Strike's End

The 108-day strike of the Red-led, independent United Electrical Workers ended last week at Detroit's Square D electrical-equipment company. After the company had reopened its plant and employees started drifting back to work (TIME. Sept. 20), union leaders and management hammered out a settlement that meant victory for the company but saved face for the unionists. Among the terms: a 4-c- hourly wage hike (v. the 5-c- demanded and the 3-c- offered), an extra holiday, arbitration of 27 cases involving employees who were fired during the strike for alleged violence and intimidation.

The key issue revolved around a company demand for a no-strike clause. The face-saving solution: if the union asks for a wage hike next year and does not get it, it may strike, but the company can terminate its contract if the union exercises that right. In case of a wildcat strike, the company will ask the union if it supports the action. If it does, the union can be sued; if it does not, the employees can be fired.

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