Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-12-18
TRUE MEN OF TOLL
The Organizations of Grand
Rapids.
SHORT SKETCH or EACH UNION
During the Past Two Years Ninessen
Organ zarions Have aesn Found
Hess-NeaTIy 5000 Asn-

Taz history Of union labor in Grand
Rapids dates from the organization. IN
1888, of Typographical Union No. 50.
There are now thirty seven labor
unions in the city, nineteen Of which
have been organized within the pas,
two years The total membership Is
nearly 5000
Little 10 known OF the early history
Of union labor. II certainly gained
little foothol: IN the city during = per-
Iod Of twenty Ave years. In 1883 there
we're probably i've or az unions In the
city. ABOUT that lme the knights Of
Labor began to rise, and soon swept
ne country. Whatever unions there
may have been In the city, with the
exception OF the printers and cigar
makers, were absorbed by the knigntA
hey controlled everything, and in the
sniIh Of their power. IN 1884. num-
cred nearly 5000 members in the city
-snouga 10 coQtrol the spring election.
Ceatrai Labor Union.
December A, 1885, Central Labor
inlon. the corner stone Of trades or
Plantations, Was formed. Ten assem-
biies OF knights OF Labor and tw5
trades unions sent delegates. Three
assemblies aud twenty-slx unions now
send delegates 10 II In place OF the
sixteen delegates that organized IL,
there are nov l46 delegates entitled TO
seats. Its meetings are held IN Central
Labor union nall, M. 81 Canal street,
on the second and fourth Mondays of
each month
The Building and Trades council
was organized IN January, 1892. Ii is
composed OF the Brcklayers and
stonemGsons' union, the CarpenterS,
four 10 number. Painters and Decor
stors' Plumber, steam and Gasfitters',
Tin. >heet-lron and Cornice Workers',
Pissterers'. Stone Cutters and Mason
Tenders. The council mas rooms over
Nos. IL and IA Canal street. IL meets
the second aud fourth Wednesdays of
each month. and mas already done
much TO advance the cause Of the
trsdes organizations
typographical union No. 80, Is
numbers 20 members. Every news.
paper IN the city and every JOB
office of Any importance are run by
union men. IL has had little trouble
with IFS employees. and has always
been successful IN maintaining tho
union scale of wages IN the city.
The Cigar Makers.
Cigar Makers Union No. 46 WAS
formed October Is, 1879. Il had twelve
members then. The union has sick
and death benefits, life insurance,
travelling benefits AMI the best general
system OF finance IN the United States.
IL ordered strike in 1885, and since
then al the local factories have been
union concerns.
Iron Moulders' Union No. 2l3 was
organized February IL, 1873. IL con-
-trols It's trade completely and has adj
vanced the wages of its men from S1.75
Per day TO $3.50.
The German Cabinet-makerS union
was me fret union in the furniture
trades and dates its existence from 1884.
IL has never had . strike, and has been
of great assistance to IL members In
procuring work and assisting the sick.
The Tsilors' union mas lived . pre-
carIous existence since April IA, 1887.
is was organized IN 1884, In 1887 it
numbered nlnety-nine males and
eighty-six female members. A general
strike was ordered; but the women re-
fused to Join as they we're not included
in the benefits of the new scale. The
strike was q failure, and the union Was
almost totally wrecked; but is gaining
strength now.
knights OF Labor.
stephens l.. Assembly No. 1926,
Knights of Labor. is composed OF fur
niture workers and has q membership
of 100. IL meets every Thursday night
in Goldrn Eagle hal! aud discusses
sOcial and economic topics. papers on
tnesa subjects being read by its men,
hers. As an educational factor it is
the equal of any labor organization ia
the state.
Hope Assembly No. 1898 Knights of
Labor has o. members and was found
~ March so. 1853. Its members are
Hollsnders and lts business 10 trans
acted II that language.
The Printing Pressmen's union was
founded IN 1901. IL includes among
its mem ers nearly every competent
prcssmsn within tbe city. IL has reg
slated she Apprentices question aud
otherwise aided is "a embefs.
Liberty Assembly n $3.50, Knights
Of Labor. u composed of, women, but
has = membership OF only thirty, not
" thstaadIug there are hundreds of
female operatives in the city. Ii IL the
only wonen's labor organization IN the
city. It growing. and It's memters
are hopeful of good results.
The Grocery Clerk. union was or
gsazst June ID. 1891. IL has secured
the early closing of grocery stores
throughout the city. Inc rule took
effect May -. 1891. and since then
every store Of importance has closed
a. O'Clock except on "Wednesday and
saturday nights.
TIE Mason Tenders union numbers
sfxty members and meets every
Wednesday night IN Greenwood nal.
The Team Owners union sa rapidly
growing one. and has done q great des.
TO DO swsy with horse killing boxes.
and 20 secure fair prices from con-
tractors. is vas organized April IL,
1891.
Brtesisvevs and ssen- wasors.
The hricklaysrs and stone mssons
union contains $50 members. Since ia
orgsnizston n 1854. 70 has raised the
scale Of wages from So. % for ten hours
work 60 q cents per hour for nine
hour. TINS has been done without a