Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-19
Electrical Workers Unanimously Re-
ject Contractors Propositions.
BUILDING TRADES COUNCIL Acts
Several Solutions Advanced, lnclud-
ing a Cooperative Movement.
G o n d l 7 L o n S
TO D A Y

The agreement entered into by the cleo
trical employers. which defines the condi-
ions under which members of the Electri-
cal Workers Union will be employed. and
which was published IN yesterdays Star,
was reported at the meeting of the Build
Ing Trades Council last evening The
agreement had been previously considered
by the electrical workers at a largely at
tended meeting and unanimously rejected
1his action of the electrical workers was
inoorsed by the Building Trades Council
last evening, and steps were taken to act
lively enlist the building trades IN the inter-
est of the striking electricians. The senti-
ment of the council was strongly in favor
of sympathetic strike on all buildings
where non-union electrical workmen are
employed. This was expressed i'm a reso
luton adopted, which declares for a gem
eral tie-up of building operations If the
question at issue between the EMPLOYERS
ana men are not adjusted today
IL was decided to make final effort to
settle the difficulty. and to this end the
employers have been officially Informed
that the men will not accept the terms of
thelr agreement, and request that they
inject III conference at q o'clock this evening.
Attitude of the Strikers.
The terms of the employers are general
~ condemned. not only by the electrical
"oihers. Out Dy members of other crafts.
A prominent member of the Electrical
workers Union. vixen spoken to relative
to the agreement submitted by the en-
ployers, said:
Il voice the unanimous sentiment OF nv
union when | say that the men will re-
main or strike forever before they will ac-
cept the terms of the employers
Under these terms the men say their con-
dltion Will be worse than before. They
state that the exclusion of waiting time,
for which they Will not he paid. is a re-
duction virtually of "A days wages, they
Will lose the time while waiting for ma
terial or orders, which at times, without
any fault of theirs. consumes much time,
for which the employer should be held re-
sponsible. The apparent increase of wages
as agreed to by the employers. the men
say, is deceptive. That the increase of -
cents over the tate now paid would be off
set by The loss of time while waiting for
materials and others causes. The men also
seriously object to the employment of
helpers provided in the agreement of
the employers. These helpers. they state.
will be utilized by the employers to GO re-
pair work and other work to the exclusion
of the journeymen, and If permitted would
result largely in the displacement of the
journeyman by apprentices and helpers.
Cooperative Movement Favored.
As the strike continues a strong sentiment
is developing among the men of the union
favorable to the members taking work CO.
operatively and thus contract in compeu-
ton with the employers Referring to this
matter a prominent member of the union
stated that they regarded the scheme as
feasible, and that practically II would set
tie the question now at issue between the
men and the employees. We have he
said, ''ali the efficient electricians in the
city and are, therefore, able to construct
better work than the employers can with
apprentices, helpers and such journeymen
as they can get. The work could also be
done cheaper for the owner because the
employers profits would be eliminated
from our estimates. Yet leaving us profit
in excess Of the wages which We now re-
quiTe the employers TO pay.
The fund necessary tor the purchase of
stock and to defray incidental expenses, it
is said Will be advanced by the labor or
ganizations of the District soon the
scheme of cooperation is determined upon.
Both Sides May Iieid a Little.
The conference tonight. it is thought; will
show that both parties are willing to yield
a little, so that settlement can be prompt
ly made.
1t is said by some of the contractors that
the proviso in the resolutions adopted at
the meeting last evening of the Building
Trades Council that in the event of gem
eral strike being ordered it should extend
only to work where non-Gnion labor is en-
ployed, would be rather far reaching in ITS
effects, as quite a number of non-union
men in nearly all the branches OF the build
ing trades are employed.
1t is believed by some of the employees
that the present difficulty can be settled by
the workers and the contractors.
Might BE Underbid by Outsiders.
1t is pointed out that if the contractors
conceded to the men all they asked the re-
suit would be an advance of about 30 per
cent in the scale paid. This would place
the local men, it is claimed. in position
where they would be underbid by outside
firms doing business in Baltimore and other
places where lower wages are paid.