Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-07-10
RAILS
RAILS
Unions Stand Firm
Aqoinst Arbitration
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roads and all other parties to
do everything within reason"
to avoid strike.
He said the railroads will
cooperate if the President
suggests IAN answer to our
problems"
The effect of a Nationwide
rail strike, Mr.. Wolfe said,
would be so serious, so devas-
tating that it seems to me
almost unthinkable."
One possibility was that the
President would ask the rail-
roads to postpone the effective
date of the new rules until
Congress has time to act on
legislation designed to prevent
a strike through use of COM
pulsory arbitration, seizure Of
the railroads or some combi-
nation.
The five union leaders re-
jected the Presidents proposal
of yesterday in letter handed
to Mr.. Kennedy at this morn
ing's meeting.
They said they fully realize
the seriousness of this situa-
tion," and said it would have
been difficult for the President
to have chosen "a more emf
nently capable arbitrator" than
Justice Goldberg"
Nevertheless, they said, the
arbitration proposal must be
rejected "as a matter of prin-
ciple."
Alternative Asked For
They said the President had
asked them to let an arbitrator
decide whether they must give
up benefits acquired in agree
ments negotiated over more
than rs years. This was a
reference to a railroads de-
mandS for changes in work
rules to reduce labor costs.
While rejecting the plan for
arbitration by Justice Goldberg,
the union leaders said: I'VE
most sincerely join you in seek
ing some alternative method
of settlement that will preserve
the principles of free collective
bargaining.
They expressed hope that the
President can suggest some
other method which will
act to prevent the railroads
from proceeding with their
drastic changes in rules, wages
and working conditions with
out agreement"
This was taken as a sugges-
ton for postponement of the
rules showdown.
Notices Cited
The unions said some rail-
roads have already started post
ing notices that the new rules
will take effect at 1921 am.
Therefore, the unions said,
necessary instructions" pre-
sumable strike notices, "have
been issued"
The unions repeated there
conditional offer to operate
passenger and comrnuter trains
and military trains under ex-
hiSting rules. The carriers have
not replied to this offer.
He said all railroads OF any
consequence except one are
parties to the agreement for
unified negotiations and action.
The exception is Southern
Railway, which bargains sepa-
rately.
Mr.. Wolfe, the management
spokesman, said "the unity of
the railroads will not be brok-
en-" and they would put the
new rules into effect,
Unless some new agreement is
reached, the President probably
will send anti-strike legislative
recommendations to Congress
today. There is very little
chance, however, that Congress
would enact a law in time TO
beat the midnight deadline.
Impact Estimated
The Government has been
preparing estimates Of a rail
strikes impact on the economy
and on national defense. Al
short strike would hurt, but
there are indications the inn
pact would not be disastrous.
Commuters using trains
would be hurt severely. But
airlines and buses have room
for many additional inter-city
passengers.
Food shortages would de-
velop, although trucks now
transport a large amount of
food and could carry more.
In heavy industry, producers
and users Of steel and coal
probably would be hurt within
a few days. Mail service would
be impaired severely.
The biggest economic effect
probably would be a rise in
unemployment in various in
dustries. It is impossible to
estimate the severity of unem-
ployment that would result
from a rail strike.