The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-19
VANDERBILT WORKERS STRIKE
AGAINST 4 PAINTING FIRM That
HASN'T EVEN BEGt y ITS JOB.
No Gric, ance-A Painters Union just
Doesn't Like One OF George VS. Con.
tractors and Embarrasses the Rest 20
Bully Him Into Taking Another.

One of the most remarkable sympa' he' ic
strikes on record began yesterday az the
residence Of George W Vanderbilt. Fifty
first street and Fifth avenue. in which
extensive alterations are being made.
The strike was ordered by the Building
Trades Council on behalf Of the Amalga-
mated Painters Society though no painters
will ba employed in the building for two
months. Tho plastercrs have just begun
their work, and painting will be started
only after the plasterers have finished.
The strike is intended To force william
Baumgarten & Co.. who have the contract
for painting and decorating the house
and who employ members Of the Brother
hood of Painters. To discharge its work.
men and employ members of the Amaiga-
mated Painters Society on all their con-
tracts. II the union cannot do this il hopes
10 have the contract for the painting and
decorating taken away from the firm and
given to some other concern which does a.
the union wishes
Meantime il is not Baumgartcn & Co,
but the contractors for the other work
in the house. their workmen and Mr.. Van
derblt who will suffer the loss and incon-
venience caused by the strike. With the
dispute between the painters and Baum
garten K Co. these others are in nowise
concerned
The strike affects the plumbers, the
housesmiths. the roofers and half dozen
other trades. The masons, carpenters,
plasterers and workers in several other
crafts employed in the Vanderbilt altera-
tions did not strike.
ha % hAu Ia
newal Of a fight started about year ago by
the Amalgamated Painters Society agar ~
the Brot herhood Of Painters. The societ v
at that time made a general demand for
an increase of 50 cents day in wages and
ordered strikes for It's enforcement. Most
Of the members Of the Master House Paint
ers' Association granted the demand TO
the plain painters. Ii was refused by the
Interior Master Decorators and Painters
Associat ion. the members of which con-
sidered that they were already paying
good wages.
When strikes were ordered against these
employers the Brotherhood OF Painters
filed the strikers places and the Amalga-
mated Painters Society started strikes
against the brotherhood. The strikes wore
themselves out, but this il considered by
the Amalgamated Painters Society a good
opportunity for a renewal of the fight.
Strikes have been also ordered against
William Baumgarten 4 Go. on all other
buildings where they have contracts. in
cluding number Of residences. This
firm has been especially marked by the
union and the Building Trades Council
behind II because II was regarded as lead
ne the opposition TO the advance in wages
If the present strikes are successful they
will be extended to the contracts of other
members of the association.
Mr.. Baumgarten said last night:
This strike * an outrage IL will be
two months before We begin any Of the
painting and decorating in the Wander
bilt house The leaders of the unions,
however, plainly told the representative
Of Mr.. Hunt. the architect, that the strike
was to force Mr.. Vanderbilt TO take away
our contract IL we do not employ members
Of the amalgamated society. 1t ia the
more outrageous because we are employ.
ing good union men at good wages"