The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1900-09-29
ANSWER or MARBLE.
70 Eli of Grievances Presented by
Employees.

~ Sl f'FcSeNltt ~
Employees.
HAZELTON. PA, Sept. 2J.-FOllOW-
ing is Markle & o.'s answer to their
employees bill Of grievances:
Jeddo, Pa, Sept, 24.-To the Commit
tee Of the Employees Of G. b. Markle &
Co.
Men-Believing that arbitration was
the proper method Of settling all differ
ences between employer and employees,
as far back as 1885 an arbitration
clause was embodied in the agreement
with our men which is as follows: 1--WE
further agree that under no consider
alton will we enter into strike. Any
difficulties we may have With our en-
ployers are to be settled by arbitra-
ton, viz: BY our choosing a compe-
tent man and their choosing one and
If these men cannot agree these two
must choose a third and their decision
CT the decision of a majority Of them
to be binding. Ii is further agreed that
we will not be governed by any labor
association in settling any difficulties
while in the employment of G. b.
Markle & Coz
At this time when the answers to
your grievances are due, we find a
number of men absent from work. Of
course, some advise us they are re-
strained from working through fear.
themselves with labor organizations.
Under these circumstances we could,
we believe, in perfect faith, announce
that our arbitration agreement was at
an end but we do not feel that men
who regard their pledges as sacred
should be dishonored through breach
Of faith by others. Our answers to our
grievances are given With the under
standing that only those who are work.
ing today have the right to act upon
them and with the further understand
ing that their action shall be binding
upon us. Those identified with labor
organizations, having by that affilia-
ton disqualified themselves from act
ing under our arbitration agreement,
are not entitled to vote. Those who are
deferred from work by conditions for
which we are not responsible must be
considered as in a state of voluntary
suspension and their votes also must
be excluded. 1t is our earnest endeaVOr
to advance the welfare Of our employees
wherever possible. This course, we be-
lieve. we have followed in the past and
we assure you the past can be regard
ed as precedent of the future.
The question having arisen as to the
possibility Of failure on the part of the
two arbitrator chosen under our mu-
tual compact to agree upon the third
arbitrator, we have expressed our will
lngness, which we again confirm, that
if they cannot agree, Archbishop Ryan
OF Philadelphia, if agreeable to you
shall act in that capacity. We also
gree +that=.if any changes he made as
the result of arbitration they shall be
effective as of date Sept. Is, 1900, that
being the date upon which the COM
mittee waited upon us.
The company then proceeds to give
specific answers to various demands
made by the men.
Regarding the request for semi
monthly payment of wages the COM
pany says that in 1893 the announce
ment was made that all who desired
wages semi monthly could have them
upon giving notice, but, the company
adds the men did not take advantage
Of the notice and monthly payments
were resumed. Up until 1897 te COM
pany says no request for semi-monthly
payments had been made This
grievance is then disposed of by the
company stating that if after mature
deliberatiOn the men want a return to
the semi-monthly payment plan it will
be resumed.
In denying the request that drivers
be paid for every hour they work, the
company says, the wages are based
upon service from a. M. to D. M,
but that in most cases the men are
for a full day.
On one Of the principal grievances,
the prices of powder, the company asks
for arbitration. The price now
charged is 1910 a key. The men want
it made as low as possible.
Another principal grievance, that
employees getting $3.50 per day be adj
vanced five per cent and under that
figure ten per cent the company de-
clines to accede to. 1.-THE sliding SCALE
the reply states, (which is embodied
in our agreement has governed wages
since its adoption, and Notwithstanding
the increased cost in the production
and preparation of coal. has remained
the same. Since December, 1899, there
has been an advance of six per cent on
the basis and since February l, 1900,
the rates of wages paid our men have
been higher than at any time since
Jan. /, 1895. We cannot grant the re-
quest.
The company declines to pay
engineers by the hour, preferring to
continue paying them monthly rate.
1t is agreed to provide a powder car,
if for black powder, and not dynamite.
A tool car to bring tools to and from
the mine will also be provided when
the men fix upon a feasible plan that
will end complaints as to losing tools.
1t is also agreed to erect a powder
house.
In conclusion the company asks for
an early reply to the result of the
mems deliberations on the answers in
order that there will be. no delay in
arbitration and a final decision.