. The rule change
demand was leading cause Of the
strike and undoubtedly viii be 4
major obstacle In this years neso-
tiations.
The three other operating unions
E-Firemen and Enginemen, Con-
ductors and the Switchmen-waived
their rule demands last year and
accepted arbitration on wages.
Once more the five operating
brotherhood are said to be work.
ing together. They will meet with
representatives Of the railroads some
time after their own get together In
Cleveland Monday.
It was said that the Trainmen
and Locomotive Engineers take the
position that since last years settle
lment WAS merely 4 moratorium they
technically can call strike this year
without going through the lengthy
dispute e-settling machinery OF the
Railway Labor Act. The act calls
for negotiations. mediation, arbitra-
tion and finally action by a presi-
dental emergency board. The latter
step alone usually requires shout 60
days. A formal strike vote also must
be taken.
Three Can't bypass Act.
Government rail labor oficials ex-
pressed the opinion that the Train
men and Locomotive Engineers
would not have to 30 through ma
chinery OF the act provided their de-
mands are unchanged from last
year. However, the other three
would have to use the act since they
waived rule change demands early
In the proceedings year ago.
Meanwhile, william r. Farley
president of the Association OF
American Railroads, issued state
ment saying AL proposals OF the
unions and railroads were formally
withdrawn at the time Of the settie-
ment 4 year ago. He said it was not
merely q years moratorium on de-
mands for rule changes and that the
unions were given an additional in
crease for waving the rule pro-
posals. He stated:
| THE proposals, on both sides
were dead as Of May rs, 1946, when
they-wsre withdrawns~Tae so-eallet
moratorium clause did not operat,
to keep these proposals alive. Il
merely limited the right Of eithel
party-te resubmit them Tor ut least
1 year and required tf1st when re.
submitted they should be HANDLED
and processed rs required by th'
Railway Labor Act. This mean.
service Of 30-day notices on tn.
individual railroads, and the othel
procedures specified in the act. NJ
surprise strike can lawfully b.
called"
May Ask A Changes.
It has been indicated the 0per'
ating brotherhoods will demand tn.
a changes in working rules, OF
substantially the same rs veal
ago. It is also held probable al
five will seek q wage increase.
Commenting on reports OF i'm
minent strike. Carl J. Con, assistant
president Of the Firemen and En-
ginemen said: There is nothing tt
this strike talk
| A. r. Whitney, head of the train
men, refused immediate comment
He told The Star he will make pub
lie his position at 4 dinner he Ii
giving newsmen here tonight.
The II incorporating rail unions
not involved directly in last year.
dificulties, have demanded a pay
increase of 40 cents an hour. Theil
negotiations are nearing the point
! of industry wide talks with the rail.