NEWSPAPERS HELD UP

Grey River Argus, 2 July 1945, Page 4

NEWSPAPERS HELD UP

New York Delivery Strike (Rec. 11.0) NEW YORK, June 30. The distribution of five New York Sundav newspapers, with a combined circulation of approximately eight millions, was virtually halted on Saturday night by a strike of seventeen hundred members of the Newspaper and Mail Deliveries Union. A strike had been scheduled to begin at midnight when the current contract expired. Both the “New York. Times” and the “Herald-Tribune” arranged earlier publication hours to enable all deliveries to be effected before the strike deadline. The “New York Times” first edition appeared at 6 a.m. on Saturday. However, the strikers, when they were asked to report for work at earlier hours, acted upon “grapevine” . instructions. They reported sick, and said that they could not work. Consequently no deliveries were made. The only sales effected were over the counter at the newspaper offices. The strikers had . demanded higher pay, stating, that they only received 12S cents per hour, as compared with 174 cents paid to the average newspaper worker. Tliey also demanded severance pay, overtime and a united AVelfare contribution.

The publishers offered a fortnight annual vacation, six holidays yearly and other concessions. The publishers contended that the men Avere already receiving the maximum allowable under the Little-Steel formula. The strike continues. Most newspapers will print, editions, but will not. attempt deliveries during the strike. Copies will be available at the individual newspaper offices.