STRIKERS DEFIED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23081, 6 January 1937, Page 7

STRIKERS DEFIED

GENERAL MOTORS WORKERS EMPLOYERS’ CHALLENGE (United Press Association) ' (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) DETROIT, Jan. 4. (Received Jan. 5, at 10 p.m.) Mr Sloan, president of General Motors, issued a formal statement defying the United Automobile Workers of America, and challenging the union to go ahead. The strikes may force the idleness of 135,000 workers. Sixty-nine General Motors plants this week* notified the employees that they need not fear that “ any Labour, union or Labour dictator would dominate the plants of the corporation." Mr Sloan stated that the company’s products were in greater demand and wages higher than ever before and steadier work through the coming year was in prospect. He also asserted that the employees’ families should know that their wages and welfare were endangered “by actions beyond your control and that of your company,” and he ahnoupced flatly that the company would not recognise any union as the sole bargaining agency for its workers.

Meanwhile, reports from Pittsburg state that the steel mills are beginning to feel the effect of the automobile strikes, 400 being idle in one spring plant and varying numbers in other plants which are dependent on the automobile industry. SUMMARY OF POSITION . DETROIT, Jan. 5. (Received Jan. 6, at 0.15 a.m.) A summary shows that eight General Motors plants are closed through strikes and six are closed entirely or partly through lack of materials and orders to stop shipments. The total number of idle employees in 14 plants is 39,600, and the daily wage loss in the event of 135.000 being laid off during the week will be 1,000,000 dollars. The company’s daily loss of net profit is 330.000 dollars. A policeman and two pickets were injured in Cleveland in a general fight when a superintendent attempted to enter the Fisher body plant, where 7000 are idle due to “a sit-down ” strike started a week ago. The Associated Press’s Washington correspondent says President Roosevelt is studying reports of the strike, and is taking no action, but the New York Herald-Tribune says President Roosevelt has arranged to confer with Miss Frances Perkins soon, indicating that he may intervene.