The Butler County Press

BIG STEEL Concerns Cut Pay in Fabricating Plants

New York City (ILNS)--Wage cuts in the steel industry continue. The latest cuts were made by the American Bridge Company, a subsidiary of the great and wealthy United States Steel Corporation, and the McClintic-Marshall Company, a subsidiary of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation.

The American Bridge Company has reduced wages in some of its plants 25 per cent, while the McClintic-Marshall Company has lowered pay from 20 to 25 per cent. Both companies are in the fabricating end of the industry and do not produce raw steel.

Spokesmen of the two companies "explained" that the wage rates in the fabricating plants fluctuate in order to meet competitive bases of costs in the various districts. In most cases, the initial reductions were made by smaller fabricators in the same field, it was said.

Eugene G. Grace, president of the Bethlehem Company, declared that the reduction by McClintic-Marshall was an isolated case.

Wage rates paid by the smaller fabricating companies, he said, have drifted substantially lower, making it necessary for McClintic-Marshall to take such action.

"This reduction has no relation at all to the rates of pay of the Bethlehem Corporation in the steel industry proper," he said. "We have nothing in mind with respect to any general wage revision.

"Mind you, I am not saying anything about the future, but nothing is being done in that direction now nor is anything contemplated. We have no plans whatever for a reduction."

Advertise in The Press.