New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-15
ASKING PAY FOR OVERTIME.
LABORERS STRIKE AT THE PUBLIC STORES.
THE COLLECTOR DISCHARGES TWELVE MEx-A
SETTLEMENT PROBABLY NEAR.

SETTLEMENT PROBABLY NEAR
The long fight which the Iaborers employed IN the
Appraisers Stores. at Washington and Laight sts
have been making 10 shorter hours eliminated
IL strike Of l03 yesterday, with the result that
Of trucks blocked Washington and Lalght SIS all
day yesterday without any one being found To I'M
| load them. At p. m. on Monday twelve laborers
ordered to unload three trucks which were then
waiting In line. This the refused to do, saying
that they did not intend 10 work overtime without ex
| pay Deputy Collector Burr thereupOn suspended
| them. When the reported for work yesterday
morning they held SORT OF impromptu meeting and
decided to strike unless Deputy Collector Burr re-
| lnsatcd the suspended men. committee called on
Mr. Burr and asked him to reinstate the twelve men,
but this he refused TO do and nearly all the men re
| fused 10 60 to wofa.
Mr.. Burrmade report in writing 10 the Collector
who thereupOn discharged the suspended men.
Mr. Burr when seen by Tribune reporter. showed
a contract that the men had signed in which they
agreed 10 wOr; the labor force at the United states
Stores at the rate Of 500 the hours Of labor
70 be regulated by the requirements OF the public
business Continuing. Mr. Burr said a. The men now
strike all signed this contract Before this they
were paid less. but were also paid for overtime The
reason the change made because the present
system causes less confusion Although they are
not paid for overtime, they arc paid for
all legal holidays and also II disabled while in
the discharge OF their duties In summer
they work from a. N. TO D. M, and in
winter from a. n. TO p. m. and it is only oc-
casionally that they have To work few minutes over
time
one Of the strikers said that the men often had TO
work overtime, and this fact had for a long time
caused much dissatisfaction He gave as a reason why
they often compelled to work overtime that too
few trucks were employed to do the carting
committee OF five strikers headed by Louis H0i.
called Collector Erlardt about noon, and told
him their story Of alleged grievances
The Collector told them that he thought they had
treated him very shabblly by striking before laying
their grievance before him giving him any chance
to investigate the suspensions. He advised them 10
90 back to work. and promised 10 make thorough in
vestgation and 10 see that justice was done lie
would not make any promises 10 what his course Of
action would be until no knew all The facts.
The committee returned to the Public Stores and
reported to the main body of the strikers II was
finally determined that the twelve Who had been
discharged should be sent down TO see the Collector.
This done and the men appeared az the Custom
House late in the afternoon. long consultation was
held in which they rehear5ed their side Of The story and
the Collector told them substantially what he had tOd
the committee Of five. He again advised that the strk
ers return 10 work this morning. and he made an ap
poin tment with the discharged men 10 meet them this
morning when Mr. Burr could be present ahd maj
decision arrived at.
Il is more than probable that there was misurder
standing between Mr.. Burr and the neu owing TO a
miscarriage of orders. and If that proves 70 be the case
there will not be much difficulty IN arranging settle
mcnt Of the trouble. The men held meeting last
night 10 decide whether not work should be resumed
this morning. Their decision could not be learned:
The men who went out on the strike do not belong
IN amy ion or association, and the strike
spontaneous movement in favor Of shorter hours and
10 protest against the punishment OF anv 81 their mum
Der for refusing WORK more than eight hours day