Evening star., 1953-01-01
New York Is Hit
By Bus Strike;
5000 Walk Out
Eight Lines Affected;
Full Impact Won't Be
Felt Until Monday
BY the Associated Press

NEW YORK, Jan. IA strike
today shut down eight bus lines
which normally carry 3,500,0OOI
passengers daily, but with most
business places closed on New
Years, its full impact was yet
to be felt.
Approximately 5000 drivers and
maintenance men seeking a 40
hour week began the walkout at
midnight as whistles and bells
ushered in 1858.
Fifth Avenue and Broadway
lines were among those affected.
The famed thoroughfares looked
strangely deserted without their
familiar procession of buses.
Pickets Are Set Up.
Michael j. Quill, president of
the CIO Transport Workers Union,
set up pickets Immediately around
company garages. No disorders
were reported.
: Some business places will be
closed tomorrow for the holiday
week end, indicating the full force
of the strike would not be felt
until Monday. There were no
signs of settlement.
Although the buses normally
carry 35 million passengers, this
will not mean an additional load
of this number on the city's sub
ways. Many bus commuters nor
mally ride the subways also, after
reaching subway stations by bus.
Estimates varied on what pro-
portion of the city's traffic was
carried on the struck bus lines,
which connect Manhattan with
the Bronx. Queens and suburban
Westchester county.
Small Part of Vast System.
Transportation authorities said
the eight privately-owned lines
were a relatively small part of
the city's vast SubWay-elevated-
bus-trolley systems.
The stoppage began on sched-
ule at 1901 am. as a snow and
sleet storm swept the city and
kept many merrymakers indoors.
The city had ample warning of
the strike, but many New Years
eve celebrantS had a difficult time
getting home to areas serviced by
the tied-up lines.
Mr.. Quill. who joined one of the
picket lines thrown around COM
pany garages, declared, We'll
stay out until we win" Shortly
after the strike started, he said,
Everything is going according
to schedule"
The companies made no effort
to run any buses.
Some Jump the Gun.
A number of TWU members
jumped the gun by hours, and
reported to strike headquarters
for picket duty instead of going
to work. Roughly 1000 of those
called out on strike are drivers.
City officials had made at
tempts-almost up to the strike
deadline-to persuade the union
to submit the dispute to arbitra-
ton or mediation. Contracts be-
tween the TWU and the eight
companies expired at midnight.
Mr.. Quill, who often has threat
ened strikes against city and pri-
vate lines. has not led his men
off the job since 1941.
Extra strike duty was ordered
for thousands of police. If the
strike continues, staggered hours
TO cut down transit jams may be
necessary for many industries,
business houses and schools.
Work Week Main Issue.
Principal issue on the transit
dispute is the TWU's demand for
a 40-hour work week on the priv
ate lines. The men now work A
to 48 hours.
In addition to the hours cut
with no reduction in take-home
pay-the union demands a payI
increase of IS cents an hour
Current pay ranges from $1.66 toI
$1.7312 an hour.
City employed transit workers
have been granted the 40-hour
week.
Mayor Vincent r. Impellitteri's
city administration has refused to
sanction an increase in bus fares
now mostly all 10 cents-as a
means of making it possible for
the private companies to meet the
unions demands. Private COM
panieS have suggested fare in
creases or tax concessions as a.
solution.