The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-24
CONTRACTORS AND PAYERS.
Scale of Prices Adopted, but Not Accepted
Unionism May Cause Trouble.

Last year, at the opening of the season for
the beginning of work on the street paving
and street improvements. the contractors
were much hampered by the demands made
on them by the various unions for increased
wages and shortening of hours.
This trouble lasted all through the
season. to greater or less
degree, there being several small strikes
ly by the contractors acceding to nearly
all of the men's demands. The result of
the controversy on the part of the men was
the forming of the ShOvelers' and Team
sters Union, which before the end of the
season practically controlled the entire
number Of street workers in the city.
The coming season bids fair to exceed all
others. heretofore. In the matter OF street
work. The new sewerage system Is TO be put
in as fast as possible, and the charter
amendments, which allow the city to pave
streets at no expense to itself, will doubt
lees result In an immense amount of paving
being done. In view of this the various
contractors have been making prepa-
ratlOns for the coming season with
view. if possible. to do away with
some of the labor troubles of last season.
They have had no regular meetings, but
during the dull winter months have quiet
selves. 1t has resulted in the contract.
ors taking the following stand.
which, they say, will be strict
ly adhered to, without fear or
favor: They Will pay to shovelers and men
who work in the street IN cents per honr
which will make a days wages for eight
hours, S1.40 and for ten hours. 81. 10. Teams
will be paid by the amount of the load
they haul. One hauling less than thirty
five feet will be PAID 50 cents per hour. and
all hauling over thirty-hve feet will be
paid 40 cents per nour.
Last year there was complaint on the
part of the union OF tho wages paid to what
the contractors termed "roustabouts'-
that is, men who did light work, such as
gathering up cement sacks. carrying water
and the like. They were paid sometimes
by the day, getting, perhaps 81, and some
times by the hour, getting 10 and Is cents.
The contractors say that this year they do
not propose to give these men any more
than as given last year.
The Ieamsters and Shovelers Union has
not as yet declared what its intentions are
for the coming season, but 1t Is understood
that the schedule they will prepare will
not agree with that OF the contractors,
They will ask for $3.50 per day for eight
hours work, and In that ratio for ten
hours. For teams their demand will be in
excess of that offered by the contractors
The union representatives, and the
contractors have had no formal meeting.
but they have talked matters over to-
gether. and IL is believed by both that they
will be able to come 10 some amicable
agreement whereby all the trouble of for
mer years may be averted. There IS one
thing which Is liable TO prove sticking
point. The contractors Gay that they will
not make any distinction between union
and nonunion men. They say that they have
no objection to union men, but that neither
have they to the others. They say that
they will offer their scale OF prices, and
when they need men he who desires NAV
20 10 work at them providing he does that
oil vtDhk ill
not tolerate and it may be that the snag
will occur there. but it is hoped to avert it,
Work will open mp In about two weeks,
and all of the contractors will have their
hands full. Work of this class will be
more plentiful this surnmer than It ever
was before,