Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-06-14
Men Secure Increase in Wages, but Union
Recognition Not Granted.
COAL AND LUMBER TRANSFERS SETTLE
Return to Work on What is Known as the
Employers Scale,
LABOR LEADERS TALK OF SITUATION
Admit They Had Expected the Col
lapse of the Teamsters' strike for
Some Time and Discount
It's Eject.

The bricklayers strike Is settled and the
men will return to work Monday. The
team drivers strike is practically disposed
of and most OF the teamsters will go back
to work when they can.
The Bricklayers union and Builders ex-
change, comprising the leading contractors
of the city, have signed up an agreement
for one year and a half, which gives the
men an increase from So cents to 621S
cents an hour and takes no cognizance of
the union, the men being taken back as
individuals.
The teamsters who we're in the employ
of the coal and lumber companies have
signed what has been known as the "em-
ployers scale" and will return to work
Monday or as soon thereafter as possible.
This scale offers no recognition Of the
union and restores the men to their former
places upon substantially the same basis
as obtained when they struck. Many of
the transfer drivers are already back at
work, but no formal action has been taken
in their case The teamsters strike, there
fore, as we'll as the bricklayers, is prac-
tically thing of the past.
With these two strikes settled the firma-
ment OF labor turmoils in Omaha is brighter
than It has been for many moons and the
prospects of an entirely clear sky are en-
couraging. With the bricklayers back at
work, though the hod carriers and car
penters are yet on strike, the bulk of
building, of which there was a big volume
in the city. may be resumed and many a
wheel of the city's Industrial machinery,
SO long at a standstill, again set in motion.
OF course the great majority of union
bricklayers, like the carpenters, have left
Omaha. There are now but thirty-seven
In the city. ready to take up their trowels
Monday The normal number of union
men is 16O. Others may return.
what They Asked and Got.
The bricklayers were getting IS cents an
hour and demanded 65 cents. The settle
ment therefore, is in the form of com.
promise The men demanded full recogni.
4ion of tfreir union. in harmony with the
concerted action of all the unions in the
city which went on strike. This they die
not receive. Furthermore. they will work
beside nonunion carpenters and hod car.
riers IL necessary.
Among the largest jobs Of building is the
Auditorium, the completion of the new
market house, work on the Krug theatel
has yet been made with the hod carriers
none with the carpenters. The majority
of the latter, like the bricklayers, have
left the city and are working elsewher,
under union conditions. The hod carrier,
have gone to the four winds also. Som,
time ago prominent contractors ASSERTED
their willingness to settle with the hoo
carriers by giving them what they de
manded as soon as the bricklayers' strik,
could be disposed OF. Whether this viii
be done remains to be seen. New condi
tions have arisen OF course. As to the car
penters, It is said the bulk Of the i'm
portant work can progress for some tim,
before they will be badly needed In tn,
meantime It is hoped amicable relations
can be restored between them and the con
| tractors.
"Hicl<'' Stevenson Fined.
| The Bricklayers' union met at Labor tenn
pie last night and ratified the agreemen
between them and the contractors Tn
vote for ratification was 80 to 8, and b,
the same vote c. A. Stevenson, busines
agent for the Building Trades council, wa
fined 800 and suspended from the union
pending the payment of the fine, the eharg
being that he failed to vote as the uniol
had instructed him in the selection OF tn
arbitration committee between the brick
layers and the contractors.
THE Building Trades council, whicl
comprises seven unions, instructed me I
vote for seven members from our side 70
that conference committee" said Steven
son, land the Bricklayers' union, one or
ganization. ordered me to vote for only fiv
members. 1 voted for seven The tine an
suspension was the result. That is all
have TO say"
Friday night the teamsters met and de
clded TO call OF the transfer drivers strik,
The action was not unanimous, but take
by a large majority. Saturday considerabl
dissatisfaction was manifested over thi
action and the element which original
opposed quitting had gathered additions
strength and exerted a strong effort
secure a reputation OF the action the da
before. But 1t was futile.
The collapse Of the teamsters strik
aroused considerable comment as to Ii
outcome Of other strikes.
Eject of Teamsters' Collapse.
THE collapse of the teamsters' striI
will have no effect on the general Iabc
situation in Omaha" said George w. Mile
president OF the Carpenters union. "Th
teamsters' weakness has been apparent Il
some time and their action did not surpril
anyone who was in touch with the sltu,
ton. The only possible bearing this su
render can have on the rest OF the striker
is what II may derive from the estimate
OF the public. Many people naturally wi
regard this as an evidence OF general veal
ness and a move toward disintegration
the general labor forces, but that is wron
The actual strength or potency of the lab,
organizations on strike cannot be impair,
by the action OF the teamsters It Is mo
substantial and far-reaching than tina
Numerically the teamsters are strong, b.
their organization is not one OF gre
strength in Omaha, and like all men
, unskilled trades they are subject TO colIap
ana unable TO Withstand the elements Of
. strike as can union more compact al
5 skilled"
I L. V. Guye. business agent OF Il
BARRIERS union, who. lilse Mr.. Miles, n
E been a positive factor throughout the pre-
b ent labor turmoil in Omaha. takes pra