The Mingo Republican

City Workers Return After Joining UCW
Demands To Be Aired Next Council Meeting; Randolph Reinstated

Williamson's strike of municipal workers ended at 1 o'clock today when some 15 to 17 laborers and truck drivers returned to their posts.

Temporary settlement at least was reached during a two hour conference at the city hall between city officials and representatives of the United Construction Workers Union with which the strikers became affiliated Tuesday night.

Under terms of the agreement, the city reinstated James Randolph, laborer, whose discharge Saturday morning by Street Foreman Rush Harmon, acting on orders of Council, started the walkout.

The garbage crew started work at 1 o'clock today gathering an accumulation of four days. The garbage situation was on the verge of being critical and many persons had begun the hauling of garbage to the incinerator in private trucks and automobiles.

Council at its next meeting July 23, will decide whether Randolph is to be retained and the question of additional wage grants will be discussed.

Charles A. Neal, representative of the United Construction Workers union, said he was hopeful that Council would grant an increase in addition to that voted Friday night.

Council voted pay raises of $10 and $15 to truck drivers and the garbage truck driver at the Friday night meeting. They sought $10 more. The workers also asked $1 per hour for common laborers. Council increased the pay of two semi-skilled laborers to $1.

Randolph, who acted as spokesman for the group Friday night said that unless the demands were met they would strike Monday morning. The walkout occurred Saturday morning when Randolph was given notice of his dismissal.

Attending the conference on behalf of the workers in addition to Neal was John Hatfield, also a representative of the UCW. Representing the city were Mayor O. E. Hogan, City Engineer Frank Offutt and City Attorney Wada H. Bronson.