Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-10-19
THE CARPENTERS UNION OF BRIDGEPORT WILL
 BREAK ITS AGREEMENT
Union Claims Interstate Association Has Repeatedly Violated Agreement Matters are at Crisis Now and Lockout Seems Inevitable Carpenters to be Fined $25 if They do Not Quit Work

bTldgcpOfL, OcE 19.--At meeting of the Journeynen Carpenters union, held last night, 1t was unanimously voted to break the three years agree ment with the Interstate association, which was drawn up less than year ago.
 The union claims that during the past year the members of the Inter- state association have violated the agreement on a a.number of opportuni- ties. 1t claims that members of the Interstate association have hired non- union men, whereas the agreement specifically provides for recognition of the union; that they have hired more apprentices than necessary; and that an alleged boycott has been issued by the association which b1acklists three of the union members. These mem- bers, the union claims, have since been unable to obtain work with any mem bers of the Interstate association.
 Counter charges have been preferred by the association, alleging intimida- tion and coercion by a business agent of the Carpenters union by threaten ing several members of the union with a fine of $25 if said members did not quit work The association also claims that the union has lodged the terms of the agreement at every pos sible time and in various ways. This action of nullifying the three years agreement between the union and the association brings matters to a crisis. A prominent member of the Interstate association said today that it was now impossible to avoid lock out
 A meeting of the Interstate associa- ton will be held tonight when it is thought probable that decided action will be taken.
 The following is a copy of the mani festo sent to the Interstate associa- ton breaking the three years agree ment:
 ssThe following resolution was adopted by the Carpenters union last night:
 Bridgeport, Conn, Oct IS, 1904. s'Mr L. D. Stone, Secretary of the In terstate Builders and Dealers Asso-
 ciation:
 Dear Sir-Your communication of the 17th inst received and placed be- fore the union this evening, and in re- |aply the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
 ssWhereas, the agreement now in force between the Interstate asSocia- ton and Local 115 of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners has been vio- lated by your association, by the blacklistfng of three of our members and depriving them of their rights guaranteed by the constitution of the United States, the right of working for whom they please and where they please, and this is quotation used many times by the employers associ- ation: That the rights of all citizens to work for whom they please and for what they please should bSsinviolate;' therefore, be 1t
 Resolved, that we absolutef efuse to arbftrate the question of Wsether our members have a right to leave the employ of an employer as individuals and we hereby deny your association the right under the protection of the stars and stripes to blacklist our mem- bers and prevent them from getting employment. Be 1t further
 Resolved, that from this date we hereby respectfully notify you and your association that we shall consider the agreement now existing between your association and our union null and void. Respectfully,
 Local No 115, Brotherhood of Carpen- ters and Joiners, by E. 0. Houghton, Secretary"