Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-18
chanics of the city are employed

The timers of this city report that |
they have all but two members of
their craft in the union. This organ
ization is composed of a conservative
element of men of mature years, and
is progressing without any noise. They
already have the nine-hour day con-
ceded to them in majority Of the
shops of this city, and no doubt will
have all of their members working
nine hours day by July 1.
coopers' Union.
For progressiveness, the coopers'
union has demonstrated it's ability to
teach other organizations how to solid
ity the members of their craft. Every
eligible cooper in this city is a men,
Der of the union. :
The Talors' Union.
At the recent referendum selection
for general secretary of the journey
men Tailors of America, John B. Len
non, of Bloomington, H., received all
but three of the votes cast by the local
union for that office, and it is almost
assured that when the entire vote of
the country is canvassed, that it will
be found that he is elected, by an over
whelming majority Mr. Lennon has
been treasurer of the American FEEDER
alton of Labor for nineteen years, and
at each annual convention, he is unani-
mously selected to succeed himself
The local tailors' union is strong and
some of the most progressive trade un-
ionists in the state.
The Clerks Union.
This organization is progressing
| finely. Nearly all the clerks in the
city are members of the local organiza-
ton, and the membership us growing
rapidly. This week the local order
paid out its first sick benefit since the
organization has been established
For an illness covering eight weeks,
S. G.. Lane, one of the members of the
local order was paid $32. The local is
in good financial condition, and it can
stand all the calls made upon it.
Painters Union.
In past years there have been many
attempts in this city to form paint
ers' organization that would weather
all the trial of adopting a scale, and a
sustenance of the union during the
dull winter season. Apparently lead
ers were wanted who could guide the
union through these two periods. To-
day the painters and decorators of this
city have both the leaders, and the
scale signed, and a treasury that the
organization is proud of, and is cred
it to the careful management of its Off
GERS. The painters are here to stay,
and are as solid as the rocks of Glib
ralter. Eighty-six per cent of the COM
petent painters of the city are mem
bers of the organization and nine
tenths of the contractors have signed
the scale.
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
Organized labor of this city is anx.
iously awaiting the signing of the 10.
cal brotherhood for the ensuing year
1t is believed that the scale will be
signed by all firms employing cleo
tricians by the end of the week.
Typographical Union.
A majority of the employing printers
OF the city have agreed to sign the new
scale of the local typographical union
NO. 70, which goes into effect July /
The scale provides universal increase
OF l2R per cent. 1t is also reported
that the union will inaugurate a cam
paign for their label which will begin
in the near future.
The Bakers.
Union label bread is now on thu
market in this city and can be secured
for the asking of it. If the label doe.
not appear on the bread that you gee
at your bakery, you can rest assured
that the baker does not employ unio1
bakers. The trades and labor assem-
bly, have endorsed the label of tn,
bakers and have sent communication
to the different labor organizations tt
demand union made bread. The bak
ers' union has come to stay, and will
have the support of every union maj
in the city.
What Union Means.
An exchange says that of all tn
, strange things that confront sensible
man in all this world, it is certainl,
the strangest to see what meanness
displayed by some members toward
their organization. Not satisfied witt
criticising in and out of season ever,
move taken for the welfare of all tn
members by the officers of the organ
cation, they do not only do not Civ
any moral support to the measure
adopted, if they do not oppose then
: outright, but they also seem to suffe
kind of tetanus of the hands when
: comes to paying dues and assess
msents, and little they realize hoy
hurtful such action is, not only t
! themselves, but to the organization i
i general.
: The true organizations, above an
others, are the ones that obtain tn
: maximum of benefits for their men
! bers for the minimum of expense, an
, the four or five dollars per year eXac
: ed as dues vouchsafe a return alto
; gether out of proportion to the amour
e expended.
? 1t is the organization as such tina
:, has reduced your hours of work an
| increased your. pay; it is the organize
: ton that has made it possible for 20
g to meet pay day with equanimity an
}, not in fear and trembling lest the hos
+ dismiss you with the remark: IN
e money this week, boys!" 1t is tn
] organization that gives your craft tn
3 standing that it has today, and make
3 you and your fellow-workman a I,
: spected element of the community.
: OF course. it costs money to conduc