New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-08-25
TIE SOLUTION or 4 STRIKE.

There is some food for thought, both Tor EN-
ploycrs and for workingmcn, in the solution OF
strike that took place recently within fifty miles
Of New-York and glance at the busnoss-like
way in which the difficulty was settled is eS-
pccay interesting in connection with the
threatened railroad strike.
The Yale & Towne Lock Company, Of STAN
ford. Conn, have the largest factory OF the
kind in this country. They employ about 300
men. The monthly payroll amounts 10 about
$40. 900. The labor * largely Of the skilled
class. the work j. steady. and the building
where the men are employed is especially
adapted for their comfort, while the town itself
offers the wor,ingmen cheap living and an at
tractivc home. Yet this important industi!
was closed for many weeks this summer because
ono or two men wilfuy persisted in breaking
rules by stopping work before time in order To
wash Had there been Il general request for
ten minutes 10 wash before closing time II
probably would have been granted. But there
was no formal request or complaint, and the
offending men were discharged for breaking
rules. Out Of sympathy for the discharged
men. all the brass -moulderS twcnty-cight in
number. struck. They demanded the reinStatc-
mcnt of the offenders, aud then for the first
time formulated request for extra time to
wash before the hour for closing.
The firm was ready to grant the latter re-
quest. but would not take back the discharged
men. It went on filing the vacant places with
bra.S-moulders from other towns. But the new
men were so prosecuted and the company was
80 ANNOYED by the interference Of the strikers
that presently they resolved to close the entire
trnubla should aI1fp This
was heroic treatment. Many innocent work
men were injured by it, but it put the strikers
in bad reputc. and by taking the initiative an
ticipated any gain they could otherwise have
made by melting a general strike. The shops
remained closed for weeks, and though labor
leaders from this city tried to encourage the
workmen to array themselves against the com
pany, the great body Of them kept quiet and
remained loyal.
The sequel was not only success for the en-
Movers but also for the wcll-dsposed among
the men themselves. Gradually the old men,
with the exception of the striking mouders,
were put TO work \ written contract was en-
tered into between the company and every man
rs he was employed. This contract is protec-
ton to both parties. II provides that the com
pany is TO have due regard 10 the employees
rights. his health and comfort to consider duly
and promptly reply to all requests or com
plaints: fairly to adjust his wages with each
man. and 70 give a certificate Of honorable dis
charge TO every faithful workman who may ask
il after being employed for six months The
emuloye on his side agrees 10 perform faithful
| work conform to the shop rules obey instruc-
tions from the foreman and report any grounds
for complaint, first to the foreman, and then, if
| he gets no satisfaction, to the paymaster or
other officers of the company. The employe
| further agrees TO take no action to haraSs the
| company for fifteen days after making COM
plant TO the officers in they do not notice
| il. The employe recognizes the right of the
oonpany b. discharge without notice any en-
poye who violates the rules or the terms Of
his contract or whose services are not salts
factory also the company's right to employ
any man il chooses. Furthermore, any en-
ployc may leave the cOmpany's service on Civ
ing due notice and the right of employees to be-
| long 20 trades unions is not prohibited The
| liberty of the men therefore is not curtailed
but the terms of employment are set down in a
business-like manner for the government of
| both parties.
| II need hardly be added that the firm has re-
employed in this way the great majority of its
| old men--more than 600-and others are re-