Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-03-14
GSI Accord Raises
Pay 10zzc an Hour,
Gives Sick Leave

Employees of cafeterias operated
by Government Services, Inc, went
about their tasks today under an
arbitrator's decision, which will net
them benefits totaling. about $500, 900
a year, including an estimated $420,.
900 in wage raises.
At the same time, GSI trustees
studied the ruling to determine the
"operational changes" in the cafe
terias, which they said will be nee
eSsary because of the increased ex-
penSe.
They would not say whether "op-
irrational changes" might involve
increased food prices. Informed
sources said, however, the changes
are more likely to be economies, in
Guiding possible personnel reduc-
tons, than higher prices.
The decision, announced late yes
terday by Fred C. Croxton, a spe-
cial arbitrator appointed by Labor
Secretary Schwellenbach, was &C.
cepted last night at separate meet
ings OF GSI trustees and United
Cafeterias Workers Local All
(CIO), representing the workers.
Mr.. Croxton's ruling provide.
across-the-board wage increases Of
1912 cents an hour, as compared
with 20 cents asked by the unior
and 8 cents offered by GSI. The
new scale ranges from 73A cent.
to $1.20 an hour.
| The employees also were awarded
increased annual leave: sick leave
of which they have received none
in the past; reduction of the pro.
stationary working period from three
months to two months, and provi.
sion for arbitration of discharge.
and suspensions. Their demand.
for disqualification and chang,
in present rules governing part.
time work were denied.
Retroactive to January IA.
Provisions of the decision wer,
made retroactive to last Januar,
IA. GSI spokesman estimated tn,
retroactive pay due the worker
totals about SIT, 400-or about 81 ,8Ol
for each working day.
Sharing the benefits will be abou
1900 present employees, GSI spokes
men said. More than 300 worker
have been dropped from the pay
rolls in the last two months be,
cause of decreased business, the,
added
The findings of Mr.. CroXton, 6
labor relations specialist and {
member of the Labor Department!
panel for arbitration, brought fina
settlement of a dispute which hac
continued for more than foul
months and resulted in an eight.
day strike of workers early in jan
uary.
They ended the strike January Il
under an agreement to arbitrate
The Labor Secretary appointed Mr.
Croxton the arbitrator when oppos-
ing sides failed to agree on some one
for that assignment.
Leave Cost Estimated.
1iCoCllG d11ludl lCdfG Oh OI16 Gay
for each month of employment was
increased to IL days for each
month for employees of Is months
or more seniority. Leaves up to ls
months remain at one day a month
GSI estimated this increased annual
cost at about $4,000 a year.
The sick leave award amounts to
one day month after six months
employment and after five continu-
Gus days of illness. The union asked
for Is days year. Workers have
been receiving no such leave, and
GSI had offered none.
GSI said it would be impossible
to estimate the probable added cost
of sick leave. Spokesman said, how
ever, the total value of all benefits
to the workers will be close to
$500,0Oo.
In connection with the reduction