The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-14
400 SWITCHMEN ON STRIKE.
THEY OBJECT TO TWELVE HOURS
CONTINUOUS WORK a DAY.

Tho E~ie, Lehieh valley. and Bufraio Creek
May Ex,end to Other Rosds-rrobabiiity
OF n Freight Blockade In Buffalo.
BUFFALO. Aug. 13.-The switchmen in tho
Lehigh Valley. Erie. and tho Buffalo Creek
yards In this city went on strike at midnight
for a en-hour day. The strike was ordered
by Grand Master Frank Sweeney. and will ex-
tend over the entire system OF the roads. and
probably spread to other roads with terminals
here. meeting Of switchmen was held last
night Mt which Grand Master Sweeney was
present. The grievance OF the mon was dis
cussed. and it was decided that strike was
advisable. and Mr.. Sweeney issued the order
An Erie employee, who seemed we'll in
formed. said that the men are now doubled IN.
and this gives them twelve hours continuous
work q day. They are paid by the month. count
ing twenty six days month. but have to work
twelve and often fifteen hours a day. They
demand that all time over ten hours a day
shall be paid for by the hour as extra The
strike. Is not a sudden affair but has been
under consideration for the past three months.
Plenty Of timo was given the roads in which to
medy the evil complained OF. Failing to re-
ceive the redress asked for. Grand Master
Sweeney was summoned with the result
stated. The men expect help from the switch
men Ol tne OlneT TOduss wiz Will pIouhDiy
fuse to handle cars from the roads whose men
are on strike.
There was no disturbance when tho order to
strike came. The men quietly left their en-
gines and switches and went to their homes.
None OF the strikers was about the yards this
morning. The officials OF the roads affected
were up all night trying to make arrange
ments for the work to-day. but notwithstand-
ing their efforts there is a bad blockade About
400 men are out
The indications at noon are that there will
be serious trouble before tho strike is settled.
1t is feared that the Rochester and Pittsburgh.
the Delaware. Lackawanna and Western. and
the Western New York and Pennsylvania will
be involved in tho strike. A round of the Of
fees was made by reporter this morning. At
the Lake Shore office it was said that there
had been no, trouble with the switchmen OF
that road ana none was efpeSfhedi y, t,o1
awanna said: Wo are not affected. Our men
are all at work. and | have no reason to be-
York and fennsvInsnia. said Sotnse. " Of our our
at this Wss
Liant Il tsli what they VIII 90. hope that we
The switchmen on these roads. however. all
work the same hours and for about the same
wages as those on strike. and IT is difficult to
see how they can avoid being drawn into tho
The strikers held a meeting at their hall
to-day. which lasted three hours; They say
and are conhdens Of winning An effort viii
roads. who have the same grievance as the
strik ers. to come out. No attempt will be
made to stop trains worked by their own
crews.
There was but one union switchman in the
Erie yard this morning. he having refused to
former associates. but was not moested.
Several trains pulled out on time. but AS many
traffic is being handled in good shape. Gut
pesht en
trains grew less. Several engines became tied
Lehish yards. the work was about, in tho
freight could be Transferred. and the
fey, M, men at =, work became discour.
made to transfer some OF the freight from the
Erie to the Lackawanna this morning: but it
in SopS as Uuss e tRs atm
was made to force. them. but they laid down
their t . and refused to york They were
their yard. and no further attempt at transfer
Secretary Heimerle Of the Local switchmen's
b Hn ion gave the reporter the demands made
."The switchmen are demanding the follow:
ing wages and conditions: They ask for %
es9 hour a ay cor hsfEs an" nrt Ss
ors n cents. They also ask for q ten hour day
Instead a. q tweiye,tour day and nSX for over
ever. to work the first half hour overtime for
nothing. Before the strike they were getting
u cents for day helpers. % cents for day con-
ductors 23 cents for night helpers. and 24h
cents for night conductors. and twelve hours
for days work"
Mr.. Heimerle added that the Delaware. Lack
aswar ma and Western. the Lake Shore, and the
mand. and there will re no trouble on those
roads. The other roads entering Buffalo all
pay the same as the Erie and Lehigh. and the
strike may spread to them.
Grand Master Sweeney was also seen and
gave his views OF tho situation. The mer."
said he. are simply asking for what is right
in this matter. and they tried to settle the Diff
1culty without any trouble. l have advised
don't apprehend any trouble" Mr. Sweeney
is confident that the men will obtain their de-
mands He places the responsibility for tho
strike on Yardmaster Barrett Of the Erie. who
By his abusive and Incorporate language to
the men incensed them to such an extent that