Omaha daily bee., 1899-04-20
NOVEL STRIKE AND BOYCOTT
Although Observing Union Rules a Plumbing
House is Called Down.
POSSIBLE SENSATION IN LABOR CIRCLES
For Undertaking IN Contracts, Yet
Paying Union Wages and working
Union Hours, II Firm Gets
Into Trouble.

A possible sensation in local labor circles
Is Impending In the threat OF Local
Plumbers union. No. l6, to seecde from
the national plumbers organization as a
consequence OF a fight that has been on all
this spring between local plumbers and a
plumbing house which was established in
this city last spring. The situation is in
many respects he most peculiar in the his
tory OF local labor organizations.
The peguliarity In the case lies in the
fact that the fight did not arise from con-
yentional reasons. Ordinarily a strike or a
boycott is declared because nonunion men
are employed or nonunion wages are paid
or nonunion hours Of labor are required.
But the local plumbing house observes all
union rules and still it is boycotted and a
strike has been declared among its en-
ployes,
The actual cause Of complaint is that the
plumbing house persists In charging Tor It's
plumbing work less than the other estao-
lishments in the city. This is unsatisfac-
tory to the journeymen plumbers, although
they are being paid as much as If the prices
charged we're doubled or trebled.
The local house is a branch Of a St.'Louis
firm. The fight upon it as far as Omaha is
concerned started before it came to this
city. Last fall the Omaha plumbers declared
a .DlNfONN AHRA AhE N'RHH
sisted in selling them at a lower figure than
other houses. In retaliation for this boy
colt the st. Louis firm in January last in
stalled a branch house in this city and com
mencei TO prosecute an aggressive war upon
the boycotters.
Its plan of campaign succeeded. II is
figured generally by conservative plumbers
that the new house has secured 60 per cent
OF all plumbing business that is being dohe
or has been done in the city this spring.
1t has secured this business simply b! uh-
derhidding other firms. \ strike has oeeh
declared among its employees, those plumbers
who STAYED BY It have been suspended by
their union aud it has been declared an
unfair shop, but all of this has failed to
stop the prosperity of the new house or to
increase it's prices for plumbing work.
About two weeks ago the matter was
brought to a climax. The plumbing estao-
lishment decided to fight the boycott and
the strike. The local plumbers union was
willing to lock horns with II on the matter.
AS a consequence the case was carried TO
the executive committee Of the national
plumbers organization. This comnlttee
could not be gotten together and delegated
authority. with power to act, upon Presi-
dent Kelly OF the organization to decide
the case. After listening TO both sides
President Kelly decided in favor of the local
union. The plumbing establishment never
theless declined to charge more for Its
plumbing work and carried the case over
President Kelly's head TO the executive
committee. This committee has displayed
an inclination to reopen the case and the
local union has threatened to secede If 1t
does.
Other labor organizations have so far
stood by the plumbers union. But the
plumbers are likely to stand alone if they
secede from their national body.