Evening star., 1947-01-11
Cafeteria Strike
Meetings On;
GSI Makes Offer
New Conference Is Set
Today After Nights
Session Is DeodIocked

Ine deadlock IN the Govern
ment cafeteria strike continued
today as Federal Conciliator
Peter J. Manno prepared to bring
management and labor nego-
tiators together again this after
noon.
The representatives of Govern
ment Services, Inc. operator of the
81 eating places in Federal build
tngs, and their 1900 employees re-
mained in session until o'clock this
morning without arriving at basis
for reopening the cafeterias. The
striking workers are members of CIO
United Restaurant and Cafeteria
Workers. Local All.
Mr.. Manno said he would call
further meetings for tonight and to-
morrow If necessary In an effort to
end the impasse. .
New Management Offer.
A new management proposal, de-
tails of which were not revealed,
was offered the union last night.
However, a spokesman for the work.
ers said it did not meet their de-
mand that the lapsed contract be
reinstated pending agreement on a
new one.
A GSI spokesman said tentative
agreement" had been reached on
several provisions of new contract,
but he would not give details. He,
too, said the question of restoring
the old contract temporarily re-
manned unchanged.
Meanwhile, the threat of a strike
by TOO employees of Pentagon Build
ing cafeterias had been averted, at
least until January 81.
Negotiators for the workers and
National Foods Corp, which oper-
ates these cafeterias, agreed last
night on all terms except wages for
a contract to replace the 1916 con-
tract, the wage provisions of which
have been extended to the end of
this month. New wages will be re-
troactive to January l.
A union spokesman said the work
ers had agreed to accept an insur-
ance plan guaranteeing 30 days
disqualification in lieu of the welfare
fund originally sought.
He listed principal other points
of agreement as follows:
L. A schedule of not less than
three nor more than six hours of
work a day for part-time employees,
with credit for an eight-hour day
for all who work more than six
hours.
Arbitration of Grievances.
2. Arbitration of dismissal or sus-
pension cases when clasSed as
grievance cases by the union, with
reinstatement and back pay for the
dismissal or suspension period if
the workers side is upheld.
g. Reduction from seven to five
days in the amount of absence re-
quired for commencement of sick
leave.
With respect to wages, the union
Is asking a 10l2-cent hourly in
crease. The company has offered
an Scent raise.
A Senate inquiry into operation
of cafeterias on Federal property
began yesterday.
A subcommittee of the Senate
Civil Service Committee began pre-
liminary work by hearing history OF
the cafeteria operations from Maj.
Gen. U. S. Grant III, chairman
of the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission, and A. E.
Demaray, chairman of the GSI
Board of Trustees.
The special subcommittee is
headed by Senator Baldwin, Repub-
lican, of Connecticut, and also in
cludes Senators Johnston, Democrat,
of South Carolina, and Flanders,
Republican, of Vermont.
Shoppers Group Backs Union.
The Washington League of
Women Shoppers announced its
support of the union after personal
interviews with representatives of
both contending parties. The league
said take-home pay is hopelessly
inadequate for a decent standard
of living, at the present rate, and
sick leave and welfare provisions
are necessary for sound employ
me41t conditions.
The league also took issue with
GSI contention that a raise in the
pay rate would make necessary
proportionate increase in prices for
meals in Government cafeterias.
Other unions supporting the cafe
terra workers in the current dispute
have been joined by the Substitute
Printing Union No. l, composed OF
Government employees doing dupli-
eating ard offset printing wo-k.
The group adopted a resolution
agreeing to refrain from patronizing
GSI-operated cafeterias during the
strike and promising to donate food
for strikers.
Tuto Inefis,Y4inne In Shsro