HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956-08-10
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- SPECIAL MEETING -
Bozeman, Montana
Au~ust 10, 1956
Pursuant to call by Mayor Arnold M. Swanson, this emergency special meeting of the City Commission
of the City of' Bozeman was held. in the Commission Room, City Hall Building at 10:00 o'clock A. M. on
Friday. August 10, 1956. Present were Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin, Commissioner Lowe, City Manager
Henderson, Administrative Assistant Sales, City Attorney Lovelace and H. D. Moore, Acting Clerk.
Discussion of' Labor Froblems - Operating Crews
Employees of'the City in its operating crews, except the Park, Street and Water Superintendents,
being all men employed at an hourly wage. had, on May 28, 1956, through Union Agents Rampy and Marks
representing themselves as bargaining agents for these employees, presented a request for a wage increase
of 251 per hour plus certain other increases or benefits. At a later date these Union Agents, together
with six employees in the operating departments, met with the City Manager to discuss the request. It
was explained to them that the financial condition of certain funds of the City appeared then to make
such raises impossible but that final decision could not be made until a tentative budget for 1956-57
was completed. On July 18, 1956 the City Manager presented a proposed budget to the City Commission
which, following instructions given to him by the Commissionl was based on salaries and wages being
continued for the fiscal year, 1956-57, at the same rate as for the preceding year. Union Agents
were at once informed on this proposed budget. On Monday nlorning, July 23rd, employees refused to go
to work. On July 24th Union Agents informed the City Manager that they were instructing the men to
return to work at 1:00 F. M. on a temporary basis pending further consideration of their demands. It
was claimed that this work stoppage was not Union sanctioned.
On August 1, 1956 Union Agents Rampy and Marks again met with the City COTIl.'llission.
On August 8, 1956 Union Agent Marks made inquiry by telephone from the City Manager as to whether
or not anything had been done to meet the demands of the employees and was given a negative answer.
On August 9, 1956 all employees in the operating departments either did not report for work or
declined to go to work at their regular jobs. Union Agent Rampy informed the City Manager by telerhone
that a strike had been called against the City.
On August 10, 1956 pickets were posted in front of city shops. A truck, sent by a local wholesaler
to deliver gasoline to the City's yardsl was stopped. The wholesaler then refused to "cross the picket
line".
Mayor Swanson stated that the purpose of this meeting was to consider action to be taken regarding
this strike. The City Manager was instructed to publicize the situation and to secure applications for
men to fill all positions left vacant by the strike. It was decided that, unless some unforeseen
emergency arose. no further action would be taken in the matter until the regular meeting of the
Commission on Wednesday, August 15, 1956.
Ad j ou rnmen t
There being no further business to come before the Commission at this time, it was moved by
Commissioner Lowe, seconded by Commissioner Erwinl that the meeting adjourn and the motion was carried
by the following Aye and No vote: those voting Aye being Mayor Swanson, Commissioner Erwin,
Commissioner Lowej tl:l:ose voting No, none.
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, Mayor
Attest:
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Acting Clerk of the City Commission