The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-12-16
AN APPEAL FROM THE
STARCHING GIRLS

- 04AoV314N0 04Gs40
Samuel Gompers, President of the
American Federation Of Labor:
Dear Sir and Brother:-Local No.
2 Of Troy. N. Y, was organized No.
vember 13, 1904, and at once affil-
lated with the Federated Trades
Council Of Troy. On or about the
first of May, 1905. the firm of Cluett.
Peabody & Co., introduced machines
partment, at the same time notifying
their employees that reduction of
from cents dozen to 2 cents a
dozen would be made. The employees
then asked for conference with
the work as the firm did not have the
time to meet them:
After several attempts on the part
of the starchers to get a hearing from
the firm, and each time receiving the
same reply, the employees insisted on
being heard and refused to do the
work until they received some as
surance that a committee would re-
ceive a hearing from the firm. The
employees were then locked out. The
manufacturers association then at
tempted to destroy the organization
by having Cluett, Peabody's collars
starched and laundered in the differ
ent shops controlled by members 81
the Shirt and Collar Manufacturers
association. The members of Local
No. 2 refused to handle the Cluett-
Peabody work and we're discharged.
This action of the shirt and collar
manufacturers association caused
seven hundred of our members to be
locked out.
Every effort has been made by the
Central Federation of Troy to get q
hearing from the manufacturers, but
in vain. Private citizens have en-
deavored to make arrangements to
bring about conference. The mayor
of the city. the clergy, have also tried
to arrange meeting, but the manu-
facturers have absolutely refused all
offers. They, In their greatness, say:
eve will absolutely refuse to deal
with any labor organization"
The lockout had been in force
about six weeks when the Interna-
tional Shirt Waist and Laundry
Workers, knowing what the loss of
the struggle would mean, decided to
call meeting Of the executive COM
mittee and the general president and
secretary treasurer of the S. w. and
L. w., in order to have the starchers
affiliate with our international body
A meeting was held on June 20, and
June. 26 the starchers affiliated.
Since that time we have tried to ef-
feet a settlement, but without sue
cess
The manufacturers have resorted
to the old familiar Injunction. Three
injunctions have been granted to as
many employers up to date, and it
is intimated that each employer will
apply to tho conrts Tor: intunc
TIN elnbef l1rv
tie ~ remaining loyal: not 4 single
desertion has. occurred - and, the
manufacturers are compelled to send
their work to all portions of the
United States to have 1t laundered.
The fact that they can have it laund-
cred outside: this city goes to prove
the great need of assistance, both
financially and morally, Of the Am
erican Federation: Of Labor. The sue
cessful issue of this fight means an
additional membership in the vicin-
ity of Troy alone of at least 10000.
The employees Of every shirt and col
lar shop in this vicinity are watching
this fight with interest and are wait
ing to see what organized labor can
do.
desire to assure you that the gen
eral officers of the s. w. and L. w.
have Investigated the conditions Of
the shirt and collar industry here;
and the case Is stated true in every
respect. The circular letter issued
by this office does not exaggerate in
single instance, and we feel that
any assistance the unions or members
affiliated with the American Fedora
tion of Labor can give will be re-
turned four fold.
Trusting this matter will receive
attention, am
Yours fraternally,
j. w. SMILEY, G. p.