Trainman News

Big 4 Chiefs. Stand Pat For Terms
Kennedy Asserts Demands Won't Be Discarded

WASHINGTON—Chiefs of the Big 4 transportation organizations were fighting shoulder to shoulder for a square deal for the men they represent at week's end.

At a White House conference with John R. Steelman, assistant to the President, the union leaders formally advised him that his proposed settlement of the long drawn-out controversy was completely unacceptable.

That suggested agreement did not grant the standard 40-hour week with no pay cut and included rule changes that would wreck conditions achieved in over 50 years of collective bargaining.

In that proposal Mr. Steelman wrote himself in as "czar" for the industry's labor-management problems for the next three years—perhaps longer than his tenure of office, since there will be a national election in 1952.

The unions, while objecting to most parts of the proposals as inadequate and unfair, termed Steelman's role as would-be arbitrator "highly improper."

President Kennedy assured Brotherhood members that the struggle would continue until the five-day week was granted to yardmen and a substantial across-the-board raise to all.

Operating rail employees have not had an increase since October, 1948 while most other workers have had two or three in that time.

Meanwhile new hardships were being suffered by them as living costs reached all-time highs.