The evening world., 1888-06-11

Delegate Of ne Untted Ptdno-Mdkers TO me
Central Labor Union.
WRITTEN xxpREssLx FOR THE EVENING woRIp.l
] take pleasure in adding TO the fnnd Of in
formation which THE EVENING WORLD is fur
nishing its many thousands of readers of all
classes In its articles concerning the various
labor organizations, and will tell what I know
about the piano-makeis Of New York and
vicinity.
II PIANo-MAKIN CENTRE.
There are in the United States about ten
thousand persons employed in making
pianos, this city being the great centre for
the work. Four thousand five hundred of
the number are engaged in the ffty-three
manufactures on Manhattan Island, In Long
Island City and Astoria in making the instru-
ments, or parts thereof, including keys and
actions. There are 5000 piano-makers in
New York State.
HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION.
The United Piano-Makers have been Or
ganized since 1876, and their organization is
an open or independent union attached to
the Central Labor Union.
We have had a good many strikes in our
trade, with varying success, but in the face
| of adverse circumstances we have kept up q
fair standard. 20 that the average wages of a
good workman Is $1s per week, and the
| working time ten hours n day.
Attempts to reduce wages have been made
by o number of employers, but we have
managed to resist them successfully. The
only strike we AVE had for q long time is
that at Behring's factory. in Harlem. whore
the employer insisted on o reduction Of wages
of from s to So per cent.
wAGEs AND POLICY,
Through the efforts of our organization
wages have been raised from $12 aud $1S O
week in 1876 to $1s at the present time. This
in spite of the fact that we have no appren.
ticeship system and the dulness of trade al
different periods.
Our organization Is progressing fairly well,
and we are taking measures to give it a new
stimulus, 80 that those who are not members
will see the benefits it gives. and become con
WINGED that we, like the great majority of tn,
labor organizations, are accomplishing o goot
work and really aid our brethren in the trade
in bettering their condition.
Our policy regarding strikes 10 q conserva
tive one, and We take hostile action onl,
when all other efforts to settle the difference
between employers ana their men nave failed
or course in all such efforts we have the In
dorsement and aid Of the Central Labo
Union, with its 800 organizations.
l might tell THE EVENING WORLDS reader
O great deal about the work we are Engage,
in in the shops, but that subject has beea
we'll treated from time TO time in the Jail
press, and I fear it would take too much G
your valuable space.
PROSPECT OF BETTER
think the standard of wages is not wha
Z II ought to be considering the hours we lsbo
and the skill aud care required in our work
+ and l believe that with the approach of BET
r ter times we can by harmonious and wis
effort raise that standard.
! Our members are all employed, with o yer.
few exceptions, and If there should be an
in sickness and distress we look after Their
: and see that they do not want for nacesSar
, care and attention.
o This alone should convince the opponent
Q Of labor societies that good is accomplished
and that without organization We would b
q very poor lot. GEORGE H. MoVEY,