The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-06-01

The carpenters and sheet metal
workers of the city will go on strike
this morning. The carpenters want an
eight-hour day and thirty cents an
hour. They have been working nine
| hours day and the maximum wage
| rate has been twenty-five cents per
hour.
There are about ninety sheet metal
workers in the city, and they are prin-
cipally timers, employed by the plumb
| ing and timing firms. Five weeks ago
| they mailed the following circular to
| the master timers:
| Local Union No So, Amalgamated Sheet
Metal Workers International Associa-
tiOn.
Scranton, Pa, April %. 1899
| TO the Master Timers of Scranton and
Vicinity. Sirs: Feeling that the con1i-
| tions Of the timers of the city of Scran-
| ton and vicinity do not compare favordbly
with those of other localities we present
the following trade rules for your con-
sideration. In presenting these rules we
are confident that their general adoption
will result in great benefit to both en-
| ployer and empoye.
Trade rules of the Amalgamated Sheet
metal WOfkcrS union, NO. ST:
Rule 1--Eight hours shalt constitute a
| days work.
Rule 2-The minimum rate of wages
shall be 81 cents per hour.
Rule 3-The shop steward shall see
that no man works for less than the
minimum rate
Rule All overtime must be paid for
at the rate of one and one-half time but
1t is the desire of the union to discour-
age overtime, except in case of extreme
necessity.
Rule 5--All work on Sundays must be
| paid at the rate of double time.
Rule 6-Each member must he paid in
cash at least every two weeks, and at no
| time shall he have more than three
weeks wages due him from one em-
| ployer.
Rule 7-Resolved that these rules shall
so into effect June /. 1892
Amalgamated Sheet Metal Workers
Union, No. S6. of Scranton. a.
The master timers refused to grant
| the demands and the sheet metal
workers thereupon resolved to quit
work in body. This they will do to-
day.
LAST NIGHTS MEETINGS.
Two meetings We're held last night
IN this city. the results of which may
nave a far reaching effect upon the
general public in divers ways. The
one meeting was that of the Master
Builders exchange, the other that of
the joint unions. Nos. 4S4 and 536, of
the United Brotherhood of Carpenters
and Joiners of America.
AT the formers meeting practically
nothing was done but to discuss in a
general way the outlook of the building
trade situation. At the latter's meet
ing, by majority vote of over 500
carpenters it was decided to stand by
their demand for an eight hour day,
increase in wages, etc. This means
that almost 600 carpenters will enjoy
| a general idle day today, tomorrow
and perhaps very many more after
tnat.
The demand of the Carpenters union
| was made four months ago and was
refused by the master builders within
short time afterward Since that
| time each side has been preparing for
the events which begin by reason of
last nights action.
The master builders are a unit on
the refusal and express themselves as
| willing to await the result. feeling. as
they say they do, that they have all
| to gain and nothing to lose They
also say that what little work there
| remains to be done to finish up their
present contracts was contracted for
previous to March /, 1899, which the
carpenters have agreed does not come
under the ban.
ARE WELL PREPARED.
The carpenters state that they were
never better prepared to ask and stand
! for demand than at present. Finan-
cially their resources are good for an
indefinite period; they are unified in
| purpose; will have the support of affili-
ated and outside unions; and intend
| to win on every clause of their de-
| mands. w. G. Gaillard, deputy ma
| tionai organizer of the brotherhood.
was present at last nights meeting
and reiterated his remarks made at
the meeting held last week. Alexan-
| der Glarner was chairman of the meet
| ing.
Today the men will report at Car
| ponters' hall at 9 o'clock and from
this on each morning until the ques-
tion under discussion is settled. II
in the meantime the contracting public
want work done, providing the matter
remains unsettled for a long time, the
unions through qualified members will
| enter into the contracting business and
| do the work ON the basis of their pre-
| sent demands.
The present wage is % cents per hour
for journeymen and so cents per hour
| for the foremen. with the nine hour
| day. They want an increase of five
| cents each per hour and eight hours to
| constitute a day. The other wants
| are only of incidental or minor import
| anCe.
| Contractor Conrad Schroeder, presi-
| dent of the Builders exchange, was
| approached at the close of the ex-
| changes meeting last night and asked
| to make a statement as to their posi-
| ton. This" he said, 'is unnecessary
as our position is already we'll defined
| We cannot grant the demands"
| How VIII the strike affect your
| present contracts?" was asked
| Not "A particle" he replied. "Our
| present work is practically completed
| One or two large employers are retir-
ing from that business. So far as
| can ascertain none of us are unwilling
| to enjoy a much needed vacation" Al
| this point another contractor doing a
| good business broke in and said
why. we will all go fishing" and yet
another added "Or TO Coney Island
like the carpenters are said TO be in,
tending to do"
BOLT WORKS CONTRACT.
How will the strike affect your con
tract for building the plant for tn,
bolt and nut works factory" querieC