Striking social workers returned to their jobs today at six Jewish welfare agencies to end a 22-day walkout over terms of a new contract.
The 1, 000 strikers voted overwhelmingly to return to work after representatives of the agencies gave assurances there would not be any reprisals against administrative or probationary workers who had refused to cross picket lines set up by Local 1707 of the Community and Social Agencies Employe Union.
New contract terms provided for an increase in the case worker wage scale over two years from $5, 700 and $8,400 to $6,110 and $9, 600. Clerical and maintenance workers will get weekly increases of $4, 00 for the first year and $3. 00 for the second. An improved Blue Cross plan will provide 120 days of hospitalization, instead of 21, with premiums paid by the agencies. The agencies will continue to pay all health insurance premiums for retired workers.
The agencies involved are the Altro Health and Rehabilitation Services, Jewish Board of Guardians, Jewish Child Care Association, Jewish Family Services, Jewish Community Services of Long Island and the Louise Wise Services.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.