Evening star., 1949-06-26
Western Chiefs
Order Berlin
Strike Ended
Full West Mark Pay
Pledged; Withdrawal
Of Relief Threatened
EY fha Asxoeiotad Rfsxs

BERLIN, June 25.-The West
ern commanders tonight ordered
$4,000 Berlin rail strikers to 60
back to work.
They said the strikers would
receive 100 per cent of their wages
in West marks-their No. de-
mand-and said they would be cut
off the rolls for unemployment
compensation II they did not pick
up their tools by next Thursday
Mayor Ernst Reuter- said the
strike probably will be settled"
on the basis Of the Western COM
manders' plan drafted tonight at
stormy meeting. Then nom
Communist strikers. who walked
out 35 days ago causing what
amounted to q second blockade
Of the city. called meeting for
tomorrow morning. to be followed
by a session Of the unions ex-
ecutive board.
Paralysis Laid to Strike.
Blaming the strike for paralyz-
ing Berlin's economic life, the
commandants said the high direct
cost to the city in unemployment
relief for railwaymen was $4,000
West marks ($109, 1000 a week.
The city was ordered to stop
relief to strikers who do not re-
sumo work by Tuesday. An excep-
ton was made. however. for men
who are afraid to return to en-
ployment with the Soviet-con-
trolled railway system and want
to quit the railway permanently.
They may keep on relief by de-
claring in writing the intention of
looking elsewhere for work and OF
not interfering with the railway.
This in itself was a hard blow
to the strike. The strikers have
been drawing unemployment re-
lief and union benefits in West
marks. This was better than an
East mark pay envelop when they
were working. The West mark is
worth about four times the East
mark. When the strike began
May 81 there were 5000 in the
non Communist union (UGO)
low there are about $4,000.
City Offers Guarantee.
The payment Of wages in West
marks will be guaranteed by the
city which will convert up to 40
per cent Of their wages In that
currency. The Soviet-controlled
railway offered to pay so per cent
in West marks, and perhaps more
if West mark revenues were sum-
cient. Previously the city had
offered to convert only Is per cent
in addition to the 60 per cent.
The wage guarantee represented
a full victory for UGO in its
economic demand. 1t put the
railway workers in a favored posi-
ton in the Western sectors. where
other inhabitants employed by
Eastern firms are permitted only
60 per cent of their wages in West
marks.
UGO spokesmen appeared happy
about the ultimatum. It passed
the buck to the Allies for respon-
sibility for ending the strike and
gave die-hard strikers assistance
in seeking new jobs.
The commandants said the
strike no longer was justified be-
cause:
Soviet Maj. Gen. Pavel Kvash-
min had assured them that former
strikers would not be victimized;
because the foreign ministers
Paris agreement obligated the
four powers to restore Berlin to
normal. and because the strike
imposed AN unwarranted burden"
on the Western Powers to bring |
in supplies by air.
They (the strikers) have got |
everything that they struck for"
declared British Maj. Gen. G.. K.
Bourne.
Recognition Still in Air.
There vas no indication, how
ever. that the Soviet-controlled
railway administration had
changed in its refusal to recognize
the UGO.
The Western commanders
pledged their full support to the
(See BERLIN, Page AID |
pivnrdala Man nioe !