Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-04-24
WORKMEN BENEFITED.
Shorter Hours Followed
by Reduction in Wages.
ONE SUCCESSFUL STRIKE.
Altogether It Has Been q Successful
Year For Organized Labor.

BosToN, April "a - Since the year
came In the labor organizations of
Boston have succeeded In establish
ing several reforms which are prov
ing greatly beneficial to workingmen. II is
estimated that between 5000 and 10, 900 me1
are working under better conditions this
spring than they were last. In the list of
the concessions granted by employers, the
shortening Of the work day to eight hours
figures prominently, although In several
instances wages were reduced
The strike OF the carriage makers and
plasterers' tenders involved over 1000 men,
but in both cases the strikers were success
ful. The carriage makers have gained the
nine hour day
without Reduction
from the rate Of wages paid for ten hours
labor. The tenders gained several import
ant points in addition to the eight-hour
system adopted before the strike The
plasterers were granted the eight-hour
day with
slight Increase OF Pay
aud $50 men In the lime distributing trade
were benefited thereby. The bricklayers
to the number of 1900, the laborers num-
bering 300, and $50 stone masons are also
working eight hours where last year they
worked nine. The fathers petitioned the
master builders for an increase of wages
to S3 per day. The Increase was granted
without strike. except on buildings under
control of three firms. All but one have
since given in.
The machinists OF the city have also
been making great strides In the direction
of securing shorter hours. Several large
firms throughout the city and Cambridge
have already signified their willingness
TO grant a nine-hour day. The Kidder
Press company, Old Colony railroad, Bar
bour e. Stockwell, the West End street
railway and other large shops are among
the number who are willing TO concede
the 56-hour per week system. The machin-
lists trade council, composed of lodge 2s4,
International association; Union %, lodge
243, Cambridge lodge BAL, Waltham lodge
and Pilgrim lodge of South Boston, will
devote its energies toward securing the
nine-hour day from this out
The 500 mechanics Of the central power
station, the Bartlett street and other shops
of the West End Street Railway company
were granted
An Increase In Wages
OF 20 per cent on the fifth OF the month
besides having the rate for overtime salts
factorily adjusted. The carpenters were
not satisfied, it is true, but the differences
are in a fair way of being settled.
Altogether IL has been successful sea-
son for organized labor. Mont union men
aud 'scabs" are becoming fewer every day,
and the wonderful scarcity of them in
many trades is the cause of several un-
looked-for concessions. The boilermakers
and iron shipbuilders are at present on
strike for nine hours, and tho president Of
the manufacturers association has already
offered the nine hours after July l, pro-
vided the men will return to work now.
The men, however, did not fall into the
trap. They feel sure that they will be
working June under the nine hour sys
tenn, and they do not propose to wait q
month later, when the greater bulk Of the
work will have been disposed Of.
Several other crafts are seriously consid-
ering the best means to secure an advance
In wages or else
Reduction In the Hours
of labor. Among them may be mentioned
the carpenters, painters, stablemen, cornice
workers and others In the iron trades The
carpenters think that IL they put on q bold
front and use discretion they are sure to
get either an increase or shorter hours,
probably the latter
The carpenter is supposed to be . man
Of skill, but II is nevertheless . fact that
building laborers are at present as we'll
situated as they
In fact many say the hodcarriers
better off. They work shorter hours and
are well paid. The carpenters are taking
steps to organize their trade thoroughly,
and as soon as they do that they will be in
position to adopt the eighthour system
and an increase in pay besides.
The position Of the painter is somewhat
similar Their greatest difficulty is the
large number Of workmen in their trade
who do not know their business" II q
contracting painter can get mau TO do
rough job for less wages than union man
he will get the man who hardly knows
which end OF the brush to take hold OF, as
an official of the South Boston union once
express d IL. The painters are also con-
sidering the best means Of bettering their
condition, and better organization is the