New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-23
TO KEEP SHOPS "0PEN."
Steiu5cay s Sons Refuse Labor De-
mands Thousands May Strike.

Strikes Of piano makers including 500 70 7.00
men throughout the city have been planned ny the
Piano Makers Union for recognition Of that body,
beginning with a strike in all the factories Of
Steirvay & Sons October l. This will be the
first strike against Steinway & Sons in twenty-one
years The strike will be under the auspices Of the
Piano and organ Makers international Union OF
America.
The demand that all the go men i'm the factories
Of the firm ioin the union before October has been
made on the firm with the ultmatum that unless
this is done a general strike will be ordered on
that date. The demand has been refused by the
hrm as were also demands for time and a half for
overtime and double wages for work done on sun
DAYS and legal holidays.
The demands were indorsed by the Central Fed
Grated Union about six weeks ago Some time later
at a meeting of the Steinwly employees IN Groll 5
Hall No l47 East Fifty-third-st-, where most OF
those who attended We're enrolled as members II
the union a committee Of the employees was APP
pointed to submit the demands 20 the firm with
the ultmatum that strike will take place on
October l If they are not granted. The demands
were submitted on September l6, and on September
IS a circular was issued by the firm to its employees
refusing the demands
The firm made public last evening its circular in
reply to the demands. which reads as follows:
We herewith acknowledge receipt OF your com;
mUniCation of September 10. in which We are asked
union. and, secondly. are requested 10 gram a
bonus of - per cent for overtime an weekdays and
of 100 per cent for overtime on Sundays and legal
HOLIDAYS. We hereby desire To notify you that
boRth requests are absolutely refused ana. 10
save any long drawn out explanation we refer
YOU to paragraphs 29 20 and 81 OF factory rules
and regulations. reading as follows:
No z9-Any attempt by one or more employees 10
Coerce fellow Workmeu by threats OF intimidation
against the inclination of the latter into the pay
ment of contributions of any kind or into member
ship of any organization. or IN a Ike manner 10
ATTEMPT to prevent fellow WU~kmeu from reiln-
gushing such membership Will az considered
proved By the undersisned) subject the offending
employe To immediate dismissal
No 3o-Every person employed in this establish
ment who conforms TO the rules and regulations,
satisfaction of the employers. shall In all other
respects enjoy full personal liberty in the exercise
Of his own free resolutions and viii be fully pro-
tecte1 IN his SITUATION py the uhueL SlEIleI;
Causes for lust complaints should be addressed
TO our Office either verbally or in writing.
No 3l-Every person employed in this estab-
lishment has submit TO and act according to the
foregoing rules and regulations ana by the fact
If working in this factory agrees to be bound by
them in every respect
President Charles II. steiuway. Of the firm. said
I'm interview this evening:
To grant the demand would mean that the union
would run our shops. This We could by no means
agTea TO. The union men say that they VIII not
work with the uOn-uniOu men. There are. We be-
ieve. only one-third Of the men in the union. and
II would be just logical if the uon-Jnou men ed
TENDER. ISL the men went on strike for a similar
demand 10 the present one w DISCHARGED them
Disseminated either against union or unon-uniou
men. and have paid the higher wages. If the men
strike we Will have 70 discharge them and on
their places. This We 40 not want To have 10 do,
good terms with them.
\ meeting Of the executive committee OF the
union discussed the circular az meeting in Faul-
haber's Hall. No ISL Second-ave.. and denounced
il vigorously. declaring II to he arrogant m spirit.
The union VIII meet on sunday N make arrange
ments for the strike ami to make demands on other
employers.