Evening star., 1947-10-13
Proposed Rail Working Rules
Discussed at CHICAGO PorIey
By the Associated pr.xs

oy NV <SsoCtoIeo ffext
CHICAGO, Oct l3-In a hote
room here, railroad labor and man.
agement representatives are ne
gotiating a second time on issues
that touched off the nation wide
rail strike of May, 1916.
That short-lived, paralyzing walk
out ended with intervention by
President Truman. The strikers
agreed to waive immediate action
on A changes in working rules and
to take 21a cent-an-hour wage in
crease to add to a 16-cent raise rec
commended April 18, 1916.
The 12-month time limit fixed in
the compromise has elapsed and
the five unions of operating en-
ployes-engineers, f1remen, train
men. conductors and switchmen-
again are asking for the rules
changes for their more than 300,-
900 members.
How much more money these
changes would put in the pockets
OF the workers is question that de-
fies answer, both labor and en-
ployer agree. 1t all depends on his
particular work and how under
what conditions he does it. The
mathematical possibilities are SC
great that it even is impossible to
strike a fair average.
Cost Put at Billion A Year.
But the railroads say that putting
these rules changes into effect
would cost them $1,000, ,0O0, 900 q
year. BY way of comparison, &c
per cent wage increase demanded by
these same workers would cost only
$400 600, 200 a year. The wage de-
mand, however, is not a subject OF
the current conferences.
Railroad management views the
rules demands as an attempt tic
get something for nothing-the ulti-
mate In feather bedding. The
unions deny this and say they are
necessary to bring members work
ing conditions up to near par with
those applicable to industrial work
ers and to fit modern operating con-
ditions."
These rules are precepts defining
the conditions of work and methods
Of paying for it. In many cases
the railroads have submitted coun-
terchanges; in others they fatty op-
pose any change. In addition man.
agement has proposed reyisions In
rules not touched by. labor.
- H. yNr0nnCaT
changes are highly technical and
employ terminology seldom heard
away from the roundhouse OF
caboose.
Proposed Changes Listed.
In substance, here are the changes
proposed by the unions:
|. Existing basic daily wage rates
shall be standardized over the three
broad segments of railroad opera
tion-Eastern, Western and South
eastern lines.
z. A days work conductors and
trainmen in passenger service) shall
consist Of 100 miles or less, five
hours or less with certain exceptions
Miles In excess of 100 shall be paid
for at the provided mileage rate. A
passenger day begins at the time OF
reporting for duty. Daily rates pre-
vail until the miles covered at the
mileage rate exceed the daily mimi
mum.
3. Overtime in all passenger serv-
ice shall be paid for on the minute
basis at. time and one-half OF the
basic hourly rate. The railroads
propose that overtime be paid at q
rate per hour of one-eighth OF the
applicable= basic daily rate. Both
sides set up formulas for payment
4. Operators of motor or electric
cars in multiple unit service shall
be paid according to the minimum
rate for operating one unit. Fbr each
additional unit operated they shall
be paid the rate stipulated for the
next higher rate specified in the
next higher bracket provided in
the rate schedule.
Yard and Hostler Services.
5. This rule sets up a formula
for payment for yard and hostlel
services by man working more
than eight hours in 24-hour period
The railroads propose counter regu-
lations for payment for work on
succeeding shift and by one or more
members of crew.
6. Engineers and firemen (helpers)
en- through or irregular freight, cir
Gus and milk trains shall be paid
according to the table of through
freight rates beginning with 250, ,00C
pounds on the locomotive drivers.
7. Engineers and firemen thelpers>
on local or way freight, mine run
construction and similar service shall
be paid according to the table OF
local freight rates beginning with
250,OO0 pounds on the drivers.
8. Engineers and firemen (helpers)
I'm yard service shall be paid accord
ing to the table of local freight rates
beginning with 250,000 pounds on the
drivers.
9. Inside hostlers and hostler help
ers shall be paid at the rate applic-
able for firemen on locomotives OF
ZOU,UUU pOuiluS oi1 hlSCAc. 4iS
present differential between the in
side hostler rate and the rates for
outside hostlers and hostler helpers
will be maintained.
Yard Switch Tenders.
10. Yard switch tenders shall be
paid yard brakeman's (helpers, rate
of pay.
IL. Assigned engineers, fireman
(helpersy. hostlers and hostler-
helpers shall be paid the full miles
or hours of their assignment, in
Guiding overtime or arbitraries. for
each day not used. If they are
called for other than their regular
assignment. they shall be paid not
less than they would have earned
on the regular assignment. Unas-
signed or extra men shall be paid
not less than minimum day at the
rate applicable to the last service
performed for each day not used
H. Assigned freight conductors
and trainmen shall be guaranteed
the full mileage or hours of their
assignment. including overtime. for
each day not used. Those used in
other service shall be paid not less
than on their regular assignment
Those in unassigned through freight
Soryica Sboll ha aranfeai NOT losS