Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-05-08
A STRIKE IN SIGHT,
ALI Building Trades May Yet
Demand Eight Hours.
THE CONTRACT BROKEN.
Master Plumbers After Better Sani-
tary Legislation.
EASTERN MINERS WILL ORGANIZE

It is very probable that Pittsburg may
vet experience an eight-hour strike, and If
it comes it will not only affect the carpen-
ters, but all other building trades. The
position taken by the Builders Exchange
in relation to the timers strike has raised
the ire of the carpenters. They say this
action virtually annuls the contract entered
into with their men previous to May l, and
if by following out the line indicated in
Tuesdays resolutions, the men are forced to
strike, the latter will demand shorter hours
and more pay in all the trades.
There are over 1000 organized carpenters
in Pittsburg and Allegheny and not more
more than 100 non-union men. The union
men are attached to the United Brotherhood
of Carpenters and Joiners. national organ
ization having membership of $4,000 and
treasury worth $50, 900. In case a strike
is ordered the men claim they will be in
good condition to fight for what they de-
mand.
THE CARPENTERS REGRET.
The carpenters regret they did not go into
the movement for shorter hours when the
men in other cities did, and they are likely
to take advantage of any technical point
that may arise to let them in now. There
was a great deal of talk about the
matter on the streets yesterday. Contrac-
tors even were heard to express themselves as
believing tn. action of the Builders Ex-
change is liable to bring about some such
result as indicated. John 1. Dawson, the
contractor and builder, who is not men,
l. calz u IL
agine anything the builders could have done
to create "a sentiment among the men in
favor of strike than to pass such resolu-
tion. SIT shows they are antagonistic
toward the men," said he. land 1 cannot
see anything in it but willingness on the
part of the builders to fight. There is no
doubt that the timers are the poorest paid
men OF any employed in the building trades,
and 1 believe they should get their de-
mands"
j. G. Snyder, a carpenter and member of
the Executive Board of the Central Trades
Council, said last night he thought the
action of the Builders Exchange looked
like big "bluf" to him.
A SCARE RESOLUTION.
He thought the resolution was passed to
intimidate those who are agitating the Or
ganization of Central Building Trades
Council. but it won't have the effect"
said he. 81 don't know what will be
done vet. Agent Swartz has the power
to say what action the carpenters
will take. There is one thing I am very
sure of. "If the contractors attempt to put
non-union timers on jobs we will not work
with them. think they know that by this
time. There may not be any action taken
until after the next meeting of the district
council and there may be a general move
right away"
An attempt was made to see Agent
Swartz, but he was in Allegheny last night
attending a meeting of the Allegheny
union. 1t was reported that the matter was
discussed then, but no definite action taken,
1t is stated that one reason why the
Builders Exchange passed the resolution
on Tuesday was because several of the
master timers are members OF the ex-
change. Mr.. Rasner, of Rasner & Dinger,
when spoken to yesterday said that only the
large firms are members.
NOT AFRAID OF A STRIKE.
In reference to the probable strike of all
the building trades he said: LET them
strike. We feel we could stand to fight
them for about year. 1t is a matter of
principle, and if strike occurs it will
simply resolve itself to a question of en-
durance. None of the contractors would
suffer much from a strike. We have one
contract on hand that we liable to have TO
cancel unless our strike is settled soon, but
all our other work could stand. 1 think
most of the master timers are in the same
position"
There were no new developments in the
timers strike yesterday. The master tin
ners will hold meeting in the Builders |
Exchange tomorrow to talk over the situa- |
tion. The plasterers' strike will begin this |
morning. About 200 nen will go out The |
demands of the journeymen in reference to
the apprentices have not been granted, and |
as the decision of the Master Plumbers
Association is against granting the request,
the strike is natural result 1t promises |
to be prolonged fight, owing to the claim
of the master plumbers that there is not |
much work on hand, and they can get along |
with what men will not strike. The jour- |
neymen will meet tonight to discuss the |
matter. |