Evening star., 1948-05-17
Auto WorkC S
Continued From First Page

successfully e4eTG ltS ll1luC1lSc W
secure a National price rollback to
cut the cost of living.
No Peace in Sight at Chrysler.
2. The strike of $4,000 Chrysler
workers for a 30-cents-an-hour in
crease entered its sixth day without
a sign of peace offering from
either side. The UAW calls this the
Nations most important labor
battle. Ford local 900 voted the
Chrysler strikers defense fund OF
s125,OO0.
8. An estimated 10000 to 10000
General Motors workers approved a
strike for IS cents an hour in
crease. The UAW is currently poll
ing its 225,00o GIN workers on the
strike question.
Whatever the outcome, all the
industry's 100000 or more workers
likely would be affected in estab-
lishment of any new wage pattern.
The effect onDther Industry might
also be pronounced. ~
Ford Sees Price Increase.
Ford made its proposals in sug-
gesting that top priority be given
to the objective of public security
in forthcoming negotiations.
John s. Bugas, vice president and
director of industrial relations. told
the UAW that this was a "respon-
sibility" of both union and COM
pany "in the light of present condi-
tions."
The JAWS wage demands would
raise costs and compel" a price in
crease on Ford products, Mr.. Bugas
said.
In its sharp reply the UAW
charged that Ford has joined with
the rest of American industry in
the most disgraceful and scandalous
grab for profits in the history of
our country"
Ken Bannon. UAW Ford director,
said the campanys proposal was
"hypocritical,"
He said, however, that the union
would be happy" to withdraw its
wage demand If Ford will success
fully exert its influence on the
rest of American industrial man
agement and upon Congress to
effect a substantial rollback in the
cost Of living"
G. M. Workers Approve Strike.
Ford said the American people
would particularly welcome at this
time a major company and major
union working together construc-
lively in the public interest"
AS the Ford-union exchange was
going on, the UAW reported that
1000 General Motors workers at the
La Grange, 1llD, electro-motive
plants of GIN had approved strike
action If wage demands were not
met.
GIN workers at the Detroit Diesel
and transmission plants and the
Flint Fisher body factory took like
action, the union said.
In Philadelphia a Scent hourly
wage increase offered by the Budd
Co. was rejected yesterday by more
than 1900 members of the UAW.
Shortly after the workers were
polled on the issue at mass meet
ing, a union official said the final
vote in favor of rejecting the COM
pany offer was 1,478 to Al. The
union has asked a 30-cent hourly
increase.
Meanwhile Walter Reuther, UAW
president, was back home today
from nearly a month in a hospital
after surviving an attempt on his
life.
He came home yesterday with a
police escort and seemed his char
acterstic self except for his injury.
He said he would be back on his
union job whenever his doctors per-
mitted, and added that can't be
soon enough"
His manned right arm, which a
shotgun blast nearly tore from his
body the night of April 20, was in
cast extending over the upper
half Of his body.
Doctors said he would be confined
at home several weeks and that 1t
might be months before the extent
of the nerve injury to his arm
could be determined.
Mr. Reuther said the pain on his
trip from New Grace Hospital was
terrific" but that he put up. a
front" for the sake of his daughter
Linda and a smaller sister. He
smiled and joked on the trip.
Foirfux Red Cross to Elect