U.S. A MOTOR STRIKE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 326, 6 January 1937, Page 6

U.S. A MOTOR STRIKE

EMPLOYERS DEFIANT. WIDESPREAD EFFECTS In 14 Plants Idle Workers Total 39,600. ■„ Press Association—Copyright. Detroit, January 5. Mr Sloan, president of General Motors, has issued a formal 1 statement defying the united automobile workers of America and challenging the union to go ahead'. The strikes may force into idleness 135,000 workers in 69 General Motors plants this week. Mr Sloan also asserted that the employees- and their families should know that their wages and: welfare were endangered “by actions beyond your control r|nd that of the comj pany,” and he announced flatly that | the company would not recogniseJ any union as the sole bargaining I agency for its workers. j Meanwhile reports from Pittsburgh l state that steel mills are beginning j to feel the effect of the automobile | strikes. Four hundred are idle in one , spring plant and varying numbers in ’other plants dependent on the autoj mobile industry. j A summary shows that eight Gen- | eral Motors plants are closed through | strikes and six are closed entirely, partly through lack of (materials and orders to stop shipments. The total ’ idle in 14 plants is 39,600. The daily wage loss in the event of 135,000 being paid off during the week, fulfilling the company’s predictions, would be £200,000 and the company’s daily loss of net profit £66,000.