Evening star., 1952-06-30


Transit Co. and union today
signed a 3-year contract which,
if accepted by the union mem :
bership, will forestall a strike
of 3.400 transit workers. The
proposition will be put to the
union membership at am.
President Walter j. Bierwagen
of the union said the union ex-
ecutive board will not call a
strike at midnight, pending &C
tion by the members.
Commissioner F. Joseph Dono-
hue was confident today that Cap
ital Transit and union negotiators
will settle their contract dispute
in time to avert a streetcar and
bus strike set for midnight.
Mr.. Donohue summoned COM
pany and union officials to his
office at 8 am.
Four hours later the Commis-
sioner said the union was figuring
Photo on Poee AZ
costs of fringe benefits-an indi-
cation that both sides were down
to business.
However, they had not yet
hurdled the biggest stumbling
block-a company demand that
any wage increases be tied to what
action the Public Utilities Com
takes on higher fare re-
quests by the company. The PUG
has scheduled hearing on that
for next Monday.
Conditional Raise Barred.
Mr.. Donohue indicated he had
asked the parties to draw up con-
tract terms, with the expectation
Of working out the company de-
mand later. The union has re-
fused to permit any wage increase
to be based on the company's rate
increase request.
E. Cleveland Giddings, company
vice president. left the bargaining
session to tell reporters I'VE are
making progress" He also was
optimistic about a settlement be-
fore midnight.
The framework for the settle
ment, based on a 3-year contract.
was worked out last week in meet
ings called by Federal Mediator
Henry G. Baker, jr. Mr.. Baker
called another meeting for today
before it was learned the Commjs-
sioner had summoned the parties.
If necessary, the negotiators
were expected to meet with Mr..
Baker later today and continue In
session until the strike deadline.
Earlier, Union President Walter
j. Bierwagen said the unions 3,400
and maintenance men
were set to strike unless the COM
pany acceded to union demands.
Union Head Pessimistic.
If the company remains ad-
amant on its position of tying q
contract to future fare increases.
there is every likelihood of a mid
night strike" Mr.. Bierwagen said.
A strike could be called by the
nine-man executive board.
The union membership gave them
the go-ahead in an overwhelming
vote last week.
What action the board takes
will be passed along to the MEM
bership in a mass meeting at /
a m. at Constitution Hall.
Heading the negotiating teams
today were Capital Transit Pres
ident j. A. B. Broadwater and Mr..
Bierwagen. president of Division
$50, AFL Street Railway and Mo-
tor Coach Employees Union.
In event of strike the District
Immediately will adopt a parking
plan set up last week. 1t will per-
NIT motorists to park in streetcar
and bus zones and in other for
merly restricted areas.
Three-year Pact Sought.
Negotiators are known to be
trying to work out a three-year
contract, which would insure la
bor peace for that period and
avoid an annual strike threat.
The union is asking a 25-cent-
wage increase and other
benefits, including a health and
welfare fund. Top wages for the
workers are now $1.70 an hour.
The union has offered to arbi-
trate. but the company has an
SWered a fiat no"
A new group known as the
Transit Riders Protective Com
made up of $50 members.
sent kilograms to the company
and union. 1t strongly urged the
company to arbitrate the issues.
and asked the union to postpone
the strike at least 48 hours.