The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-08-21
Minneapolis
BRICKLAYERS JOIN
IN THE STRIKE
Work is Stopped on Buildings
Approximating Cost of
100000.

The members of the Minneapolis Brick
Iayers' union. in accordance with the ac-
ton of Wednesday night, reported for
duty yesterday morning on the buildings
affected by the strike Of the laborers, but
did not go to work for the reason that
the helpers were unable to show union
cards.
This inaugurated a strike that affects
in the neighborhood of $50 men, engaged
on buildings that approximate a cost of
81, 900, 900.
The stonemasons will not strike.
The action of the Bricklayers' union
in declaring this strike, in sympathy
with the building laborers who have been
on strike for higher wages and recogni-
ton of their union since Aug. 6, precip-
itates a. crisis in the local labor situation
which both the contractors and the better
element in the trades unions have sought
to avoid.
The contractors took no action during
the day looking to settlement and no
attempt was made by anyone to bring the
disagreeing parties together.
At this time it looks as if both sides
We're playing waiting game.
But for the fact that there was a gen
eral quietness about the buildings affected
by the strike, one would hardly have
known that there was any trouble on.
The men have behaved peaceably. and
went home or called at labor headquar-
ters. There were no scenes about the
buildings, and the few laborerS and stone
masons who continued work at the fed
eral building We're net mQleSted in any
way.
At this building and at the power house
were the only signs OF activity. There is
still considerable brick wor kto be done
at the power house, and there are piles
of brick waiting to be placed on the
fourth story. But the continuation of
entirely upon this, as there is much in
terror work to be done by workmen not
affected by the strike. But work on all
other buildings came to standstill, as
matters are in such shape that it is i'm
possible to continue without the brick
layers
AS far as the workmen are concerned
it does not appear that the situation is
serious one. Many laborers are out of
work, as is shown by the large attend
ance of day meetings of the union. There
were about $50 men present at the meet
ing yesterday afternoon, but before the
meeting was called to order requests for
men were received from various parts of
the city, and men We're sent out.
International Organizer Robert Wilson
says that the men will be entitled to as
sistance from the International union
upon making application not less than
two weeks after the strike was declared
AS yet there has been no talk among
the men of taking advantage of this.
The bricklayers appear to be the least
concerned of anybody affected by the
strike. Not bricklayer was to be found
about headquarters yesterday afternoon.
1t is understood that in case the men
out of positions do not find something
to do here within a very short time that
they will go to other fields. There is a
great demand for bricklayers in the West
at present, and the wages there are much
better than here.
The contractors are not worrying evil
IDENTIFY. With one exception, they have
strike clauses in their contracts on the
buildings in course of construction H N
Leighton has none on the federal build
ing. as the government enters only into
straight contract for its work. Just what
the outcome will be in this particular case
is a problem.