Evening star., 1947-05-18
TeIephoneStrike
..HereSettIed, But
NeWSnag Arises
Equipment Workers
To RedoubIe Picket
Lines Around Plants

The 41-day strike of Washing
ton area telephone operators
was settled yesterday, but
whether they would return to
work at 8 am. tomorrow was
placed in doubt as equipment
workers made plans to reinforce
their picket lines.
The operators, members of the
Washington Teleph one Traffic
Union, were granted SO to 81 weekly
pay raises and agreed to staff
switchboards tomorrow. A compH-
cation. developed early today, how
ever, when George Weaver, presi-
dent of the National Association Of
Communications Equipment Work
ers, accused the Western Electric
Co. of .an open declaration OF war
and directed his members to man
picket lines in maximum strength.
Although their dispute has been
with Western Electric, the equip
ment workers have maintained
pickets around properties OF tele-
phone companies of the Bell System,
including the Chesapeake & Poto-
mac Telephone Co. here. They were
expected to increase their numbers
In conformity with Mr.. Weaver's
order.
WITH Recognition Expected.
Mrs. Mary E. Cannon, WITH
president, said members would be
advised to respect Western Electric
workers picket lines if they are
maintained tomorrow. This advice
will be given when they assemble
In Turner's Arena at pm. today
to hear settlement terms, she said.
Settlement of the operators dis
pute was achieved at Ais pm,
when union and company officials
signed a memorandum in the May
flower Hotel. End of the strike
was announced by Cancellation
Commissioner Elmer T. Bell.
With the local picture apparently
cleared, the equipment workers
leader announced his unions ne
gotiations with Western Electric,
in progress here, had reached an
~impasse." He said the problems
were company proposals for a
fish hook no-strike clause" and
wage provisions below the pattern"
of recent settlements within the
Bell System.
Mr.. Weaver directed his members
to man fully again the picket lines
which had been abandoned recently
in many cities and called for "the
aid of all legitimate labor unions
in our struggle"
New Jersey Responds.
The Associated Press reported
from Newark, N. j., that Russell II.
Bridge, president of the New Jer-
sey Association of Communications
Equipment Workers, made an i'm
mediate response by calling an
emergency meeting of his union
which, he said, would turn out in
"full strength to picket the phone
exchanges.
New Jersey may have seen pic
keting before, but it is really going
to see some picketing now" he told
newsmen after the session.
Mr.. Bridge said the ACEW local,
which has 1883 members. was told
by ME Weaver that the company
refused further wage discussions IN
"an attempt to force the union to
accept a discriminatory no-strike
clause whereby they could discrim-
mate against the employe in any
manner including firing for minor
items. 1t is union busting clause,
worse than the clauses on which
other unions which have not settled
are deadlocked.
"It is essential that we have mass
picketing at strategic locations
Monday morning, to be maintained
"a hours a day. We are now fight
ing for basic union principles for
the future welfare of each and every
member. This is a nationwide tie
up of facilities all over again.
Maryland Operators Take Poll.
In Maryland the reverse OF the
national trend toward settlement
by Bell Co. workers was true. Tele-
phone switchboard operators
throughout the State, except for the
Washington suburban area. quit
their jobs for about two hours last
night to attend meetings called by
the Maryland Traffic Union for
poll on a possible strike. impairing
communication service for a time.
The unionists number about 4.200,
and the Chesapeake & Potomac
Telephone Co. of Baltimore city said
their Jobs, were filed by supervisory
personnel and other employees.
Mrs. Margaret C. Weiss, president
of the Maryland Telephone Traffic
Union, said results of the poll on
the proposed strike would not be
known until tomorrow. The oper-
ators. whose salaries range from
$28 to S42 weekly, are seeking a 81
raise. The company has offered So.
During the recent communications
tieup, the Maryland operators were
not officially on strike but respected
picket lines set up by unions taking
part in that stoppage.
Agreement Here to Be Signed. :
Representatives of the c. 81 P.
and the operators union here will
sign A. formal agreement at ii am.