The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-03-01
WORK STOPPED
On Gruwell Building by Reason of Labor
Trouble.

From Wednesdays Daily Gazette.
By reason of some trouble arising
between the local Carpenters union
and the foreman, VIM. Nicholson, on
Shackelton & Waterways contract,
the carpenter work on the new Cru
well building has stopped.
Mr.. Whiteway, who is looking after
the work, accompanied by Mr.. Michel
son, called at The Gazette office yes
terday and gave their statement of the
trouble. According to their story
Mr.. Nicholson, who is a member Of
the Butte Carpenters union, received
a written notice from the local Car
penters' union a few weeks ago notify
ing him that charges had been pre-
ferred against him for violating the
constitution in employing non-union
workmen. The local union at the
same time imposed a fine of $50 upon
him. Mr.. Nicholson paid nc atten-
tion to the notice and the result was
the receipt by Shackleton & Whiteway
of a teleg1aphic message a few days
ago from the Butte Carpenters union
stating that they endorsed the action
Of the local union, and unless Mr..
Nicholson was discharged all the men
at work for Shacketlon & Whiteway
in Butte would be called off on a
strike. AS a consequence Shackelton
& Whiteway laid off all their carpent-
ers in this city and their men in Butte
were called out by the union.
Mr.. Whiteway states that he has
not employed union men entirely on
the work here, but. has paid union
wages and all have worked under
union hours. He contends that it is
not in the contractors place to compel
his men to join the union, but that
this is the function of the union itself.
Mr.. Whiteway thinks that the trouble
was the result Of discharging two
union carpenters, who refused to do
some work as specified. When the
trouble arose MI. Whiteway says he
asked the union to place a reasonable
fine IN Mr.. Nicholson and thus get the
matter Strengthened up, and. if they
would do this he would guarantee to
employ none but union men, so far as
he was able to get them. He says he
received no satisfaction from this re-
quest.
Mr.. Nicholson has resigned his po-
sition with Shackelon & Whiteway
and has also left the union, and will
now engage in the contracting bust
ness.
Thos, Miley, recording secretary of
the Carpenters union, was seen by a
Gazette reporter, and interviewed re-
gardiIg the trouble. MIR. Miley said
they had no contention with the con-
tractors, but with the boss carpenter,
Mr. Nicholson. He claims that the
latter had not lived up to the constitu-
tion as a union foreman. The fine
was imposed by the local union, it
being optional with them to fix the
sum. Mr.. Miley further stated that
the report that he and another union
carpenter had been discharged for re-
fusing to do certain work, was untrue,
as they had quit of their own accord.
He says that Mr.. Nicholson was given
three opportunities to come before the
union and face the charges, but that
he never came.
Mr.. Whiteway stated to The Gazette
that he would put men at work today,
but that not a union man will be
placed on any of his work. He as
sures the public that all his contracts
will be as faithfully fulfilled as though
nothing had ever occurred.