Evening star., 1950-02-23
Accord Remote
As Truce Delays
Phone Strike
Appeal by Truman
Defers WoIkout for
At Least so Days

A 60-day truce today lifted the
immediate threat of a telephone
strike but left the problem of get
ting both sides together for bar
gaining sessions.
An appeal by President Tru-
man yesterday led to union and
company acceptance of sug-
gested 60-day extension of nego-
tiations during which service
would remain uninterrupted.
That stopped the nation wide
strike that had been scheduled
for 6 am tomorrow.
I'VE will bargain every day, "a
hours day, during the period in
seeking a peaceful settlement -
President Joseph A. Beirne of
the CIO Communication Work.
ers of America promised the
President.
Most of the Bell system COM
panies, including the Chesapeake
& Potomac Telephone Co. and the
E long-lines division of the Ameri-
can Telephone & Telegraph Co..
promptly wired that they would
continue bargaining.
Responsibility Stressed.
I'VE share your view as to the
responsibility which a public utility
and unions representing its work
ers have to settle differences with
out resorting to economic action
which may deprive the public of
essential services" H. Randolph
Maddox. president of the Chesa-
peake & Potomac Co., told Mr..
Truman.
Mr.. Maddox noted that the
Washington company's contracts
with Division so, consisting of
telephone operators. and Division
36, made up of the company's
commercial and maintenance en-
ployeS, run until May, 1851.
Negotiations have been under
way here since February as a
result of wage reopenings by the
unions under these contracts" he
explained. "If no agreement is
reached during the 30-day period
of bargaining, the contracts with
existing wage rates continue in
effect subject to termination on
so days notice by either party but
not prior to May II, 1850, for Di-
vision so and May 20, 1850, for
Division 36."
Some Talks Stalemated.
The Washington divisions and
the company held several bar
gaining sessions earlier this week
and resumed at 10 am. today at
the Washington Hotel.
On the national level, bargain
ing during the truce was off to an
uncertain start-where it started
at all. A stalemate involving the
Western Electric Co., manufac-
turing subsidiary of A. T. & T.,
was still unbroken.
Federal Cancellation Director
Cyrus S. Ching urged that negotia-
tions be held here next Tuesday
between that company and the
CWA. The company declared it
could confer only in New York.
The union refused to return to
New York where negotiations
broke down last week.
President Truman, in calling
for the truce yesterday, offered
"the active assistance of the Fed
eral Mediation and Cancellation
Service" throughout the bargain
ing period. He asked for an
"earnest" and extensive" search
for settlement terms.
More Time Needed.
Citing the special duty and
obligation" of unions and manage
ment in the telephone industry to
continue providing an essential
service to the public. the President
said that the February "a deadline
did not give them sufficient time
to adequate and full considera-
tion of their respective positions. +"
Mr.. Beirne Immediately polled
his executive board and an
nounced acceptance of the Presi-
dents proposal. About 100000
fCWA workers had been set to
walk out tomorrow. Another
100000 were due to join the
walkout March l when their con-
tracts expire. There had been
possibility that still others would
have refused to cross picket lines.
Mr.. Bierne announced that
only one CWA division is not in
cluded in the White House truce
agreement. That includes New
Jersey Bell Co. employees who are
barred by State law from striking
and are engaged in State-spon-
sored mediation.
The CWA has made a nation
wide demand for a 15-cent hour
ly package" increase, including
wages, hours and other propos-
ais. The company has refused a
union proposal to arbitrate, Mr..
Beirne stated. ..
Art Exhibit Opens Sunday
IS