Under a tentative settlement ratified Saturday morning, two-thirds of the 14,000 striking members of the Knit Goods Workers Union, branch of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, were to return to work this morning after a two weeks’ strike.
The ratification by the union of the temporary agreement came on the heels of a meeting between representatives of the union and of the employers’ group, the Metropolitan Knitted Textile Association, which was presided over by Brooklyn Borough President Raymond V. Ingersoll, whom Mayor LaGuardia named as mediator on Friday.
Approximately one-third of the members of the industry are employed by individual proprietors who have not as yet settled with the union. It is expected, however, that settlements will be effected soon and all strikers return to work.
The tentative agreement calls for a thirty-six hour week for the first year and a thirty-five hour week thereafter. The strikers originally demanded a thirty-five hour week, a reduction of two and a half hours weekly from the present scale.
It also provides for wage scales according to the classification of workers. All other problems are to be arbitrated by Mr. Ingersoll, who is to render final decisions by Thursday.
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