National Affairs: Small Shadows

Since V-J day labor had had a golden year, winning almost every strike. Within the last few weeks labor met some minor reversals of history, in two strikes it turned up loser.

In East Hartford, Conn., two months ago, 1,200 members of the International Association of Machinists walked out of the Hamilton Standard Propellers Division of the United Aircraft Corp. Chief demand: a 30% pay increase. After weeks of negotiations the company made its final offer and flatly announced it would reopen the plant on Aug. 7. Union officials did not accept the terms, but 800 employes crossed the picket line and went back to work. Previously overstaffed, the company mailed layoff notices to 200.

In Connersville, Ind., the C.I.O.’s United Electrical Workers threw a picket line around the Rex Manufacturing Co. during a jurisdictional dispute with ari A.F.L. union. When the picketers began keeping office workers out, city officials called for State troops, which quickly broke up the picket line. The U.S. Conciliation Service reported last week that all 1,600 employes are back at work.