Evening star., 1952-07-25
Steel Peace Reached;
Union Is Expected
To Ratify Pact
(Continued From First PAGE. }


immediate end of the strike in al
dramatic White House meeting
with Mr.. FairleSs and Mr.. Murray
Hours later, shortly before pm.
ne got it. Mr.. Truman, grim
laced and not at all happy, made
the announcement himself. Later
ne was photographed with Mr.
Fairless and Mr.. Murray and ALI
three wore smiles.
Il am very happy that this dis
aStrouS steel strike is nearing an|
end" Mr.. Fairless said. II hope
our relationships in the future will
prevent a recurrence of what wei
have just gone through"
II echo the sentiments just ex-I
pressed by Mr.. Fairless," Mr.. Muir
ray told reporters. II hope andI
believe that as a result of the ne
gotationS here in Washington to-
day we will be able to build up|
a more friendly and cooperative
spirit in the days ahead"
The President was described asE
relieved that the strike was about
to end, but not at all happy over
the terms of settlement. He was
said to be especially bitter that
the Government was forced toI
grant a larger price increase than
he thought the industry should
have. He feels, associates Said,
that the producers put "a gun toI
his head" in exacting the sizable
price increase. More is expected
to be heard from Mr.. Truman on
that score in the forthcoming po-
litical campaign.
Terms of settlement on wages
and other issues were virtually the
same as those which almost settled
the strike at an earlier White
House meeting June 9. Here is
what the union will get:
A wage increase averaging l6
cents an hour. Pre-Strike pay av-
eraged about $1.90 an hour.
Six holidays with pay, three
weeks vacation after Is years
service, increases in rates for late
afternoon and night shifts, a mar
rowing of pay differentials be-
tween Southern and Northern
mills. These "fringes" are valued
at 81 cents per hour for each
worker.
Below WSB Recommendation,
In monetary concessions, the
steel workers will get slightly over
Il cents an hour, compared to the
26 cents an hour recommended by
the Governments Wage Stabiliza-
ton Board on March 20. How
ever, some Of the increases sug-
gested by WSB would not have
become effective until next jan
uary.
The wage increase was made
retroactive to March /. This rep
resentS concession by the steel
companies. Their best previous Of
Ter to the union was to pay the
wage boost back to March Is. The
Wage Board recommended retro
active pay to last January 1, ex-
piration date Of the old basic steel
contracts.
The union won a modified form
OF union shop. The contract will
last until June 80, 1854. It NAV
be reopened on wages only next
June.
The union shop agreement ex-
empts from membership all cur
rent non-union workers of the in
dustry who do not wish to Join.
In addition there is provided an
escape period" of IS days at the
end Of the contract period during
which any present members, who
wish to, may withdraw from the
union.
The only major difference be-
tween the new union shop clause
and the maintenance of men,
bership" provisions of the old steel
contract pertains to new employees.
Must Sign Union Gard.
These must sign a union card
at the time of employment. The
card is left with the employer.
However. between the 18th and
30th days of employment the en-
ploye may signify his desire not
to stay in the union by sending a
letter to the compan. Copies of
such letters will be furnished the
union. 1t was not expected that
many such letters would be re-
ceived.
The union fought to the end
against the escape period" for
all employees at the end of the
contract period. But Mr.. MURRAY
gave in yesterday. There was q |,