Evening star., 1947-08-20
MurrayC Corp. Contract
By-Passing Labor Act
Ends 3O-Day Dispute
by the Assoeiuted pysss

DETROIT, Aug. 20.-A contract
by-passing the right to court
action under the Taft-Hartley
law and calling for 15-cent
hourly wage increase for 1000
CIO United Auto Workers of the
Murray Corp. of America awaited
today an official stamp of ap-.
proval.
Company and union hailed the
agreement, ending strike lasting
80 days. as fair to both parties"
and completely satisfactory"
The company, in agreeing to give
up its prerogative of court action
for breach of contract, obtained
from the union clause placing re-
strictions on its members right
to strike. Showdown and sitdown
strikes were outlawed.
Corporation officials said regular
production schedules would be re-
sumed tomorrow. Maintenance
workers were asked to report this
afternoon. The strike, which began
July 2l, sharply curtailed produc-
tion in Ford Motor Co. plants and
made 10000 workers idle in Stude-
baker Corp. plants dependent on
Murray fol- BODY components.
The union called a membership
meeting for today to speed formal
ratification of the contract. A Muir
ray executive estimated the pay
raises will cost the company $780,
600. The contract will run until
January 81, 1s49, with the wage
increases retroactive to May l.
During early negotiations the
UAW-CIO called the corporation a
"beachhead" in its national cam
paign to win immunity from provi-
sions of the Taft-Hartley Act.
45-Day Delay Provided.
Under contract terms the UAW
agreed not to authorize a strike
until approval is obtained from the
international union and not until
IS days have elapsed after the filing
Of grievance.
Should an unauthorized strike oc-
cur the union agrees to post notices
Immediately ordering its members
to return to work. The company
will have the right to discharge
participants, except where the union
objects.
In the event Of an objection, the
discharges would be treated as griev-
ances.
On the other hand, the company
promised in return:
THAT neither the union, its off,
GERS, agents or members shall be
liable for damages for unauthorized
stoppages, strikes, intentional SLOW
downs or suspension of work. t"I
Avery Says Agreement Is Fair.
President Clarence Avery of the
company said he believed the agree
ment fair to both parties and in
accordance with the provisions Of
the Taft Hartley law"
The principle OF union RESPONSE
bility is recognized" he said, adding
that he was fully satisfied" the
agreement would serve as a strong
deterrent" to wildcat strikes
Regional UAW-CIO Director Emil
Macy said:
1T gives both the union and the
company the protection We think is
needed to maintain peaceful and
constructive relations"
Early Ford Settlement Seen.
Meanwhile, Ford Motor Co. and
,the UAW resumed negotiations on
"a contract, with an agreement be-
1ieved imminent. The JAWS Ford
National Council, which must ratify
any settlement, has been called TO
meet here tomorrow
Ford and the UAW narrowly
averted a strike two weeks ago
when an agreement was reached
on immunity from the Taft-Hart-
ley law. Since then negotiations
have centered On pension plan
provisions which the company has
offered and said would cost $15,-
100000 annually.
In the case of the Hartley
law, the Ford -UAW differs greatly
from the Murray agreement. Ford
and the union agreed to place with
a committee the task of working
out solution of the liability of the
union for damages in connection
with breach of contract. A
moratorium on liability will prevail
while the committee functions, but