The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1876-03-25
The Stone-C Cutters.


Stonecutters Association, Chicago:
SIK. Ia reply 20 yours Of the 81, asking
the particulars ~ the cause II our recent
strike here, and the terms On which it was
gained, | viii have to 90 back some time in
order to ave you fair idea Of what We have
had to contend with
Here, IN Tnorold. ii the early pat ii last
summer, We struck. and gained a very fair
price. | should have first told YOU that
nearly all the work here is done b, the piece;
/ but the stone f,r this great work is taken
from many different quarrle> and in some
OF them the price pald was more than 80 per
cent less than We receive in Thorold The
men became tired Of tins, and in August
last struck TOR the price paid in Thorold.
The strike lasted six weeks, during which
time not one stone was either cut or set on
three o. the most important contracts We
gained the strike; int after signing the bill
the men We're only allowed to work about a
week, when two-thirds of them were dis
charged, and only few Kept On, by the way.
The reason for tins distinctly was stated by the
contractors to he, that they could get the
work done in winter time for much less
money, aud they we're not gong TO be dicta-
ted IL by any union; that the stonecutters
had been bosses long enough, and the con-
tractors we're going ~ try it for a while 50
AL the quarrlrs were kept running with a full
force of men, and acres upon acres Of stone
drawn out; while only just what stouecutters
were absolutely necessary To keep the masons
gong we're employed, and the DAY the build
ng was stopped notice wa, served IN each Of
the yards that reduction vi 20 per cent
would be made in the prices TO date from
Nov. Is, 1873, until May /, 1876 This was
what We expected, only little more; but
the boys kept their courage up and the con
ira tors we're in turn otIted th at we would
submit to no reduction, and that eight hours
should constitute days work during the
winter months, and 30 cents per hour and the
last summers bill Of prices.
That ended the correspondence. Then the
war commenced Advertisements were scat
tered in all the principal cities and agents
seut out, offering all kinds Of inducements to
men to come here To the credit Of the trade
he u said, bit comparatively few responded
AMI those who did come, came principally
from two cities-pne Of them Montreal. a city |
with an old established union; and the parties |
HhO came from there claimed to be union |
men. They were the only body of men who !
gave rs any real trouble; for. on hndIng there
was strlAe, they first came up aud Joined |
our union. after which We furnished them
with boarding houses, and did all in our linn |
tied power to make them comfortable. But
our arrangements did not sit; so they banded |
together and made out document advising
US that II we did not at once pay their board |
and car-fare back to Montreal they would 90 |
to work. This We had not the means to do. |
but by borrowing which we did and sent
them home. And after tais they sent an |
agent M here to inquire if we were Justified !
III striking. Instead Of coming to the union, |
he went to the con FACTORS, who we're only |
too glad to entertain him and show him |
around. He satisfied himself and went home |
without making an effort to see union !
man. We found it out and sent delegate |
after him. and was more quick, for n was |
taking down names of men t. come here, who |
were prevented from coming with the greatest /
difficulty
Many men came here from the vicinity Of |
Boston, but only few went to work and |
those who did, being granite cutters, did US |
little harm. Thirty Italians came from New |
York; bat finding there was a strike never |
attempted to 90 to work, but stood By us like |
men
The contractors sent an influential gentle |
man living III this section to the officers OF |
the union, with the view of arranging a meet
took god many meetings before the present |
contract was agreed upon. 1t guarantees US
last summers scale Of prices, and So per day |
for the year lS76-none but union me to be |
employed -and also for the appointment of
joint committee of contractors and union men |
to arbItrate any question Of difference which |
may IN future arise-thus giving us steady |
summers work without strikes or trouble
Tins was signed Feb. l9. And so terminated
the strike
cannot close this without returning sincere
thanks to the Stonecutters' AssOcion Of the
United States, and TO the local societies who
aided Us so materially in our time of need.
In fact, If it had not been for the generous
help thus received, we could never have held |
out SO long, for the strike lasted three mouths |
and four days
Respectfully, yours, etc,
A. j. 0NEIL,
Sec. Thorold Stonecutters Union.