The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-07-28
Meat Cutters Claim Breach
of Contract by Packers.
DOORS CLOSED TO MANY
All old Employees Report for Work,
But Are Told That Only a Small
Number Could Be Taken
Back.

1 ue SLOCk ydIuS Sll Inc was 1SuS" 81
Friday morning in Chicago and all
the other points where the big pack
!! ing companies have branches, because
the strikers were dissatisfied with the
manner in which the employers pro-
posed to reinstate their former en-
ployees.
Friday morning three thousand
| butchers reported at the stock yards
in Chicago for work. Only half of
them were given places. Thereupon
all refused to work. They reported
in a body at their union headquarters.
The general order for renewal of the
strike was soon forthcoming.
While the immediate rrovocation
for renewal OF the strike was appa-
rently the failure Of the packers to
take back a larger proportion Of the
strikers who applied for work, the: real
cause IF the rupture was inferred to
be a circular issued Thursday by the
packers.
The circular purported to explain to
the public the agreement entered into
with the labor leaders. Seemingly the
circular could be taken as implying
that agreement did not bind the pack
ers to re-employ all Of the men who
walked out. The construction the ID
Dor leaders had placed upon the
agreement was that all should be re-
employed within forty-fve days.
When the butchers and their help
ers went into the yards to take their
old places, the general greeting re.
ceived was:
I'VE cannot take back more than
half the regular force"
Immediately there was woeful dis
play of chagrin and disappointment.
The men held a conference of an m
promptu nature and reached an agree
ment to act as unit Or not at all.
"Take All Back or None."
"You must take US all back or
none," came the reply Of the union
men. The packers refused to accede
to this, and a committee was sent to
see President DonneIiy. The latter
was quickly in communication with
his advisers.
Within an hour and a half the de-
cision was reached to reopen the
strike-President Donnelly sending "a
toIocram tn THAT offaof
The breaking Of the agreement, as
alleged by President Donnelly, on the
part Of the packers and the ending OF
all peace plans on the part Of the
unions, came as a violent surprise to
the public, despite the widespread
knowledge that the men were far from
satisfied with conditions consequent
upon the signing Of the terms OF
peace.
The summary action of the strikers
in ordering a renewal Of hostilities
was followed by equally vigorous ef-
forts at restoration of peace. AS a
result, the news Of the strike order
was followed within an hour by an an
nouncement that a joint conference
was called to take place Friday after
noon between the packing houses and
the labor leaders. The purpose Of. the
conference was stated to be to discuss
the alleged unjust discrimination on
the part Of the packers.
The portion Of the, packers circular
Objectionable to the unionists follows:
I'm the agreement reached the
packers reserve the privilege Of re-
tanning in their employ all employees
that have been hired while the strike
has lasted, thus guaranteeing to these
men the fair treatment they deserve
and gaining for the packers one OF
stood out. The privilege of arbitra-
tion within the time limit OF IS days
covers the question of tdiscrimina-
ton only, and Is in no way intended
to guarantee to the striking employees
that they will be taken back and given
the places now filled by non-uuion
help"