Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-08-22
RAILS
RAILS
Wirtz Tells Senate Group
Of Failure to End Dispute
Continued From Pare A.

Continued From Page Al
merce Committees have COM
pleted public hearings on Presi-
dent Kennedy's proposed anti
strike legislation, which the
railroads support and the UNI
ions oppose.
This bill would prevent a
strike by submitting the dis
pute to the Interstate Com
merce Commission for decision.
The ices rulings would be
binding and would remain in
effect for two yearS-unless the
unions and the railroads agreed
to different work rules.
The unions support an alter
native plan, under which Con-
gress establish a watchdog
committee to supervise con-
tinued negotiations. This leg
islation would prohibit the rail-
roads from changing the work
rules and bar the unions from
striking during these bargain
ing efforts.
Other Proposals
Several other proposals are
pending before the Commerce
Committee. One of them would
use a nom Government arbitra-
ton panel instead of the ICC
to decide the issues. The
unions consider the ICC pro-
management.
Still another proposal would
authorize the ICC to appoint
an outside arbitration panel.
The panels rulings would be
subject to approval or rejec-
ton by the ICC.
After negotiations broke
down last night, ]. E. Wolfe,
chief management negotiator,
said the railroads intend to put
new job-cutting work rules into
effect on schedule at 1901
am. August 20, unless Con-
gress acts in the meantime.
The five unions, representing
100000 train-operating en-
ployes, intend to strike as soon
as the new rules take effect.
The two key issues are man
agement demands for rules al
lowing the railroads to remove
$1,000 firemen from freight
and yard diesel engines, and
permitting the railroads to re-
duce the size of train crews.
One estimate is that the rules
eventually would eliminate 65,-
900 jobs.
The railroads have about
100000 employees. Almost all Of
them would be laid off during
a strike. In addition. many
workers in industries dependent
on transportation would be laid
off, and shortages Of food and
goods would develop rapidly.
There is some possibility that
the railroads would continue to
carry commuters, other pas
sengers and goods declared es-
sential by the President. The
unions have made a conditional
offer to continue working on
such trains, but the railroads
have not replied.
Negotiations collapsed last
night almost within reach Of
a settlement. Secretary Writ
obviously was furious when he
talked to reporters.
He persuaded both sides last
week to submit the two key
issues, involving firemen and
crew size. to binding arbitra-
ton. other issues would be
negotiated after the arbitration
proceedings.
Management accepted the
proposal Internationally, but
the unions attached conditions.
Differences also developed over
details not specified In Mr..
WITT proposal.
One key difference was over
defining the scope Of the arbi-
tration. The railroads insisted
that the arbitration panel be
given full freedom to arbitrate
within the area Of manage
ment's original 1869 proposals
for new work rules.
The unions insisted that the
arbitrators be instructed TO give
weight to later Developments In
negotiations. during which
there we're partial agreements
to soften the impact Of the
rules.
on the question Of crew size.
the unions especially wanted
the arbitrators 10 consider Mr..