Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-12-19
swiTcHMEN's GRIEVANCES
Formulated at PittsburG-It Will Affect
the Ii. a. q. at Wheeling.

BirISRCRG, December lS.-SefiOus
trouble with the switchmen in the
yards Of every railroad entering the
city is now imminent. The strife which
ten days ago began in the Baltimore K
Ohio yards at Glenwood has bred dis
satisfaction among the men employed
elsewhere, and all roads are now in
volved in what threatens to be pro-
longed struggle unless the railroads at
once yield TO the demands OF the men.
4 general meeting of the Switchmen's
Association was held in the knights OF
Labor Hall beginning late Tuesday
night and continuing nearly the entire
night. After slight intermission yes
terday morning deliberations were re-
sumed and were in progress most OF the
day. Early yesterday morning list OF
grievances were drawn up and agreed
upon as embracing the feelings OF the
men and about 10 o'clock yesterday
these grievances were presented TO the
officials OF all railroads entering the
city.
1t is set forth that these grievances
not only embody the sentiments of the
men employed here, but the yardmen in
Philadelphia, Jersey City, Harrisburg,
Erie. Wheeling. Bellaire, McKeeSport
and Connellsyille. who had representa-
tiyes here. are In hearty accord and
sympathy. and will also make demands
similar 70 the ones presented here. The
grievances is presented to the superin-
tendents Of the railroads and sent TO
the Grand Lodge are as follows:
- II. I'll. 8 Tlnf1sunI Conn
pGny:
The following is the list of grievances
to which we hereby agree, 10 take effect
on January 1, 1891. and we hereby sub
nit our signatures as officials and yard
men of this company:
Article l. Eight hours shall constitute
a days labor.
Article =. The pay of yard employees
shall be as follows: Switchmcn and
helpers. - cents per hour: conductors
and fOremen. % cents per hour.
Article 3. In employing men for yard
service, men Of experience In yard-work
shall be given preference.
Article 4. In promoting yard men,
time Of service. experience and ability
shall be the chief considerations.
Article >. No csew shall work short
handed
Article 6. Yard men shall not work on
the road. and road men shall not work
in the yard.
Article :. The pay Of employees for
Sunday work shall be double that Of
other days.
Article ;. All yard crews shall be paid
I l., e an.h r,nnpfh aNpnnf
when that date falls on Sunday, when
the day preceding shall be the pay day
Article o. Yardmen's duties shall
commence at the yard Office only.
Article 10. No yard employe shall be
discharged for serving in the capacity
of committeeman, nor shall any other
employe be discharged for being inter
ested in these grievances.
The grievances affecting the Baltl-
more aud Ohio trouble were withheld
from publication, and tits not known
what was proposed TO that company
but il is surmiSed that rigid demands
were made.
With the present outlook the situa-
tion has a complicated aspect, but II the
companies refuse 10 yield the demands
and maintain their present tenor IN re-
gard TO the ends TO which they will 90
bitter strike seems probable. For
time since the Baltimore and ONO
trouble began the cause OF the men
promised to fail simply through mani
ton. but such condition seems 70 have
exasperated the men to greater efforts
TO retrieve what seemed to be hopless
cause, and as a result the present Situa-
tion presents itself, and it bears the
stamp of a dark struggle in the middle
OF winter