The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-07-16
THREATENING TO STRIKE.
Possible interruption of Telegrs PHI
ic Business To-Day.
Operators TO Strike IL their Demands
are Refused.

Boston, July IA rumor prevails, which
is seemingly we'll founded, that on Monday, if
the Western Union does not comply with the
demands of its operators, general strike will
be iDaugurated. A short time ago concession
was made reducing the hours OF the operators
from nine to eight hours per day, with pay for
Sunday work. This may have averted strike
for the time being, but the indications are that
it will not prevent it. The discontented em-
ployes assert that they are all ready TO quit
work at moments notice il the company does
hot accede to their full demands. Monday noon
notification will be given, asking for an in
crease of fifteen and twenty-five per cent. on
the present prices, reduction of time to eight
hours for day and seven for night work, with
pay for Sundays and over time. Forty-eight
hours will be given for the answer. III the
terms are not complied with the strike viii be
inaugurated. II the terms are not acceded TO
the message operators will first be ordered Off;
then the stock and Associated Press operators;
and, II no concession is made, then the railroad
operators. The members OF the brotherhood
very reticent in giving out any details, but
several who were interviewed last night agreed
that the trouble would certainly come in ac-
ccrdance with the plan which sIas teen Cf.i-
lined. Independently of the scale of salaries,
the teegraphers complain Of overwork and of
the unfair and compulsory system of Sunday
labor. Another grievance is that there is dis
crimination in salaries for the same work.
NRw YORK, July 4-There is vers gener-
al liupItbSlOu HcEo al tuto tbdb the Iclc-
graphic Brotherhood, who number IL $50 of the
best operators in the country, will on Monday
morning next, through their executive commit
tee, make demand on the Western Union
Telegraph Company for several radical changes
in their pay and mode of work performed By
them. Members of the Brotherhood are ex-
ceedipgly reticent, and refrain from all con-
versation on the subject.
PHILADELPHIA, July H-About 400 tele-
graph operators met tonight at the hall on
Thirteenth and a rch streets 10 discuss the con-
dition of the trade. There were persons pres
ent from New York, Brooklyn, Pttsburg, Chr
cago, Baltimore and Washington. C0nsidera-
ole dissatisfaction was expressed with the re-
cent rules adopted by the Western Union Conn
pany with reference to night operators. A
despatch was received from New York which
stated that during the day several lady opera
tors in the main off@e had had their salaries
advanced S15 per month by the company,
The meeting was enthusiastic, bat the deliber-
ations being secret it could not be ascertained
what action, ii any, was taken ia relation to a
formal presentation of the grievances OF the
men to the officers of the company.
New YORK, July ia secret meeting of
the telegraph operators belonging TO the Broth
erhood was held this afternoon. II is under
stood that schedule OF concessions they de-
mand has been prepared and will be presented
to the Western Union Company tomorrow
morning. II favorable reply is not received
within fixed time general strike will be or
dered.