INDUSTRIAL STRIFE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23082, 7 January 1937, Page 9

INDUSTRIAL STRIFE

GENERAL MOTORS STRIKE POSITION LITTLE CHANGED (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Jan. 5. (Received Jan. 6, at 11.30 p.m.) President Roosevelt and Miss Frances Perkins conferred twice during the day regarding the General Motors strike, but Miss Perkins denied that she had made any recommendation to the President to intervene. President Roosevelt stated: “I have planned no strike action.’ Miss Perkins announced that a meeting had been arranged foi Wednesday between Mr William Knudsen, an executive of General Motors and representatives of the unions, with a Labour Department representative, Mr James Dewey, also participating. Mr, Homer Martin, president of the union, announced that a general stoppage was under way, by which the sources of supplies necessary to the company would gradually be cut off. He hinted that it may be unnecessary to issue a general strike call if the stoppage is successful. THE SHIPPING HOLD-UP SAN FRANCISCO, Jan..s. (Received Jan. 6, at .11.30 p.m.) Mr Harry Bridges and other longshoremen officials met the Shipowners’ Committee, which offered a renewal of the 1934 awards. The longshoremen refused to accept unless with the Atlantic coast wage scale, which the owners refused. They asked the longshoremen to reconsider the offer. The Associated Press learned from an authoritative source that masters, mates, pilots, and engineers are preparing to abandon the demand for preferential hiring, which will remove the greatest obstacle to a settlement. Their representatives conferred with Federal conciliators in an effort to find a substitute clause to save the union’s face. This is regarded as the greatest step towards peace yet made.