Waterbury Democrat., 1902-12-31
GrieVe, BiSSet G Holland.
UNIONISM IN WATERBURY.
Big Gains Made During the Year Just New Unions Organized and Shorter Hours and More Pay for
 Some of Those Already Organized,

Wonderful has been the growth of unionism in this city during the past two or three years, especially during the year just coming to a close. Many new unions have been organized while the older ones have been made larger and stronger by the addition of many new members. From a town where unionism was looked upon as almost crime a few, years ago, Waterbury has become one of the strongest. if not the strongest union city in the state. Nearly every craft and trade in the city is organized. Each union is increasing in strength rapidly. Take for instance the Buffers and Polishers' union. At the beginning of the year its membership numbered about 200. now it has about TOO members. And thus it has been with all the other un- ions though in a less degree. Among the unions which have been organized in fhis city during the past year are the following:
 Drug Clerks.
 Meat Cutters and Butchers,
 Teamsters.
 Laundry Workers.
 Shoenakers.
 Ice Handlers.
 Casters and. Casters Helpers.
 Stampers. .*,-
 Wire Drawers and Pointers
 Musicians
 Horseshoers.
 Brass Workers.
 Solderers .. Hand Burnishers.
 Prompters.
 Freight Handlers.
 The number of strikes that have taken place in this city during the past year was small for such a large city. The following strikes took place:
 January 31.-Twenty-four girls in the cutting department of the Scovill Manufacturing company. Their pay had been gradually cut down until some of them didn't make more than 30 cents a day. Strike was settled a day or two after to the satisfaction of all parties concerned.
 Feb s2O-Twenty-three girls at the Waterbury Button company's, some of whom claimed that they didn't make more than 10 cents day. Girls not taken back.
 March 7.-Fourteen painters employ ed by the LaPalme-H Hoffman Go struck on account of the employment of 3 non-union man. Men won after days strike.
 April 1.-Lathers struck for more pay. Granted after few days.
 May 9-Freight handlers at the freight depot of the Naugatuck divis- ion of the New York, New Haven x Hartford railroad struck for one hour less work and 21a cents an hour more for overtime work Men won after about two weeks strike.
 July 1.4Hod Carriers strike for 92b cents an hour instead of 20 cents. The building business was pafalyzeu for f6 days, at the end of which tune fhe men were granted their demands. July 31.-A 30-minute strike of eight carnenters employed by the Waterbury Lumber & Coal Co. Men got what they wanted.
 Auoust 21.-Strike of 20 girls, warp CTS at the American Mills Go. because fhey were not allowed any money for doing bad work over. Wednesday, August 27. the girls returned, the trou- hIe having been adjusted to the satis- faction of all parties.
 Sen+enlbers 9.-Iron workers employ ed on the Camp building on Bank street and new addition to the Chase Rolling Mill Co.'S concern struck for 70 cents an hour and nine hour day. The demands were granted few days later by the Berlin Iron Co and the American Bridge Go, for which the men worked.
 September 15.-Strike of IT stamp CTS and 32 rag wheelers at Roger & Brothers for 30 cents a day more Three days later the request was grant ed
 October 7-Strike of 26 men in the junior fork room at Roger &E Broth CTS. Settled next day.
 October 14.-Fourteen platers at the Waterbury Manufacturing concern strike Men Seturn to work next day