Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-04-22
NO. 50.
Miseellanu.
SHIP P-CARPENTER,S STRIKE.

The ship-carpenters of New York are
upon u strike. The Herald of Tuesday
has the following particulars
Shipcarpenters, caulkers and others work.
ing at different branches of shipbuilding
in this city and vicinity, are on another
strike. The latter strike began yesterday
morning, but is unlike the one occurring
two years ago and lasting three months,
when the bone OF contention, as will be
remembered was for eight hours instead
of ten hours for DAYS work, and which
resulted in the final defeat of the strikers.
The subject OF the present dispute is the
wages, which have been reduced from
four dollars to 50 30 day. Both sides
the shipbuilders and master shipwrights
on one side and the shil carpent, rs, caulkers
&c, on the other-eXpress a firm determi-
nation to adhere to the respective courses
upon which they have entered, the former
declaring most positively that they will
not pay over 50 80 per day, and the latter
as strenuously ayowing that they will not
accept Il cent less than the old rate of
wages. The strike like all strikes, prom
ises to be simply question of time, with
plenty of backbone on the part of the
strikers, but with all the advantages of
'dpltdl vi tilc part Vi tilc
which in nine cases out of ten generally
carries the day Meantime about 500 men
are out Of employment and at season of
the year when very few Of them can afford
to lie idle.
About month ago the subject of re-
ducton of wages was first talked over
among the shipbuilders. The necessaries
of life being cheaper. rent being lower
and reductions of wages having occurred
in some other branches of labor, were
considered sufficient grounds for making
the pay less, and especially as the wages
still paid were the old war prices. Hav-
ing concluded upon reduction, this action
was made known to the shipcarpenterS
and other classes of employees with an in
timation that the same would be carried
into effect on the lst of this month. The
shipcarpenters on being apprised of
this intended action asked that no change
be made in the wages till the 18th inst,
which was yesterday. which request was
complied with. In the inte Tim the ship
carpenters held meetings on the subject
and resolved that they would not work at
less wages Their last meeting was on
Saturday. at No. SO Pike slip. The ship
builders also held several meetings, the
last being held on Saturday, at Mr.. Rond-
let's office, in South street, near Dover.
At this meeting they likewise resolved to
adhere to their previously expressed de-
termination 1t was believed, however,
that at the last the shipbuilders would yield
in favor ofthe shipcarpenters. This belief
proved to be illusory.
As the shipcarpenters and others assem-
bled yesterday morning at their various
places of labor they were very much sur
! prised on receiving from their respective
toremen notification of the determination
of the employers to carry into effect the
proposed reduction in wages. The men
had resolved not to work in such case.
There was but one course to take, which
was to collect theis tools and abandon all
ideas of work and this course was uni
yersaly taken in spirit of order and
quiet that cannot be too highly commen-
dcd. All the men quit work in a body.
The movement was general-Brooklyn
Jersey City and Greenpoint joining.
There were two meetings of the strik-
ers yesterday at No. SO Pike slip-one in
the forenoon and the other in the afternoon.
Mr.. Benjamin Waney presided at both
meetings. At the first meeting it was
again unanimously resolved that under no
circumstances would they submit to the
propos ID reduction of wages. The meet
ing was very orderly and quiet. A num-
Der made speeches setting forth their al
legged grievances and urging indisSoluble
unity among them. The latter meeting
was taken up in the formation of protec-
tive union, so as to insure continued unity
of action.