The status quo in the poultry industry ordered three weeks ago by Judge Otto Rosalsky, the Mayor’s mediator in the difficulties, is expected to be broken tonight when Judge Rosalsky addresses a meeting of the Kashruth Association at the Hotel Pennsylvania.
Three weeks ago Schochtim Union, Local 440, organization of kosher poultry slaughterers, threatened a strike if demands for better conditions were not met. Slaughterhouse operators complained that they are practically bankrupt and will be obliged to go out of business if forced to make concessions to the shochtim.
After a series of conferences with the two factions, Judge Rosalsky declared a moratorium on parleys, hinting that he had a solution to the problem which he could not make public.
It was reported that Judge Rosalsky was seeking to have the Department of Agriculture declare an emergency in the poultry industry so that he would be empowered to raise the price of poultry in order to gain funds to satisfy the demands of both the shochtim and market-men.
The position of the shochtim is immeasurably strengthened by the recent successful arbitration by which Local 440 absorbed the Vaad Shochtim Oifes, a rival union. Formerly the two unions were wont to scab against each in the event of a strike.
Judge Rosalsky is expected tonight to state that provision for rabbinical supervision of poultry markets in New York City and the attaching of a tag to each chicken to certify that it is kosher will be contained in the terms of settlement.
Tonight’s meeting was called by Rabbi Nachman Eben, president of the Association, at the request of Judge Rosalsky.
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