The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-01
Boston Brewery Workers viii
Not Quit Work TIL Thursday.
WANT APPROVAL OF c. [. UNION
The Hours Of Labor, Free Beer and Tho
Right 10 Discharge Are The Points
al Issue.

Boston. April lit was expected that
1900 men employed in the Boston brew
cries would leave work today, having been
unable 10 reach ar agreement with the
master brewers on three disputed pro-
positions. hours of labor, free beer and the
matter OF discharge, but after long
discussion late last night II was decided
TO obtain the approval of the Central
Labor union. and with that to leave work
on Thursday.
Every brewery in the city will be more
or less affected, and II is expected that
alarge number will have to shut down.
The men openly declare that the brewers
by refusing to comply with the demands
seek TO break up the union, while the
brewers claim that the new schedule
which has been offered to the men is a
perfectly fair one. and that. owing TO
increase in the cost OF material and the
decrease In profits. they are unable TO
offer any better terms.
OF the three matters In dispute, the
question OF discharge seems TO be the
chief stumbling block. The brewers de-
mand the right TO discharge any en-
ploye at their own discretion, but at
the same time agree not TO employ any
bat union men. They claim that this
right is recognized and conceded by every
other class of organized labor.
The men on their part demand that
before a man is discharged he shall be
accorded a hearing, because after once
| being given his walking ticket" a man
| finds IL very difficult TO obtain another
| position. Discharges without a hearing
| are claimed TO be sort of blacklist from
| which there is no redress.
AS TO so-called free beer" the brewers
| state that under a recent decision of
| the police commission such a privilege or
| consideration is part of a contract and
| under the law constitutes an illegal sale.
! BY this the brewers say they have no
| other option but TO refuse to allow the
| men to draw beer any time when they
| wish.
The only answer TO this by the men is
| that free beer has always been allowed.
Regarding the hours OF labor, the brew
| ers's schedule makes IL ten hours of
| work in Il consecutive hours with two
/ hours for meals, and 35 cents an hour
| for overtime. They claim that this will
| enable the men to earn as much as they
| have under the old schedule.
| The two contending parties appear to
| be nearer on this point than on any other.
the men having agreed to nine-hour
schedule and the IS cents an hour for
| overtime
A delegation of the men met with FIVE
of the master brewers yesterday after
| noon and for four hours the various
! questions In dispute were discussed.
| There were also present a representative
of the American Federation of Labor.
whi endeavored TO obtain some common
| ground for the two sides.
| The question OF discharge was gone
| over and once more the men insisted
that no one should be dropped without
a hearing. The brewers. however, stood
| out for independence and the confer
| ence broke up without agreement or
action. The delegation of the workmen
! eral committee.
| After some time IL was decided that
II would be better to obtain the approval
| and aid OF the Central Labor union, and
the strike order was delayed until after
the meeting OF that body on Wednesday
night. 1t is expected that the approval
will be given and that the men Will &c
out Thursday instead of today.
1t is rumored in Roxbury today where
nearly all the breweries are situated
that the master brewers had been so sue.
cessful during the day In stocking up the
barrooms that they might take matters
in their own hands and declare lock-
out.
| A tremendous amount of beer was de
livered during the day, and nearly all the
saloons are full 10 overfiowing. The mas
ter brewers. however. refused TO outline
any plan and stated that at the proper
| time statement would be issued
| The postponement OF the strike unit
Thursday is regarded among the bust
| ness interests as a favorable sign, anC
| II is hoped by many members Of thu
Board OF Trade that another conference
may result in the settlement OF the con
troversy.