NYC Strike Stalemate

NEW YORK--The publishers of the city's three major dailies yesterday put off a decision on a federal mediator's proposal to reopen the stalled contract talks saying they are waiting for some sign from the striking pressmen's union.

Rupert Murdoch, publisher of the New York Post and president of the Publishers Association of New York City, said the publishers would probably turn down the bid for new negotiations in Washington, unless the pressmen show they are ready to consider management proposals "seriously," or come up with "a serious proposal" of their own.

The pressmen have not responded to the newspapers' latest contract proposal. Talks to settle the six-week-old strike broke down last Friday.