The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-11
STRIKE REACHES
The TWIN CITIES
IRON WORKERS CALLED OUT ON
ST. PAUL BUILDING.
War Between Union and American
Bridge Company Ties up One job
Original Trouble Was with New
Haven Union = Operation Of Plant
Here Not Affected.

Trouble arising from the controversy
between the Structural Iron Workers
and the American Bridge company has
reached the twin cities. Yesterday
morning the union men employed on
the plant of the American District
Heating company, St. Paul, were called
The contract was held by the Ameri-
can Bridge company, and the work was
being performed under the direction Of
representatives of the company. This
is supposed to be the only contract held
at first hands by the American Bridge
company in the northwest, SO there is
no immediate danger OF the trouble
'p Arrangements had been made by the
company to rush the job in the hope of
having the plant in readiness for oper-
alton before winter set in.> The work
is completely at a standstill, and the
men who are out say that great diff
Guilty will be experienced in procuring
men to fill their places. In proof OF
this it was stated at Building. Trade
headquarters last night that Twin City
Business Agent Patrick Hurley had sent
thirty-fve of the men to Bismarck
N. D., to work upon bridge contract
there on the Missouri rived. This work
it is said, has taken up all the sur
plus men in both cities.
Settlement of the trouble here viii!
depend entirely upon the outcome OF
the differences between the union and the
Boston Bridge company, over contracts
held by the latter for the New Haven
Railway company.
Circular Of Union Officials.
A circular letter received in Min
neapolis this morning by Patrick Hur;
ley, twin city business agent, says that
the American Bridge company has
shown a marked plan Of discrimination
against the New Haven, Conn.,, union
Of the Structural Iron Workers.
"The officials Of the above,namec
company have repeatedly informed
your officials, - says the CIRCULAR, "tha1
they would do no business with the
New Haven union, and in the light Of
recent events they seem determined t!
back up their assertions. July % No. l:
called strike in their jurisdiction tt
obtain an agreement and also force thu
American Bridge company to employ
union men on work which they had sub
let to the Boston Bridge company. From
the best information obtainable, it ap
pears that the New York: New Have1
& Hartford railroad awarded a contrac
for about 5000 tons of bridge work tt
the American Bridge company, believ
ing that union men would be employed
as they did not desire to have an,
trouble with organized labor. After tn
American Bridge company had secured
this contract, they sublet the work t.
the Boston Bridge company, which com
pany has always been unfair to our or
ganization, and some are under the in,
preston that the Boston Bridge com
pany is controlled by the America,
Bridge company and is bein used as
subterfuge to employ non-union men.
"The executive board has approve
of calling a general strike against thi
company to assist our New Haven OF
ganization, and all work the erection O
which the American Bridge company
responsible for should be stopped
whether it is being done by a sui
contractor or the American Bridg
company direct.'
At the local plant of the America
Bridge company it was stated toda
that the strike had not been noticed
It only affects field work, and not tn
plant itself.